GUITAR GEMS 2009

22 October 2009


GUITAR GEMS 2009
4TH INTERNATIONAL CLASSICAL GUITAR FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION, NETANYA 25-29.10.09

Guitar Gems 2009, the 4th International Classical Guitar Festival and Competition, will take place this year in Netanya from 25-29 October 2009. The festival, organized by the Netanya Municipality and the city’s concert hall under the artistic direction of renowned classical guitarist Alexei Belousov, hosts leading classical guitarists from Israel and around the world.

The opening concert, which will take place in the Netanya Concert Hall on Sunday 25 October at 20:00, with four guitar concertos played domino style – from one soloist to four – and the backing of the Beer Sheba Symphony Orchestra. The evening will feature the world premiere of a guitar concerto composed by Israeli guitarist Daniel Akiva.

The festival will also include other guitar concerts, a flamenco concert complete with the Remangar flamenco dancers, master classes etc. Rare and priceless guitars will be on display, including 27 string guitars from the Renaissance period.

The closing concert, on 29 October at 20:00, features the Israeli gypsy jazz trio Swing de Gitanes and Hunarian guitarist Antal Pusztai.

In addition, an international and a youth international guitar competition will take place during the festival.

Tickets to the concerts available from the Netanya Concert Hall (Heichal Hatarbut) at 972 9 8308811.

http://www.guitar-gems.co.il/

THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL TEL AVIV DANCE FESTIVAL

13 October 2009

THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL TEL AVIV DANCE FESTIVAL
16 OCTOBER – 13 NOVEMBER 2009

The 2009 International Tel Aviv Dance Festival will take place for the third consecutive year in the city from 16 October – 13 November 2009. The city of Tel Aviv, now at the end of the centennial year celebrations, is renowned for its rich cultural scene, especially in the world of dance. The festival will showcase over 200 dancers in 34 different productions ranging from ethnic and modern to classic and flamenco. The 16 participating dance companies come from Israel, USA, Spain, Holland, China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Australia.

Within the framework of The Chinese Experience, a month long tribute to Chinese culture in Israel on the occasion of 60 years of the Chinese Republic and Tel Aviv’s centennial, several Far Eastern dance companies will perform: the 100 strong China Disabled People’s Performing Arts Troupe (17-18 October), the Beijing Modern Dance Company (22-23 October in Tel Aviv; 24 Oct in Haifa) and Shang Chi-Sun from Taiwan in a dance duet (24-25 Oct).

Ohad Naharin, the internationally-acclaimed Artistic Director of the Tel-Aviv based Batsheva Dance Company, will stage two productions: Hora, with eleven dancers always on stage (27 Oct) and Mamootot, one of Batsheva;s most unique and ground-breaking pieces first created in 2003 (31 Oct and 1-4 Nov). Following the success of his premier Monger at last year’s Tel Aviv Dance, choreographer Barak Marshall will premier his dance-theater piece for 12 dancers entitled Rooster at the Suzanne Dellal Center on 12-13 November.

The Ballet Nacional de Espana will perform La Leyanda/Aires de Villa Y Corte – a homage to Spain’s rich dance and musical heritage – on 3-7 November. Japan, Israel and Spain come together on stage in a joint production on 7 November premiere. The Hubbard Street Dance Chicago company, one of the most original forces in American contemporary dance, will perform a production with 22 dancers (28,29,31 Oct).

The full production list appears on the websites: http://www.suzannedellal.org.il/ and http://www.israel-opera.co.il/

The festival, a joint initiative of the Suzanne Dellal Center, the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center and the Tel Aviv Municipality, also includes dance workshops and master classes under the direction of visiting artistes and dancers and with the participation of dancers from dance schools around the country. The performances will be concentrated in two cultural venues in Tel Aviv-Jaffa: the Suzanne Dellal Center in Tel Aviv's Neve Tzedek neighborhood and the Opera House – Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, and two venues in Haifa: Rappaport House and the Krieger Center.

THE 11TH YOAV YEHUDA WINE FESTIVAL

15 October 2009

THE 11TH YOAV YEHUDA WINE FESTIVAL
16 -30 OCTOBER 2009

The 11th Yoav Yehuda Wine Festival takes place this year from 16-30 October, with a full program of events and tastings in the area’s 27 wineries, including the main event at Ein Hemed National Park, just outside Jerusalem, on Thursday and Friday, 29 and 30 October 2009. The region, which has been renowned for wine-making for some 3000 years, is made up of several different wine-growing areas. The Yoav Yehuda Wine Route includes all the area's wineries, including many that have sprung up in the area in the past decade and produce some of the country's finest wines, many of them with kosher certification.

