Previous Events
January 28, 2010
"Oh my gosh, I had no idea Israel had such a thriving jewelry industry. I have worn my new Laly bracelet every day since it arrived (and so beautifully wrapped!). Thank you for introducing my jewelry box to a whole new world of pretty jewelry from Israel."
January 27, 2010
"I would like to thank you with all sincerity for helping me receive the fantastic necklace my husband gave me for our first anniversary. It is my first original piece of art and I've never seen anything quite like it, or owned anything as personal and unique. I’m in love with Israeli jewelry!"
January 26, 2010
"I wanted to tell you the person I bought the Star of David pendant for was very happy with it.Most of all I want to tell you that I was very impressed with not onlythe beauty of the necklace, but the way you packaged it and the little extra touches you put into sending it all the way from Israel. I really appreciate it, and I will recommend your company to everyone I know!"
January 25, 2010
"My package arrived this afternoon from Israel. Orit just gets better and better. My new gold necklace is just exquisite, bold but also dainty. The different mediums she combines are amazing. I really love your jewelry - I can't wait to show off my new Israeli Jewelry!"
January 21, 2010
As reported on jpost.com, if there is anyone who still doubts the ability of the State of Israel to accomplish great things, the events of the past week should lay those concerns to rest. The highest ideals of Judaism and Zionism were prominently on display, as Israel took part not in one - but two - remarkable missions.
In the rubble-strewn streets of Port-au-Prince, three IDF rescue teams carefully searched through the ruins of the Haitian capital for survivors of the devastating January 12 earthquake. Racing against the clock, these young Jews in uniform, accompanied by specially-trained canines, heroically sorted through mounds of debris and wreckage to pull the wounded to safety.
Meanwhile, the field hospital established by the IDF to treat victims of the disaster was quickly making a name for itself as the best-run and most fully-equipped operation in the area. Set up last Friday on a soccer field, the field hospital has 40 doctors, 24 nurses, teams of paramedics, X-ray equipment and personnel, an emergency room, a children's ward, a maternity ward and even a pharmacy.
No other nation, including the US, has yet to establish anything remotely as advanced or comprehensive, despite the passage of more than a week since the quake hit.
In the rubble-strewn streets of Port-au-Prince, three IDF rescue teams carefully searched through the ruins of the Haitian capital for survivors of the devastating January 12 earthquake. Racing against the clock, these young Jews in uniform, accompanied by specially-trained canines, heroically sorted through mounds of debris and wreckage to pull the wounded to safety.
Meanwhile, the field hospital established by the IDF to treat victims of the disaster was quickly making a name for itself as the best-run and most fully-equipped operation in the area. Set up last Friday on a soccer field, the field hospital has 40 doctors, 24 nurses, teams of paramedics, X-ray equipment and personnel, an emergency room, a children's ward, a maternity ward and even a pharmacy.
No other nation, including the US, has yet to establish anything remotely as advanced or comprehensive, despite the passage of more than a week since the quake hit.
January 20, 2010
Usually my daily events are about Israeli jewelry, fashion and art, but since my son is in Haiti assisting with the relief efforts, I will also bring some news about this tragedy:
As reported on jpost.com today, moments before another quake shook the country, the head of Magen David Adom's team in earthquake-shattered Haiti wrote in a message back home saying, "Even hours of training and drills do not prepare any person for the sheer scale of destruction we are witnessing and our helplessness when facing the local population's expectations."
"This is the moment when you become proud in being a part, however small, of the help given to the people who need you so much," he said.
Only eight days after Haiti was devastated by a magnitude 7 earthquake, a 6.1 magnitude quake struck again on Wednesday morning, shaking buildings and sending screaming people running into the streets.
Earlier Wednesday, two brothers aged 10 and seven were rescued from the rubble in Port au-Prince and brought to the Israeli field hospital in the Haitian capital. They were listed in good condition.
"This is the moment when you become proud in being a part, however small, of the help given to the people who need you so much," he said.
