Israel Active

At the Yvel Design Center in Motza, a few miles west of Jerusalem, beauty, creativity, and social responsibility combine. At the peaceful location, some 22 Ethiopian Israelis train to produce gold-plated pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings and even a diamond & solid gold Covid-19 mask.

Shiloh was the capital of Israel for 369 years before King David established Jerusalem. Now, a local winery, Shiloh Wines, has harnessed the history of the Jewish people in their land to develop one of the finest wines in the country and maybe in the world.

Recently reopened after more than a year of pandemic closure, the Agam museum in Rishon Lezion is filled with examples of Yaacov Agam’s unique and colorful kinetic art created over the past six decades. It is one of only a few museums in the world dedicated to Kinetic Art.

Firqat Alnoor, an Israeli orchestra of Jewish, Muslim, Druze, and Christian musicians from across Israel, performed in Cairo – the first Israeli orchestra to perform in Egypt in 40 years. Under conductor Ariel Cohen, a Haredi Jew, the orchestra played classical Arabic and Middle Eastern music.

Europe’s top basketball league, EuroLeague, has selected Israel’s MindFly to install its live AI-powered bodycams on league players. Fans will, for first time, be able to watch, hear, and experience a first-person point of view (FPV) that captures everything the players do on court.

The popular 10-part Israeli TV series “The Girl from Oslo” has become the fourth most-watched series internationally on Netflix, soon after its April 11 debut. It ranked in the top 10 in 36 countries, including the United States, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Interesting article celebrating the 81st birthday of singer/songwriter Bob Dylan – born Robert Zimmerman. It describes his 1983 song “Neighborhood Bully” as a Zionist anthem. “He took the crumbs of the world and he turned it into wealth, took sickness and disease and turned it into health.”

“Tel Aviv Eats” is Israel’s largest food festival, showcasing top restaurants, chefs, and live performances. Admission was free, with dishes ranging from gourmet to street food at a maximum price of 40 shekels each. Tourists and locals came to enjoy the excitement and the food.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Beit She’arim has been updated. It is well worth visiting its remnants of an ancient city, mysterious inscriptions, caves and catacombs, and a six-feet high stone menorah. The city became the center of Torah study in 165 CE after the Romans quashed the Jewish revolt.

Good article featuring several creative arts experiences and shops that should attract many of the visitors returning to Jerusalem’s Old City. They include The Jerusalem Scribe, Chabad Street, the Museum of Psalms, Hadaya, the Cardo Charm, Guitart, and Rina.