The main event of the festival, which will take place in the Ein Hemed National Park on Thursday, 29 October (from 19:00) and Friday 30 October (from 10:00 – 16:00), will include the opportunity to sample the wines of 25 participating wineries, meet the wine-makers, enjoy local arts and crafts, a food fair and enjoy South American-inspired music. Wineries participating in the festival include, among others, Clos de Gat, Castel, Sorek, Ella Valley, Flam, Tzuba, Tzora, Teperberg, Sea Horse, Latrun, Nachshon and Hamasrek. The 60 NIS entrance fee includes a glass for the tastings.

The first Wine Run will take place on 30 October, taking participants on a 18k run in the Ayalon Valley past vineyards, almond tree orchards and the Nachshon, Clos de Gat and Latrun wineries. The event will commence from the entrance to Kibbutz Nachshon, near Latrun, at 08:00. Participants can also choose shorter routes of 3 and 5 kms. Prizes will be awarded for the two longer runs. Registration (for a fee) at www.shvoong.co.il or tel 972 52 7250865.

Throughout the festival, the wineries of the Yoav Yehuda wine route will be open to the public, each one offering tastings, tours, wine launches and the possibility to meet the people behind the wines.

The public is also invited to visit the studios of the many artists and craftsmen working in the Ella Valley region and participate in workshops (advance reservation necessary) – everything from jewelry and ceramics to shoe-making and sculpture. Many of the villages in the Wine Route are offering concerts and musical events from 17-31 October. Two- hour free guided hikes are also available on Fridays and Saturdays (10:00 and 14:00), with advance registration from the KKL (1-800-350-550).

Yoav Yehuda Tourism Authority: www.touryoav.org.il

LARGEST-EVER COLLECTION OF COINS FROM BAR-KOKHBA

LARGEST-EVER COLLECTION OF COINS FROM BAR-KOKHBA
REVOLT FOUND BY CAVE RESEARCHERS IN JUDEAN HILLS

The largest cache of rare coins ever found in a scientific excavation from the period of the Bar-Kokhba revolt of the Jews against the Romans has been discovered in a cave by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Bar-Ilan University. The treasure, discovered in three batches in a deep cavern located in a nature reserve in the Judean hills, includes gold, silver and bronze coins, as well as some pottery and weapons.

The discovery was made in the framework of a comprehensive cave research and mapping project being carried out by Boaz Langford and Prof. Amos Frumkin of the Cave Research Unit in the Department of Geography at the Hebrew University, along with Dr. Boaz Zissu and Prof. Hanan Eshel of the Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology at Bar-Ilan University, and with the support of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

About 120 coins were discovered within a cave to which access is possible only via a narrow opening that was uncovered many years ago by Dr. Gideon Mann, one of the early cave explorers in modern Israel. The opening led to a small chamber which in turn opens into a hall that served as a hiding place for the Jewish fighters of Bar-Kokhba.

Most of the discovered coins are in excellent condition and were overstruck as rebels' coins on top of Roman coins. The new imprints show Jewish images and words (for example: the facade of the Temple in Jerusalem and the slogan For the freedom of Jerusalem). Original gold, silver and bronze Roman coins of the period minted elsewhere in the Roman Empire or in the Land of Israel were also found.

Bar-Kokhba coins of this quality and quantity have never before been discovered in one location by researchers in the Land of Israel, although over the years antiquities looters have found and sold large numbers of coins from this period. Prof. Frumkin points out the significance of this particular cave, owing to its size, its proximity to Betar, and the large collection of coins found there. Ancient Betar was the site of the “last stand” of the rebels led by Bar-Kokhba in their struggle against Roman rule in Judea from 132-35 CE.

“This discovery verifies the assumption that the refugees of the revolt fled to caves in the center of a populated area in addition to the caves found in more isolated areas of the Judean Desert,” said Prof. Frumkin. He also noted that the discovery adds significantly to our knowledge of the Bar-Kokhba revolt, about which there is not a great deal of historical information.

Dr. Zissu points out that one of the fascinating aspects of the Bar-Kokhba revolt is the intensive use of the rebels and Jewish refugees of natural and man-made caves as hiding and refuge places in the face of extensive Roman search-and-destroy missions. Those who fled to the caves took with them food, weapons, drinks, coins and various documents. Sometimes they even took with them the keys to their houses that they abandoned in the hope that one day they would be able to return to them.

Apparently, the people who left behind the cache of coins that has now been found did so during the period of the revolt, following their flight from their homes or from battle with the Romans; however they were unable to return to their hiding place to recover their valuables.

