Disabled IDF veterans win 5 medals
Disabled IDF veterans participated for the first time in the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf. Israel sent 20 veterans to compete in swimming, cycling, archery, table tennis and indoor rowing. The team won 5 medals including a gold and a silver in table tennis.
Israel beats Belarus in stoppage time
Israel’s national soccer team scored in the 93rd minute to beat Belarus 1-0 and keep them in contention to qualify for the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship.
Top tennis stars to compete in Watergen Open
Israel will host the Tel Aviv Watergen Open on Nov. 5-11, in which top-ranked tennis superstars from around the world will compete for a $1 million prize pool. Last year’s tournament saw Novak Djokovic defeat Marin Cilic in the final. Some 4,500 spectators are expected.
Fauda returns
Israeli hit television show Fauda is set to return to the screen for an unexpected Season 5. Season 4 was meant to be the series’ grand finale, but the show’s producers and cable provider YES have agreed to continue for another season. Thanks to Netflix, Fauda was the top TV show in Lebanon and Qatar.
Israeli flag flies high
Keisha Schahaff and her daughter Anastasia Mayers made history when they won a trip to become the first mother and daughter to go to the edge of space. Keisha, who is married to an Israeli, proudly wore the Israeli flag on her spacesuit aboard Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity.
(see Keisha on the BBC video at 1:40 & 2:20)
Six world karate golds
The Israeli karate delegation won six gold, one silver and four bronze medals at the Aug 2023 SKIF Shotokan Karate World Games in Hungary.
Victory, despite forfeiting Shabbat match
Israel’s Under 17 boys flag football team won gold at the inaugural IFAF Flag Football European Youth Championships in Grosseto, Italy. The team refused to play one match on Shabbat and were severely penalized. Despite this, they advanced to the semi-finals and finals.
Imagine Dragons enthrall Tel Aviv fans
US pop giants Imagine Dragons performed to 62,000 fans at Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park. Hits included “My Life”, “Believer”, “Thunder” and “Demons”. Before “Enemy”, lead singer Dan Reynolds called out, “Don’t let your enemies take you down. You are strong.”
The flamingos are back
The first sign of autumn (fall) in Israel was signified by the arrival of dozens of flamingos at the Hula Lake in Northern Israel. The first migrating birds also include egrets, hummingbirds, and different species of herons.
Piano festival in the desert
The 32nd annual Tel-Hai International Piano Master Classes at Midreshet Sde Boker in the Negev, attracted 78 budding pianists from 17 countries. Hopefuls are meticulously screened for their skills, ensuring that the event remains a true celebration of talent rather than a numbers game.