EL AL | Atmosphere

Issue 284 | August 2024

The Sky’s the Limit

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Lihi Ben David, Amir Levi and Amit Hasdai - members of the Israel Paralympic Delegation EL AL is the official carrier of the Israeli delegation to the Paris Paralympic Games

Summer in Tel Aviv

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Flying on a 737 or 777 aircraft? Switch your mobile device to flight mode, select the EL AL network, and scan the QR code or open your browser and enter: wifi.elal.com to enjoy hundreds of movies, TV shows, music and games on your personal device. Further details on page 50

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Art galleries, markets, festivals, trendy cafés, bars and beautiful beaches - there's always something to discover and explore in the city that never sleeps

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In-flight I Issue 284 I AUGUST 2024

Publisher

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

Dizengoff Square I Photo: Guy Yehieli

Editor’s Letter

The Paris Paralympic Games will open at the end of the month. On our cover you’ll have already met three Israeli athletes, members of the Israel Paralympic Delegation: Amir Levi (badminton), Amit Hasdai (hand cycling), and Lihi Ben David (goalball). Every Paralympian carries a story fortitude and recovery following a life-changing injury, and each one is an example of true grit and determination. This year, the Games are being held as the war still rages, and the Israeli delegation will be mustering all that willpower to represent the nation with pride and resolve in the face of the booing and violence expressed against Israel whenever an Israeli is representing his country abroad. To mark its support to the Paralympian delegation, of which it is the official carrier, EL AL launched an incredible media campaign last month to inspire people to come and be part of its “Spirit Team” – a delegation of citizen

cheerleaders the airline is flying to Paris to support the Israeli athletes at the competition events. You can read about Levi, Hasdai, and Ben David, as well as about other members of the delegation on page 24. For those of you on their way to a summer vacation in Israel, we’ve got you covered with the lowdown on what to see and do in Tel Aviv, the city that never ceases to surprise and renew itself. Also this month: a taste of some of the best places in Israel to enjoy Greek cuisine, a look at five interior design books, travel tips and recommendations, and more. And of course, the fight for the release of the hostages in Gaza is very much at the forefront of our minds. I wish you a pleasant read and a peaceful flight, as we hope for good news. Nava Marton

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

For information regarding advertising opportunities Please contact

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 284 I AUGUST 2024

Contents

47 48 News 50 In-flight Entertainment 52 New Movies 54 Kids - Movies & TV 55 Top 6 56 In-flight Internet Access 57 Meet the Crew 58 Destination Map 61 Fleet

Check-in 6

Travel News August highlights 10 What’s on Our Radar This Month Local events 12 Our Guide 6 of the most common travel scams and rip-offs (and how to avoid them) 14 Flight Essentials for your next trip See the Sights 18 Discover 8 ideas for what to see & do in Tel Aviv this summer The sky’s the limit The Israeli delegation to the Paralympic Games in Paris 28 Back on stage The legendary Israeli singer-songwriter David Broza will be performing in London, Berlin, and Israel Magazine 24

38 Food 7 Greek eateries to try out this summer 44 Design 5 beautiful interior design books

Lifestyle 30 Hotel Experience The David’s Harp Galilee Resort 34 Wellness A look into one of the most luxurious wellness centers in the world - The Clinic Les Alpes in the Swiss Alps

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Rendering for illustration purposes only

OUR EXCELLENCE STANDARD JUST GOT EVEN HIGHER

When you set your sights high, there are no limits to what you can achieve. Azorim’s bold new EXCHANGE RAMAT GAN complex is breaking boundaries and taking excellence to new heights with a truly stratospheric urban lifestyle experience. Where Ramat Gan meets Tel Aviv, these state-of-the-art luxury apartment and office towers overlook cosmopolitan surroundings, embraced by a beautiful green park, vibrant commercial area, and convenient transport links, including the light rail’s Red Line. It’s time to expand your horizons and exchange your perspective at EXCHANGE RAMAT GAN.

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In collaboration with

Check-in I Travel News & Updates

August Highlights

Illustration: Y.Y. Granot Architects

Illustration: Helicon-Cnaan & Promarket

A new bridge in Mitzpe Ramon | The Israeli Ministry of Tourism has announced plans to build a new bridge above the Ramon Crater. The new bridge will replace the structure currently in place and will be erected near Ramon Cliff, connecting the visitors’ center with the “Barak and Amichai” observation deck. Stairs will be sculpted inside the rocks and lead down to the crater itself. The planning process is currently being carried out in cooperation with the IDF, Netivei Israel - the country’s national infrastructure company, and relevant regional bodies. Works are set to begin next year.

The 2024 Global Peace Index | The Global Peace Index (GPI) for 2024 was published last month by the Institute for Economics and Peace, based on 23 indicators including political instability, terror activity, degree of militarization, death as a consequence of military activity, and more. According to this year’s GPI, Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world for the 17 th time a row, as it enjoys record-low crime rates, an enviable education and welfare system and ranks among the best nations in terms of jobs and earnings and subjective sense of wellbeing. Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Singapore are placed right after Iceland, while Israel is placed 155 th , 11 places lower than last year.