ABOUT 8000 CHRISTIAN FRIENDS OF ISRAEL FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES IN JERUSALEM

1 October 2009

ABOUT 8000 CHRISTIAN FRIENDS OF ISRAEL FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES IN JERUSALEM

About 8000 Christian friends of Israel from about 100 countries around the world, including the heads of Evangelical Christian communities, will participate in the Christian Feast of Tabernacle, 2-8 October 2009. The festival, which this year carries the slogan “The Tabernacle of David” and is celebrating its 30th anniversary, is sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem with assistance from the Ministry of Tourism.

Thousands of pilgrims will visit Israel from 2-8 October for the Feast of Tabernacles celebration in Jerusalem, a week long program of seminars and teaching. Participants come from tens of countries including Australia, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Austria, India, Italy, Nigeria and more. Large groups of pilgrims will arrive from Brazil (more than 1000), Finland and Norway.

In addition to visiting sites around the country, the participants will join in the traditional and colorful Jerusalem March on 6 October, in which thousands of Israelis join the visiting tourists and pilgrims as they march through the Jerusalem countryside and streets.

The thousands of pilgrims that will stay for over a week in Israel are expected to contribute about 56,000 tourist nights in hotels around the country and the overall income will be between $16-18 million.

Three Border Marathon 2009

Three Border Marathon 2009

The municipality of Eilat, Eilot Regional Council and Hapoel are glad to invite you to take part in the Three Border Marathon, 10 km race, 3 km race and 5 km popular parade.

The race will start at "BIG" Commercial center.
Arrival from the north, via road no. 90 – Arava road: Take a right to Sheshet Hayamim blvd. and to Hasavar st. Arrival from the south – through the city of Eilat – Arava road: Take a left to Sheshet Hayamim blvd, and to Hasavar st.

Parking available at the BIG parking lot, free of charge!

Early distribution of participation kits and late registration for the races at Sport Hotel, Eilat on Thursday, 15/10/09, 10:00 – 19:00.
Distribution of participants kits on the morning of the race at the Big center, starting at 05:30. Distribution point will close at 06:45.
NO REGISTRATION ON THE DAY OF THE RACE!!
Track map enclosed!

TIME TABLE
Thursday 15/10/09
20:30 – 23:00: Gala reception and Pasta dinner (70 nis p.p.)
Friday 16/10/09
05:30 – 06:45: Distribution of participation kits, BIG center, Eilat
07:00 – start of Marathon
07:15 – start of "Dekel Hatom" 10 km race
07:45 – start of 3 km race and 5 km parade
10:30 – awards ceremony

PARTICIPATION AND TIME LIMIT
- - All participants in marathon, 10km and 3km races must sign a health waiver upon registration
- - Runners under 18 must have a parent's signature
- - Runners of the marathon must have a personal accident insurance (Due to the sports law)
- - Runners of the marathon must have a valid argometric health test.(Due to the sports law). Tests will be conducted in Eilat on 15/10/09. PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE via registration office. Cost: 100 nis.
- - Measured 3km race is open to ages 14 and up. Popular 3km race: age 10 and up.
- - The marathon track will close after 4 hours.












EVENTS
- Various activities and attractions for children will take place at BIG center
- Expo and stands of sports equipment at BIG center
- Demonstration of sports activities and dancing at BIG center
the races - Entertainment and shows during
- Pasta dinner for race participants (70 nis p.p) –


AWARDS
- Each runner will receive a Three Border Marathon t-shirt

- - Each runner will receive a souvenir medal
-
- Money prize for the marathon winner! -

- Electronic certificate + a picture can be downloaded at: www.4sport.co.il

: AGE CATEGORIES


Women
Men

Women
Men
10km,3km
14-19
14-19
Marathon

Women-General
Men-General
10km,3km
Women-General
Men-General
Marathon
women 35-44
Men 40-44
10km,3km
women 35-44
Men 40-44
Marathon
women 45-54
Men 45-49
10km,3km
women 45-54
Men 45-49
Marathon
women 55-59
Men 50-54
10km,3km
women 55-59
Men 50-54
Marathon
women over 60
Men 55-59
10km,3km
women over 60
Men 55-59
Marathon

Men 60-64
10km,3km

Men 60-64
Marathon

Men 65-69
10km,3km

Men 65-69
Marathon

Men over 70
10km,3km

Men over 70















REMARKS
The 3 first finishers in all categories will be awarded with medals. (One category only p.p.).

Note – awards will be handled only to categories includes at least 3 runners.
The steering committee can unite or separate age categories for men / women.

