EL AL | Atmosphere

Issue 288 | December 2024

Discovering Mitzpe Ramon Overlooking the world's largest erosion crater, Makhtesh Ramon, this southern Negev town is full of surprises. Explore its breathtaking landscapes and myriad attractions

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Flying on a 737 or 777 aircraft? Switch your mobile device to ight mode, select the EL AL network, and scan the QR code or open your browser and enter: wi .elal.com to enjoy hundreds of movies, TV shows, music and games on your personal device. Further details on page 42

Israel is our turf From the Galilee to the Arava, from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, from the coastal plain to the northern valleys - today more than ever, the entire country is MIVNE. With over 2.0 million square meters of commercial real estate for rent, including offices, industry, logistics, commerce, shopping centers and residential properties for sale and rent, student housing, and more. MIVNE is Israel's largest commercial real estate group, specializing in the initiation, acquisition, construction, and management of buildings, with over 3,000 tenants.

In-flight I Issue 288 I December 2024

Publisher

Editor-in-Chief Nava Marton Production Manager Alon Fox Art Director Amram Pikarsky / Studio Liat Rosenzwieg Design Shiri Atzmon Cover Photo and Images ASAP Creative VP of Marketing, Trade and Sales Yaniv Ofir Senior Sales Manager Liad Elhadad

Editor’s Letter

If there’s one place able to provide a bit of oh-so-precious escapism these days, and serve as the ideal winter holiday destination – it has to be the Negev Desert. Mitzpe Ramon is a town that sits on the edge of the famous Ramon Crater, overlooking breathtaking landscapes. Not only is it the perfect starting point to innumerable desert hikes, it is also a regional cultural and culinary hub, with numerous establishments having opened here these past years, including wineries, tour guide companies, wellness centers, and so much more. (See our article on p.16). Our interview this month is with Israeli master mentalist Lior Suchard. In anticipation of his upcoming show in New York, and in celebration of his birthday, we sat down with him to discuss

his passion for what he does, and the difficulties he encountered this past year. Also this month: a look at the best wellness resort in Israel, a taste of some of the most delicious bakeries in the country, an introduction to five fascinating female textile designers, and as always, an overview of the month’s main cultural highlights. With Christmas and Hanukkah upon us this month, let me take this opportunity for joy and celebration, to wish you all a luminous and happy new year, and of course, to reiterate our call for the release of the hostages, and for the safe return of our soldiers.

Head of Inflight Entertainment & Connectivity Tal Kalderon Talkal@elal.co.il

For information regarding advertising opportunities Please contact

I wish you a pleasant read and a peaceful flight, Nava Marton

Mr. Liad Elhadad at TEL: 052-3449838 Liad_e@rge.co.il

Traveler’s Prayer May it be Thy will, Lord of Heaven and Earth, to lead us to peace and safety, to fly us in peace and safety to our desired destination, to find life, joy, and peace. Guard and watch us, we who fly the air pathways, cross the seas, and travel overland routes. Make firm the hands that guide the steering and sustain their spirit, so that they may lead us in peace and safety. For in You alone is our shelter from now unto eternity. The Lord bless thee, keep thee, the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee, the Lord turns His face unto thee, and gives thee peace. Amen.

Atmosphere Magazine is published monthly by RGE and LDI. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. The opinions expressed in this magazine reflect those of the writers only, and not EL AL Airlines. The publisher and / or EL AL are not responsible for advertising content.

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In-flight I Issue 288 I December 2024

Contents

41 42 In-flight Entertainment 44 New Movies 46 Kids - Movies & TV 47 Top 6 48 In-flight Internet Access

49 Meet the Crew 50 Destination Map 53 Fleet

Photo: Gabriel Baharlia

Check-in 6 Travel News December Highlights 8 What’s on Our Radar This Month Local Events 10 Our Guide How to navigate your teen traveling on their own for the first time 12 Flight Essentials for your next trip

See the Sights 16 Discover Mitzpe Ramon, a fascinating town in the heart of the desert

Lifestyle 28 Our Hotel Experience Israel’s most luxurious resort, the Six Senses Shacharut 32 Food 5 top bakeries to try out this winter 36 Design 5 Israeli designers making their mark in the world of textile design

Magazine 24

“Whenever I’m on a TV show abroad, I immediately say I’m from Israel” Our interview with master mentalist Lior Suchard who’s celebrating his birthday this month with a big show in New York

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ATMOSPHERE DECEMBER 2024

Rendering for illustration purposes only

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Check-in I Travel News & Updates

December Highlights

Tel Lakish I Photo: Daniel Asulin, Studio 4040

architectural modeling by Oshrat Brown

The Hagoshrim Hotel is undergoing extensive renovations | Located in the Upper Galilee, the Hagoshrim Hotel has been closed since the start of the war for security reasons. In the meantime, extensive renovations are being undertaken and are expected to be completed by next March. Hopefully by then, it will be safe and possible to reopen. The hotel will include 172 rooms spread across four buildings surrounded by streams and nature. Under the helm of architect Ari Shaltiel, the 44 rooms of the old “Dan building” are being transformed into 32 larger rooms for extra space and comfort.

Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral reopens |

Two new Visitors’ Centers have opened |

In Paris and around the world, people are eagerly awaiting the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral, which is expected to take place this month, on December 8 th . In the fire of April 2019, the cathedral’s spire collapsed. The restoration process took more than five years, with over 1,000 people working on the reconstruction. The appearance of the cathedral remains faithful to the original, despite attempts by various artists to change it during the renovation. The interior of the cathedral also remains the same, and it seems that the only thing that has changed is the color of the façade, which has become much whiter after all the accumulated dust and soot have been cleaned off.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority has announced the opening of two new visitors’ centers: one in Tel Lakish National Park, and the other at the entrance to Nahal Bokek. The aim is to improve the visitor experience and assist the Authority in its work keeping natural parks and heritage sites clean. “Tel Lakish is one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel. Our role is to make sure it is accessible to all and well maintained. The center at the entrance to Nahal Bokek is great news for nature lovers as now, it will remain clean and well kept throughout the year”, says Raya Shurki, CEO of the Nature and Parks Authority.

The best hotel breakfast in Israel | International magazine Condé Nast Traveler, one of the world’s leading publications in the fields of tourism and leisure, has published its ranking for 2024’s fourteen best hotel breakfasts in the world. The David Kempinski Hotel Tel Aviv is the only Israeli representative to have made the prestigious list, joining other iconic international hotels. At the Kempinski Hotel Tel Aviv, located on the city’s shoreline, guests are served a breakfast that combines Mediterranean cuisine with an international touch, with a menu that includes salads, cheeses, yogurts, caviar, pickled and smoked fish, breads, pastries, challah brioche, and more. The drinks menu offers morning cocktails, natural juices, health “shots”, Beluga vodka, sparkling wines, and more.

Photo: Tamar Matsafi

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Sky High Excellence For the fourth year in a row, EL AL has been recognized as a Five-Star Global Airline by the prestigious APEX organization, based on passenger flight experience feedback. We owe this achievement to you and remain committed to delivering exceptional service, making you feel at home every time you fly with EL AL!

Check-in I Local Events I December 2024 I Nava Marton

What’s On Our Radar This Month Dance | Anafaza 2023, the Batsheva Dance Company Expo, Tel Aviv Just before it goes on tour in France, Ohad Naharin’s acclaimed dance show Anafaza, returns to Israeli stages. Naharin and the Batsheva Dance Company’s iconic creation premiered in December 1993, and has been seen live by over 300,000 people since then, in Israel and around the world. Last year, to mark the creation’s 30 th anniversary, a renewed version, “Anafaza 2023”, was put on, and will be returning this month for six unique shows. In its renewed version, Anafaza remains similar to the previous one in scope and energy, but it is also completely different because of the reality in which it was created. It is a stubborn dance in the swamp of reality, dancing away the rhetoric of division, holding on to the hope for healing and repair. December 13-20, to-mix.co.il/anafaza

Photo: @Ascaf

Festival | The Na Laga’at Festival for Groundbreaking Art The Na Laga’at Center, Jaffa Port Na Laga’at is a cultural center that allows deaf, blind, deaf-blind people, and the general public to meet and interact. The Na Laga’at Festival for Groundbreaking Art is an opportunity to experience the world of the blind and the deaf in a uniquely creative way. It opens on the International Day of People with Disabilities, (December 3 rd ), and offers an exciting selection of activities, including the opportunity to experience having dinner in the dark, enjoying a music concert in the dark, and more. The opening show is a theatre production called “Something is missing”, with deaf and blind actors exploring the nuances of human communication, as they endeavor to put on a production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”. December 3-7, nalagaat.org.il

Photo: Maxim Golovanov

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Cinema | The Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival

The Jerusalem Cinematheque The Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival deals with issues of Jewish identity and culture and its expression in Israeli and international cinema. Held during Hanukkah, over 40 films from 15 countries will be screened as part of this 26 th edition of the festival, including documentaries, rare archive films, movies about major intellectual figures, short movies, old movies that have been restored, experimental movies, and more. Events and roundtables with directors and actors will also take place, as well as premieres, lectures, and Hannukah candle lighting evenings. December 28 th - January 2 nd , jer-cin.org.il

Photo: MK Illumination

Light show | Winter Dreams The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

This winter, the Botanical Gardens of Jerusalem will turn into a winter wonderland with an incredible exhibition of light sculptures, the first of its kind to take place in Israel. Every night, after dark, the garden will be illuminated by huge light sculptures, some up to five meters high and eight meters long. All were made using 3D technology, with each representing a different figure, including a dragon, a unicorn, a whale, a lion, etc. In addition to the sculptures, there are dozens more illuminated elements especially designed for the occasion by light sculpture experts MK Illumination in their factories in Europe, as well as food stalls operated by Israel’s leading chefs, including Omer Miller, Avi Bitton, Tomer Agay and Tamara Aharoni. Throughout December and January, botanic.co.il

Unspoken I Photo: PR

Food | The Soup Festival The Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem

The Inbal Hotel’s soup festival has long become a beloved Jerusalemite winter tradition. This year again, guests are invited to taste and enjoy the selection of delicious kosher soups on the festival menu throughout the winter months, from French onion soup, Jerusalem artichoke soup, to minestrone, pumpkin and ginger, cream of mushroom, African peanut soup and other surprising combinations. Along with the soup come freshly baked breads, taboon-baked delicacies, crispy croutons, parmesan cheese, and a range of spreads and dips. The soup festival is an all-you-can-eat experience, and costs NIS 87 per person. Reservation required. Throughout December, tabitisrael.co.il