Luxury resort project in Dimona |

Mayor of Dimona Benny Bitton recently announced plans to build a luxury resort in the city, at an estimated cost of NIS 200 million. The idea is to erect the first glamping resort in Israel near Mampsis national park, where an ancient Nabataean caravan stop and Byzantine city was once located. The resort will include numerous 3-bedroom villas with private pool, water canals, 2-bedroom luxury suites with balcony and backyard, and a mall at the center of the resort, as well as a spa, a gym, a stage for live music shows, a trampoline park, a kids’ club, four restaurants, and more. Works are set to be finalized in 2028. A new scenic promenade, the longest in the north of Israel, was inaugurated last month. Built across the KKL-JNF Churchill forest, it is 4.5 kilometers-long. A joint initiative of the KKL-JNF and the Nof HaGalil municipality, the project cost over NIS 20 million to complete. The promenade overlooks the beautiful fields of Emek Yizrael as well as Mount Tabor, and was designed to create accessible, wide walking and cycling paths with the overall width of the walking path reaching 2m and the cycling path 6m. The entrance to the promenade is located near Nof HaGalil’s “Zeev” neighborhood, and a parking lot has also been constructed for the convenience of visitors. The longest scenic promenade in the Galilee

Photo: Anat Hermoni, KKL-JNF

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Anise by Aluma hotels: Immerse yourself in the true taste of Athens

Aluma, Isrotel's renowned international hotel brand, proudly presents its newest gem in Athens, Greece. Escape the ordinary and discover Anise, a tranquil oasis nestled on Athens' bustling "Spice Route." This charming haven in the city center offers an unforgettable international hospitality experience with a touch of Greek warmth. Anise promises an unforgettable stay, where serenity meets vibrant culture.

For reservation: alumahotels.com +972-08-6387741

Informative Content

SEA ONE PRIVATE CLUB: Your Seafront Home In Israel

Sea One Private Club is a new kind of luxury resort-living experience for discerning residents of over 60, both from Israel and abroad. Sea One Private Club, developed by Oranim Group, an international company with over 45 years of experience in successful seafront projects, is set to be an iconic landmark. Oranim, renowned for meticulous design and quality, is well-known for its Royal Beach Hotel & Residence on the Tel Aviv seafront. The first Luxury Resort Living in Israel with 5 star amenities Sea One provides all the amenities of a world-class seafront resort: fine dining, state-of-the-art gym, gorgeous seafront pools, Yoga and Pilates studios, pampering spa with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, saunas and treatment rooms, lecture halls, art gallery and studio, private cinema, business center and conference rooms, synagogue, and banquet hall. Entertaining has never been so easy with luxury suites for resident’s guests Some 20-plus hospitality suites are available for friends and family wanting

to stay close , fine-dining restaurants, and grab ‘n-go cafes provide a wide variety of food and beverages, and all the facilities are open for entertaining guests. Banquet halls, private rooms, or the synagogue are perfect for celebrating special events like Bar Mitzvahs or birthdays; and somebody else will do the cleaning up! What’s more, trained staff are on hand to help deal with maintenance, cleaning and the famous only-in-Israel bureaucracy; let an Israeli ease you into the complications. Sea One Private Club members enjoy culture and social events Lectures, jazz concerts, and other cultural activities as well as an art gallery and studio, private cinema, and round-the-clock sport classes social and cultural events fill each day with joy; all with the sea as backdrop. Step out of your door onto a beachfront promenade of shops, restaurants and cafes, or hit the beach for a relaxing walk or seafront yoga session. The ultra-elegant Sea One Private Club is only a 15-minute drive from Tel Aviv; 20 minutes from Ben

Gurion Airport, and 45 minutes away from Jerusalem, with a train station located 5 minutes away. Set to open by the end of 2024 with a variety of layouts, all Sea One Private Club units will be exquisitely designed to include a fully equipped kitchen and bathrooms, a safe room and private terrace. Sea One Private Club prices start from 3.9 million NIS plus monthly membership fees starting from 10,000 NIS. Residents may choose to terminate their membership with three months’ notice and the unit price is fully refundable after Consumer Price Index adjustment. Whether you want to live in Israel full-time, or just spend a few months in the country each year, Sea One Private Club is the perfect home for you. Live the dream: wake up by the beach and work or play all day in the sun. Sea One Private Club: the next level in luxury seafront living. For further information or to schedule a tour on site to view model partments: Tel: +972-549656415 or +1(917)7281211 seaone.co.il *5651

Check-in I Local events I August 2024 I Nava Marton

What’s On Our Radar This Month

Exhibition | Color Design Museum Holon

A colorful, optimistic exhibition that explores the world of Israeli design, focusing on the role played by color in facilitating our understanding of reality and our capacity to categorize it. More than 30 Israeli designers working in a range of disciplines were invited to explore the notion of color. Some of the works on show envisage color as matter and look at how it comes into being by means of both contemporary and traditional technologies. Others explore color trends and the historical and cultural reasons for choosing a certain color to represent a particular idea. The exhibition includes an interactive space for kids where they can explore the relations between color and the worlds of fauna and flora. (Curators: Yuval Saar and Liora Rosin). Throughout August, dmh.org.il