ISRAEL TOURISM VETERAN, ELIEZER HOD, APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF ISRAEL GOVERNMENT TOURIST OFFICE, WESTERN USA

PRESS RELEASE
ISRAEL TOURISM VETERAN, ELIEZER HOD, APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF ISRAEL GOVERNMENT TOURIST OFFICE, WESTERN USA
New York - September 30, 2009: One of Israel's most seasoned tourism professionals has been appointed Director of the Israel Government Tourist Office (IGTO) in the Western USA, says Arie Sommer, Israel Tourism Commissioner, North America. "I am delighted to welcome Eliezer back to the U.S.," commented Sommer, "and I know he will do a super job in this vital region of the country, not only with the traditional sources of travelers, but particularly in the Hispanic and Christian markets." The appointment to Los Angeles is Eliezer Hod's fourth overseas posting. From 1979 to 1984, he served in Paris as director of the IGTO for France, Spain and Belgium. From 1989 to 1993, he was based in Atlanta as director of the IGTO in the Southern USA, and from 1995 to 1999, he served in London as the director of the IGTO in the UK and Ireland. Born in Spanish Morocco, Eliezer Hod immigrated to Israel at the age of 15. He earned his B.A. degree at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, majoring in world history and the history of Islamic countries. He joined the Ministry of Tourism in 1972. Prior to his most recent appointment, he was based at the headquarters of the Ministry in Jerusalem where in the post of Director of Product Development, Mr. Hod was in charge of the ministry's publications and its involvement in international travel trade exhibitions in Israel and around the world. Married with three children, Eliezer Hod has received multiple awards in Israel and internationally in the field of tourism, and he is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Hebrew. "In 2008, more Americans than ever before visited Israel, and despite the global economic downturn, travel to Israel has been only marginally impacted," says Hod. "I am excited to be charged with increasing even further the number of residents of the western states who come to Israel."For more information, visit www.goisrael.com.
`
Media contacts:
Mark Liebermann at WEILL Gail Barzilay at the Israel Ministry of TourismE-mail: mliebermann@geoffreyweill.com E-mail: gailbarzilay@imot.org
Tel: 1-866-PR-WEILL Tel: 212-499-5647Joe Diaz Julie Cooper Israel Ministry of Tourism - Southern Region Israel Ministry of Tourism - Midwest RegionE-mail: joediaz@imot.org E-mail: juliec@imot.orgTel: 404-541-2770 Tel: 312-803-7077Dan ManorIsrael Ministry of Tourism - Western RegionE-mail: danm@imot.orgTel: 323-658-7463
ISRAEL GOVERNMENT TOURIST OFFICES ◦ NORTH AMERICA New York ◦ Director: Michal Itzik◦ 212-499-5651Atlanta ◦ Director: Joe Diaz ◦ 404-541-2770Chicago ◦ Director: Uri Steinberg ◦ 312-803-7080Los Angeles ◦ Director: Eliezer Hod ◦ 323-658-7463Canada ◦ Director: Oded Grofman ◦ 416-964-3784
Geoffrey Weill AssociatesInformational material is disseminated on behalf of the Israel Ministry of Tourism. Additional information available at the Department of Justice

IMAGES 2009 COMPETITION

30 September 2009


DIVERS WORLDWIDE CHOOSE THE FISH OF THE YEAR
IN THE EPSON RED SEA WORLD OF UNDERWATER IMAGES 2009 COMPETITION

In advance of the Epson Red Sea 2009 Eilat Shoot Out competition, which will be held in Eilat on the Red Sea from 9-14 November 2009, divers worldwide are invited to vote online for the Fish of the Year of Epson Red Sea 2009 on the competition website (http://www.eilatredsea.com/)

Five fish will feature on the website as nominees, along with professional credentials delivered by an expert team that consists of 5 marine biology professors, each representing a different fish-nominee. Voting will begin on 1 November.

During the three days of the Epson Red Sea 2009 World of Underwater Images competition, the selected Fish of the Year will serve as a “case study” for all photographers participating in the “Winning & Donating” category, representing different websites and magazines from all over the world. The winner will be the one who submits the most creative, original, professional and diverse portfolio of the Fish of the Year .

The competition is broken down into seven categories, with prizes starting at $10,000 plus a three week diving trip for two to Papua New Guinea for the winner of the Best Five Images. Accomodation packages are available for competitors and a program of events includes parties, film screenings and more.

Eilat on the Red Sea, Israel's southernmost resort, enjoys year round sunshine and offers the visitor unique natural attractions, including the Coral Reef Nature Reserve, one of the world's finest diving spots. Other tourist attractions include the Underwater Observatory and the Dolphin Reef, watersports, desert safaris and attractions, the nearby Timna Park and Hai Bar Nature Reserve, as well as excellent shopping, entertainment and restaurants.

Further information and registration relating to the competition can be accessed at http://www.eilatredsea.com/ .