Only eight days after Haiti was devastated by a magnitude 7 earthquake, a 6.1 magnitude quake struck again on Wednesday morning, shaking buildings and sending screaming people running into the streets.
Earlier Wednesday, two brothers aged 10 and seven were rescued from the rubble in Port au-Prince and brought to the Israeli field hospital in the Haitian capital. They were listed in good condition.
January 19, 2010
As reported on jpost.com, the IDF’s field hospital in the Haitian capital of Port au Price has been working at full capacity, treating a relentless stream of victims from last week’s devastating earthquake.
Saturday night Israeli doctors delivered a baby boy, whose mother promptly declared would be named “Israel.”
Meanwhile, the IDF’s rescue teams continue to play a vital role in the race against time to find survivors. Rescue team members saved the life of a customs clerk who has been trapped in his office by debris and sent him to the field hospital for treatment.
Israeli officials say that from their experience, it is reasonable to believe survivors can be located and pulled from debris five or six days after a disaster of this kind, but very rarely beyond that time period. Israel is making a heartfelt attempt to save as many people as possible.
January 18, 2010
As reported on jpost.com, choreographer and artistic director of the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, Rami Be'er, based his latest creation, InfraRed, on a poem he wrote entitled In the Black Garden, which color-codes various actions by solders. In the past Be'er boldly confronted highly controversial political issues, so one might have expected to find traces of the text in the movement. Fortunately, that wasn't the case.
In the Black Garden, Be'er was enamored with the three primary colors and it's obvious he had a lot of fun with it, producing what is perhaps his most visually striking work - it simply takes your breath away with its overwhelming beauty.
One haunting image was a sea of sand-colored silk, like dunes hit by a desert storm. With a change of the lights, the silky waves faded out and an iridescent red body packed in a paper cocoon was suddenly revealed.
January 17, 2010
As recently reported on jpost.com, British pop singer Alison Moyet is the big name at this year's Women's Festival, which will take place March 3-6 at the Holon Theater.
In the last 14 years the Women's Festival has grown in popularity and scope, and this year's program features talented artists from a number of disciplines, including rock and pop vocalists Corinne Allal, Yael Deckelbaum, Rona Kenan and Ninet Tayeb.
Jazz is also represented, as pianist Anat Fort hosts percussion virtuoso Zohar Fresco in a program that incorporating material by both artists as well as some improvisation.
Theater is also an important part of the festival, and this year the festival features a tribute to American-born Israeli director and acting teacher Nola Chilton who has mentored many of the country's leading artists in the last four decades.
In the last 14 years the Women's Festival has grown in popularity and scope, and this year's program features talented artists from a number of disciplines, including rock and pop vocalists Corinne Allal, Yael Deckelbaum, Rona Kenan and Ninet Tayeb.
Jazz is also represented, as pianist Anat Fort hosts percussion virtuoso Zohar Fresco in a program that incorporating material by both artists as well as some improvisation.
Theater is also an important part of the festival, and this year the festival features a tribute to American-born Israeli director and acting teacher Nola Chilton who has mentored many of the country's leading artists in the last four decades.
January 14, 2010
As reported on jpost.com, a day after a devastating earthquake ripped through Haiti, IDF medical teams are preparing to spend two weeks there and to see an average of 500 patients a day.
The delegation will consist of 121 members, including 40 doctors and five search-and-rescue teams. A field hospital will likely be set up in an area in or around the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and will remain for at least two weeks.
The planes will land on Friday and the field hospital will likely begin operations on Saturday. Soldiers from combat units are also being sent to provide security for the Israeli delegation.
It is hoped that the search-and-rescue teams can still succeed in rescuing people trapped beneath the rubble. The pictures from Haiti are reminiscent of the last rescue mission Israel launched to India in 2002.
The delegation will consist of 121 members, including 40 doctors and five search-and-rescue teams. A field hospital will likely be set up in an area in or around the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and will remain for at least two weeks.
The planes will land on Friday and the field hospital will likely begin operations on Saturday. Soldiers from combat units are also being sent to provide security for the Israeli delegation.
