Israel Active

Israel’s Asaf Yasur (19) won gold at the World Para Taekwondo Championships in Istanbul. Yasur, who lost both his arms below the elbow six years ago, beat Turkey’s Qli Can Ozcan by 57-42 points to win the under 58kg category. In the semi-final he beat the European champion.

A record 39 teams (900 players, coaches, etc.) from 22 countries participated in the 10th International Federation of American Football Flag Football World Championships in Jerusalem. Most of them also experienced their first Chanukah candle lighting.

This year’s Jerusalem Biennale runs until Dec 30 and is titled “Four Cubits,” - the ancient measurement that equates to some two meters. It features 300+ artists from 10 countries whose works can be seen “up close”. And the exhibit “#TakeMeHome,” allows visitors to take home art works for 6 months.

The Black Eyed Peas performed at Jerusalem’s Pais Arena on the 29th November, the first major international show in Israel since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Group mastermind will.i.am is a longtime friend of Israel and an investor in Israeli technology.

The Botanical Gardens in Jerusalem is currently featuring an Augmented Reality (AR) art exhibit. “Seeing the Invisible,” features 13 virtual works by established and emerging international artists. Visitors use a dedicated AR app, which superimposes images, text, and sounds onto green spaces in the garden.

At Jerusalem’s King David Hotel, 40 of the Miss Universe pageant contestants heard Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion say “The Talmud teaches us that God gave 10 measures of beauty to the world, and Jerusalem got nine of them. Well today, we have been blessed with the final one”.

Two thousand twisted pieces of cutlery adorn a 1976 Cadillac parked in the new Uri Geller Museum in Jaffa. Bending spoons was Uri Geller’s trademark. But exhibits also include unique gifts and memorabilia from celebrities, e.g., Houdini’s handcuffs, Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves and much more.

Future events and activities at Israel’s only dedicated English-speaking theatre in Ra’anana include Sorcerers’ Night (Dec 20), FUN Innovation (22 Dec), Whistle (23 Dec), SongTalk (29 Dec), Cabaret Reflections (30 Dec) and New Year's Eve.

Israeli Arab Zenab Grabia creates ceramics embellished with traditional Bedouin embroidery motifs. Her gallery is a popular stop for tourist groups in Israel, and she also exhibits abroad.

Funny pictures and jokes related to the Festival of Lights. He has also added 80 links to his useful resources, including Jewish Prayers, Israel Medical, Volunteering in Israel and Maps of Israel.