Israel Active

Seven elite Ukrainian athletes who fled their war-torn country with two coaches are continuing to train in Israel for competitions in Europe and South America. They are using facilities at Israel’s Neurim Youth Village, run by Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America.

The easyJet magazine’s introduction to Tel Aviv: “Tel Aviv is a whirlwind. It’s a city that never relents, with friendly locals who love a good time. You can go from grazing over delicious mezze to drinking cocktails on a rooftop to partying at a pop-up beach club – and that’s all before sundown.”

The Netflix streaming platform is to air Israeli historical melodrama “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem” (see previously). The first 10 (of 20) episodes will be available on May 20 in selected locations, including the US, UK, France, and Spain.

Israeli judoka Timna Nelson-Levy won a gold medal (under 57kg) at the European Judo Championships in Bulgaria, only the second Israeli female judoka ever to do so. Israel’s Raz Hershko (over 78kg) won a silver medal, while Gili Sharir (under 63kg) and Shira Rishony (under 48kg) won bronze medals.

Israel’s Nir Abelson, age 12, won gold at the Special Needs Judo World Games in The Netherlands. He won in the 12-15 age group, overcoming older opponents. Shilo Omer also won a gold plus two bronze medals, while Reem Freiberger and Or Hodeda both won a bronze.

Israel’s Noam Sason has won the European school chess championship for under 9-year-olds in Rhodes, Greece. Playing for the club “Chess4All”, he won seven out of nine games against competitors from Turkey, Greece, Georgia, Romania, and Ukraine.

Some events on this month’s calendar include Maroon 5 Tel Aviv concert (9-10); Israel International Yoga Festival (12-14); Deep Purple Tel Aviv concert (22nd); Houses From Within, Batim Tel Aviv (26-28); Jerusalem Day (28-29) and Docaviv Film Festival Tel Aviv (May 26 - Jun 5).

May events at Israel’s permanent theater in Raanana for English-speakers include Eli & The Chocolate Factory (14th), Songtalk III Jokers & Thieves (23rd), Summer Nights Wine and Art Festival (26th), Cabaret Evening (28th), and Sorcerer's Night (30th).

Reserve a seat to see Exodus 91, the remarkable docu-drama about the mission to bring thousands Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Featuring a Q&A with the director and cast members, screenings will help raise funds to distribute the film to schools across the globe. (NYC May 19; Chicago May 23)

Ophra Shoshtari has founded the Mar’eh Center for the Art of Judea and Samaria. It aims to provide a permanent public art space for local artists, and an art education center for residents of the Shomron. Ophra works with the Ariel Development Fund and some 250 artists.