May 24, 2013 | 12:20 pm

One Israeli Creation for the Weekend

Posted by Noga Gur-Arieh

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Sarit Hadad is one of Israel's most successful singers, known by her out of this world voice. Recognized as a child prodigy, Hadad began performing at the age of eight, while playing the piano at a local club. At the age of 15, she joined the a local Youth Band, and was officially "discovered" at the age of 16, by Avi Gueta. Who is her manager up to this day.

 

In 2002, Hadad was chosen to represent Israel in the Eurovision singing contest. On December 2006, Hadad drew crowds in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles with her "Sing with Sarit" tour. On July 2007, Madonna revealed that she is a fan of Hadad, and enjoys listening to her music. In 2012, she became a "mentor" on the Israeli version of The Voice.

 

Hadad's career as a  singer has been highly successful, with many of her songs topping the Israeli charts. She is only 34, but already recorded 21 albums, some earned the titles of Gold and Platinum records. While most of her songs are in Hebrew, some are in English and in Arabic.  What makes her special, in my eyes, is the beautiful combination she makes of pop music and oriental sounds. Moreover, her voice as an impressive range, which enables her to touch hearts simply by opening her mouth.

 

Hagiga (Celebration)

 

Light a Candle (from the 2002 Eurovision singing contest)

 

Ba'Hom Shel Tel-Aviv (In the Heat of Tel-Aviv)

May 23, 2013 | 12:33 pm

When we don’t play fair

Posted by Noga Gur-Arieh

I want to start this post by saying it took me a long time to write what I'm about to write. It is something I'm thinking, but I never really had the guts to say, especially to people outside of Israel. The reason I did not want to write it down, was my belief that outside of Israel, people hear mostly negative things about us, and I wanted to use the stage I've been given to shine a bright light on my country, by giving the full picture. I wanted to show that there are many things you don't see or hear about on the news, and that many of the things the foreign media do present are partial truths.That is why it is very important to me to state that what I'm about to write, although containing a certain amount of criticism, does not reflect the big picture, or my full opinion about all political aspects regarding Israel. It is a criticism aimed for the here and now, and does not mean anything that isn't written.

 

 

Now, after a long prologue, I can cut to the chase: Israel is not perfect. It has great people, beautiful scenery, and has made tremendous contributions to the world's advancement in many fields of research, but it is also run by people who sometimes make mistakes. Israel also in the center of a serious conflict, which, in the eyes of the world is presented as if it was caused and maintained solely by Israel. You all already know how and why it is presented that way. You all have read the countless posts I've written so far about the David and Goliath effect, which causes affection and sympathy for the underdog. You've all read about the easy way false horror stories and lies about Israel are spread by haters in the internet age. Foreign media truly took a firm stand against Israel, but it is not entirely the media's fault that we look so bad in the eyes of the world.

 

 

I naively believe that the people from both sides want peace. Violence arises from haters from both sides (yes, both), but overall, I truly believe we want this conflict to end. I also believe that the decision makers from both sides do not want to settle on anything, and therefore, don't want peace. When I read about a one-sided Palestinian decision to address the UN and demand an independent state status instead of sitting and talking, it brought my nerves to a boiling point. But the same goes when I read about an Israeli decision to legalize four new settlements, just like that, overnight.

 

 

I know that there are people living there, and I respect their right to live in their homes, but if a territory isn't quite ours, why claim it? We live in a small place, and, true, territories were taken away from us as people were kicked out of their homes. But the same happened to people from the other side a few decades ago. And although we fought many wars to win and maintain our borders, which we needed to protect even though they were given to us by an official UN vote, we must accept our boundaries "de facto," and not "steal" some more. We cannot just stick a flag and claim a piece of land.

 

I don't appreciate such actions, although they are made by my government, which I and my fellow Israelis elected. We live in a democracy, and we chose the people to represent us. We elected them because we trusted them and their pure agenda to work for us. However, they don't always do that. I know they can't consult every single one of us before making decisions (which is one of the consequences of representative democracy) and there are many actions taken and decisions being made for us regarding homeland affairs, but when it comes to decisions directly affecting the outside, I cannot describe to you my frustration when something like that is being decided.

