BIRD WATCHERS FLOCK TO ISRAEL FOR 4TH EILAT SPRING MIGRATION FESTIVAL, MARCH 18-25, 2010

BIRD WATCHERS FLOCK TO ISRAEL FOR 4TH EILAT SPRING MIGRATION FESTIVAL, MARCH 18-25, 2010
New York - September 17, 2009: Hundreds of birdwatchers from all over the world will flock to the Israeli resort town of Eilat to take part in the 4th Eilat Spring Migration Festival, March 18-25, 2010. Israel's location on the only land bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa makes it uniquely suited as a prime bird-watching site from which to view the flights of a large variety of migratory birds. Travelers to the festival will witness the migration of more than 500 million birds, including rare raptors, pelicans and cranes."The Eilat Spring Migration Festival is a special event that attracts nature lovers to one of the world's prime bird-watching locations in the south of Israel," says Arie Sommer, Tourism Commissioner, North and South America. "The combination of the spring bird migratory spectacle in the beautiful resort town of Eilat will make for a truly special experience. The week-long festival will also feature day and night birding tours and workshops. The festival will include an opening banquet and evening activities at the Isrotel Agamim Hotel.For more information, visit www.eilatbirdsfestival.com. For more information about travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com.
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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 ◦ Marketing Director: Hezi Shely ◦ 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

PRESS RELEASE
CLASSICAL MUSIC LOVERS TRAVEL TO ISRAEL FOR 36TH ABU GHOSH MUSIC FESTIVAL, OCTOBER 6-10
New York - September 16, 2009: Travelers to Israel this autumn will experience five days of classical music at the 36th Abu Ghosh Music Festival in the picturesque village of Abu Ghosh near Jerusalem, October 6-10.Taking place during the holiday of Succot, the festival will feature Maestro Frieder Bernius conducting the Stuttgart Chamber Choir, as well as 16 original music productions. Performances showcasing the work of Vivaldi, Bach, Theodorakis, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Verdi and Marcello will take place in four different venues around the village. Also, musicians from Spain, including bass-baritone Luis Alberto Fernandez-Llaneza, and soloists from Israel will perform."The 36th Abu Ghosh Music Festival is an exciting event that attracts some of the world's top classical musicians to Israel," says Arie Sommer, Commissioner of Tourism, North and South America. "The festival's unique setting in both indoor and outdoor venues around the beautiful town of Abu Ghosh will make for a truly special event."The festival will include a unique vocal experience incorporating the audience as a choir in a sing-along performance in the Kiryat Tearmin Church. Concerts will also take place in the church's crypt and gardens. For more information, visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102697457584&s=30732&e=001yO4y1JQ8rQtrw5vpqyTC2uKCFai4M1QEoC1wGGVA5fyUzIL9-q5m3F4UOzeu6LIK89iKtX_7IsUzp5cLrwD-XB7rR4yDedPdOO3cKlj7oXNHGsObAbHQig==. For more information about travel to Israel, visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102697457584&s=30732&e=001yO4y1JQ8rQvFm9FG_GyrckoADqn5TLQ43QQ04EvEIcCtpBy05QkGxVw_PC40m8Rxh_qbQh1fb6WO9iZ5cF3zf1TNPNCCr0ubqM5iQR_a5Kh2HudHA40Yyg==.
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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 ◦ Marketing Director: Hezi Shely ◦ 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

ISRAEL TOURISM BOUNCES BACK TO PRE-GLOBAL-FINANCIAL-DOWNTURN HIGH

PRESS RELEASE
ISRAEL TOURISM BOUNCES BACKTO PRE-GLOBAL-FINANCIAL-DOWNTURN HIGH
New York, September 15, 2009: More than a quarter million tourists visited Israel in August 2009, a similar number to August 2008, according to Arie Sommer, Israel Tourism Commissioner, North and South America. "2008 was the best year in history for tourism to Israel," Sommer observed, "so this August 2009 result may well mean that the downturn is behind us, and there is light on the horizon." Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov noted that the targeted marketing efforts of the tourism ministry in the last few months are yielding results. "The new marketing positioning of Israel as the Holy Land, with Jerusalem at its center, will continue to lead the Israel tourism industry into growth." The United States is the number one source of tourists to Israel, followed by Russia, Britain and France. "The ever-increasing number of flights to Israel is surely part of the reason for this good news," Sommer said. In July, US Airways commenced daily nonstop service from Philadelphia to Israel, "so that with the flights of El Al, Continental and Delta, there are as many as 10 nonstop flights every day from the US to Tel Aviv."For more information, visit www.goisrael.com.
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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 ◦ Marketing Director: Hezi Shely ◦ 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