Photo: Itamar Ginsburg

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Check-in I Our Guide

6 tips on how to navigate your teen traveling on their own for the first time It’s not uncommon to see 16-year-olds traveling on their own these days, be it with a group of friends, or with their boyfriend or girlfriend. Alongside the pride a parent may feel at seeing their child gain independence, letting your teen fly unaccompanied can also be a little anxiety-inducing. Here are a few pieces of practical advice that’ll help relieve any unnecessary tension / By Nirit Zuk

01 Manage expectations. Have a conversation with your teen about things like costs and budgeting, and how they plan to finance their trip. This is the time to discuss whether you mean to help finance their trip and to what extent. Do this well in advance, so as to avoid rows and conflict down the line. 02 Prepare a checklist with them. Make sure your child is clear on what they’re going to need for their trip, such as a data plan, insurance, etc. Ask them if they want your help or if they’d rather take care of technicalities on their own. 03 Create a dedicated WhatsApp group . Ask your teen for a list of all of their friends’ and their friends’ parents’ phone numbers, as well as their permission to open a WhatsApp group where everyone can share updates. Ask your child to contact you at least once a day so you know everything’s ok. Make sure they let you know where they’ll be sleeping when they reach their destination. 04 Download a location-tracking app. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but locator apps such as Life360 can sometimes be quite

06 Trust them. There are many benefits to letting your teen travel on their own. The experiences they’ll have, the memories they’ll

helpful. Do make sure your teen is aware you are using it if you are. 05 Set firm boundaries. Once all the technical matters have been settled, it’s highly recommended to sit down with your child and talk to them about what behavioral boundaries they’ll need to respect when they’re abroad. Ascertain that they know behavioral norms can be different in different countries and that they need to abide by them.

make, the challenges they’ll overcome, are invaluable

opportunities for personal growth and developing confidence and character.

Nirit Zuk is a journalist, a researcher, and an expert in youth culture. She is the CEO of “Eser Plus”, a web portal for parents, and she’s the author of “Chocolate for breakfast”, edited by Niv Books.

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Check-in I Checklist

Flight Essentials for your next trip

Urban Walking 1.3L Activ Mblty Venice mini satchel, 5 pockets, removable and adjustable strap, NIS 100, available at all Decathlon stores and online via decathlon.co.il

Outdoor Revolution Puffin water bladder hydration pouch by Kal Gav, hip pouch with 2L water bladder, comes in black and in navy blue, NIS 209, available online via outdoorrevolution.co.il

Salomon hiking shoes by Kal Gav, lightweight, exceptional breathability, excellent grip, comfortable midsole, great ankle support, for men and women, many color combinations, NIS 849-899, available online via salomonsports.co.il

Soundcore Sport X20 wireless workout earbuds by Anker, rotatable and extendable ear hooks, noise cancelling, deep bass, NIS 349, imported by Hamilton, available online via anker-il.co.il

Travel 500 40L backpack, multiple pockets including a laptop compartment, suitcase-style opening for ease of access to the bag’s contents and organization, padlockable zip, rain cover included, 10-year warranty, NIS 339, available at all Decathlon stores and online via decathlon.co.il

Yonko Club Collection, a young boutique fashion

brand, that brings the spirit of freedom and dreams to everyday life with a selection of unique clothes and limited editions. Half zipper jacket NIS 289, shirt NIS 199, hat NIS 119, available on the website yonko.club and on Instagram @yonko_club

Skechers Go Walk 7 trainers, lightweight ultra-go cushioning, high-rebound hyper pillar technology for added support, air cooled breathable insole, NIIS 279.90-349.90, available at all Skechers stores and online via skechers.co.il

Canvas bag with large front pocket by Alef Alef, short side handles for easy grip, long shoulder strap, great for traveling or for going shopping, NIS 285, available online via alefalef.co.il

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NO ONE SAVES MORE LIVES IN ISRAEL IN TIMES OF CRISIS.

There are many ways to support Israel and its people, but none is more transformative than a gift to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency services system. Your gift to MDA isn’t just changing lives — it’s literally saving them — providing critical care and hospital transport for

everyone from victims of heart attacks to rocket attacks. Join the effort at afmda.org/give or call 866.632.2763.

To Catch a Fleeting Moment: 150 Years of Impressionism at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art

In the spring of 1874, a group of artists—soon to be known as the Impressionists—presented their works in an independent exhibition, separate from the Salon, the official exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts, held annually in Paris

who soon flooded the new urban spaces, enjoying leisure time in public. The Impressionists sought to imbue their works with these new realities: some left their studios behind, painting en plein air to capture the effects of light on nature, while others focused on scenes of daily life in the modern city, using unconventional perspectives and a dramatic sense of light to convey the urban atmosphere and pace. The exhibition To Catch a Fleeting Moment: 150 Years of Impressionism features nearly eighty major works by the protagonists of the period, including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Paul Signac, Georges Seurat, Mary Cassatt, Alfred Sisley, and others. While Impressionism is among the most familiar and beloved styles today, when it emerged, it represented a radical break with tradition. This exhibition seeks to recapture the bold invention and formal innovation that characterized the early years of the movement. Working in—and shaping—the dawn of modernism, the Impressionists pioneered new means of making and displaying art, initiating the rebellious, experimental spirit fundamental to the twentieth-century avant-garde. Curators: Nathalie Andrijasevic and Hillary Reder — Due to great demand, the exhibition will remain open until February 8, 2025. The exhibition catalogue can be purchased at the Museum store.