 

 

If we want peace, we must play fair. I know we were given half of this land in 1947, and after the other side refused to share, we got the entire territory and spent many years fighting for it. I also know they were here before, and we were here before that and so on and so forth. But I also know that in the 21st century, both sides must adjust and develop. A fair game is one where nobody places a hotel on their "property", or steals money from the "bank" when the other one is looking the other way. A fair game is also when both players feel good with themselves, because they know they could cheat, but they chose to enjoy the game and maintain good relationship with the other player. A fair game though, must go both ways. Working behind the other side's back not only gives the foreign media something to talk about, it also pushes peace further away.

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May 21, 2013 | 12:22 pm

Propaganda lies in a disguise

Posted by Noga Gur-Arieh

Muhammad al-Durrah, the little boy who became the symbol of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, is returning to the headlines after a decade. A photo of him, crying, leaning against a wall with his father trying to protect him from the fire of IDF soldiers, was taken on September 30th 2000 during a fire exchange between IDF soldiers and a raging Palestinian crowd. It presented the IDF as a killing machine, and it was widely published that the boy was shot and killed on purpose.

Muhammad’s father, Jamal, showed the world his scarred body. A damage made by the IDF. This attack, he said to the world press, paralyzed his arm and damaged his leg. All that on top of losing his son to the vicious attacks, aimed at citizens for no apparent reason, made by the Israeli army. Last year, it was proven that the damage done to Jamal A-Dura wasn’t the outcome of that so called Israeli attack. His medical file was exposed, and showed that his arm was paralyzed in 1992. This damage was caused by the terror organization Hamas, which attacked A-Dura, probably due to his relations with a rival group, Fatach.

It seems that the scandal revolving this story has yet to dim, because an investigation led by an Israeli committee has managed to prove that the boy, Muhammad, was not killed in the incident. After reviewing and revising the footage of the fire exchange, members of the committee have found that even though the boy was claimed to be shot in the stomach, there is no blood in the area. They also found that the boy moved his arm after his alleged death. There might be an international investigation as well, due to Jamal's request, but after last year's lies were exposed, it seems like al-Durrah's story is mostly yet another part of the attempt to demonize Israel.

Although this story is the most famous one, there are countless more lies that are being spread online as a part of an anti-Israeli/ Pro- Palestinian propaganda. Just a couple of days ago I bumped into a picture being "shared" around Facebook, showing a Middle-eastern looking man, holding a crying child with no arm. The title of this picture: "Many families find it very difficult to access health services due to the high cost of treatments, border closures and access restrictions by Israel Army." This was very strange for me to read, especially when just the day before, I saw a video of a group of Israeli doctors visiting Palestinian neighborhoods and providing a free medical treatment. It is also well-known that Israeli hospitals bring in Palestinians who need a medical care, and treat them. Later on, I noticed another version of this picture. This time, it was added with another headline, and was "shared" by a pro-Israeli group. Turns out (and I double checked it myself to be sure,) that this photo was taken from the General News Single category of the World Press Photo 2006 contest. It's real title is "Father and son in field hospital, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, 30 October." It was taken in 2005, by American photographer, David Guttenfelder.

Many pictures of such have been spread around the web during the Pillar of Defense operation this winter. Some were exposed, some are still out there, lying to people who have no idea what the truth is. When I look at the amount of lies that the anti-Israeli propaganda is spreading around, I realize that they simply don't have any real footage that shows an Israeli policy of abuse towards Palestinians. They know the truth. They know that in this reality of conflict, Israelis are doing their best in helping all people who need a medical care.  In fact, in many times, Israeli doctors have treated suicide bombers that while killing innocent people, did not die themselves. This is the real face of Israel.

Under false accusations and claims of wanting peace, anti-Israeli groups spread lies, hoping people will believe them before the truth is exposed. They don't have real footage of Israeli abuse, but they want to show it, so they fabricate stories and paste them over pictures of a rough reality in places that really need humanitarian assistance. This propaganda calls for peace, but its true intentions are to start a war. They don't really care about the Palestinians' health or welfare, they only care about filling the world with hate, and hate, as we all know, only pushes peace further away.