It is hoped that the search-and-rescue teams can still succeed in rescuing people trapped beneath the rubble. The pictures from Haiti are reminiscent of the last rescue mission Israel launched to India in 2002.
January 13, 2010
As reported on jpost.com, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority the remains of a prehistoric Tel Aviv building, which is the earliest ever discovered in the area and estimated to be 7,800 - 8,400 years' old, have been unearthed in an archaeological excavation.
The excavation was done prior to the construction of an apartment building in the "Green Fichman" project in Ramat Aviv.
Very old artifacts thought to be between 13,000 and 100,000 years' old were discovered at the excavation. The ancient building consisted of at least three rooms, and pottery shards found there attest to the age of the site, which dates to the Neolithic period.
Archaeologist Ayelet Dayan, director of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said the discovery was "both important and surprising" to researchers of the period. She continued, "For the first time, we have encountered evidence of a permanent habitation that existed in the Tel Aviv region 8,000 years ago."
The excavation was done prior to the construction of an apartment building in the "Green Fichman" project in Ramat Aviv.
Very old artifacts thought to be between 13,000 and 100,000 years' old were discovered at the excavation. The ancient building consisted of at least three rooms, and pottery shards found there attest to the age of the site, which dates to the Neolithic period.
Archaeologist Ayelet Dayan, director of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said the discovery was "both important and surprising" to researchers of the period. She continued, "For the first time, we have encountered evidence of a permanent habitation that existed in the Tel Aviv region 8,000 years ago."
January 12, 2010
To start the new decade, the Performing Arts Center of Herzliya has invited Antonio Marquez, born in Seville in 1963 and a true flamenco star, back to Israel.. This is Marquez's third visit and will include performances in Haifa, Herzliya, Jerusalem and Rishon Lezion.
Marquez is considered to be the finest example of the classic Spanish dancer. Perhaps the most enjoyable element of any good flamenco performance is the energy possessed by the dancers and musicians on stage. They seem to convey both an intense desire to connect with the crowd as well as an immense joy for their art.
Antonio Marquez will perform at Herzliya Performing Arts Center from January 13 to 16, at the Haifa Auditorium on January 17, Rishon Lezion Performing Arts Center on January 18, and at Jerusalem's Sherover Theater on January 20.
Marquez is considered to be the finest example of the classic Spanish dancer. Perhaps the most enjoyable element of any good flamenco performance is the energy possessed by the dancers and musicians on stage. They seem to convey both an intense desire to connect with the crowd as well as an immense joy for their art.
Antonio Marquez will perform at Herzliya Performing Arts Center from January 13 to 16, at the Haifa Auditorium on January 17, Rishon Lezion Performing Arts Center on January 18, and at Jerusalem's Sherover Theater on January 20.
January 11, 2010
As reported recently on nytimes.com, every diamond is a story as old as the earth and will outlast us all. Diamonds are, indeed, forever.
The Wittelsbach diamond was part of the dowry for the Infanta Margarita Teresa.. For more than a half-century, the location of one of the world’s most celebrated diamonds, the fabled grayish blue Wittelsbach, was obscure. It was taken to Europe in the 17th century from India and given to the Infanta Margarita Teresa by her father (the King of Spain) in 1664, eventually becoming part of both the Austrian and Bavarian crown jewels. The stone eventually passed into private hands, and its whereabouts had been a mystery until it suddenly turned up at an auction at Christie’s in London in 2008.
Within a matter of minutes the Wittelsbach sold for the extraordinary price of $24.3 million — the most ever paid for a diamond at auction and a sum that may also have rendered the Wittelsbach blue, by weight, the most valuable commodity on earth.
Later this month, the Wittelsbach will go on display view alongside the legendary Hope diamond, a larger stone but a slightly more drab diamond, at the Smithsonian Institute.