Artwork by Michal Luria I Photo: Elad Sarig

Art fair | Hutzot Hayotzer Jerusalem

Each year, the Hutzot Hayotzer art fair stages a celebration of arts, crafts, music, and gastronomy in Jerusalem’s Sultan’s Pool, and this year’s theme is “We must keep playing”. More than 100 artists are set to participate, with performances taking place every evening. Among the artists taking part are Aviv Geffen and Mercedes Band, Rami and Rita, Sarit Hadad, Osher Cohen, Shlomi Shabat, Danny Sanderson, Itay

Levi, Ishay Ribo, and more. August 14-26, artfair-jer.com

Shlomi Shabat I Photo: Gabriel Baharlia

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With the kids | The Museum of Illusions Tel Aviv Port

An interactive experience with dozens of attractions and activities designed to stimulate the imagination and original thinking processes, with mirrors, holograms, levitation illusions, kaleidoscopes, and more. Until the end of August: Tel Aviv Port, museumofillusions.co.il

Exhibition | “Once upon a time” Charles Bronfman Auditorium, Tel Aviv Culture Center An exhibition marking 66 years since the auditorium’s inauguration in October 1957. The Bronfman Auditorium was built to serve as the home of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. Over the years it became the preferred hall of leading orchestras and renowned names in the classical music world. The exhibition showcases photos and illustrations of some of the most noteworthy and memorable events to have taken place in these walls: concerts, political conferences, etc. The exhibition is open to all who come to attend a show at the auditorium, as well as to those taking part in the Tel Aviv municipality’s guided tour to which you can sign up for on the municipality’s website. Throughout August, visit-tlv.co.il Courtesy of the Meitar Collection, the Pritzker Family National Photography Collection, the National Library of Israel

Photo: Yossi Zwecker

Performing Arts | Tel Aviv Dance Festival 2024 Suzanne Dellal Center, Tel Aviv A celebration of Israeli creation with more than 20 dance shows by some of the country’s leading artists, open rehearsals, and open air performances. This year, in light of the country’s difficult situation, the focus has been placed on local creation with the hope to kindle a sense of connection between the audience and the dancers on stage. Among the dancers and choreographers taking part are Hillel Kogan, Yossi Berg & Oded Graf, Roy Assaf, Michal Samama, Gianni Nutranicola, Niv Sheinfeld, and more. The festival will be opening with Orly Portal’s show “Al Atlal”.

August 1-10, telavivdance. suzannedellal.org.il/en/

'4 Fantasies and a Monkey' by Yossi Berg & Oded Graf I photo: Vojtěch Brtnický

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Fake policemen, taxi drivers with freshly broken meters, and inflated restaurant bills - even the most alert and attentive traveler can fall victim to a scam, especially in the summertime when crowds are dense. Here are 6 of the most common tourist traps, and our tips for protecting yourself from them / By Lihi Ron Check-in I Our Guide 6 of the most common travel scams and rip-offs (and how to avoid them)

01 Don’t let anyone touch your luggage. Kindly looking airport valets who spring out of nowhere offering to help you carry your bags can turn out to be total fraudsters who’ll demand you fork out an exorbitant sum lest they walk off with your things. Avoid this scenario by traveling with lightweight wheeled-luggage and use the trolleys at your disposal at the airport. 02 Use regulated taxis only. If a taxi driver tells you his meter “just broke”, get out of the car immediately. Download a trustworthy ride-hailing app or ask the hotel receptionist to order you a cab. 03 Beware of street vendors. The scenario usually goes like this: a vendor comes up to you in the street and offers to sell you some nice-looking bag or piece of jewelry (likely stolen). Suddenly a policeman in uniform shows up and demands to see your passport and wallet. Refuse, and ask him to give you the telephone number of his police station or tell him your passport isn’t on you but that he can come with you to your hotel to get it. He’ll be gone in a matter of seconds, as will the vendor.

04 Beware of inflated restaurant bills. Always check the bill at a restaurant before handing the waiter your credit card for payment. Don’t let your credit card out of your sight and don’t be ashamed to ask to see the menu to compare prices. You’ll be surprised how easily prices are upped when you’re not careful. 05 Don’t leave your rental car unsupervised. If you’re at a rest stop and two passers-by come up to you to let you know your tire’s flat, most likely it’s a scam. One of them will offer to change the tire

(which doesn’t actually need changing) while the other gets in the car to steal whatever he finds. Don’t get out of your car without locking it and don’t leave the car unsupervised. 06 Use official websites to purchase tickets. If someone offers to sell you concert or museum tickets at cutthroat prices, chances are it’s a scam. Phony tickets can look identical to the real thing, so beware and purchase tickets exclusively via official websites or at the venue.