since 1667. One painting stood out among the 200 on view: Claude Monet׳s Impression, Sunrise (1872), which would inspire the group׳s name. The free brushstrokes and unblended colors used by Monet to capture a sunrise over a Normandy port were a source of ridicule among critics, many of whom deemed the works as unfinished or as “mere impressions.” Despite differences among group members, they all sought to

Edgar Degas, Ballet Scene , ca. 1887–1890 On long-term loan from the Moshe and Sara Mayer Collection

break away from the artistic tradition established by the Salon. They believed that art must change with the times; that it must be current rather than stuck in the past, thematically as well as stylistically. Active in a century of cataclysmic upheaval, the Impressionists witnessed era-defining transformations that led to the emergence of modernism in life as well as in art. The pervasive industrialization of the period is evidenced by the widespread presence of railways and smokestacks in their otherwise pastoral landscapes. Paris itself was an altered city, with widened boulevards, new public parks and squares, and modernized architecture and infrastructure, courtesy of Baron Haussmann׳s vast public works project. This renovation occurred in parallel with a rapid expansion of the middle-class,

Installation view, photo: Elad Sarig

The exhibition at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art marks the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist exhibition, held in Paris in 1874, and celebrates the beginning of a groundbreaking new era in the history of art.

Lucien Pissarro, Duton Hill from Tilty Wood , 1915 Collection of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, gift of Esther Pissarro, London, 1948

Berthe Morisot, On the Island , 1880 On long-term loan from the Moshe and Sara Mayer Collection

For admission tickets and additional info: tamuseum.org.il

See the Sights I Eat, Travel, Enjoy

Mitzpe Ramon: fascinating, magical, and full of surprises The southern Negev town that overlooks the world’s largest erosion crater, Makhtesh Ramon, is a surprisingly vibrant culture and tourism hub, full of attractions, hiking trails stargazing spots, and culinary experiences / By Ariela Aflalo

Things to do in Mitzpe Ramon The Albert Promenade’s Suspended Balcony A visit to “Mitzpe”, as the locals call it, always begins at the Albert Promenade’s Suspended Balcony. This observation deck stands out from the edge of the cliff, as if suspended between sky and earth, at 60 meters above ground, looking out onto the breathtaking desert landscape. As you walk along the

Mitzpe Ramon sits on the edge of the Ramon Crater, or Makhtesh Ramon, in the Negev Desert of southern Israel. A town of around 3,000 inhabitants, it has undergone a veritable renaissance these past years, with many new innovative and unique touristic initiatives and attractions opening in and around it. It is also the starting point for plenty of incredible hikes that explore the Negev Desert.

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See the Sights I Eat, Travel, Enjoy

BaTeva - Desert adventures I Photo: Tali Bar

Ibexes cliff-jumping across the desert

The Spice Route Quarter I Photo: Tali Bar

Ben Midbar: camel tours Ben Midbar is a family business led by Adel Walidie, member of a Bedouin family that has been specializing in camel breeding and training for decades. Here, visitors are invited to take part in incredible desert experiences where they’re able to walk, ride, and feed camels, and get a glimpse of Bedouin caravan culture. One of the highlights of the tour is preparing traditional Bedouin flatbread baked on hot coals. benmidbar.com BaTeva: desert adventures The desert also allows for challenging adventures. BaTeva is one of the oldest companies to offer a wide range of desert experiences - from hiking, to jeep tours, abseiling, and mesmerizing stargazing tours at the Or-Khokhavim Reserve, the

promenade, you’ll notice beautiful desert ibexes going their merry way along the rocks and cliffs, and the promenade itself, with its characteristic stone sculptures that add to the unique atmosphere. Also, if you come here at dawn, you’ll get the chance to experience the incredible natural phenomenon called “cloud surfing”, wherein the fog and the wind make the clouds appear as though they were surfing along the cliffs towards the crater below. A truly spectacular sight. The Spice Route Quarter: a culture and tourism hub The gray industrial area at the entrance to Mitzpe Ramon stood empty for years, until it was transformed through a brilliant initiative into a bustling culture, art and tourism complex, playfully named the Spice Route Quarter. The hangars of the old industrial

zone have been transformed into lots of different cultural spaces, hotels, art galleries, dance and yoga studios, wellness salons, wine shops, cafés, hiking and biking clubs, and so much more. Live shows and events also take place here all year round. Inside Mitzpe: workshops and tours Eyal Alexander and Shir Amir are tour guides and young entrepreneurs who founded “Inside Mitzpe” out of love for their region, and a desire to show others the beauty of this unique part of the world.“Inside Mitzpe” offers a selection of workshops and guided tours that invite participants to experience Mitzpe Ramon and its surroundings from the inside, and meet locals as they do so. On Fridays, “pay-what-you-want” tours are regularly organized. insidemitzpe.co.il

