Whats Up Israel - May Issue

Save the Date!

What’s UpISRAEL

International Community Newsletter

New in town or been here a while...

What's Up is the brainchild of the American International School PTA and other internationals looking for a better way to connect

with fun-loving, energetic, positive-minded people living in Israel. What's Up will be a tool to help newcomers transition more easily,

to help us explore this fascinating country and to let us know what's going on each week in our area. Making friends is the first

step to every "stranger and sojourner's" move. We invite you to sign up for our newsletter.

All you have to do to is join us and wear a smile. It's free! Send an email to: [email protected]

May 30th : Wednesday Girls day out: Hike,

swim and picnic. Ein

Gedi and Dead Sea

June 8th: Friday

Trip to Archaeological

sites around the Galilee

M A Y 2 0 1 2

WHAT’S UP MAY 2012

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May 14-17: – Tel Aviv Food Festival Annual event attracting thousands of food lovers. More than 35 restaurants participating and serving their best dishes. www.touristisrael.com/tel-aviv-food-festival…

What’s Up in May

May 17th and 18th The Dragon Boat Israel Festival will be held on the southern shore of Lake Kinneret (also called the Sea of Galilee). It is visually spectacular and often called the ultimate team sport. www./dragonboatisrael.com/

May 17-19: Houses from Within – Tel Aviv The doors of over 100 Tel Aviv buildings – institutions and public homes, will be opened to the public during this weekend. www.touristisrael.com/houses-from-within-tel-aviv

May 24-June 14:– Israel Festival Three weeks of cultural events, mostly in Jerusalem, ranging from jazz to classical music, drama to dance, and much more. www.israel-festival.org.il

May 27th Happy Shavuot and Pentecost Sunday. All around the land of Israel, Moshavs and Kibbutz will be celebrating the Festival of the First Fruits. Tractor parades, folkoric dance and benedictions for the newborns will take place. www.altiusdirectory.com/society/shavuot-activities-celebration.php www.brooklyn2haifa.wordpress.com/shavuot-in-israel Christians celebrate Pentecost as the day the Holy Spirit was given to the believers of Jesus

May 31: - Madonna Concert Madonna will launch her world tour in Tel Aviv www.touristisrael.com/madonna-concert-in-tel-aviv-israel-may-2012/

May 20th 4-7 pm International Day at AIS. Anyone can come. Entry is NIS 40/adult, 20/kid over 5 or 100/family (2 adults and 2 kids)


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Our on-going activities

Sign up at:[email protected]

Mah Jongg Do you know how to play the American or Chinese version of Mah Jongg?. We meet every Tuesday afternoon at 1pm in volunteers’ homes. Send us an email to know where we are meeting this week. Beginners welcome too.

Bridge If you know the basics and want to improve, join us each week. We meet every Tuesday morning.

Scrabble We would like to start a new group. If you are interested send us an email.

Belly Dancing Join us for Belly Dancing (in English) on Mondays at 10.30 am at Kfar Shmaryahu. It is fun and a good work out. Beginners’ welcome.


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Yoga

Yoga overlooking the sea Fridays and Sundays 9:30 -10:30am at Gazebo Restaurant and Beach Club (Tuesday class coming soon). Come join Maya for Vinyasa yoga (in Hebrew and English) overlooking the sea (Sharon Square board walk). This class is NIS 50 for non-Gazebo members and free for members. Bring your own mat if you have one. She can provide a few. Call Maya at 0525551885 or email at: [email protected] to sign up

Free Ballroom/Salsa/Line Dancing LEARN TO DANCE! KEEP THE ROMANCE! DISCOVER YOUR INNER PRINCESS OR YOUR LATENT KNIGHT! Wednesdays all summer! 7:30-8:30pm instruction 8:30-9:30pm all dance At the Herzliya Park (the one with the BIG yellow slides) located across from 7 Stars Mall in Herzliya near the train station and Ayalon. Follow the music! (or the wooden slat path to the left) HOW? No partner required...plenty to choose from :) No special dance shoes required. Wear comfy shoes that you can move in. The dance floor is smooth concrete. No prior dance experience needed.