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Check-in I Checklist

Flight Essentials for your next trip

Ray-Ban Lenny Kravitz X Aviator Reverse Collection sunglasses, NIS 739-899, available at Ray-Ban authorized resellers

VOS Natural Cosmetics travel kits with four or five 10ml-15ml products, including: active moisturizer, restoring night cream for face & neck, active serum, night serum, and facial lifting cream, NIS 345 (for four products), NIS 437 (for five products), makeup/ toiletry bag: NIS 70-90, available via voscosmetics.com Flip-and-Go mug with vacuum insulation by Zojirushi, with flip-and-go handle for convenient carrying, SlickSteel polished interior that resists corrosion and repels stains, up to 6 hours of heat or cold retention, lightweight, easy to store in your car or bag, available in 0.48 l or 0.6 l capacity and in four different colors, NIS 239-250, available at select outdoor gear stores and online via zojirushi.co.il

Skechers slips-ins with Touchless Fit TM technology that allows you to just step in and walk away thanks to the exclusive Heel Pillow that holds your foot in place, cushioned comfort insole, available in a variety of colors and designs, for men, women, and children, NIS 199.90-499.90, at all Skechers stores and online via skechers.co.il

Dafni Active cordless hair straightening brush, patented user friendly technology, safe for the hair, light and compact for easy portability, detachable battery accepted by all airlines, NIS 499, available via dafnihair.com

Para’Kito mosquito repellent wristband with essential oil refills, comfortable, easy to use, and suitable for children. Each refill lasts two weeks, NIS 109 (2 refills included), NIS 27.90 per extra refill, available at all Lametayel stores and online via shop.lametayel.co.il

Tefal Pure Pop vertical garment steamer, ultra compact and slim design, 1300 W, heats up in 15 seconds, innovative reversible pad system that lets you switch between sides for both garment steaming and lint and hair removal, 2m power cord for easy portability, available in red, blue, yellow, and green, NIS 349, available at select electronics stores (importer: Newpan)

Hiking sandals, Jana Shoes, NIS 350, available at all Halev Hakakhol stores and online via blueheart.co.il

Kenneth Cole carry-on and backpack 2-piece set, classic design, NIS 649.90, available at Hamashbir stores

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Photos: PR, recommended retail prices, E&OE

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 since 1667.

infrastructure, courtesy of Baron Haussmann׳s vast public works project. This renovation occurred in parallel with a rapid expansion of the middle-class, 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.

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 break away from

Paul Signac, Pont Mirabeau , 1903, collection of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Bequest of Maurice Lewin, Antwerp, 1934

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

Curators: Nathalie Andrijasevic and Hillary Reder Closing: December 14, 2024

Installation view, photo: Elad Sarig

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

Gustave Caillebotte, Bank of the Seine Near Argenteuil , 1888, on long-term loan from the Moshe and Sara Mayer Collection

To purchase tickets and more details: tamuseum.org.il

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

See the Sights I Eat, Travel, Enjoy

Bialik Square I Photo: Barak Brinker

With its constant renewal and vibrant cultural life, Tel Aviv has rightfully earned its place as one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world. Awash with art galleries, markets, festivals, gourmet restaurants, trendy cafés, clubs, and bars, there’s always something to discover and explore in the White City by the Mediterranean Sea. Here are 8 top Tel Aviv spots to visit this summer / By Ariela Aflalo A visit to the city that never sleeps: 8 ideas for what to see & do in Tel Aviv

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is located there as well, as well as the building which served as the city’s first townhall which has been a museum since 1971. Recently renovated, it offers a fascinating look into the city’s cultural landscape and history. Don’t miss: getting a coffee and a pastry at the “Amita” bakery in the museum garden. 03 Tel Aviv Promenade & Lighthouse A stroll along the waterfront Tel Aviv is a seafront city and its promenade, known as the “tayelet”, goes all the way from Herzliya to Jaffa. Two kilometers-long, it was built along the coastline’s karkur ridge between Tel Baruch beach in the north and Hatsuk beach in the south, taking you from one end of the city to the other. It’s the perfect place for a stroll, a run, or a bike ride, or just to sit down and take in the sea breeze. In the evening, with its dim lighting, it turns into the ideal romantic location, with the sound of the waves in the background, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. The new Reading park was recently inaugurated, not far from Tel Aviv Port. It was built on the grounds of the old power plant near the bridge and has beautiful panoramic lookout decks above HaYarkon river, playground facilities, and picnic tables.