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samah shihadi, lying down, 2020. charcoal on paper

collection of raphael malinovitz and nurit seelig, herzliya

a glimpse into the multicultural and fascinating realm of fantasy and dreams, celebrating 100 years of the surrealist movement

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See the Sights I Eat, Travel, Enjoy

BaTeva - Desert adventures I Photo: Tali Bar

The Nana Winery I Photo: Assaf Spector

Ben Midbar: camel tours I Photo: Ariela Aflalo

The Ido Harush observation deck I Photo: Tali Bar

Where to eat Lasha Bakery A boutique bakery specializing in traditional sourdough bread, offering a variety of unique baked goods, including challah, shakshuka-stuffed focaccia, fricasse, roasted beets and camembert tart, caramelized apple pie, and more. There also are salads and pastry assortments you can enjoy outside as you admire the beautiful view. lashabakery.com Midbar Wine A wine bar and shop with an impressive collection of wines carefully selected from twenty Negev wineries. You can sit indoors at the bar, but I highly recommend grabbing a seat in the beautiful courtyard – the perfect setting for enjoying a glass of wine and a delicious platter of cheeses. midbarwine.co.il

only stargazing reserve in the Middle East.

The light and shadows observation deck: in memory of Ido Harush, killed in battle on October 7 Ido Harush grew up in Mitzpe Ramon. He loved tanks and served in the IDF’s Armored Corps. He was killed on October 7 by Hamas terrorists, while defending the Yiftach outpost near Kibbutz Zikim. His father Yaniv decided to commemorate Ido by building an observation deck that looks out onto the landscape he so loved. With the help of Avigdor Kahalani he obtained the hull of an old tank and turned it into a swing upon which he engraved sentences that Ido used to say. The swing is placed in such a way as to allow the rays of the sun to create patterns of light and shadows across the deck.

The Nana Winery: vineyard tours and tastings Eran Raz, known to all as “Nana”, is one of the country’s leading winemakers, known for transforming Mitzpe Ramon into a major winemaking region. He planted his vines along the foundations of ancient vine terraces, and his vineyard currently spreads across 100 dunams of land in the upper reaches of Nahal Tzin, growing grapes of various varieties, including barbera, malbec, and colombard. The winery offers guided tours of the vineyard with winemaker Dana Benny, who has worked in wineries in Europe, California, and South Africa. Tours always end with a delightful winetasting session. nanawine.com

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yuval avital:

alma mater

yuval avital's sound, video, and light installation embodies the spirit of the archetypal "great mother," enveloping visitors in a metaphorical womb and offering reconnection and hope

yuval avital, alma mater (2015), new site-specific version, 2024. detail of icon-sonic installation. courtesy of the artist and building gallery, milan. © yuval avital. photo: enzo mologni

See the Sights I Eat, Travel, Enjoy

Paco VeNany I Photo: Sivan Abergil

Beit Ramona I Photo: Asaf Karela

Inside Mitzpe I Photo: Tali Bar

Midbar Wine I Photo: Ariela Aflalo

Beit Ramona This impressive tourism complex overlooks the Ramon Crater, offering guests the most spectacular of views. Recently renovated, it is divided into four spaces - a pita bar, a restaurant, a coffee kiosk, and a space dedicated to indoor events - an open-air piazza connects them all together and is the stage for live shows and events all year round. beit-ramona.com Paco VeNany This lovely pizzeria was founded by two best friends who dreamed of creating top-quality pizza together. Aside from the indeed excellent stone oven-baked pizzas, Paco VeNany also serves a fine selection of delicious baked goods, salads and desserts, as well as soft drinks and alcohol. pacovenany.com

Sumsumiya Mitzpe’s most popular restaurant is named after a traditional Bedouin musical instrument. Open on weekends (a rarity here in Mitzpe), it serves a varied Mediterranean menu, with numerous meat and vegan options, including crispy gnocchi with truffle cream, polenta with mushrooms, asado ara’is, and lamb stew with smoked freekeh. sumsumiya_restaurant Where to stay There are many accommodation options in Mitzpe Ramon and the surrounding area, starting with the Ana Hostel. It was recently renovated, given a new wing and a swimming pool. Isrotel’s Ramon Inn Hotel, built on the foundations of a

residential building, has become a favorite among hikers and cyclists. For travelers in search of a bit of pampering, the prestigious Beresheet Hotel offers luxurious suites with private pools. There are indeed many more hotels, B&Bs, villas for rent and glamping sites to choose from here. The Adama Hotel was recently opened in the Spice Route Quarter and offers sixteen rooms and suites. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and elegantly decorated in desert tones of cream and saddle brown. At the center of the hotel, a Bedouin style tent with mattresses, poufs, and pillows invites guests to gather round a coal pit, and drink traditional Bedouin coffee. Live shows and lectures regularly take place here as well.

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More benefits, more points, more flights! Introducing the Matmid Frequent Flyer Club program

Easier to retain your points Each point earned in the new

Easier to redeem Purchasing an award ticket?