JERUSALEM'S OLD CITY RETURNS

PRESS RELEASE
JERUSALEM'S OLD CITY RETURNS AS ISRAEL'S NEWEST NIGHTSPOT
New York - September 15, 2009: Following the success of last year's event, travelers to Israel this fall will experience Jerusalem's remarkable holy sites in a whole new light with "Autumn Evenings in the Old City," featuring live musical performances and guided nighttime tours around the Old City's Jewish and Christian Quarters every Monday and Thursday throughout September and October.Visitors are able to select from a variety of nighttime musical concerts and special tours, including performances by the Perach Adom Group, OyDivision, the Maghreb Band and South America's Trio Indio. The festival nights will also include a special performance of "The Magic Drummers" show by the Eliav Family and Dr. Jazz's classic Dixieland jazz concert. "The 'Autumn Evenings in the Old City' festivities will attract a new wave of travelers to Jerusalem," says Arie Sommer, Commissioner of Tourism, North and South America, "And following the success of last year's events, the festival will continue to promote the Old City as a place that can be enjoyed after dark." The festival will also feature "The Night Spectacular" multi-media performance at the Tower of David Museum. Tours of "Autumn Nights in Jerusalem's Old City" begin at 6:30PM, free of charge. For advance registration for tours, visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102700740813&s=30732&e=001_o_DoAZFPmrAizdRTZX4zSNl1ErQ7RiePHaigwNFG_zfgWsydB-DLqKKGaSHmRuF6qqVOnbCZeU3-Sc8-f6-hRWPzGpcMUMOr1Hu2r3mwpquJyEVFUwQXA==. For more information about travel to Israel, visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102700740813&s=30732&e=001_o_DoAZFPmrSXsMHhU7m6sFZJTzDJGuGOK6I2qyJDoBF0POYngwNUDSy7rm70_hl2LsbtHDxusxrV3895PwlmOoD_c3hRHWF7h6_1WUf8L1qt_OHbELK5Q==.
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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 ◦ Marketing Director: Hezi Shely ◦ 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

5TH TEL AVIV INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL, TEL AVIV CINEMATHEQUE

14 September 2009



5TH TEL AVIV INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL, TEL AVIV CINEMATHEQUE
23-26 SEPTEMBER 2009


The 5th Tel Aviv International Children’s Film Festival, the only film festival in Israel aimed at children aged 6-16, will take place this year from 23-26 September at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. Over 60 films will be screened during the festival, dealing with subject matter that interests children around the world and promises the spectator an introduction to different cultures. Many films are translated into Hebrew and English.

The heart of the Festival is the central screening program, which shows children’s and young people’s films in various categories: new and specially selected feature films, documentaries, and films made by directors from all over the world. These genres are reflected in a prize-winning competition along an Israeli and international track.

Within the framework of the festival, an international competition will take place, judged by a panel of international judges from Israel, Poland, Italy, Holland and Croatia. In line with the festival tradition, a jury panel of children from Israel will also deliberate on the films. The child judges received special training in a three day workshop during which they were exposed to terminology from the world of cinema, the basics of script writing and the rights of children.

Films to be screened in the International Competition include two Dutch films, The Seven of Daran - The Battle of Pareo Rock (the story of an impossible friendship set against the background of the wild and beautiful African Jungle) and Frogs and Toads (a humorous tale of a special old grandmother and her love for children and animals; the Chinese film, You Are An Angel (an emotional film about the healing power of love); the Swedish film One Eye Red (about the power of identity versus parental love); the American comedy Ready OK! (about a single mom who has difficulties understanding her son); the German/Swedish film The Eagle Hunter’s Son (the story of a journey through the wild Mongolian landscape); the Canadian film It's not Me, I swear! (a touching story about a special child's inner world) and the German film Crocodiles (the adventures of a fascinating child gang).