The Wittelsbach diamond was part of the dowry for the Infanta Margarita Teresa.. For more than a half-century, the location of one of the world’s most celebrated diamonds, the fabled grayish blue Wittelsbach, was obscure. It was taken to Europe in the 17th century from India and given to the Infanta Margarita Teresa by her father (the King of Spain) in 1664, eventually becoming part of both the Austrian and Bavarian crown jewels. The stone eventually passed into private hands, and its whereabouts had been a mystery until it suddenly turned up at an auction at Christie’s in London in 2008.
Within a matter of minutes the Wittelsbach sold for the extraordinary price of $24.3 million — the most ever paid for a diamond at auction and a sum that may also have rendered the Wittelsbach blue, by weight, the most valuable commodity on earth.
Later this month, the Wittelsbach will go on display view alongside the legendary Hope diamond, a larger stone but a slightly more drab diamond, at the Smithsonian Institute.
January 10, 2010
As reported on jpost.com, the University of Haifa announced that a breakthrough in the research of the Hebrew scriptures has shed new light on the period in which the Bible was written, testifying to Hebrew writing abilities as early as the 10th century BCE.
A trapezoid-shaped pottery shard was discovered at excavations by Prof. Yosef Garfinkel near the Elah valley, and deciphered by Prof. Gershon Galil.
A trapezoid-shaped pottery shard was discovered at excavations by Prof. Yosef Garfinkel near the Elah valley, and deciphered by Prof. Gershon Galil.
Prof. Galil of the Department of Biblical Studies at the University of Haifa recently deciphered the Hebrew inscription, making it the earliest known Hebrew writing. The inscription was dated back to the 10th century BCE, which was the period of King David's reign.
January 9, 2010
As recently reported on jpost.com, pasta topped with a thick, meaty sauce satisfies that cold-weather craving for a hearty, warming supper. Spaghetti with a meat and tomato sauce has become a staple throughout North America and Europe.
Some cooks believe that hours of simmering is necessary for a full-flavored sauce, but you can make a delicious sauce in less than 20 minutes. The key is to saute the aromatic vegetables used to flavor the sauce in fruity olive oil, and then to saute the meat with them before you add the tomatoes or any liquid.
A small amount of dry wine added to the pan just after you have finished sauteing the meat gives a good sweet-tart flavor that balances the richness of the meat.
To quickly thicken the sauce, add just a little liquid at the beginning; more water can always add more later if needed to thin the sauce out. When using canned tomatoes, drain the juice and add it only if needed. Even faster, use prepared tomato sauce instead of canned tomatoes. A spoonful or two of tomato paste added at the last minute will quickly thicken the sauce and give it a deeper red hue.
Spaghetti sauces make the satisfying taste of a small amount of meat go a long way, and make sense nutritionally and economically. To keep the saturated fat low, purchase ground meat that's as lean as possible; it may not make juicy hamburgers but is fine in tomato sauce.
Some cooks believe that hours of simmering is necessary for a full-flavored sauce, but you can make a delicious sauce in less than 20 minutes. The key is to saute the aromatic vegetables used to flavor the sauce in fruity olive oil, and then to saute the meat with them before you add the tomatoes or any liquid.
A small amount of dry wine added to the pan just after you have finished sauteing the meat gives a good sweet-tart flavor that balances the richness of the meat.
To quickly thicken the sauce, add just a little liquid at the beginning; more water can always add more later if needed to thin the sauce out. When using canned tomatoes, drain the juice and add it only if needed. Even faster, use prepared tomato sauce instead of canned tomatoes. A spoonful or two of tomato paste added at the last minute will quickly thicken the sauce and give it a deeper red hue.
Spaghetti sauces make the satisfying taste of a small amount of meat go a long way, and make sense nutritionally and economically. To keep the saturated fat low, purchase ground meat that's as lean as possible; it may not make juicy hamburgers but is fine in tomato sauce.
SPAGHETTI WITH MUSHROOM MEAT SAUCE
1 to 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, minced
1 small carrot, diced (optional)
1 celery rib, diced (optional)
2 large garlic cloves, minced
225 gr. (about 1 cup) lean ground beef
A 400-gr. can diced tomatoes, drained
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1/2 cup dry white wine, beef or chicken broth, or 1/4 cup wine and 1/4 cup broth
1 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. hot red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 cups sliced mushrooms (about 170 gr.)