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May 20, 2013 | 12:39 pm

This week from Israel

Posted by Noga Gur-Arieh

A 1500 year old mosaic discovered in Israel

Israel is a place full of history. In thousands of years, many nations, tribes and empires of many cultures settled here, built and ruined, and left many discoveries to be found. With time, more and more beautiful memories are being found, including remains of palaces, old cities, ancient artwork and more. An archeological excavation of the Israel Antiquities Authority discovered a colorful mosaic dating back to the Byzantine period. It was exposed in the fields of Kibbutz Bet Kama in the Negev desert.

Read more here. 

 

 

"Google glass" for the blind

Israeli researchers from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa have developed an innovative tool, which one day in the not-so-distant future, people blinded by RP may see beyond shadows once again. This tool will provide a futuristic and bionic way to bypass neural circuitry and directly stimulate restored vision cells with a computer-driven technique called holography.

Read more here. 

 

NY Center  for Jewish History gives artwork to Google Art

New York City's Center for Jewish History is contributing more than 600 high-resolution artworks to the Google Art Project, which uses technology to put art, archives, heritage sites and other cultural material online. The center's contribution includes paintings and works on paper that survived the Holocaust, as well as portraits of Sigmund Freud.

Read more here. 

 

A digital revolution is coming to Tel-Aviv

Mayor of Tel-Aviv, Ron Huldai, portrayed a "digital revolution" his city is planned to undergo in the next few months. “Digi-Tel,” will allow residents to do all municipal business online, from paying real estate taxes to filing requests for permits, license applications, and renewals. Residents will also be able get tailor-made information about events in their neighborhoods based on their preferences, reserve and pay for tickets to the theater and sporting events, sign kids up for school and more.

Read more here. 

 

 

A hit Palestinian reality show allows people to pretend to run for President

"The President" is a reality show, broadcast weekly on the Palestinian TV station, Maan TV.  The show offers contestants the chance to tell what they would do on a variety of subjects, if elected President. Since the Palestinians haven't elected President since 2005, the show allows them to vote contestants off and choose a winner, something that they cannot do in real life.

Read more here. 

 

 

Israeli students using science to help poor African communities

High school students from Tel-Aviv are developing a system to convert highly nutritious spirulina alga into powder, for distribution in poor African communities. It is not able to solve the world hunger, but it can prevent malnutrition, which causes death in developing countries.

Read more here. 

 

A new TAU - US team discovery

A team of astronomers from Tel Aviv University and from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) has discovered a planet outside our solar system using a method based on Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.

Read more here. 

 

Gene Simmons insults Muslims on an interview

Rock legends and "Kiss" bassist, Gene Simmons, sparked outrage in Australia, where he was touring earlier this month. On an interview for a Melbourne radio station, Simmons made some anti-Muslim comments, calling it a "vile culture," and insinuating that the West was under threat.

Read more here.

 

 

Ashton Kutcher visits Israel

Ashton Kutcher arrived in Israel on Monday for a visit. The actor stayed in Tel-Aviv, where he met with some local startup companies. Kutcher is a big fan of Israel. This is his fifth visit here, and just like the four times before, he did not forget to mention his impression with this country to his fans and followers.

Read more here. 

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May 17, 2013 | 12:33 pm

One Israeli Creation for the Weekend

Posted by Noga Gur-Arieh

Rotem Shefy is a 28 year old Israeli singer, and the voice of the most unique cover of Radiohead's Karma Police.

Shefy's oriental version of Karma Police was uploaded to YouTube on April 23rd and in less than two weeks reached over 210,000 views, becoming a must hear song. In an interview to Israelife, Shefy, a singer from Tel-Aviv, seems quite surprised from the clip's overnight success, and explains that it actually started as a private joke:

"In 2009, I started my first year in the music academy- Rimon. In my second year there, I joined a Radiohead ensemble, which performed covers of the band's songs. There, I met cellist Leat Sabbah, and we became very close friends. Karma Police started as a private joke between the two of us, and then between all members of the group. Before we started playing Karma Police, I would sing a short oriental version of a part of the song and everyone would laugh. After we graduated, this "private joke" of us became the real deal, as we decided to turn Karma Police around and rearrange in into a middle-eastern song. We started a Kickstarter campaign and raised the money for the production. After recording, we filmed the video, where we created those new fun characters, and the rest is history…"

 

Did you have any ideas it would become such a great hit?

