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.

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!

Blogs

60bloggers – 60 Bloggers in 60 days – a really great mix of bloggers posting about why they love Israel. [Hat tip: Dan from ejewishphilanthropy. ]

The Persistence of Vision: Israel at 60 – WZO initiative that brings together five authors with different perspectives on the meaning of Jewish statehood. Sounds like Real World – Zionism season, stay tuned.. but make sure to put on your glasses or enlarge the font.

Websites

IsraelBirthday- post a personal birthday card to Israel

CelebratingIsrael – dedicate a pixel to Israel, but it’ll cost ya

60israel – the Jewish Agency’s contribution with cute icons and lots of resources

Projects, Print Media, Social Media, Music, Snacks

60israelis.com – Faces of Israel Project, a joint effort of the Consulate General of Israel in New York & Salute to Israel Parade to hang up enormous photo banners in NYC starting May 4th.

Ride with Israel@60 – I guess Israel’s bones are still in pretty good shape.

Facebook Groups – Israel Celebrates 60 (over 2,000 members), Innovation Israel, israelplug

Facebook Friend – Celebrating Israel (over 1,500 friends)

Israel 60 Free Downloads – featured on jewlicious and Shemspeed. Diwon and Y-Love remix Idan Raichel and Shotei Hanevua and it is well worth listening to. As the lyrics say, “get connected like Bezeq”.

Twitter – Israel60 – although I don’t know who it is and they haven’t updated at all.. so much for thinking israel60 could be a real person…

Chocolate-filled Bamba, rich with vitamins and iron (so says the label). Awesome. Osem. (Pity laughs acceptable). [hat tip: Israelity]

Conferences

Presidents Conference Shimon Peres’ baby that will feature too many big names to list here. I’ll give you a hint – every big name you can think of will be at this conference. Check out the program.

Videos

birthright’s Celebrate Israel’s 60th with a tour around Israel

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Events

Musical Gala at Radio City Celebrates Israel@60 – features all the big names – Matisyahu, Yael Naim, Idan Raichel, Rami Kleinstein, David Broza, and more.

60 hours celebrating Israel – Events in Greater Los Angeles

Israel @ 60 in Washington DC – events, resources and information about Israel @ 60 in Washington, D.C.

Israel at 60 Silicon Valley’s Israel Independence Day Celebration

Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities in Jerusalem – that seems appropriate enough. Check out Jerusalemite and Jerusalem Blueprint for all the info.

Recent headlines that should make you proud

2 Israeli startups featured at TechCrunch (the most popular tech website)

• AllRise – The service calls itself “The all new community courthouse.” Users can use the service to “sue” others (boss, wife, mayor, insurance company, the weather).
• MarketGuru – is an investor community that helps you create your ideal portfolio based on your investment philosophy and the risk level you’re willing to assume.

“BusinessWeek” names Israel among innovation hotspots – BusinessWeek put Israel among the top 10, as an innovation leader in technology and pharmaceuticals in its special report Europe’s innovation hotspots.

“Forbes” says Israel among most up-and-coming real estate markets Forbes says that Tel Aviv is where the next real estate investment boom will be.

Israel Economic Stats for the 60th Independence Day

And finally, buddy, thanks for making us laugh and keepin’ it real by refusing to get spell check… [pic from Danny]

If you have anything to add to this list, please leave a comment below.

…and here’s the logo for anyone who possibly missed it (which we covered a while back)