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Book Reading Group

We will be reading a range of books by both Israeli and International authors. Over the long summer break we will try to get through two books. When we come back in August, our aim is to get together informally over coffee on the 2nd Wednesday of every month in volunteers homes and discuss the book. Our host can then suggest our next reading group book. We will also use this opportunity to exchange and borrow books. The American International School Library welcomes all parents of the school community to borrow books and even Kindles. So take advantage!!

Jen’s Cooking Group

Come join AIS parent Jennifer Hoyer on Wednesday afternoons as she demonstrates healthy cooking and shares recipes from her Supernatural cookbook.


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Meet the team

Jennifer Hoyer: Hi, I am with the American Embassy, and the AIS 2012/2013 PTA President. I have been active coordinating dance classes, cooking classes and other activities to bring people together. I have created the Newcomer's Cheat Sheet which is free for the asking once you join our mailing list. [email protected]

Kala Shekhar: Hi, I am co-chairing the AIS PTA Hospitality Committee. I am honored to be the creative person designing and conceptualizing What’s Up newsletter. We hope you will enjoy all the activities and trips that we have put together. Do send in suggestions and articles for What’s Up [email protected]

We wish to thank AIS parents, faculty, staff and numerous friends who are enthusiastic about this new venture and have offered to volunteer their time and talents to make What’s Up a success.

Tamara Angelides: I am the Secretary of the AIS PTA. My friend Sandra and I will organize themed outings once a month and a monthly mid-week ladies only day trip. We hope to see as much of this beautiful country as we can during our stay and make friends along the way. We look forward to having you join us. [email protected]


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Trips and Tours

Following the success of our Desert Monasteries tour we are planning our next Day Trip on the 8th of June. Sign up at [email protected] as soon as possible as seats are limited:

Where we are going: We will begin our day at Tel Megiddo National Park, the biblical archaeological site of Megiddo that gave its name to the battle of the 'last days', Armageddon. Destroyed and rebuilt 25 times in its long existence, the extensive excavations have revealed the remains of 20 phases of occupation through every period in history. We will then go on to Bet She'arim and explore the ancient Jewish settlement and underground cemetery housed in voluminous caves storing sarcophagi of the wealthy. Lastly, we will visit the Roman city of Zippori to see beautiful mosaics and learn how mosaics were made in Roman times.

Important information The bus will depart from Sharon Square at 8:00am on Friday, June 8, 2012 and arrive back approx 6:00pm. Wear comfortable clothes, hats, and sunscreen and bring water, snacks and a packed lunch. Alternatively, l ight lunch and coffee can be purchased. Price per person including bus, guide and all entrance fees is NIS 180. Sign up at: [email protected]


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Girls only day trip: Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea

Where: Ein Gedi Nature reserve. We will walk up to the magnificent waterfall in the desert and swim in the natural spring pool. After lunch we will drive on, to take a dip in the Dead Sea When: 30th May 2012 How: We will meet up at Sharon Square and car pool. Sign up: at [email protected]


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Jen’s Tips The question was, "What to make with curry?" This salad sprang to life right before my very eyes! Fresh and simple, but strikingly flavorful. It doesn't "just" go with curry! Ingredients: 3 large carrots, peeled, shredded 1 green apple, shredded (peeled or unpeeled) 2 tablespoons lemon juice (1/2 lemon) ¼ cup cilantro, chopped ¼ cup green onion, sliced ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon sugar (optional) 1-tablespoon salad oil (optional) Directions:

Use food processor to grate carrots and apples, or grate by hand. Mix in rest of the ingredients. Voila!


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TTTRRRAAAVVVEEELLL--- TTTOOOUUURRRIIINNNGGG IIISSSRRRAAAEEELLL AAANNNDDD

BBBEEEYYYOOONNNDDD... ... ...