Dizengoff Square I Photo: Guy Yehieli

01 Dizengoff Square The city’s main piazza Reading Park I Photo: Guy Yehieli

life has been breathed through it, with bike lanes and trendy cafés enlivening it 24/7. Don’t miss: enjoying an urban picnic on the square’s lawn and benches. 02 Bialik Street History & Culture Bialik Street is one of the most elegant and peaceful streets in Tel Aviv. It begins at noisy Allenby Street and ends at the quiet little Bialik Square. Walking along it feels like walking through history, your eyes enthralled by the superb Bauhaus and eclectic architecture of the houses that line it, among which national poet Haim Nachman Bialik’s beautiful castle-like abode. Liebling House, the city’s Bauhaus museum,

For years, Dizengoff st. was the city’s beating heart, with fashion boutiques lined up along it and cafés populated by the cultural icons of the time - singers, writers, poets, and film stars, but also diplomats, generals, journalists, and it-girls. Dizengoff Square, with its fountain in the middle, was inaugurated in 1934, and named in honor of Zina Dizengoff, wife of Meir Dizengoff, first mayor of Tel Aviv. Since its creation it has been considered as a focal point in the city and has remained so notwithstanding its many transformations through the decades. In recent years, new

Photo: courtesy of “Hamigdalor café”

The lighthouse

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See the Sights I Eat, Travel, Enjoy

Don’t miss: a visit to the old Reading lighthouse now transformed into a trendy café, where you can sit on plush pillows and beach mats and enjoy the breathtaking view. 04 Florentin neighborhood Street art and trendy cafés There’s graffiti and street art everywhere in this part of town. So much so that it’s been dubbed “Israel’s Shoreditch” and “the Soho of Tel Aviv”. Once selected by Time Out magazine as the 7 th trendiest neighborhood in the world, Florentin is an eclectic urban gem that effortlessly blends history, heritage, and urban renewal. It’s a patchwork of old rundown buildings, new apartment blocks, with wild graffiti everywhere, warehouses, artists’ studios, garages and workshops, convenience stores, street food vendors, nightclubs, restaurants, and bars. There’s nothing more fun than getting lost in its alleyways and side streets and delighting in the fascinating street art that graces every nook and cranny. Don’t miss: a visit to Simtat Aluf Batslut. Once a parking lot, it now has a secret little garden where people hangout, sunbathe, enjoy picnics, or have a coffee at the recently opened café. 05 Levinsky Market Spices & delicacies Levinsky market, which borders with the Florentin neighborhood, has gone from being a part of town known for its workers’ restaurants, hardware stores, and legume, spices and dried fruit stores, to a trendy hipster neighborhood. Many of its old stores have been transformed into cafés and restaurants, but there still are spice shops that also sell pickles, cheeses, smoked fish, and other typical delicacies. Young entrepreneurs have settled in the

Florentin neighborhood

Levinsky market I Photo: Ariela Aflalo

HaMesila Park I Photo: Ariela Aflalo

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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.

See the Sights I Eat, Travel, Enjoy

neighborhood, opening pretty little stores selling flowers or jewelry and fashionable cafés, “gazoz” stalls selling artisan flavored bubbly water, nightlife venues and more. Levinsky market has become so popular, its main street was made pedestrian only, with café tables spilling out on the road, to the delight of tourists and locals alike. Don’t miss: the opportunity to go on a food tour with one of the many guides working here. 06 HaMesila Park A green lung in the heart of the city Built on the route of the old Ottoman railway, once used to connect Jaffa to Jerusalem, HaMesila Park is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Today, the park extends between Nahalat Binyamin st. to Jaffa’s Jerusalem Blvd., right in front of the beach promenade. It has walking and cycling paths all along it, as well as playground facilities, shaded seating areas, cafés and restaurants. The new light rail’s Elifelet station is located at the center of the park, and right beside it, where the old 19 th century station used to be, there are many cafés and hangout spots to enjoy. Don’t miss: getting a slice of pizza at the “Teder” restaurant, or an ice cream at the excellent “Cassata” ice cream parlor, both establishments belonging to famous chef Eyal Shani. 07 Café Asif A rooftop eco-garden Asif is a culinary hub that’s not only a café, restaurant, and artisan deli, but also a culinary library, gallery, and above all, a one-of-a-kind eco-farm in the heart of the city. Founded with the goal to research and document the Israeli culinary landscape, it also has its own rooftop garden, where traditional regional plants are grown thanks to cutting-edge agritech

Café Asif I Photo: Ariela Aflalo

Ariel Sharon Park I Photo: Uri Aharon

technologies. Every detail here has been meticulously curated, with a special focus on the quality of the ingredients. Don’t miss: a guided tour of the rooftop eco-farm where fruit and vegetables are grown, as well as fresh herbs including seven types of za’atar, Israeli garlic, and a rare breed of fig tree of which there are but a few specimens in the world. 08 Ariel Sharon Park Israel’s metropolitan park Ariel Sharon Park is one of the biggest environmental rehabilitation projects in the world. It is unique in

that the plot of land on which it was built, was polluted and neglected for decades, and turned into a flourishing metropolitan park that spreads across 2 acres of land. It is a veritable green lung in the southern side of the city. The park is open to the general public and has a network of hiking trails and bicycle paths across open areas, along riverbanks, and through shaded groves, as well as areas for leisure and recreation activities. Don’t miss: taking a walk around the eco-lake and birdwatching garden where more than 200 bird species can be spotted. ˆ

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Magazine I The Paris Paralympic Games