"None of us imagined it would become such a viral hit. The song was born out of respect to Radiohead, when our main goal was to enjoy ourselves and have fun."

 

Will we be hearing more from you in the near future?

 

"Both Liat and I are musicians, and we work both together and separately. In the past two years, I've been working on my own original material and perform with a band. Soon, we will start recording.

My plans for the future is to never stop creating music, whether it is original or covers that inspire me, record everything and then release them. I also hope I would combine acting with my musical life."

 

Karma Police:

 

Vocals: Rotem Shefy (https://www.facebook.com/RotemShefy?f...)
Cello: Leat Sabbah (https://www.facebook.com/leatsabbahcello)
Oud: Yaniv Taichman
Percussion: Ori Dekel
Produced: Rotem Shefy & Leat Sabbah
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered: Avi Ein Zur

THE CREW:
Producer: Roi Kurland- green productions www.greenproductions.co.il
Director & Editor: Amos Geva
Director of Photography: Shay Druyak
Assistant Camera: Orr Weiner
Concept: Nir Raizes
Color Grading: Oren Agami
Co-Producer: Yael Gal
Set Dressing: Danny Bar shay "HaKol Dvash"
Hair/Makeup: Elran Efargan
Cast: Idan Shefy, Erez Solow, Yogev Ben-Ami, Beata Garber, Einav Yaacoby, Snir Shefy-Shalev, Eitan Shalev

Executive Producers: Riki Cohen, Barbara Trommer, Paul Sabbah, Ilan Tamir, Nitzan Canetty, Guy & Einat Cohen, Eran Sisam, Carmela Segal Nielsen & Erik and dahlia Nielsen, Yaron Shefy

Special thanks to Kickstarter Donators:
Erez Keynan, Rotem Tamir, Anyssa Neumann, Mark Kuzmack, Aviv Pressburger, Jessica Schutzman, Dana, Sarah Aroeste, Noam Liebeskind, Noah Temple, Martyna, Michal Weiner, Daniel Shahar, Asaf Meidan, Hagar Levy, Ella Joy Meir, Jechiel Herschensen, Ryan Frank, Michael Fridman, Daniel Koren, Marta Bagratuni, Yemi Gonzales, Laurence Cohen, Dor Shemer, Nitzan Tzifroni, Laura Kegeles, Daniel Allen, Gillian Berkowitz, Neta Doppelt, Jechiel Evers, Nehemia Shefy, Ron Dotan, Roby Fayer, Daya Tolkatzir, Ayelet Shabani, Jonathan Maimon, Itamar Feitlovich, Dorit Shefy, Alicia Horwitz, Shai Bachar, Gil Epstein, Hana Rosen, Jonathan Meister, David Meister, Roy Niederhoffer, Hari Bernstein, Tsfania Sangauker, Idan Shefy, Anastasia Lekatsas

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May 14, 2013 | 2:22 pm

State, Religion, and Women of the Wall- an Interview with MK Stav Shaffir

Posted by Noga Gur-Arieh

On March 11, first time MK (Member of the Knesset,) Stav Shaffir (27) from Ha'Avoda (labor) party, joined the Women of the Wall in prayer at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. With threats from several Orthodox groups, and attempts for arrests by the police, they welcomed the new "Rosh Chodesh." This is what she wrote on her Facebook page that day:

"I usually do not wear a talit, but it is my honor and duty to stand here and protect the rights of all Jews from around the world to pray as they desire and believe. One denomination cannot take hold of a place so important and place for all Jews in the world. At a time when there is a debate in Jewish communities on what is the right way to worship G-d, we must remember that there is more that connects us than divides us. The least we can do is to allow all men and women to worship as they see fit.

For over twenty four years, The Women of the Wall pray every Rosh Chodesh at the Western Wall. For years they have been harassed and arrested because they choose to pray as women there. This morning, after a week of threats in the Orthodox media, I joined them.

At first the police tried to block our entrance claiming we would disturb the peace. But there is nothing that one hundred women armed with talitot cannot accomplish.

Surrounded by policemen and women, and to the sounds of yelling of ultra-Orthodox men and the blowing of Shofars, we stood in front of the wall and prayed."

