Israel Active

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performed a historic concert at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Watch the Youtube recording of the first time that the IPO played the Israeli National Anthem HaTikvah (The hope) in an Arab country. The whole audience was on its feet.

The first-ever Abraham Accords Esports Peace Games will take place in Tel Aviv (Jan 26 – 28). The digital video-gaming championship will feature competitors from Israel, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco, among others, aiming to win a share of the $82,000 prize fund.

Most Israelis were happy that Lionel Messi finally achieved his ambition to help win the World Soccer Cup for Argentina. Messi has visited Israel several times (see previously). Then in 2020, Messi became global ambassador for Israel’s OrCam Technologies.

The Center for Environmental Education inside Hiriya Recycling Park (see previously) is exhibiting “Out of Sight” - an installation of thousands of discarded colored plastic bags. Also “Second Chance” - a model of artist Suly Bornstein Wolff’s own house, made from throwaway items.

Actors from Israel’s national Habima Theater performed “Bustan Sephardi” (Spanish Orchard) in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. The play, in Hebrew with French captions, was written by Yitzhak Navon, Israel’s fifth president, whose mother immigrated to Israel from Salé, Morocco.

Israel’s Dana Azran won a silver medal in the +73kg category at the World Taekwondo Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico.  It was only Israel’s second medal ever in the international competition - Ilan Goldschmidt won a bronze medal in 2005.

Jerusalem’s Winter Lights Festival (Dec 12 - Jan 31) takes place every evening in the Botanical Gardens. 25km of cable connects 2.5 million ecologically friendly LED bulbs in the shapes of animals, butterflies, flowers and more. Also, see the colors on Jerusalem’s streets.

Israel’s Alona Caspit achieved the highest score in the Piano competition for ages 14-17 at the Danubia Talents international music festival and competition in Budapest. (Video is from 2021.)

Matthew Miller, owner of Jerusalem’s Koren Publishers, has launched a Library of the Jewish People to bring together the best writings from Jewish history in the fields of religion, the arts and politics. The first book to be included is “The Zionist Writings of Theodor Herzl” by Prof Gill Troy.

Among the many recent sights and activities on Jerusalem’s streets, the Israel Museum opened its exhibition, “Body of Faith: Sculpture from the National Museum of India.” It marks the 75th anniversary of India’s independence – just before Israel celebrates its 75th anniversary.