February 25, 2013 | 12:10 pm

This week from Israel

Posted by Noga Gur-Arieh

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Messi to visit Israel

Israeli President Shimon Peres and the president of FC Barcelona, Sandro Rosell,  announced that Barcelona football team will arrive in Israel on July 31st to face a mixed-team of Israelis and Palestinians, as a part of a peace initiative.

Read more here.

"Green GPS"

The Israel Union for Environmental Defense is now introducing "Svivati" (my environment)- a new online venture meant to offer information that could help eco-conscious Israelis practice environmental responsibility. The website contains information about recycling centers, air and water pollutions, and also about urban "green lungs,” public parks and more.

Read more here.

Mishloach Manot to thank our volunteering soldiers

"Gesher" (bridge) group for religious-secular unity in Israel has decided to say  special "thank you" to Israel's volunteering Haredi and Bedouin soldiers. Last week, the young members of "Gesher" handed out Purim baskets of sweets (Mishloach Manot) to the soldiers, who have the choice of whether to serve in the IDF. The soldiers, on their behalf, expressed their gratitude for the unexpected gift. 

Read more here.

And another Mishloach Manot, this time from Samsung

Even though the Israeli market is just a small bit of Samsung's income, the super successful company has decided to show its gratitude to their Israeli customers by sending Purim baskets of sweets (Mishloach Manot) to the lucky 10,000 Israelis which a friend of theirs signed them up for on the Samsung Mobile Israel Facebook page. Each basket, full of sweet goodies, will be delivered personally today, the last day of Purim.

Read more here.

Israeli musician Shmulik Kraus died at 77 from Swine Flu

Singer and composer Shmulik Kraus was born in Jerusalem in July 1935. He began his musical career during the 1950's, and became one of Israel's most influential musicians.  Kraus has lived according to the full, stigmatic definition of a rock star, and also had a history of violence, which got him hospitalized in a mental institution several times.

Read more here.

The new research program which will advance Israeli research

A new British program, which was announced last week, will grant Israeli scientists the chance to work at state-of-the-art medical facilities in Britain. The program will grant up to 30 fellowships over the next three years to researchers who will work on a project to develop advanced regenerative medicine therapies, to cure ailments like heart disease, diabetes, and diseases of the central nervous system.

Read more here.
 

The Diplomatic Seminar for Young Jewish Leaders is looking for young Jewish leaders

The Diplomatic Seminar for Young Jewish Leaders is a study program conducted annually by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for young Jewish men and women of outstanding leadership potential. The coming seminar will take place between June 30th - July 11th, 2013 and is open to participants aged 26-37 from Jewish communities around the world.

Want to apply? Read more here.

An Israeli app – the new star of Apple's campaign

The Israeli "Look and Cook" app, presenting Chef Meir Adoni's recipes, has been selected by Apple to star in its latest ad campaign which will highlight the company’s iPad.

Read more here.

Lady GAGA's climbing wall

On 2/21, Lady GAGA's perfume, FAME, launched in Israel, in one of the most extravagant, unique, ways: a giant climbing wall in the middle of Tel-Aviv port, and a flashy event. 

Another Israeli film wins at Berlin's Film Festival

After, "The Gatekeepers,"  the Israeli film "Rock the Casbah" also won over the judges at Berlin's International Film Festival, while winning the prestigious International Confederation of Art Cinemas award last week. "Rock the Casbah" tells the story of a young Israeli soldier in the midst of the First Intifada in 1989. The film's leading actors are Yon Tomarkin and Angel Bonani and it was produced by United King.

Read more here.