This prayer received large media coverage, and brought the discussion of women's religious rights in Israel back to the headlines. After the police arrested five women for praying at the Kotel, wearing talitot and yarmulkes, while claiming it is against the rule of the Israeli Supreme Court, the legal discussion was reopened, and there may be a light at the end of the tunnel: On Monday, Jerusalem District Court ruled that Women of the Wall were not breaking the law by conducting their monthly service. A big step forward, but there is still a long way to go.

Today, more than a month later, Shaffir, who also led the national struggle for "social justice" in the summer of 2011, has agreed to interview for Israelife and give her opinion on Judaism, Israel, equality and Women of the Wall.

Why did you join Women of the Wall for their monthly service and in their struggle?

"This struggle is not only about the equal right for women to pray.  It is a much wider struggle, which symbolizes our fight for the freedom of religion in Israel. Out freedom to live how we want to live, with our own beliefs and our own personal way of practicing jewdaism or other religions. It is about how and where we choose to pray, but also about  every other aspect of our lives. Nowadays, the marriage institution, women's rights and the most intimate, important choices of our lives are all in the hands of a small and powerful group within jewdaism - the orthodox, which many times doesn’t see, or is not respectful enough, for other forms of practices.

This situation also has the unfortunate, less notable, side effect of pushing people away from Judaism. The Judaism we know here, in Israel, is mostly Orthodox. This causes many women to feel discriminated in this specific culture. For many, the orthodox practice is considered extreme, and when the general perception is that this is the only Jewish life possible, many people step further away from the Jewish religion and culture.

One of the things that make Israel special is that we can live a Jewish life without necessarily having to live a religious life. Judaism is everywhere here, from our educational system to our national holidays. Everything here is the outcome of Judaism, mostly its cultural aspect. The moment all the Jewish streams are being sucked by one very small stream, there is a problem. It pushes people away from their own religion and sometimes from the Jewish culture and legacy.

All the beauty of Zionism, and this beautiful Zionist project called The State of Israel, must renew itself constantly. We must always understand the field we're at, and keep finding the ways to continue to realize it."

So you believe state and religion should be separated?

"I don't believe we need to strip the Orthodox stream from its power, but to simply provide more power to the other streams as well, and create a true Democracy. Allow freedom for non-Orthodox as well. The way it goes now, there is not a non-Orthodox marriage institution. People cannot legally get married, and enjoy marriage privileges in a non-Orthodox way. Same goes for any other basic rights in our lives, such as divorce, gender identity sexual identity, what women can and cannot do in their military service. There are many outcomes coming from this domination of one religious stream. The best solution would not be to remove them from all power, but to give other streams and groups within the Jewish religion with the same amount of power."

What were the reactions you received after joining Women of the Wall?

"Reactions came from both sides of the scale. Many asked me: "You are not religious, so why were you wearing a tallit?" This question is very hard for me, because what I felt there, during the service, was incredible. It was very powerful, empowering and moving to stand there, with these wonderful, courageous women. The prayer they chant is very beautiful and combines several streams. It took them years to write it, and it addresses the Conservatives, the Reform and also the Orthodox. It combines everything, and there is something very special in it. I think that I, as an Israeli woman, never felt I was an equal at services combining prayers. I felt discriminated, beneath men. As a woman in Jewish Israel, I always felt like I was being pushed aside. That's why the feeling of standing there with the amazing Women of the Wall, knowing this is our thing and that's how we choose to do it, was wonderful and really brought us closer to one another.

Hearing negative remarks on what I did made me realize it is all a misconception of religion and the definition of who is religious and who is secular. I mean, we each believe in our own way. This is what religion truly is- each person does whatever he or she feels in his or her heart. There is no one prayer better than another. I felt like there was an unreasonable appropriation of religion. I was born in Israel. I am Jewish, my grandparents are Jewish, and no one gets to decide for me how I must realize my Judaism and what is not "good enough." It doesn't work this way.

This kind of reaction was very condescending and again, very drifting away from Judaism. Instead of pulling us closer to religion, the message was: "it is ours, and unless you do this and that- you cannot be a part of it."

On the other side, there were very supportive, enthusiastic reactions. Many women, secular also, said that this showed them they can do this, and must never give up. There is a common perception in Israel that because there is a status- quo of some sort, we cannot make a change. We forget that things can be different. We live in a country with religious institutions, but this does not mean we cannot also throw a reform or secular wedding, just like in any other western, free state, that puts liberty as a higher value. So there were many positive reactions as well, and on a more general note, I feel like my party, Ha'Avoda, really aroused the civilian talk.