Our Diamonds Our shiny new currency for calculating status eligibility. You can now keep your points exclusively for redemption towards your next flight, while the Diamonds you earn will elevate you to the next status quickly and easily Easier to earn points and Diamonds Besides earning Diamonds and points on flights and FLY CARD purchases*, for the first time you can earn Diamonds and points on purchases of extra baggage, SPACE seats and upgrades, making the road to an award ticket and tier status shorter

We’ve introduced a new, flexible award fares, and have canceled the additional cash component. Now, you can purchase an award ticket with just the points you’ve earned, and pay in cash for the tax component only Easier to upgrade Flight upgrades are just a few clicks away: from now on, all Matmid Frequent Flyer members are entitled to register for an upgrade, with one online click, from all booking classes and at varying prices. The higher your elite status, the higher your chances of getting an upgrade. And there’s more FLY CARD PREMIUM holders and Executive members enjoy priority in upgrades!

program will be valid for 18 months and will automatically be extended for an additional 18-month period whenever members earn at least one point on a flight or attain a minimum charge of NIS 5000 on their FLY CARD in a month during this period Easier to reach higher statuses members can reach a higher status quickly, and enjoy more benefits such as lounge access, preferred-seat selection at no-cost and much more. We've lowered the thresholds between statuses, so that all

All details and updates are available on the EL AL website elal.com *Diamonds can be earned for purchases with FLY CARD PREMIUM credit cards only, limited to up to 12,000 Diamonds for purchases made in the last 12 months. Earning Diamonds and points from upgrades will only be possible on the cash component of an upgrade through our Points Upgrade interface.

Magazine I Interview

Master mentalist Lior Suchard performs on stages around the world in front the biggest celebrities and tech entrepreneurs. In anticipation of his show in New York and of his birthday this month, we sat down with him to discuss his thoughts and feelings on the events of the past year / By Maya Cohen invite the host to come visit” “Whenever I’m on a TV show abroad, I immediately say I’m from Israel and

Photo: Gabriel Baharlia

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Our quick questionnaire What makes you angry? “Arrogance and pretentiousness”.

A kid from Israel with an accent We’re talking to Suchard right before he leaves to do a big show in New York. Let’s talk about your show in New York. You seem very excited about it. “I make a living from performing in front of businesspeople like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, or a prince somewhere, at a corporate event, or a conference. I also dabble in investments and write books. But the shows where people buy tickets to see me are my favorite. In New York I’ll be performing at the Town Hall in Manhattan in front of 1,700 people”. His excitement is palpable as he shows me the promo for the show with quotes from Barbara Streisand and Jay Leno. “I had to call them up to ask them for the quotes, which I found so embarrassing. But when I did, they immediately said “sure, no problem”. Seinfeld, George Lucas, and Barbara as well. And that’s when I realized they really love me. This is real”. You’ve been a guest on the biggest TV shows, hung out with aristocracy and Hollywood celebs. Is there a stage where you just get

Right at the start of our interview, we were eager to put Lior Suchard’s famous “tricks” to the test - the ones that led him to fray with the likes of Barbara Streisand, Jerry Seinfeld, Tony Robbins, and James Corden. Within seconds, our skepticism dissolved. Indeed, we were left utterly speechless, as he accurately guessed what we were thinking. And don’t even try to look for a logical explanation. Even if you don’t believe in magic, there’s no denying there’s something magical about Suchard. He’s especially excited when we speak to him, as he’s getting ready to do a show in New York (on December 1 st , produced by Live Nation Worldwide), a few days before his birthday. “On December 6 th I’ll be 43”, he says with a smile. “I’ve always seen myself as a sort of Peter Pan figure, so it’s a bit of a tough one. I’m starting to get gray hair, but inside I still feel 20. And I behave as if I were 20 as well – building Lego sets with my kids and goofing around. I enjoy celebrating my birthday, but I don’t like the thought of getting older”.

What makes you sad? “Waking up to news of another fallen soldier”. What makes you laugh? “Life”.

What relaxes you? “Being on stage”. What do people not know about you? “That I play the guitar and the piano”.

used to it all? “My real superpower is that my week can go like this: a day in London, the next in Toronto, from there, a private jet to New York, then a plane to Dubai before finally heading back to Tel Aviv. I land at 6AM and go take the kids to school. I go from hanging out with George Lucas, Kim Kardashian, and Elon Musk, to picking up my daughter from school. All these people have reached a position where almost nobody dares say “no” to them anymore. And then this kid from Israel with an accent appears out of nowhere, wows their socks off, and they become my fans”.

"My real superpower is that my week can go like this: a day in London, the next in Toronto, from there, a private jet to New York, then a plane to Dubai before finally heading back to Tel Aviv. I land at 6AM and go take the kids to school"

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ATMOSPHERE DECEMBER 2024

Magazine I Interview

a contract, and I’d already paid them. In the end they did the show. There was also a demonstration outside the venue when I was doing a “Make a wish” show, and the show I was supposed to do in the Maldives got transferred to Thailand because a member of the Maldives parliament put up a social media post with a picture of me with Netanyahu and the word genocide on it, and a few days later, Israelis were banned from entering the Maldives”. So you’ve sort of become an ambassador, advocating for Israel. How’s that been like for you? “I’m a bit aggressive about it, in a good way. Whenever I’m on a TV show abroad, I immediately say I’m from Israel and invite the host to come visit. If I were living abroad, I’d probably be earning much more, but I actually really love living in Israel”. You’ve probably noticed Suchard stars in the EL AL safety videos, something that has made him immediately identifiable with the airline. “I’m also a very good customer”, he laughs. “I know there’s a tendency for people in Israel to be cross with our national airline, but when you’re stuck in Cyprus – who’s going to save you? I fly a lot with the kids, and the crew onboard always make everything easier and fun”. What has remained from the little boy that grew up in Haifa? “Everything”, he answers, laughing. “I’m that kid. I abhor arrogance. Honestly, I find all this success a bit embarrassing. I can’t quite believe it. There’s this Steve Martin quote I like: when asked what the secret to success was, he answered “be so good they can’t ignore you”. So that’s what I aim for, to be the best I can be – and I definitely have not been ignored”. ■