450 gr. spaghetti
Heat oil in a heavy medium saute pan. Add onion, carrot and celery and saute over medium-high heat, stirring often, 2 minutes. Add garlic, then beef and saute, crumbling meat with a fork, about 3 minutes or until it changes color.
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, basil, pepper flakes, salt and pepper and bring to a boil, stirring. Add mushrooms. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water 8 to 10 minutes or until tender but firm to the bite. Drain and transfer to a large heated bowl. Add sauce and toss. Taste and adjust seasoning.
1 to 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, minced
1 small carrot, diced (optional)
1 celery rib, diced (optional)
2 large garlic cloves, minced
225 gr. (about 1 cup) lean ground beef
A 400-gr. can diced tomatoes, drained
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1/2 cup dry white wine, beef or chicken broth, or 1/4 cup wine and 1/4 cup broth
1 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. hot red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 cups sliced mushrooms (about 170 gr.)
450 gr. spaghetti
Heat oil in a heavy medium saute pan. Add onion, carrot and celery and saute over medium-high heat, stirring often, 2 minutes. Add garlic, then beef and saute, crumbling meat with a fork, about 3 minutes or until it changes color.
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, basil, pepper flakes, salt and pepper and bring to a boil, stirring. Add mushrooms. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water 8 to 10 minutes or until tender but firm to the bite. Drain and transfer to a large heated bowl. Add sauce and toss. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Serve hot.
January 6, 2010
As reported on jpost.com, thirty-four year old Shahar Levavi, scrapped a promising career in jazz for one in computer graphics, and it paid off. Levavi’s latest accomplishment was being part of the crack animation team that created the groundbreaking computer-aided animation in James Cameron's epic Avatar.
If you look closely, you may notice that the tailed, lizard-like species of humanoids called the Na'vi that populate the planet of Pandora in Cameron's epic science fiction extravaganza, have a little Israeli swagger.
"I worked on just about every character in the film, except for two," said Levavi, back in Israel after spending the previous 11 years perfecting his craft first in the US and for the last three years in New Zealand, where he signed onto Avatar.
If you look closely, you may notice that the tailed, lizard-like species of humanoids called the Na'vi that populate the planet of Pandora in Cameron's epic science fiction extravaganza, have a little Israeli swagger.
"I worked on just about every character in the film, except for two," said Levavi, back in Israel after spending the previous 11 years perfecting his craft first in the US and for the last three years in New Zealand, where he signed onto Avatar.
January 4, 2010
As reported recently on nytimes.com, recent excavations in Israel at Gesher Benot Ya’aqov, in the northern Jordan River Valley, appear to show that Stone Age ancestors began at a surprisingly early stage to organize their open-air living spaces into separate clusters for different activities. One area was primarily for preparing and eating food and another for manufacturing of stone tools.
Archaeologists say that having the areas for different activities indicates "a formalized conceptualization of a living space, often considered to reflect sophisticated cognition."
The were surprised to find the evidence of separate living and working spaces at an encampment that was occupied as early as 790,000 years ago. These living and working patterns were previously thought to be associated only with modern Homo sapiens in the last 200,000 years.
"This is an extraordinary site," said Alison S. Brooks, an anthropology professor at George Washington University, who was not involved in the research. "There are very, very few such sites from that time in Africa, the Middle East or anywhere."
Archaeologists say that having the areas for different activities indicates "a formalized conceptualization of a living space, often considered to reflect sophisticated cognition."
The were surprised to find the evidence of separate living and working spaces at an encampment that was occupied as early as 790,000 years ago. These living and working patterns were previously thought to be associated only with modern Homo sapiens in the last 200,000 years.
"This is an extraordinary site," said Alison S. Brooks, an anthropology professor at George Washington University, who was not involved in the research. "There are very, very few such sites from that time in Africa, the Middle East or anywhere."