The sky’s the limit

The Paris Paralympic Games begin on August 28 th . EL AL has been chosen as the official carrier of the Israeli delegation which is composed of 25 athletes – 13 men and 12 women, including one Druze and three Muslim team members. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, the Israeli delegation won nine medals, six of them gold. This time, more than ever before, they’re hoping to come back home with even more medals and to hear the Tikva play on the podium / By Nava Marton

delegation to Paris, and we are excited and looking forward to seeing you on the court, honoring Israel, especially in these difficult times”, said EL AL CEO Dina Ben Tal Ganancia at the ceremony held last month to debut the delegation’s new uniform. Moshe Mutz Matalon, Israel Paralympic Committee chairman added: “you have been accompanying us for many years, and I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your ongoing support. To me, the connection between us is natural – an Israeli blue-and-white company flying the Israeli delegation to the games in Paris to represent paralympic sport and the entire nation of Israel. Our athletes are committed to giving their all to bring you and the entire nation moments of happiness, honor, and pride”. Against all odds The Israeli Paralympic Delegation to the Paris Paralympic Games The Israeli Paralympic team includes athletes from various disciplines. Some are already record-breaking competitors who have won Paralympic medals in previous Games. For others, the Paris Games are their first Paralympic experience. Each one is an inspiration - athletes who have demonstrated exceptional grit and determination. Here’s a short introduction to get know a few of them:

From the right: Lihi Ben David, Amit Hasdai, and Amir Levi Photo: Guy Kusi & Yariv Fein

The Paris Paralympic Games begin on August 28 th and end on September 8 th . 4,450 athletes from 180 countries will be competing in 22 sport disciplines. The Israeli Paralympic Delegation comprises (as of date of printing) 25 athletes - 13 men and 12 women, including one Druze and three Muslims, competing in ten different disciplines. This year, the Israel Paralympic Committee, together with the Israel Parasports

Association and the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, has also been supporting soldiers injured in the current war, by introducing them to the world of parasports. The head of the delegation, Dr. Ron Bolotin, is himself an IDF disabled veteran who was injured during his service. He became a paralympic swimmer and record-breaking athlete, winning 11 medals, three of them gold. EL AL is the delegation’s official carrier. “EL AL is proud to fly the

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Guy Sasson I Photo: Keren Isaacson

Asaf Yasur I Photo: Tom Bartov

Guy Sasson Discipline: wheelchair tennis Age: 44, married +4

vessel burst in her spinal cord and her dream was shattered. She went through a long process of rehabilitation in Italy, geared towards her specificities as a young athlete. “We found a place in Florence where the process was tailored to suit me as an athlete and not a regular disabled person. After two years of not being able to do what I loved, I could once again throw myself into sports and suddenly, my spark was back. I was able to start loving my life again”, she says. The Paris Games are her first Paralympics. Asaf Yasur Discipline: taekwondo Age: 22 Achievements: two-time world champion in 2021 and 2023, and 2024 European champion A week before celebrating his bar mitzva, Asaf Yasur lost both his hands after suffering injuries that required amputation following an electrocution accident. Thanks to his parents’ crowdfunding initiative he was able to be fitted with bionic

Achievements: this year’s Roland Garros champion, runner-up at this year’s Australian Open and at this year’s Wimbledon Championships Guy Sasson, member of the Ilan Sports Center Ramat Gan, suffered a spinal cord injury after a ski accident. “I saw how challenging wheelchair tennis was as a sport, and what heights you could reach and just fell in love with it”, says Sasson, who competed in the Tokyo 2020 Games in the ‘Open’ category. This year he will be competing in the ‘Quad’ category. Talia Eilat Discipline: para canoe Age: 25 Achievements: bronze medalist at the 2023 and 2024 European Championships Talia Eilat, member of Beit Halochem Tel Aviv, trains at the Daniel Rowing Center. Her dream was to become a professional dancer but in her senior year in high school, a blood

Talia Eilat I Photo: Tom Bartov

hands and his journey towards receiving those hands was made into a documentary by journalist Ben Shani in 2016. The film was first broadcast on television and is still today shown in schools and at army training courses. Nowadays Yasur doesn’t use his bionic hands nor any other prosthetics. He started doing survival and self-defense training but after publishing a post about his dream of becoming a Paralympian

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Magazine I The Paris Paralympic Games

