PRESS RELEASE
ISRAEL CELEBRATES SUKKOT WITH WEEKLONG SCHEDULE OF FESTIVALS AND EVENTS, OCTOBER 2-10
New York - September 29, 2009: Israel will celebrate the weeklong festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) with a special array of music, film and cultural events, October 2-10.The festivals include:
25th Haifa International Film Festival (October 3-10): Tourists visiting northern Israel will view 280 films from more than 40 countries, including a special presentation of Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102728761914&s=30732&e=001qeLSse_KoneddjUcFrn372aFLFcJN_vFtOxwQw9nog9JLtRp3V3Inifj7Yjv3-iQ-6stoMqsL7jE8Pc_BFwqdumLvyrfGEMLH1TeWF2NFIQ=)
Herzliya Biennial (October 3-10): A week-long contemporary art exhibition featuring live music performances and fireworks every evening (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102728761914&s=30732&e=001qeLSse_KoneNnta_e_hercffRxLus9EVjrEIBqfM_SF98s_a4Vmy_jXhTKN3D3Vd94FLT7XHSrl4XnEz0VSnmgiujqGWTt36zE8KT5p7W1C0su_r181IuDuD0cZFEm7f)
Tamar Music Festival (October 4-8): A celebratory gathering of Israeli and international musicians, including Rita, Ehud Banai and Eyal Golan and members of the legendary Wailers, as well as two sunrise concerts overlooking Mt. Masada
30th Acco Fringe Theater Festival (October 4-8): Presenting 450 street and outdoor theater performances from Israeli and international artists (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102728761914&s=30732&e=001qeLSse_KonekryfURPuPuOmmwq4pPW-kfTDx5LJSiC3brRF0AOv26x9eljpwxebxdv8RUtdpAmYg78fo6AvjlC3zLRZSW-icg0RoxP8Cb4s9pDpkdsyRdw==)
Kite-Flying Festival (October 5-6): A special kite-flying exhibition overlooking the Crusader and Roman ruins at Apollonia on the cliffs north of Herzliya
17th Renaissance Festival (October 5-7): Taking travelers back in time with knights, court jesters and ethnic music at the Yehiam Fortress in the Western Galilee
Jerusalem March (October 6): The traditional 3-, 6-, or 12-mile run in celebration of the Christian Festival of Tabernacles
The 35th Abu Ghosh Vocal Music Festival (October 6-10): One of Israel's most highly anticipated music festivals showcasing thousands of classical and vocal music concerts in the churches and crypts around the hillside village (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102728761914&s=30732&e=001qeLSse_KoncsKdcQplI5MbQ9OOm1ZimzrSHp0sjFtVJ_o2QyFuqSTXF6yw_pO52Cj-JPmtpSA8aoTLAYuoIVog2KoEitQ52M9p90YsDcuXD5WCPDMTZVjA==)
Rishon LeZion Festival (October 7-8): A unique concert series featuring performances by Israeli artist Shlomi Shabat and Mati Caspi with the Israel Philharmonic OrchestraAlso, the Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority will host three festivals throughout Sukkot, including the Magic Sword at Apollonia near Herzliya, a games festival at Ashkelon National Park and a juggling and magic festival at Ein Hemed near Jerusalem, October 5-8. For more information, visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102728761914&s=30732&e=001qeLSse_KonchaaU00cKXVqFpK3Jf6HsWw8933LehINRlIOaoGOrKZx5O0QXJDaGhoVp101jHzXdZYsf5k5ToLwsjCpMCSz4tAJOdSDUBngNez5tKUM6OOA==.
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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 ◦ 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

THE 30th ACCO FRINGE THEATER FESTIVAL

THE 30th ACCO FRINGE THEATER FESTIVAL
4-8 OCTOBER 2009

The 30th Acco Fringe Theater Festival will take place among the crusader castles and beachfront promenades of the old city from October 4-8, 2009, featuring special performances of original, avant-garde fringe theater from Israel and around the world. The five day festival will include 450 performances by 72 artists from around the world; a competition, ceremonies in honor of the 30th anniversary, special premieres, guest performances, street theater and outdoor events.

The festival will open with Israeli singer Ahinoam Nini performing many of her hit songs, singing together with Arab singer and co-Eurovision competitor Mira Awad (4 October, 20:00).

Ten productions (selected from 160 applications) will premiere as contestants in the competition, including Whispering Alleys, a theatrical story that takes place while walking through the alleyways of Acco and Metuko's House, a surrealist work that includes poetry, clowns and physical theater in the best tradition of the Hulgab Ethiopian theater.

The new western promenade to the city, overlooking the Mediterranean, will serve as the entrance to the festival, featuring street theater and outdoor productions from around the world, including European artists. A total of fifteen international theatrical productions feature works from 10 countries – including Japan, the Czech Republic, Russia, the United States, Italy, Australia and Poland. These performances include mime theater from Teatro Pantomissimo (Czech Republic); The Vengeance Cell (Japan), a work about evil; Project Acco, a co-production of the Acco Fringe Theater Festival 2009 and the new Acco center for culture, youth and sports, created with Jewish and Arab Israeli artists together with artists from France, Lebanon, Iran and England and Teatro Pavana (The Netherlands), street theater with professional stilt-walkers in the commedia dell'arte style. , will perform two surprising and interactive stilt parades as outdoor events: "The Antelopes" and "Giraffes".

The festival will also include, among other special events, a photography exhibition Children Making Faces about children in Acco from 40 years ago; an ethnic musical and cultural area; an authentic Arab cooking workshop; a spectacular light show and messianic hip-hop performances.

Free guided tours of the Old City of Acco will leave at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 from the Tourist Parking Area beside the box office (minimum of 20 per tour).

Further details on the festival (in English): http://www.accofestival.co.il/

"Treasures Of The Sea 3"

"Treasures Of The Sea 3"



Beginning on October 8th through October 10th, between the hours of 10:00am - 16:00pm a unique exhibition will take place displaying all the underwater photos of the Award winning photographer Noam Kortler.

The display will take place for the 3rd time at the Coral Beach of Eilat, Israel.
It is open to all - snorkelers and divers, starting at a depth of 2 meters and going down to 5 meters.

20 different photos will be put in the water surrounding the natural coral reef of Eilat daily.

On Oct. 8th, in the evening, there will be a cocktail party which is the official opening, with the Mayor of Eilat. There you will have the opportunity to view all the photos above the water, drink beer and have a good time mingling with other divers.

Free entrance to all.

The exhibition is sponsored by:
HP
SEACAM
SEPA
NEMO DIVERS
MANTA dive center
Isrotel Yam Suf Hotel
The city of Eilat

ISRAEL AT SUCCOT

21 September 2009
ISRAEL AT SUCCOT
A FEAST OF FESTIVALS, EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS

The week long festival of Succot, or the Feast of Tabernacles (2-10 October 2009), is marked in Israel by special events, festivals and happenings for tourists and locals alike. The festive atmosphere begins with succa fairs in most cities, selling the four species and succa decorations. Succot or temporary booths can be seen in gardens, sidewalks, balconies and restaurants.

For tourists visiting the North of Israel, there are also festivals of note. 280 movies from over 40 countries will be screened at the 25th Haifa International Film Festival (www.haifaff.co.il) from 3-10 October which will open with Ang Lee's new movie Taking Woodstock. The festival includes outdoor performances and an arts and crafts fair. The 30th Acco Fringe Theater Festival includes 452 performances from Israeli and international artistes, as well as street theater and outdoor events (www.accofestival.co.il). Yehiam Fortress in the Western Galilee is the stage for the 17th Renaissance Festival, complete with knights, court jesters, tours and ethnic music (5-7 Oct).

Jerusalem will host the traditional Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall and the colorful 5, 10 or 20 km Jerusalem March (6 Oct) with thousands of Israelis and Christians from all over the world celebrating the Christian Festival of Tabernacles. The 35th Abu Ghosh Vocal Music Festival (6-10 Oct) attracts thousands of music fans, who enjoy first class concerts in the churches and crypts of this hillside village outside the capital (www.agfestival.co.il). This year’s Rishon LeZion Festival will feature concerts by Israeli artist Shlomi Shabat (7.10.09); Mati Caspi accompanied by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (8.10.09) and free outdoor concerts in various locations in the city. The second Herzliya Biennial will feature a week of contemporary art exhibitions, live performances and fireworks every evening from 3-10 October (www.herzliya-biennial.com) . The annual Kite-flying Festival will take place among the Crusader and Roman ruins at Apollonia on the cliffs north of Herzliya (5-6 October)

The Dead Sea region will come alive during Succot with the Tamar Music Festival (4-8 Oct) hosting concerts with top Israeli stars such as Rita, Ehud Banai and Eyal Golan, as well as guest stars from the Jamaican group The Wailers (the former band playing with Bob Marley) and two sunrise concerts at Masada. The Nabatean Market comes to the Mamshit National Park south of Beer Sheva for the 11th consecutive year (3-8 Oct), including a moonlit night time event. Eilat will host a photography exhibition 4 meters underwater in the Red Sea (8-10 Oct).

A host of outdoor activities, hiking, tours and special events are organized by KKL-JNF (www.kkl.org.il) and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (972 3 6388688). The Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority (tel: *3639) is organizing three festivals – the Magic Sword at Apollonia near Herzliya, a games festival at Ashkelon National Park and juggling and magic at Ein Hemed near Jerusalem (as well as Jewish soul music, including Meir and Evyatar Banai and Amir Benayoun at Ein Hemed from 5-8 Oct in the evening).

The festivities end on the evening of 10 October with street celebrations in most Israeli cities, as religious and non-religious dance with the Torah scrolls, often to the accompaniment of live music, an act of solidarity with Jews in the Diaspora who celebrate the festival of Simchat Torah that evening.

SECOND TEMPLE PERIOD STEPPED STREET

23 September 2009

SECOND TEMPLE PERIOD STEPPED STREET
DISCOVERED IN CITY OF DAVID EXCAVATION
2000 Years Ago, Pilgrims Began Their Trek to the Temple Mount From Here

A section of a stepped street dating from the Second Temple period (50 BCE-100 CE) paved in stone slabs and going south in the direction of the Shiloach Pool was discovered in excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the Shiloach Pool Excavation at the City of David in the Jerusalem Walls National Park.

The road was first discovered between 1894 and 1897 by Prof. Frederick J. Bliss and Archibald C. Dickey of the British Palestine Exploration Fund, and then covered and filled in at the end of their excavation. Other sections of this same road, to the north, have been excavated and covered over in the past, including during the excavations of Jones in 1937 and Kathleen Kenyon from 1961-1967.

This section of the stepped street was discovered at a distance of 550 meters south of the Temple Mount. The road represents the central thoroughfare of Jerusalem that ascended from the north-west corner of the Second Temple Shiloach Pool to the north.

According to excavation director Prof. Ronny Reich of Haifa University: "In the Second Temple Period, pilgrims would begin the ascent to the Temple from here. This is the southernmost tip of the road, of which a section has already been discovered along the western face of the Temple Mount."

The current excavation has been concentrated in a very narrow strip (1-2 meters in width) in the western sections of the road. Essentially, the excavation work removed the earth that had been filled in by previous excavators over the sections they already discovered. This section of road is built in the Second Temple style, which comprises alternating wide and narrow steps.

Further work must be done to clarify what the relationship was between the current excavated section and the section of the road and the drainage channel that were discovered nearby two years ago.

The excavations are conducted in cooperation with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, funded by the Elad Foundation, under the auspices of Prof. Ronny Reich of Haifa University and Eli Shukron of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

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