Israel Active

The annual Tel Aviv Night Run, featuring courses lined with DJ stands and illuminated art installations, on Oct 29 was organized by the Tel Aviv-Yafo municipality. It is described as a “celebration of sport, music, and urban energy”. It had three courses - 5km, 10km, or 15km - to attract various fitness levels.

Actor Kevin Spacey will perform a show, “Songs & Stories,” accompanied by a jazz band on 19 Nov at Tel Aviv’s Hangar 11. Spacey visited Israel in Dec 2024 with British author Douglas Murray (see previously).  

The Israeli Opera turns 40 this year, featuring seven productions.  Purcell's Dido & Aeneas (November - the company’s very first production in 1985), Tchaikovsky's Iolanthe (January), The Dybbuk, Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Strauss’s Salome, Verdi’s Nabucco, and finally, Puccini’s Tosca.

Tel Aviv’s first-ever stand-up and comedy “Punch” festival, takes place Dec 11-13. Based at the Zionist House, it features homegrown comedians, a special Russian-language stand-up night, and The Harry Potter Stand-Up Show for the whole family.  bit.ly/3WrVOf9 for tickets.

This year’s Abu Ghosh fest featured 30 concerts and musical events, including the "Sinatra Meets New Orleans" show with Eli Preminger and The Chocolate Factory Band! Part of the festival was held in Tel Aviv due to the renovation work being carried out on the Kiryat Ya'arim Church.

A very rare softshell turtle was rescued from the Jordan River during Sukkot after his beak became entangled in abandoned fishing wire. The turtle was recovered by the Nature and Parks Authority and treated at the KKL-JNF Hula Valley Wildlife Acclimation Center. It had also swallowed fishing hooks.

Whereas the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah is only one-day in Israel, the citizens of Jerusalem continue the celebrations for an extra day. Musical events were held in Liberty Bell Park and at the Kotel. And a new Torah scroll honored “Shabbat Heroes” at the Great Synagogue.

Judoku Raz Hershko won gold in the women’s heavyweight category at the Lima Grand Prix. Israel’s Yuli Alma Mishiner won the bronze medal. (Hatikvah)

Israel welcomed the announcement that EuroLeague and EuroCup basketball games will return to Israel starting 1 Dec. It follows a two-year break where Israeli teams played their “home” matches throughout Europe due to the war with Hamas in Gaza.

The Jerusalem International Oud Festival is set to open on 6 Nov. It will be opened by local hero Ehud Banai and Shalom Hanoch, who is among the best Israeli blues players. Highlights will include India’s Guru Ravikiran and Israel’s Nikmat Hatraktor with works based on 11th century Ibn Ezra.