Israel Active

Israel’s Ruach Hashem Gordon (see previously) won the Combat 57kg Men’s silver medal in Muaythai at the World Games in Chengdu, China.

22-year-old former paratrooper Omer Halabi will be the first Israeli contestant in the international Mr. Universe contest (Nov 15-23, Hollywood, California).

The documentary “Ada: My Mother the Architect” premiered in the US in May. It centers on Ada Karmi-Melamede who co-designed Israel’s Supreme Court, helped shape Ben Gurion Airport, designed buildings in the US and taught at Columbia University. Famous in Israel, at 89 she is still building.

Japan Month in Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff Centre, attracted over 700,000 visitors. It featured lectures, travel, Lego, crafts, photo booths, costume competition, dragon ball, karate, and more.

On 28 Aug, residents of Petah Tikva, central Israel, enjoyed an evening of unique desserts. 65 sweet stalls served French crepe, pavlova, eclairs, crepe cake, cheesecake, Dubai cake, alfajores, tiramisu and more. With entertainment from Meni Mamtara, Eden Ben Zaken and Rinat Bar.

Israel’s Guy Sasson with Dutch partner Niels Vink won the US Open wheelchair doubles title at Flushing Meadows. They beat their Chilean and Argentine opponents 6-1, 6-1.

Omer Vered Vilenchik 18, won the ILCA World Youth (Under 19) Championships in Dublin Bay. Omer finished 10th in the U21 competition.

Israel’s Anat Lelior (see previously) won gold and Ido Hajaj silver in the women’s and men’s competitions respectively at the ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro surfing event in Spain. The Pantin Pro is a prestigious stop on the World Surfing Championship Tour.

The manuscript of the original lyrics to “Al Kol Eleh” (On All of These), one of Naomi Shemer’s most enduring songs, was gifted last week by her family to the National Library of Israel. It is often sung to emphasize that we should be strong enough to endure bad events as well as enjoy the good ones.

Israel beat Iceland 83-71 in Katowice, Poland, to open its 2025 EuroBasket campaign. Then, after a narrow loss to Poland, Israel beat France 82-69. Finally, they beat Belgium 92-89 to advance to the last 16 for the first time in a decade. Watch the pre-tournament concert to see what inspired them.   (must see!)