Israel Active

Those lucky to be able to walk the streets of Jerusalem would enjoy Docu.text, the annual documentary film festival, at the National Library; also, the International Puppet Festival, concerts at Kikar Safra, the Jerusalem Night Run, weddings, flowers & pomegranates.

Israeli swimmers won 6 golds at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Mark Malyar broke 2 world records, winning 2 golds and a bronze. Ami Dadaon won 2 golds and a silver. Iyad Shalabi is the first Arab Israeli medal winner (2 golds). And Moran Samuel won silver at rowing.

The western pigmy blue butterfly (a native of the USA) has been discovered thriving in Israel’s Dead Sea resort. One theory is that its larvae were in a pot plant brought to the UAE by a US State Department official at the time of the Abraham Accords in 2019. Tourists then brought it to Israel.

After many postponements, the 38th annual international Jerusalem Film Festival took place from Aug 24th to Sep 4th.  Over 200 films were shown, starting with "Where is Anne Frank" and included a free film every night showing in various Jerusalem open-air locations.

1,500-year-old relics have been unearthed at a huge building site in Ramat Hasharon, north of Tel Aviv. They include a winepress with mosaic floor, chains, foundations of a warehouse, millstones, and jars. Also, a rare gold coin showing a cross, but inscribed with both Greek and Arabic writing.

“Towers in the Air” at Jerusalem’s Tower of David Museum is a ropes adventure that typifies the Israeli attitude to risk. It includes a 50-meter zip line, 40 meters above the ground. Children from age 9 are fitted with harnesses, helmets, full climbing gear and under-12s must be accompanied by an adult!

For the first time, 12 Israelis were able to take part in Morocco’s ‘Dakhla Downwind Challenge’ – a challenging five-day kiteboarding journey from Dakhla to Lagouira in southern Morocco. The governor of Dakhla-Oued-Ed-Dahab was very happy to welcome the Israelis.

Israel’s President and Prime Minister honored Israel’s 2020 Olympic athletes at Beit Hanasi, in Jerusalem. They hailed the records of Israel’s largest delegation (90), the most medals (4) and the playing of the Hatikvah national anthem (twice) to celebrate two Olympic gold medals.

Thousands of Israelis converged at the Ramon crater (Mitzpe Ramon) in the Negev Desert to watch the annual Perseid meteor shower. The spectacular phenomenon is caused as the Earth passes through the debris of the Swift-Tuttle comet. The next good display will occur in 2024.

Jerusalem Streets highlights last week include street decorations; street musicians; renovated Zion Square Plaza; tours for Israelis; Theater in the Rough, evening illuminations, a new massive Agam-designed mezuzah; flowers, and posters for the Jewish New Year.