Nowadays, we are in a time of a change of generation in politics, as there are more young people in our Knesset than ever before. This is the perfect time to revive the discussion about religion and state. There are many things that weren't as clear for the previous generation as they are to us. As a woman, I will not accept limitation, something that women several decades ago may see as something that cannot be changed. I also think that the issue of LGBT is also something that we, today, accept as a part of our lives. For our generation, the acceptance is more obvious, a part of our culture, not something that needs to be on the side, hidden. Same goes for civil, secular, marriage. This topic is more out in the open now.

That's why the change in our politics, the younger breeze, is important for reopening these discussions. Now is the time to redefine Judaism and its connection to Israel. To turn the Zionist vision to what it is supposed to be. On some level, there is a very strong connection between what our grandparents dreamt of when they realized the Zionist dream, to what became of it- the state of Israel- but now it seems like this Zionist dream was forgotten, and when living under constant existential threat, that dream is sometimes being pushed aside. This is the role of our generation- to pull it back."

In summer of 2011, you led what can only be referred to as "revolution." You and your partners made hundreds of thousands of people get up from their seats and protest in the streets for "social justice." Do you think that the struggle for a true freedom of religion is the next revolution in Israel?

"I think it can be one of the main issues to capture the public's attention, but a true change depends on the involvement, both of the Knesset's as well as the public's ability to get up and join. But I think it is definitely possible, yes. We have a very indecisive government, and I really have no idea how the various parties will react to the matter of civil marriage. I think there is a place for a true, meaningful, discussion."

And is there a chance for a true change?

"Definitely, because there is no other choice. Even today, you can see how the discussion of the post- social-justice protest of 2011 still has a major impact on everything. Whether it is the decisions made by the national banks, the decisions made by Israeli tycoons, and the fear of our elected politicians to disappoint their electors. Same goes here. The talks about it can turn into a change similar to that of the 2011 protest.

In his speech in Israel, President Obama said "as a politician, I can assure you that political leaders will not take risks if the people do not push them to do so". I think this is very true. We lit a match with Women of the Wall, a struggle for a thorough change they've been leading for a long time now. It created a public discussion which must grow and spread, and if it will lead to a demand from the public, it will lead to a governmental change."

Do you see yourself as the leader of this struggle?

"We are all leaders of what we care for, and this struggle is a major part of our struggle for greater freedom. I've been dedicating time to meeting with all the parties involved, the Rabbi of the Kotel, the women, and I try to reach a compromise. If we will fail to reach a meeting point which will be accepted by all sides, especially for Women of the Wall, we will need to take this to the next level."

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May 13, 2013 | 12:22 pm

This week from Israel

Posted by Noga Gur-Arieh

Shurat Hadin vs. Hawking

Stephen Hawking's announcement of cancelling his visit here and joining the boycott of Israel did not pass by quietly. Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, director of Shurat HaDin – Israel Law Center, responded publicly to this ridiculous decision, saying:  "Hawking's decision to join the boycott of Israel is quite hypocritical for an individual who prides himself on his own intellectual accomplishment. His whole computer-based communication system runs on a chip designed by Israel's Intel team. I suggest that if he truly wants to pull out of Israel he should also pull out his Intel Core i7 from his tablet" 

Read more here.

 

Americans prefer Tel-Aviv

A recent survey asked 13,000 Americans to rank their favorite brands. It was conducted by the international company, BAV Consulting, which every quarter presents the world's most comprehensive brand index ranking companies, cities and countries according to different parameters. In somewhat a surprising finding, Tel Aviv was found more attractive than 90% of the most popular brands in the United States.

Read more here.

 

A church in Britain insulted the Jewish community, causing the Ambassador's interference

The Church of Scotland published a document that questions the biblical right of Jews to the land of Israel. This document included some hurtful remarks, which insulted the Jewish community there. Only after Israel's ambassador to the UK, Daniel Taub, condemned the document, did the Church agree to reword it. 

Read more here.