Photos: courtesy of Lior Suchard

"I abhor arrogance. Honestly, I find all this success a bit embarrassing. I can’t quite believe it. There’s this Steve Martin quote I like: 'be so good they can’t ignore you'. So that’s what I aim for, to be the best I can be” Above: preforming for Israeli soldiers. Below from the right: with Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, and Barbara Streisand

Being the best he can be This past year, like many Israeli artists, Suchard has been performing for soldiers at army bases and for the wounded in hospitals. “At a hospital once, I had a few laughs with a guy who’d lost his two legs. As I was leaving, his mother came up to me and said it had been a year since he’d smiled. When Seinfeld was here, I took him to Tel HaShomer hospital to meet the wounded. Lots of entertainers have done it this past year, it’s not just me”. Have you felt the rise in antisemitism doing your shows this past year?

“The people I perform for, including in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, are all businesspeople, and they all understand the situation we’re in. Those who don’t, are the idiots on TikTok. A few unpleasant experiences did occur”, he says. “This one time in Miami, two hours before the show, the technical staff discovered I was going on stage with the yellow “hostages” ribbon and that there was going to be a “Bring them home now” sign on stage. They said “sorry you’re on the side of genocide and we’re not going to do the show”. I told them they’d signed

26 ATMOSPHERE DECEMBER 2024

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Lifestyle I Hotel Experiences

Photos: PR

The perfect desert getaway at the Six Senses Shacharut Resort As soon as you enter the winding road leading to the Six Senses Shacharut resort, you begin to feel the healing power of the desert. With the dry, clear air and deep surrounding silence, you’re immediately overcome by calm and tranquility. Six Senses gifts you with a moment of idyllic respite from the stress of everyday life / By Nira Dishi

Six Senses Shacharut isn’t just another luxury hotel. It’s an oasis of peace and indulgence, located in the heart of Shacharut, about 45 minutes north of Eilat. The desert landscapes, with their crimson cliffs, unfold before your eyes as you arrive, like a huge painting, inviting you to delight in their everchanging hues. From the moment you set foot in the Six Senses complex, you know you’re about to experience something extraordinary. And indeed, only recently, Six Senses Shaharut won

the award for best wellness hotel in Israel, as part of the World SPA Awards’ ranking for the world’s best spa hotels in 2024. Exceptional design and first-rate service Stone-walled suites and private pools Six Senses Shacharut belongs to the Six Senses chain owned by entrepreneur Ronny Douek. Every detail reflects his vision to create

uncompromising levels of hospitality excellence. The attention to detail is felt in each of the resort’s 62 suites, spread across 188 dunams of land. The design is meticulous, combining modern elements with natural and local materials. The desert landscape has a central role of course in creating the resort’s magical atmosphere that invites you to relax and disconnect from everyday life. Also contributing to this, is the age limit of the guests’

a hotel that blends the natural beauty of the landscape with

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Lifestyle I Hotel Experiences

children - from age 10 and up. All the suites offer breathtaking views, and some have their own private pool. There’s also a “private reserve” - a private 600 sqm accommodation complex with three bedrooms, a private spa, an infinity pool, and a huge private balcony. Each suite has a huge, incredibly comfortable bed, quality bedding, locally produced organic care products, and the lighting in the room is based on electricity-saving motion sensors. For the body and the soul Spa treatments, wellness different pampering activities. There are spa treatments of course, as well as wet and dry saunas, a hammam, an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a gym, a yoga and meditation studio, and more. When you arrive at Six Senses, you’re given a rich schedule of activities, which also includes suggestions for desert experiences and various wellness workshops (some requiring an additional fee) such as the “Sound Journey” workshop (relaxing sound therapy), natural pharmacy workshops, cocoa ceremonies, and more. The spa is undoubtedly workshops, and a music bar The resort offers guests many | A next-level guest experience With its luxurious suites, elegant design, sustainable approach, organic garden, out-of-this-world culinary experience, and blissful spa treatments, Six Senses Shacharut creates a unique atmosphere. But what makes the experience truly unforgettable is the exceptionally generous and warm service. Every staff member is professional, kind, and attentive to the needs of each guest. This is a completely different level of hospitality that makes you feel special and welcome throughout your stay. The price of a stay here may be high (from NIS 3,700 per couple per night in a basic suite), but the value is extraordinary - a promise of renewed energy and memories to cherish forevermore.

one of the highlights of the guest experience here – it is truly a place where all the senses come alive, and the body is free to let go and relax. The treatments are wide-ranging and are especially designed to heal stress-induced ailments. Six Senses Shacharut also has its own music “temple” – the Jamillah Bar. At Jamillah, you can not only order cocktails and gourmet dishes made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, you can also listen to music from the incredible on-site record library composed of over 700 records from all musical genres and eras. From time to time, the Jamillah Bar also hosts guided listening evenings, as well as concerts, and intimate conversation evenings called “Jamillah Talk”. A culinary experience like no other Flavors of the desert The Six Senses culinary experience deserves a special mention in itself.