January 3, 2010
As reported recently on jpost.com, German conductor and violinist Frank-Michael Erben, will be leading the Herzliya Chamber Orchestra on Tuesday and Saturday in a program featuring pieces by great Leipzig composers Bach, Mendelssohn and Schumann.
Erben says "....I probably have a feeling for this kind of music," and for good reason - he has been the concertmaster of the famous Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra since 1987 and the leader of the Gewandhaus String Quartet (founded in 1808). He has played as a soloist under such conductors as Sir Neville Mariner, Kurt Masur, Herbert Blomstedt and Riccardo Chailly. According to Erben, "...I am happy to bring this music with me on my first visit to Israel."
Visiting Israel for the first time has been a great pleasure for Erben. "People are so warm and friendly here, be it in a taxi or in a supermarket," he says.
Erben says "....I probably have a feeling for this kind of music," and for good reason - he has been the concertmaster of the famous Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra since 1987 and the leader of the Gewandhaus String Quartet (founded in 1808). He has played as a soloist under such conductors as Sir Neville Mariner, Kurt Masur, Herbert Blomstedt and Riccardo Chailly. According to Erben, "...I am happy to bring this music with me on my first visit to Israel."
Visiting Israel for the first time has been a great pleasure for Erben. "People are so warm and friendly here, be it in a taxi or in a supermarket," he says.
January 2, 2010
As reported in the Israeli newspapers, the Israeli government is expected announce a series of actions to strengthen the Hebrew language. Additionally, the government is expected to approve the establishment of a senior team teaching language preservation, giving an annual prize donation to strengthen the language.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Culture and Sport, Limor Livnat, decided this year to promote the language by teaching the subject line of decisions of government staff work long after the Government Secretariat.
The government is expected to impose on the Ministerial Committee for Symbols and Ceremonies examine the declaration of the birth of Eliezer Ben Yehuda national language is Arabic. It also decided to establish a team headed by Cabinet Secretary with President Academy formulate recommendations and submit them to the government after a year.
The government is expected to approve the special meeting status Netanyahu Livnat, who will be dedicated for public discussion Hasoweim aspects of Hebrew as the language of the country. For this purpose will be allocated 300 thousand shekels. Also, the government is expected to approve the allocation of 70 thousand shekels each year nominated prime minister in the name of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda on strengthening the status of the Hebrew language.
January 1, 2010
As reported recently on jpost.com, Bethlehem-based fashion designer Khawla Abu Sada’s goal is to change what people are wearing here. Abu Sada says "For me, Israel is almost like part of Europe. It's the gateway to the West."
According to Abu Sada, who held her first serious fashion show two months ago in Ramallah, young Palestinian women are becoming interested in fashion and have a renewed desire to look beautiful.
To Abu Sada, who wants to one day create a ful-fledged fashion house in her home town, the fact that young Palestinian women are finally showing a general interest in fashion and specifically in her unique designs is exhilarating.
Her colorful show in Ramallah showcased her latest collection, flowing silky fabrics with traditional Arab embellishments marked the evening gowns.
While Abu Sada is clearly proud of her Western designs, it is the ethnic beauty of her culture that she hopes to embody more than anything else.
"I want to show off my culture, but I also want to modernize it. That's why I choose different fabrics and colors that can blend together," she says.
According to Abu Sada, who held her first serious fashion show two months ago in Ramallah, young Palestinian women are becoming interested in fashion and have a renewed desire to look beautiful.
To Abu Sada, who wants to one day create a ful-fledged fashion house in her home town, the fact that young Palestinian women are finally showing a general interest in fashion and specifically in her unique designs is exhilarating.
Her colorful show in Ramallah showcased her latest collection, flowing silky fabrics with traditional Arab embellishments marked the evening gowns.
While Abu Sada is clearly proud of her Western designs, it is the ethnic beauty of her culture that she hopes to embody more than anything else.
"I want to show off my culture, but I also want to modernize it. That's why I choose different fabrics and colors that can blend together," she says.
