Israel Active

Hilla Ben Ari’s art installation at Jerusalem’s Ticho House echoes the work of 1930’s artist Moshe Reifer, who lived in Kibbutz Yagur, where Hilla grew up. In Hilla’s six nearly full-size video works, 3 dancers hold their bodies in almost impossible poses while using white paper to display shapes and shadows.

Jacob Richman has added several Hebrew songs to his valuable website. I especially enjoyed – Israel’s runner-up at the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest sung by Ofra Haza. Jacob has also added whole new sections on Israel Museums, Parks and Natural Reserves, Zoos and Aquariums.    

Israeli billion-dollar companies Gong.io and monday.com will advertise during the NFL Super Bowl LV1 2022 on Sun Feb 13. Each ad costs an estimated $5 million to create and broadcast. Let’s hope they get seen - the event will broadcast some 80-90 commercials during the breaks.

Jerusalem was recently transformed from Spring to Winter and then back to Spring. Two weeks ago, its almond trees (the symbol of Tu Bishvat - the Jewish New Year for Trees) were in full bloom. Then for less than a day, they were covered in deep snow. “Bless my homeland forever”.

Afternoon tea can be taken at several locations in Jerusalem, from high-end versions at Jerusalem’s Waldorf Astoria and King David hotels to a cozier option at Kumkum in Jerusalem’s Baka neighborhood. They include scones, pastries, sandwiches, and cakes, all elegantly served on porcelain china.

The National Library of Israel (NLI) has acquired 90 pages from Rabbi Yaakov ben Asher’s “Arba’ah Turim”. The 1492 Soncino edition is from the earliest period of Hebrew printing. No complete copies have survived, and these 90 pages cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

20-year-old downhill skier Sheina Vaspi will be Israel’s first and only competitor at the Winter Paralympics in Beijing, March 4-13. She is from a Lubavitch family in the Hula Valley and was the first Israeli to compete in the recent Para World Alpine Skiing Championships in Norway.

Children in Israel’s capital enjoyed a brief morning playing in 10 inches of snow that fell during storm Elpis. Even President Herzog and his wife joined in.

The Mayor of Israeli city Beit Shemesh is using Jewish artwork to unite the city’s diverse population. Exhibits in the lobby of the local municipality buildings include the works of local artist Naama Goldberg and her husband Asher, portraying Rabbis from almost every branch of Jewish culture.

Guitar Magazine has chosen an Israeli-manufactured guitar as their “Best Electric Guitar of the Year”. The Stinger is made by Macmull Custom Guitars in Ma’aleh Adumim, near Jerusalem.