Israel Active

Israel’s Sergei Richter learned to shoot aged 13 in the IDF youth corps. Last year he helped the German team Kolber gain promotion. Today he is the first Israeli to book his place to London 2012.

Jerusalem Midnight Biking is akin to a spiritual experience. It has been awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate for Excellence and the number 1 ranking for the last six months.

If you’re quick you may catch the end of the Jerusalem Festival of Light from 15th to 22nd June; every evening between 8pm and midnight, and it’s FREE! Video below has excerpts of 2010 event.

Vanessa Mae performed her unique brand of virtuoso violin playing to the 2000 year-old Caesarea amphitheatre on June 18th.

It’s been a good year for rap stars in Israel. Following Antithesis, Prodezra and Shyne, the Hasidic musician from New York, Matisyahu will perform on June 23 at Safra Square in Jerusalem.

Academy award winning Israeli actress Natalie Portman (star of The Black Swan) has given birth to a baby boy. She has named him “Alef” – the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Verdi’s opera Aida was performed spectacularly at the Dead Sea desert fortress site of Masada – a highlight of the Israel Opera festival.

To celebrate the opening of Israel’s first solar field, rap artist Shyne has released his new song “Solar Energy” with lyrics “No oils, barrels. Powered by the sun. Solar energy. The revolution has begun.”

Starring Shani Lachmish, daughter of our friend Leonie.

Contemporary Israeli Dance Week is a feature of this year’s La MaMa Moves Festival in New York. It also hosts a project by Israeli film schools where students combine dance films and animation.