Amir Levi I Photo: Lilach Weiss Rosenberg

Amit Hasdai I Photo: Tom Bartov

that very year. “In our team there are players that are Jewish, Arab, Druze, religious, secular, women and men. Together, we’ve built something special”, says Ben David, who participated in the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games and is considered one of the best goalball players in the world. Amit Hasdai Discipline: hand cycling Age: 41, married + 3 Achievements: fourth place at the 2023 European Championships Amit Hasdai, member of Beit Halochem Tel Aviv, was critically injured at 19 during his military service. A bullet hit a main artery and the right side of his body was left paralyzed. Before taking on cycling, Hasdai did seven years of horseback riding which he first started as part of a therapy program, but then took on professionally, and started taking part in competitions, even doing quite well at international events. When the horse he was riding grew

old, Hasdai decided to change course, and veered towards hand cycling. “It was tough at first but with a lot of hard work, improvement came”, says Hasdai. The Paris Games are his first Paralympics. Amir Levi Achievements: bronze medalist at the 2023 European Championships (singles and doubles), mixed doubles gold-medalist at the 2018 European Championships, ranked 8 th in the world Amir Levi is an IDF disabled veteran and a member of Beit Halochem Jerusalem. He was injured during his military service and has been using a wheelchair ever since. The Paris Games will be Levi’s first Paralympics, after he missed the Tokyo 2020 Games. “For me, taking part in the Paris Paralympics is a dream come true. So much hard work and sacrifice has gone into making this possible”, he said. ˆ Discipline: badminton Age: 46, married + 3

athlete, Yechiam Sharabi, coach of the Israel taekwondo team, invited him to come and train with him and he hasn’t stopped since then. “At night I imagine myself on the podium” says Yasur. The Paris Games are his first Paralympics. Lihi Ben David Discipline: goalball Age: 30 Achievements: runner-up at the 2023 European Championships and bronze-medalist at the 2022 World Championships Lihi Ben David is a member of the Jerusalem Institute for the Blind, one of the six members of the Israeli female goalball team, and trains at Beit Halochem Tel Aviv. She suffers from macular degeneration, which causes loss of central vision. She started playing goalball at 11 and joined the Israel National Team Lihi Ben David I Photo: Keren Isaacson

The Israel Paralympic Delegation Rowing: Moran Samuel (Women’s single Sculls), Shmuel Daniel (Men’s single Sculls), Salech Shahin and Shahar Milfelder (Double Sculls) Para Canoe: Talia Eilat Goalball: Lihi Ben David, Elham Mahamid, Roni Ochayon, Ori Mizrahi, Gal Hamrani and Noa Malka Shooting: Yulia Chernoy Boccia : Nadav Levi Swimming: Veronika Guirenco, Mark Malyar, Ariel Malyar, Ami Omer Dadon, Iyad Shalabi Wheelchair Tennis: Guy Sasson Sergei Lysov Badminton: Nina Gorodetsky, Amir Levi Cycling: Amit Hasdai Taekwondo: Asaf Yasur, Adnan Milad

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ISRAEL AIRLINES

We are honored to be the official airline of the Israeli team for the Paralympic Games in Paris, and wish our athletes good luck!

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Magazine I Culture

David Broza is back on stage Legendary Israeli singer-songwriter David Broza was in the middle of his tour celebrating the 40 th anniversary of the launch of his classic album “Ha isha she’iti” (La mujer que yo quiero), when the October 7 attacks occurred. Since the start of the war, he’s been playing non-stop for soldiers, for the wounded, and the displaced. In September, he’ll be performing in London and Berlin, but you can still catch him in Israel this month, for two special shows / By Nava Marton

“The tour celebrating the 40 years since the launch of “Ha isha she’iti” had more than 40 nights lined up. But then the damned, monstrous October 7 attacks happened, and I felt compelled to be here, in Israel”, says David Broza, who since October 8 th has been performing in front of displaced families from the north and south, as well as for soldiers in army bases and for the wounded, in hospitals around the country. He also donated money from the tour to “Natal”, an organization that supports victims of war and terrorism. “I was performing three to five times a day, for soldiers, displaced communities, people reeling from the trauma. Being able to sing for them, be with them, in these darkest of times, was beyond emotional. Being in a state of raw pain and having to suddenly concentrate, connect to the songs, was extremely intense. Catching momentary smiles, hearing people join in with me, laugh, and even dance to the sound of my wild rumba… those days were days of overwhelming emotion”. About a month after the start of the war, Broza returned to New York. He began playing for Jewish and Israeli communities in synagogues and cultural centers, feeling the need to come together as a community.

Photo: Juan Fajardo

“The songs did all the work. Those performances were very powerful. People arrived early and would stay to talk afterwards”, says Broza. We’re going to be ok “Since October 7, there’s not been a minute when the mind wasn’t engulfed in worry. But I know the bad times will eventually end, that one day we’ll be able to recover and calm down”, he says, emphasizing how connected he feels to Israel: “My connection to Israel, to the language, to my friends, my public, has just gotten stronger since October”. Broza has started to play at larger venues again. In September he’ll be performing in London at a special concert for the Friends of the Israel

Philharmonic Organization and at another concert open to the general public on September 12 th (produced by Tzemach Productions UK and the Israeli House in London). “This is the most intimate show I’ve ever done. It’s just me and my guitar”, he says. His Berlin show (on September 15 th ) is part of the “Days of Jewish Culture” festival, which has been taking place for 30 years, showcasing Jewish music, from jazz to pop to klezmer, theatre, art, and food to the general Berliner public. ˆ David Broza will be performing his “40 years since Ha isha she’iti” show as part of the Tu B’Av festivities at the Zappa Amphi Shuni on August 16 th , and at Ariel Sharon Park on August 17 th

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Informative Content

The Israeli Real Estate Market: A Market in Turmoil?