http://www.kidsfestival.cinema.co.il/

TEL AVIV-JAFFA CONTINUES CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS WITH ARTLV-09 FESTIVAL

PRESS RELEASE
TEL AVIV-JAFFA CONTINUES CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS WITH ARTLV-09 FESTIVAL

New York - September 14, 2009: Tel Aviv-Jaffa will continue its centennial celebrations this month with the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Art Biennial ARTLV-09, featuring the works of more than 300 artists at 20 different venues around the city, through September 24.The festival's central exhibition, "Circus Universalis," will showcase the works of 40 Israeli and international artists based upon visual representations of the modern city from different perspectives at the Nechushtan Pavilion near Neve Tzedek. Also, an exhibition featuring the works of international artists entitled, "Opening - Four Openings," will be presented at the Bezalal Academy of Art."The ARTLV-09 Festival is an exciting event that attracts some of the world's most popular contemporary artists to Tel Aviv-Jaffa," says Arie Sommer, Commissioner of Tourism, North and South America. "This year's festival will highlight Tel Aviv's rich art culture in concurrence with the year-long centennial celebration." Also, Rabin Square will be carpeted with half a million flowers in homage to the the city's founders from September 15-17. For more information, visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102700483996&s=18536&e=001swA5WBHHIfW_Xo0pcw2f5pqq7REKAv0Y0nG-_kxkZ5C2GCCE5F7a7l7GHNVCaA_Au4BQboyxqcHxfQOS1UlQYfDCKbVq6te0aMJquGEP8QqafRnrLjDmcQ==. For more information about travel to Israel, visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102700483996&s=18536&e=001swA5WBHHIfWeThYRqK8_AdoSNxqfVxNyMuwnUKo3VJyLpYmkQC5qIWbpX73RCvA1wcIauizLChqpbikuY-vWvHYesaKgRWEQE3tEWNGSbovzk_JRArNC0g==.
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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 ◦ Marketing Director: Hezi Shely ◦ 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

RARE ILLUMINATED 14TH CENTURY HEBREW MANUSCRIPT ON FIRST-TIME DISPLAY AT THE SHRINE OF THE BOOK, ISRAEL MUSEUM

9 September 2009

RARE ILLUMINATED 14TH CENTURY HEBREW MANUSCRIPT ON FIRST-TIME DISPLAY
AT THE SHRINE OF THE BOOK, ISRAEL MUSEUM
The Nuremberg Mahzor: A Medieval Masterpiece Unveiled opens 15.9.09

A new exhibition entitled The Nuremberg Mahzor: A Medieval Masterpiece Unveiled will open 15 September 2009 at the Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, showcasing the Nuremberg Mahzor, one of the most complete illuminated Hebrew prayer books and among the largest surviving medieval codices in the world, following extensive restoration in the Museum’s paper conservation laboratories. Reflecting the highest achievements of Hebrew manuscript production during medieval times, the Mahzor includes finely hand-written liturgical poems and prayers for the entire Jewish year and life cycle, embellished with lavish illuminated panels of gold and silver leaf and precious pigments. Dating from 1331, the Mahzor will be on display in as the centerpiece of a focus exhibition on view from September 15, 2009 through February 2010.

The Nuremberg Mahzor: A Medieval Masterpiece Unveiled provides visitors with a first-time opportunity to view this newly conserved manuscript, complete with four previously missing leaves that are thought to have been removed during the Napoleonic Wars. Formerly in the collection of the Library at the Schocken Institute for Jewish Research in Jerusalem, the manuscript and the missing leaves were recently acquired by Dr. David and Jemima Jeselsohn, Zurich, and given to the Israel Museum on extended loan.

“This presentation of the Nuremberg Mahzor enhances and extends the timeline of Hebrew manuscripts on display in the Shrine of the Book, underscoring the dramatic evolution from the Dead Sea Scrolls in Second Temple times, to the Aleppo Codex in the 10th century, and continuing to the flourishing of the world’s Jewish communities throughout the Middle Ages,” said James S. Snyder, Anne and Jerome Fisher Director of the Israel Museum. “This exhibition also continues an important program of installations in the Shrine showcasing singular treasures of Jewish heritage drawn from our holdings and accentuating the Museum’s rich legacy of Jewish cultural history.”

In addition to containing the yearly cycle of Ashkenazic prayers, the Nuremberg Mahzor features an unparalleled collection of liturgical poems and commentaries that represent the majority of the manuscript’s content. Originally commissioned for private study and synagogue use by a Jewish patron named Joshua, Son of Isaac, the Mahzor was completed in Germany on August 8, 1331. The book likely served the larger Jewish community of Nuremberg thereafter, remaining in the city after the expulsion of the Jews in 1499.

The Mahzor was preserved intact in the Nuremberg city library until the early-19th century when eleven of its 528 leaves were excised, presumably by the Napoleonic army. Of the missing leaves, five resurfaced 100 years later in Frankfurt, in the collection of Mayer Selig Goldschmidt. Four of these were acquired in the 1930s by Salman Schocken, a German-Jewish businessman, publisher, and book collector, who in 1951 acquired the entire manuscript as part of a post-war restitution for property lost during World War II. For over fifty years, the Nuremberg Mahzor remained in the Schocken Institute in Jerusalem and was not accessible for public display. Today the manuscript contains 521 of its original 528 leaves (1042 pages).