Category: Art and Culture
Israel in Living Color
Posted on November 26, 2008 | View Comments
Although I’ve only been in Israel for a few months, it didn’t take me long to notice how popular and celebrated art is in Tel-Aviv and the rest of Israel. One of the few perks of my coveted fine art degree is an eye for clever artistic work, and Israel has more than its fair share. New artists are continuously sprouting up, and to reach a larger audience they hav
e taken up blogging as well…
Case in point; meet Carol Feldman, born and raised in Oklahoma, USA. She moved to Tel-Aviv 5 years ago in 2003 with her husband and daughter, and has recently launched her paintings straight into the blogosphere. Carol works from life and from reference photos, capturing with paint and pencil the subtle splendor of everyday life here in Israel. Carol quickly found a community through her blog, and fans quickly found her (including me)!
As an artist myself, albeit in my pre-fame stage of life, its very rewarding to see regular folks with a forgotten talent find an artistic renaissance on the web. The publishing power of blogs gives power back to the individual artists, and they are hopping on board.. Blogging about art: blog + art =… blarting! Hmm, no, doesn’t sound pompous enough. What would the guys in the turtlenecks and black berets say?
To see more of Carol’s jaw-dropping watercolors, check out her blog: Drawing Tel-Aviv. Enjoy!
Israel in 3D: don’t get dizzy.
Posted on November 19, 2008 | View Comments
Behold Israel in all its glory!
Thanks to Israel 3D, you can beholden Israel right from your computer. With hi-definition, fully panoramic views of all the most legendary and beautiful spots, you can “virtually” experience the Western Wall, the Dead Sea, or the spot in front of that rainbow-colored hotel on the Tel-Aviv beach where I did some serious towel sitting. It’s the new next best thing to being there (no silly red and blue glasses necessary).
Check out a few favorites: Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, Dead Sea, Acco.
The best corporate Rosh Hashana card I’ve gotten
Posted on September 25, 2008 | View Comments
Every year before Rosh Hashana, businesses and organizations start sending out Rosh Hashana cards via email. Most are pretty much the same: nondescript text with a picture of an apple, or honey, or apple and honey.
So it’s very refreshing to get a card that stands out and even makes you laugh. If I was holding a contest for the best corporate Rosh Hashana card, Ruthi from Rotem Design would win hands down. Here’s what she sent:
It’s a play on one of the Rosh Hashana blessings that says “We should be a head instead of a tail.” This version says “We should be a head instead of a thief,” a telling statement when there’s a picture of the Knesset in the background.
May this be a year where our politicians start to act like they have some responsibility towards the citizens, and where tax money is not for their personal use.
Shana tova!
Newsweek asks: Who Exports the Most TV to the U.S.?
Posted on June 30, 2008 | View Comments
Your choices (think very carefully…)
A. Italy
B. Sweden
C. Israel
D. India
You may not have guessd it, but Newsweek confirms that the winner is Israel! I’m not sure the last time I saw a Swedish-based show, so it may not have been a very tough competition. Regardless, Israel is starting to appear in Hollywood headlines by contributing shows such as "B’tipul (In Treatment)" and "The Ex List". Apparently "too dark" for Americans, these shows are being adapted to American tastes and then produced. Read more»
Presidents Discussing Tomorrow
Posted on May 25, 2008 | View Comments
Here are some interesting ideas that were raised during the President’s Conference. First, I’d like to start with the opening session, titled “Presidents Discussing Tomorrow.” I’m only reviewing the Presidents that I thought were most interesting, so here goes, organized by speaker:
Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the UK, currently on a quest for peace
Tony Blair opened up with a discussion on peace and democracy. He basically said that democracy, equality and justice are the solutions to all the world’s problems, and that we should be “open in hope, not closed in fear.” There was one problem with what he said: he said that no two democracies have ever attacked each other. My wise husband pointed out that Germany was a democracy, whether we like it or not, and they certainly attacked a few democracies, Britain included. Oh well, it was a nice thought. Read more»
Burd flies to the Western Wall for 40 days of prayer
Posted on May 22, 2008 | View Comments
According to a kabbalist tradition, God answers the prayers of those who visit the Western Wall for 40 consecutive days. But not everyone lives in Jerusalem, and even denizens of the Holy City find it a challenge to visit the Old City shrine daily for nearly six weeks to avail themselves of divine intervention. Recognizing this need, in 2004 Jewish Quarter resident Batya Burd, 33, established Western Wall Prayers to say proxy prayers at the Kotel for those unable to be there personally.
The requested donation? Just over $2 per day, or $90 for heavenly help, smiles the petite brunette – who was a corporate lawyer in Toronto, Canada before getting into the God game. Read more»
The President’s Conference: facing tomorrow both good and bad
Posted on May 19, 2008 | View Comments
Last week, I attended The President’s Conference, which was titled “Facing Tomorrow.” For the uninitiated, The President’s Conference was a two-and-a-half-day gala affair where leading Jewish and non-Jewish thinkers, politicians, and moneyed men (yes, 9.9 times out of 10 they were men) got together to ponder the future of the Jewish people, both in Israel and in the Diaspora.
The conference was organized by The Jewish People Policy Planning Institute (JPPPI), a Jerusalem-based think tank that was commissioned by Israel’s President, Shimon Peres, to put the whole thing together. Read more»
Israeli busker leads the London underground scene
Posted on May 18, 2008 | View Comments
Few people riding the Underground in London realize that the amazing voice they hear on their way to work belongs to Hadar Manor, a former Lieutenant in the Israeli army. A recent “Ear to the Underground” contest, which votes on the best talent in the London-wide underground scene, crowned Manor as Queen.
According to TotallyJewish.com, Manor is appreciative of the support she received from the London Jewish community. She has performed for a number of Jewish organizations in London including Limmud, the ZF and JNF. Hadar has been in London for five years and considers herself an “ambassador for Israel. I think every Israeli abroad is an ambassador”. She plans to return to Israel for a show in Tel Aviv later this year.
Here she is, Hadar Manor singing “Queen of the Underground”. One very talented lady indeed.
Celebrating Israel’s 60th with Videos, Websites, Blogs, Birthday Cards, Conferences, Snacks, and more
Posted on May 5, 2008 | View Comments
Dear Israel,
I know we have neglected you a bit on our site in the past few months, but this birthday has put our priorities back in focus. As I get alerts and updates on all of the celebrations in your honor, I get that warm fuzzy feeling about how special it is to live here (despite the wacked out taxi drivers and funny hours at the post office).
As a mini-present (and it’s the thought that counts, right? we’re done with the buying each other things stage I hope), I’ve compiled a list of as many websites, videos, blogs, conferences, snacks (?!), etc. that I could possibly find that are dedicated in entirety to you, your innovations, your accomplishments, and your commitment to being an open home to the Jewish people. (cheesy enough? stole it from another Hallmark card I saw in the Israel birthday card store)
Thanks for making us proud and Happy b-day from israelplug! Read more»
Pulp Fiction meets McDonald’s meets schwarma
Posted on April 6, 2008 | View Comments
Maybe you’ve seen this McDonald’s commercial, but it’s really cute so I thought I’d post it for those of you who might have missed it.
In this commercial, fake John Travolta and fake Samuel L. Jackson (who are very good) remake the famous scene in Pulp Fiction where they discuss the different names for Big Macs all over the world. In this version, fake John tells fake Sam that the pita bread with turkey meat in it is called a McSchwarma in Israel, but the best part is when he tells fake Sam how Israelis ask for it. Very cute. Read more»
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