 

Author Dvora Omer died at 80

Author and Israel Prize laureate Dvora Omer was laid to rest Sunday afternoon in the l Israeli moshav of Kfar Ma'as, where she had lived until her death at the age of 80 last Thursday. Omer was one of the most influential figures in Israel, writing many books which became milestones in the Israeli culture, and were read by generations of children, teenagers and adults.

Read more here.

 

Facebook is interested in purchasing Waze

After being wooed by Apple, the Israeli Smartphone app. Waze, is negotiating with Facebook a purchase that might make its creators 1 billion dollar richer. Waze is a GPS system/Social network. Its users contribute map data, and report traffic incidents, delays, police ambushes, etc., which can help other users find alternative routes or directions and get to their destination as soon as possible

Read more here.

 

Israeli Hackers help defending the US from a cyber attack

Hacktivist group Anonymous, along with numerous other hackers, planned a massive cyber-attack on American websites, as a follow up to their #OpIsrael attacks from last months. According to Anonymous, #OpUSA was about “payback for American crimes. America you have committed multiple war crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and recently you have committed war crimes in your own country. You have killed hundreds of innocent children and families with drones, guns, and now bombs. America you have hit thousands of people where it hurts them, now it is our time for our Lulz. For this you shall pay.” However, just like the last time, Anonymous' operation was a flop, as Israel hackers joined the US cyber defenders.

Read more here.

 

American TV stars visited Israel and fell in love

Actors of hit American TV shows such as Scandal and  Once Upon a Time spent a week touring Israel in a trip which was led by America's Voices in Israel (AVI) Director Irwin Katsof and sponsored by El Al Israel Airlines and the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When the trip was over, the Hollywood stars made sure everybody knows of the wonderful place that is Israel.

Read more here.

 

A new production of Wagner's opera was cancelled due to graphic Nazi scenes

A German opera house has cancelled a modern production of Wagner's opera "Tannhauser," after the opening-night audience complained about images of Jews being executed and dying in the gas chambers. Some scenes showed Jews being raped, having their heads shaved and being shot to death.

Read more here.

 

And the "Israeli Nobel Prize" goes to…

The Wolf Prize, also known as "the Israeli Nobel Prize" was awarded to eight recipients by President Shimon Peres Sunday night. Among the winners of the international award granted in Israel, were author Jared Diamond, a champion of geographical determinism, and MIT professor Robert Langer, a pioneer in creating polymers for time-release drugs.

Read more here.

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May 10, 2013 | 12:19 pm

One Israeli Creation for the Weekend

Posted by Noga Gur-Arieh

MUTRAH is a young jewelry label, which blends contemporary jewelry design with a distinctive touch of bohemian chic. Inspired by the tribal African culture and ancient Egyptian jewelry. MUTRAH jewelry is all hand-made, created from industrial mechanical brass, colorful neon dyed strings and leather, which are carefully crafted with great attention to detail and quality. MUTRAH is based in Israel, but is also providing jewelry to stores in Japan, Finland, Panama, England, Italy and New York.

The label worked with ARDC (African Refugee Development Center,) and donates a share of its profits to the organization. Nowadays, MUTRAH employs people with disabilities, allowing them to make a proper living. An even more inspiring fact about MUTRAH is that it was founded only a year ago, by two 21-year-old inspiring Israeli designers who have worked their way to the top! The young founders are Mor Aldaag and Gani Bar-Lev. They come from the world of fine art and spent several years studying traditional art forms in Thelma Yellin School of Arts, before starting their path as jewelry designers.

"We founded MUTRAH without any commercial pretensions or great expectations. As a matter of fact, it all started with a hobby of two good friends." Says Mor to Israelife. "Gani and I met in high school, and became good friends. The love that we both share to art and design led us to spend a lot of time together, create together, and start small projects, which one of them eventually became MUTRAH ("nut" of a bolt, in Yiddish.) We started by making jewelry for ourselves and for our friends. A short while later, we started receiving phone calls from other girls who saw the jewelry and wanted a piece or two for themselves. Surprisingly, we were also approached by a clothing store manager who saw our work and wanted to sell it, and from there, things just happened and MUTRAH was turned into an international business."

Visit MUTRAH's website: http://www.mutrah.com/

Here are a few examples from MUTRAH's 2013 collections:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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