Posted on June 1, 2008 | 1 Comment
I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I actually tear up every time I’m at a ceremony or event where Hatikva, Israel’s national anthem, is played. You’d think I’d get over it already, but the ideas in the song are just so…profound, and you get the feeling that when everybody’s singing it, they really mean it.
“We still haven’t lost our hope, the hope of 2000 years…to be a free nation in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem.”
(sniff)
Anyways, apparently I’m not the only one who gets emotional. Treppenwitz says he does too, and he has posted a video of a new version of Hatikva created by a French singer called Francky Perez, a wedding singer (one of my favorite movies), and a backup band called Broadway. It combines soul, rap, and more to create a truly moving and exciting version of our decades old anthem.
So bring out the tissues (or just laugh and point at me), and click play:
Posted on May 26, 2008 | 1 Comment
I was born and raised in Canada. From what I remember, Canada’s leaders tended to not be very remarkable, and their attitude towards Israel ranged from uncaring, to hostile.
Well, apparently Canada’s now got a Prime Minister with guts. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is not afraid to laud Israel’s achievements, and provide unconditional support for Israel’s security and right to exist - a move that he admits is unpopular, but he stands behind nonetheless.
And he can even speak French. Although it’s Canadian French, so I’m not sure if it counts.
Here’s his speech at an event in honor of Israel’s 60th anniversary:
Posted on January 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Leonard Nimoy, the legendary actor who played Spock on Star Trek, gives a great speech on the Jewish elements in Star Trek, and how he based the Vulcan hand greeting on the Kohanim he saw in his synagogue in his youth.
Posted on November 7, 2007 | 1 Comment
A funny take on the web2.0 culture. In Israel. In a supermarket. In English.
[Hat tip: Viral blog]
Posted on October 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The second Israel Web Tour is scheduled for February 4-7, 2008 in Silicon Valley and will bring 15 of Israel’s hottest startups to present, mingle, and find investment. The event is organized by the CICC - California Israel Chamber of Commerce in an effort to “advance Israeli companies and Israeli technology”. Last year’s Israel Web Tour was hosted by Michael Arrington of TechCrunch and featured startups Yedda, beinsync, SkyLow, Gizmoz, Fixya, FoxyTunes, RadarSync, ILCU, SpearCast, TrustedOpinion, Interating, Kasamba, ViewScore , MyHeritage. Looking forward to finding out who’ll be there this year.
Here’s a little taste of last year’s event:
Posted on October 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment
24/6 Kosher vending machines that sell hot dogs, mozarella sticks, knishes and other kosher goodies are making headlines across America. Hot Nosh founders Doron Fetman and Alan Cohnen are planning to roll out 2000 kosher vending machines over the next two years. This is a dream come true for many observant American Jews drooling over their company’s cafeteria food but know they should just wait till they get home. As if the idea weren’t cool enough, these Brooklyn boys got Ruby Azrak, founder of Phat Farm and friends with Beyoncé, to fund their initiative. I wonder if these guys were inspired by the French Fry vending machine that I spotted 5 years ago on Rehov Hillel in downtown Jerusalem? Watch the video to learn more… and help me make the connection to Fiddler on the Roof?!
Posted on October 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Security is a regular part of Israeli life. This video pays “homage” to the urban soundtrack of our lives, post-terrorism - by Edan Alterman.
Posted on October 7, 2007 | 1 Comment
Stephen Colbert interviews John Mearsheimer about his new book, “The Israel Lobby,” which claims that
“the United States has been willing to set aside its own security in order to advance the interests of another state [Israel]“, and further that U.S. Middle East policy is driven primarily by the “Israel Lobby,” defined as a “loose coalition of individuals and organizations who actively work to steer U.S. foreign policy in a pro-Israel direction.”[2]” (Wikipedia)
While he doesn’t come right out and accuse him of having an exaggerated obsession with the Israel lobby, he does make him look kind of ridiculous with some choice rhetorical questions like: “How does the Israel lobby influence United States policy to make the United States the largest single supplier of arms to Saudi Arabia?” or “In the LA Times, you said the Israel Lobby is not pernicious in any way. If so, would you describe this book as something of a valentine to the Israel Lobby?”
Posted on September 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Who knew learning sign language could be this easy or hilarious? Here’s a look at how to say ‘Olmert’ in Hebrew sign language:
True story, blogger frgdr noticed this oh-so-appropriate sign language on the bottom-right corner of his TV screen.
(Hat tip: Israelity)
Posted on September 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment