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Greetings!
Mark your calendar: The 16th Annual Israeli Film Festival is coming to Philadelphia!
This highly anticipated celebration of Israeli culture will feature a diverse selection of up-and-coming Israeli cinema. From Feb. 25 - April 1, in various locations across the city, films range from dramas, to comedies, to documentaries and more! In other words, there's something for everyone!
From out of the area? Come to Philly during the Festival to tour the city, catch up with old friends and see a film or two.
This year's selection is particularly impressive, as many of the films have already won awards both in Israel and abroad.
Watch the trailer for the festival's opening film, "Intimate Grammar," (based on a novel by David Grossman) winner of the Best Feature Film Award at the Jerusalem International Film Festival, and the Sakura Grand Prix at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
 | | Intimate Grammar |
Intimate Grammar will be shown on Feb. 25 at 8 p.m., and 3 p.m. on Feb. 26, at the International House (3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia).
For more information on the festival, including the complete schedule and to purchase tickets, click on the link below.
Israel Film Festival of Philadelphia!
Shabbat Shalom
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More Arts & Culture
 | | Israeli artists, coming soon to Phila., perform this weekend in Cleveland! |
INBAL PINTO & AVSHALOM POLLACK Dance Company
is dance theatre at its best! Fantasy meets sideshow spectacle in Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak's master work OYSTER, a full-length regional premiere about a fantastic circus world of wandering street acrobats and other bizarre characters dressed in doll-like make-up, spiky blonde wigs and tutus.
The Company opens in Cleveland on Saturday night, and received advance press in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Writer Michael O'Malley praised the company's unique style. Read more here.
Donald Rosenberg, Plain Dealer reporter and dance critic, describes their performance as "magical." Click here to read more.
For tickets and information, go to the links below.
Jan. 28-29, Ohio Theatre, Cleveland
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Israel Tech News
The Economist on what's next for the "Start up Nation"
The prestigious weekly published a recent article on Israel's innovative high-tech sector. It said, "The land is arid, so they excel at water and agriculture technology. They have little oil, so they furrow their brows to find alternatives. They are surrounded by enemies, so their military technology is superb and creates lucrative spin-offs, especially in communications."
Read more in this article.
Confirmed Opening of an Apple R&D Site in Israel
A recent visit of an Apple VP to Israel has fueled the reports that the company is looking to open it's first Research & Development branch outside of California. And where have they chosen as the site of their expansion? Why, one of the world's leaders in technology, of course! Israel.
After purchasing an Israeli start-up, Anobit, whose flash chips help power their products, Apple has join the list of companies who want to utilize Israeli research in further developing their products. As Apple only invests 2% of annual sales into R&D, their decision to expand to Israel displays a major change in strategy.
Apple now has many competitors in the technology market, and in order to stay ahead of companies like Amazon and Google, they need new, innovative products.
Click here to read the full story. |
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Travel Tip
Northern Israel's Usfia and Daliat el-Carmel Boast a Lively Display of Druze Culture, Cuisine and Hospitality
The Druze populations of northern Israel are truly a microcosm.
 | | Druze villagers bake pita at roadside stands (Photo: Israel Ministry of Tourism) |
The religion itself was born from the Islamic Ismailia Movement in 11th century Egypt, and is rooted in secret mysticism.
The Druze serve in the IDF as loyal citizens of the State of Israel. Many have created friendly relations with the Jewish poplation.
Druze villages are now the weekend destinations of families seeking a unique cultural experience, history lesson, and great food! Click here to read more. |
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| Contact Information | |
| Consulate General of Israel
1880 JFK Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-977-7600 |
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Jan. 27 is the day that the Soviet troops liberated the Nazi concentration and death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. It is also the day that the global community remembers the victims - and survivors - of the Holocaust.
The United Nations will feature an exhibition of posters entitled, "The Holocaust - Keeping the Memory Alive." This is an international project that facilitates the involvement of design students from all over the world who artistically express their views of the Holocaust.
On Thursday, Jan. 26, the exhibition will be on display at the UN in New York.
Israel's President Benjamin Netanyha commemorates the day. | |
Video of the Week
From Israel21c
Adi Kutner, a film student at Tel Aviv University, has pulled off an incredible feat: on a budget of just $800, she created an award-winning short film that was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
The 18 minute long film is a coming-of-age story that centers on Mika, a curious teenager, and her neighbor, Gershon. The two discover a strange creature floating in Mika's pool, and their interaction quickly evolves into a lesson about control.
Preview the short film below.
 | | "Barbie Blues" Preview |
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