Hello, My name is Sandra and I am from the UK and now live here in Israel. My husband, Harrison is Israeli and our passion is to travel. Harrison is a tour guide here in Israel; he specializes in groups, most of which are making a Pilgrimage. His clients come from every corner of the world and from every denomination of the Christian faith. His knowledge is vast and his love for his country makes him very enthusiastic and passionate about his job. I have worked in many aspects of travel for over thirty years and with my knowledge from traveling the world I now service my large client bank. Travelers leave all the planning, organizing, even choice of destination and booking of their varied and intrepid journeys to me. Recently my friend, Tamara, and I started a program for a series of sightseeing opportunities here in Israel. We had our first day trip ten days ago entitled 'desert monasteries' which was a huge success. Everyone, including our guide, Harrison, thoroughly enjoyed the day and we are very much looking forward to the next one, which will be learning about some very important archaeological sites in the Gali lee area. I am looking forward to meeting all the new readers. Sandra Cohen


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Members corner

TEL 'O' FUN BIKE HIRE IN TEL AVIV

Sandra Cohen

A fun day out for all the family, all abil ities and all ages

Using the local Tel O Fun Cycle hire for a day out in Tel Aviv was definitely fun, cheap and very easy to use!! My father who is 80 years of age and I started our day at Ramat Aviv Hachadasha on Levi Eshkol and with regular breaks along the boardwalk beside the sea, we easily and safely managed our destination of old Jaffa port using the designated cycle path. The instructions for hiring the bikes are on the screen at each cycle hire point, bring your credit card and you are on your way within minutes. There are plenty of hire/drop off locations along the way. So lock your bike back in to the designated points and stop for your well-deserved coffee and pastry or lunch in your favorite cafe. There are many places of interest to visit along the way such as the Old Train Station and the Farmers Market at the port of Tel Aviv. When reaching Jaffa port we returned our bikes beside the old Prison site and went in search of lunch in the busy back streets and market area of old Jaffa.


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After wandering the cobbled streets full of galleries, climbing to the highest point for a panoramic view of Tel Aviv and entering the church of St Peter we then made a leisurely return journey. Tips; remember when you want a break or a stop, return your bike to the designated points which keeps your accumulating charge to a minimum. For example; the daily charge is NIS14 per person (per bike). In addition to this there is accumulating charges as per your ticket, but always remember your first thirty minutes are FREE of charge. So if you return your bike within 30 minutes and stop for a minimum ten-minute break you can make use of each rental bike for a whole day for only the daily charge. More information can be found on their website www.tel-o-fun.co.il


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Tried and tested – Restaurant review Tamara Angelides

Café Tapuz:

Reservations :09-7469322 Opening times: Sun - Thurs 9am-11pm Fri 9am- 4pm The added bonus is that some 100 yards further down the same road, and on the same side, is a warehouse, which is an outlet, selling candy! They have American brands such as Reese's, Hersheys and Willy Wonka and British brands as well as local. This is such a 'find'! Great to know when organizing kids party favors and Halloween. You can also find savories like chips and dips, cereals, drinks and even some wine there. They take cash and credit cards. Avoid Friday queues.

Moshav Batsra Nehalim St. If you are looking for a brunch place in a beautiful setting this is it! Just minutes from the AIS, on a Moshav near Batsra, this lovely restaurant sits surrounded by orange groves and also backs onto riding stables. A few of us ladies got together for a Birthday Brunch recently and sampled many things, from their extensive menu. Their desserts are served in huge portions for sharing. They are also open for lunch and dinner. There is a large covered seating area outside with fans blowing on a hot day and there is air-conditioned indoor seating. It is family-friendly; the staff speaks English and is very accommodating especially when calling for directions. It is signposted with a picture of an orange ( tapuz = orange ) you won't regret giving it a try.


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A restaurant that you would recommend, a shop that you discovered, a volunteering opportunity or even a talent that you would like to share…. send it to us at [email protected] or [email protected] . We will put it up in this newsletter.

Coola Spa Wow, now this place is a haven for us ladies. It is quite literally a Women’s Sanctuary founded by women for women. It is a spa and so much more catering to women only and with a sea view. Get together with some girlfriends for mani/pedis and all types of massages. They even offer a discount for 2 or more. Massage classes, rhythm workshops, belly dancing, yoga, meditation, self-defense, Bach flower remedies; the list is endless. It is housed in a complex that has a fantastic restaurant called Comme il Faut and clothes shop And they do gift vouchers. Hanger 26, Tel Aviv Port, Israel. Tel: 972-3-5444462

Next time.. 'Bistronomic' in Rishpon.. another gem.. gluten-free cheesecake "Kitchen Kibbutz" at Bet Yannay .. outlet warehouse for all kitchen supplies Sarina chocolate-making workshops

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Whats Up Israel - May Issue