Introduction to Koskas Law Firm Philippe Koskas & Associates, founded in 1986 and located in the heart of Tel Aviv, accompanies you through all stages of your real estate project across the country. We assist you with all stakeholders and offer a wide range of legal services covering real estate law, commercial law, and extensive experience in managing civil and commercial disputes.

Since its creation, Israel has always developed amidst adversity, turning obstacles into assets. This phenomenon is also evident in the real estate market, known for its economic resilience and ability to quickly bounce back after periods of crisis. Historically, periods of uncertainty have often been followed by phases of sustained growth. The young and dynamic population, along with continuous immigration,

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Le Marché Immobilier Israélien : Marché dans la Tourmente?

Présentation du Cabinet Koskas Le cabinet d’avocats Philippe Koskas & Associés, fondé en 1986 et installé au cœur de Tel Aviv, vous accompagne dans toutes les étapes de votre projet immobilier à travers le pays. Nous vous assistons auprès de tous les interlocuteurs, et vous proposons une large gamme de services juridiques couvrant le droit de l’immobilier, le droit commercial,

Depuis sa création, Israël se développe sans cesse dans l’adversité, transformant les obstacles en atouts. Ce phénomène est également visible dans le marché immobilier, connu pour sa résilience économique et sa capacité à rebondir rapidement après des périodes de crise. Historiquement, les périodes d’incertitude ont souvent été suivies de phases de croissance soutenue. La population jeune et dynamique, outre une immigration continue, assurent un flux constant de

locataires potentiels, garantissant des revenus locatifs stables pour les investisseurs Investir dans l’immobilier israélien constitue une opportunité de profiter de prix attractifs, d’une forte demande locative, et de s’appuyer sur une économie résiliente et innovante. Israël offre un cadre juridique adapté pour les investissements, et nous mandater pour vous assister dans votre projet d’acquisition, vous garantira une transaction sereine et sécurisée.

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Lifestyle I Hotel Experience

The David’s Harp Galilee Resort: a new hospitality experience on the shores of the Sea of Galilee Elegantly designed rooms with colors and textures that blend in magnificently with the Biblical landscape, an infinity pool looking out onto panoramic views, a pampering luxury spa, and top-rate fine dining - the David’s Harp Galilee Resort offers the perfect mix of modern comfort and timeless charm, in one of the most beautiful places in Israel / By Lihi Ron

The Sea of Galilee is one of those few places in Israel where you can just put everything on hold, and merrily go into holiday mode. The impressive lobby of the new David’s Harp Galilee Resort is the ideal place to do exactly that – as you step inside, the beauty and elegance of the décor spirits you far away from normal everyday life into a land of luxury and relaxation. The concept The hotel is built in the shape of a harp, in reference to the harp played by King David. It is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, in Capernaum, and looks out onto the beautiful valleys of the Galilee and the Golan Heights. When you first arrive, you’re hit with the extraordinary splendor of its architecture and its exceptional

Photo: Asaf Pinchuk

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Lifestyle I Hotel Experience

ability to blend in with the landscape. The colors and textures indoors reflect the blues and browns of the outdoors, and the hotel’s huge glass walls let nature pour into the hotel structure. The rooms and public spaces The David’s Harp counts 276 rooms, including 24 suites of which two are presidential. There’s a business lounge that overlooks the Sea of Galilee, impressive event halls, conference rooms, an amphitheatre where live shows take place every week with both Israeli and international artists, an infinity pool that looks out onto the lake, a toddler’s pool and a fantastic kids’ club, a first-class gym equipped with running tracks and bikes you can take for rides in the surrounding area, and for those of you who appreciate

the good life - an exceptionally pampering spa that offers a range of treatments and massages. The food The dining room is vast and full of light, with spacious eating spaces that give you a welcome sense of privacy. The buffet is elegantly displayed and composed of a wide variety of offerings: a dizzying choice of meat dishes, fish dishes, delicious sides, and excellent desserts. The breakfast buffet is just as impressive as the evening one. Laden with breads of every kind, cheeses, sweet and savory baked goods, vegetables and fresh fruit, and of course, eggs made any way you like. The service in the dining room and in the hotel in general, is generous and professional, and it’s

clear that service quality is at the heart of the hospitality plan here. The surroundings The Sea of Galilee and its surrounding area are full of things to see and explore, such as the ancient synagogue in Capernaum, built in the 4 th century CE, or the beautiful lavender farm in Moshav Kanaf where you can hear about the farm’s history, take in the beauty of the purple fields, and of course, purchase quality lavender-infused items. As part of your stay, the David’s Harp also offers guests the opportunity to enjoy other local businesses through cooperation agreements, such as with the exceptional River Café, an artisan bakery with a divine selection of baked delights, on the banks of the Jordan River. ˆ davidsharphotels.com

Photos: Asaf Pinchuk

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