“Medin”, the resort’s main restaurant helmed by Chef Dudu Biton, takes guests on a fascinating journey of desert-inspired flavors. Everything is prepared from scratch - including the pasta and the taboon-baked focaccias, and there are many vegan and vegetarian options. The restaurant does not hold a kosher certificate. The varied wine menu also includes spirits and liqueurs made by local artisans. Medin also has a huge balcony with a breathtaking view of the desert, and the restaurant walls are adorned with beautiful ethnic artworks - colorful tapestries, ceramics, dresses and jewelry, each item telling a story, adding cultural depth and authenticity to the experience and meal. An elaborate breakfast is also served here in the mornings, with plenty of sweet and savory pastries baked on site, cheeses of every kind, locally produced spreads, salads, cured fish and more. ■

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Lifestyle I Food

There’s nothing more comforting than freshly baked breads and pastries, be them sweet or savory, during the cold wintry months. But before you fill up on Hanukkah sufganiyot, do leave some space for the exceptional baked delights of these 5 fine establishments / By Sharon Ben-David From baguettes to streusels to sfogliatelle: 5 top bakeries to try out this winter

Photos: Dor Kedmi

Hagay Bread | Tel Aviv On the edge of Tel Aviv’s Florentin neighborhood, near garages and small factories, sits Hagay Bread, a bakery that seems plucked from a different time. Owner and head baker Hagay Ben Yehuda, son and grandson of bakers, has worked in bakeries in Israel and abroad for years. Ben Yehuda believes bread baking is a craft that connects agriculture and farming with contemporary culinary practices, and in his bakery, he oversees the whole bread making process, from the choice of grain, through to the milling process, using a millstone especially built in France, to the dough preparation, leavening, and baking. Deeply connected to the land of Israel, Ben Yehuda uses flour made with an ancient local variety of wheat. On his shelves, aside the beautiful rustic loaves of bread, you’ll be able to find baguettes, olive fougasses, and a spectacular chocolate and olive oil brioche. hagaybread.com

Amita I Photos: Dan Perez Amita | Tel Aviv

Esteemed pastry chefs Michal Bouton and Anna Shapiro were working in some of the best restaurants in Tel Aviv before they decided to join forces and open their boutique bakery in downtown Tel Aviv. Amita is an urban artisan bakery (with a second branch that recently opened inside the Tel Aviv City Museum as well), that marries the meticulousness and precision of French patisserie with local seasonal ingredients. In a way that is unique to these two queens of pastry, Bouton and Shapiro have created a set of exceptional sweet and savory baked goods, including orange and hawaij brioche, anchovy burekas, sausage and olive oil savory cake wrapped in puff pastry, pigs-in-blanket style, and much more. Foodies from all over the country make their way to Amita year round, for a taste of these exceptional creations. amitabakery.co.il

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Lifestyle I Food

Zeit für Brot I Photos: Amir Menahem

Zeit für Brot | Tel Aviv For Israelis who have been to Berlin, Zeit für Brot has long been a favorite. Every Zeit für Brot (“time for bread” in German) branch is a pastry palace, with trays and trays of fluffy, chunky, delicious snail-shaped viennoiseries. After conquering the German capital, the pastry brand decided to try its luck in Tel Aviv and opened its first shop outside of Germany. Its famous apple, almond, cinnamon, and chocolate snails are now available to all pastry lovers in Israel, along with many other traditional German baked goodies, such as pretzels, streusel cakes, sourdough breads, and the list goes on. zeitfuerbrot.co.il

Casa Tua I Photos: Afik Gabay

Casa Tua | Herzliya Since its opening last spring, Casa Tua (“your home” in Italian) has become a place of pilgrimage for lovers of all things carbs, especially the ones from the land that gave the world pizza and pasta. Owners Rachel and Andrea Maggi, who also own restaurants in Europe and the United States, are also the owners of Calata 15, a nearby Italian restaurant. Together with an Italian pastry chef with years of experience, they have created a menu that includes cakes, pizzas baked in a large stone oven, panini, sfogliatelle, bombolini, and much more. The bakery’s central display is a truly spectacular thing to behold, with rows of buns, cakes, and focaccias, all inviting you in from the cold to come in for a bite and a cup of quality Italian espresso. @casatua_il

Racheli Ver-Nir | Jerusalem Nothing in Racheli Ver-Nir’s background prepared her to become the celebrity pastry influencer she is today. The daughter and granddaughter of rabbis, at 15 she decided her calling was in baking, which led her to have her own tv show, called “The perfect desert”. Her first pastry stall in Jerusalem’s Mahne Yehuda market was so successful, she eventually opened her own bakery - and there’s no other bakery like Ver-Nir’s bakery in Israel: indeed, it has the extraordinary particularity of inviting its customers to come into the kitchen and prepare their own pastry, which they first select from the menu. Such a fun culinary experience! rachelivernir.com

34 ATMOSPHERE DECEMBER 2024 Racheli Ver-Nir I Photos: PR