Elle Gennis

Tel Aviv loves to go all out when it comes to indulgence. From decadent pastries to staples like halva, malabi, and rugelach, there are also some new international go-tos that have popped up

From Colombia to Korea, this summer the Suzanne Dellal Center will host hundreds of talented Israeli and foreign dancers and choreographers whose beautiful, groundbreaking dance performances inspire patrons from all walks of life. Here are the not-to-be-missed performances.

Israel’s heating up and the summer fun has just begun. Whether by train, boat, bike, tour, car, or hike, here are the top ways to celebrate the season in July and August - without breaking too much of a sweat.

The Mekudeshet Festival is one of the most important art & music festivals of the year, highlighting the history and complexity of the city of Jerusalem through creativity, passion and community  In a city as rich with history, diverse in culture and stricken with conflict as the city of Jerusalem, it is no surprise that the city would express itself using visual and experiential art, and there’s no better place to see the incredible works inspired by the city than at the Mekudeshet Festival coming this September. This unique and highly anticipated event allows visitors to experience and learn about the complexities of the ancient city through a fascinating and engaging lens - art. The festival takes place over the course of three weeks in the middle of September and features work from some of Israel’s most talented artists. From vocal performances featuring Arab and Jewish sings to massive towers made from ancient Jerusalem windows to power-restoring ceremonies and meditation sessions, immerse yourself in these enriching exhibitions that celebrate the ever-evolving culture and people of the unique city of Jerusalem.   Window Stories At the forefront of revolutionary, activist art, is Yoram Amir, one of Jerusalem’s most innovative artists, preservationist, photographer and mentor. Before his unfortunate death, Amir joined forces with the artistic duo, Itamar Paloge and Lila Peleg, to create a massive sculpture out of over 500 ancient Jerusalem windows that were found and rest

On one Friday every month, the Vegan Indian Festival takes place. It is a great way to taste great food, support local artists and enjoy a great time. The next event is on July 26th from 11 am to 5 pm and will include a live set from the Malabi Tropical ensemble, a lively, spirited salsa band whose music is guaranteed to make you dance. © Gaya Saadon Also featured at the Vegan Indian Festival is the large market with stalls selling jewelry, clothing, art, and crystals that you can explore and chat about while tasting the amazing flavors of Indian cuisine.  FB event . 0528960547 © Gaya Saadon

The non-profit organization PHOTO IS:RAEL strives to create a dialogue between different communities by using photographs to serve as a platform for discussion and research, igniting critical thinking, and in turn, placing a spotlight on artistic and social issues. In an era as divisive and hostile as today, there are few things that can truly bridge the gap between two seemingly different groups of people. However, few communities understand the harsh consequences of these divides better than Israelis. Luckily, PHOTO IS:RAEL, a non-profit organization that holds workshops and photography training for all experience levels, strives to promote social change and facilitate constructive dialogue, through the language of photography, between various communities across Israel. © Michal Chelbin Eyal Landesman founded PHOTO IS:RAEL in 2014 and believes that photography is a language that can transcend any cultural or gendered boundary. Through photographs, we are able to bridge the gap between the more central and marginalized ideas and help people see the nuances and multitude of perspectives that all issues inherently have.  Throughout the year, PHOTO IS:RAEL hosts various projects in order to share their message and mission with the Israeli population and the world. One of their most important and memorable events is The International Photography Festival (taking place this November). Since its formation, the Festival has become a well-known cultural event, welcoming tens of th

On the path to becoming one of the greatest musical breakthroughs coming out of Israel in recent years, this hot musical trio is a set of fashionably-clad Yemenite sisters The A-WA sisters are ready to launch their first international tour in Tel Aviv before heading to the United States. Inspired by their grandparents’ age old immigrant story and the traditional Yemenite melodies and songs that they brought with them, the Israeli band, A-WA is making waves across Israel and the greater Middle East. The band, which is made up of three sisters, Tair, Liron, and Tagel Haim, first came on to the music scene when their single entitled “Habib Galbi,” meaning “Love of My Heart”, became an international hit launching the young and talented, yet unassuming, sisters into stardom (and even garnered a worldwide remix featuring Pitbull). The group combines traditional Yemenite folk tunes, like the music they grew up hearing at their grandparents’ house, with electronic, reggae and hip-hop influences creating what they like to call “Yemenite folk n’ beat,” a unique blend of genres that is unlike anything the world has heard before.  Since the release of their newest album, Bayti Fi Rasi, their international fan base has mushroomed and reached new heights on the global stage. The group has not only received a Gold Album but they have also been featured in international magazines such as Rolling Stone, Vogue, Nylon and Glamour. The widespread recognition has attracted a large and diverse f

"Melanin" is the pigment in the body that determines the color of skin, hair, and eyes. It is a fundamental element, expressed in our genetic makeup, just as the necessity of self-expression is vital to us. In this year’s workshops, we aspire to refine the unique color of each creator and to discover these pigments in a collective whole." Batsheva Ensemble Dancers create © Cesar Borderman Watch the young dancers from the esteemed Batsheva Dancers Ensemble perform their end of year show “Melanin,” the product of their hard work and collaboration, at Verda Hall in the Suzanne Dellal Center. The Batsheva Dancers Ensemble is part of an incubator within the Batsheva Dance Company that is meant to nurture, develop and encourage young, talented dancers while teaching them about dance production, marketing, and choreography. Melanin: June 27-29 at 7:00 and 9:00, Varda Hall, Suzanne Dellal Center, Neve Tzedek Tel Aviv. Tickets: The price of a ticket is 60 NIS. Purchase at the website: batsheva.co.il Or telephone: 03-5171471 ext. 115

Whether you’re a yoga veteran or a newbie, there’s no better way to celebrate International Yoga Day than by participating in the “Yoga on the Sea” Festival taking place on June 20 and 21 at the Herzliya Marina. This two-day yoga festival involves a variety of different Yoga methods, workshops, lectures, classes, meditations and live music all guided by leading instructors in the field including Irena Trovnikov, an international yoga instructor and chief instructor at the studio of Master Dharma Mitra, as well as Orit Ophir who is a certified teacher of vinyasa yoga, yin yoga, pilates, and Qi Gong and who is also the founder and facilitator of the “Yoga at Sunset” project which was started in Herzliya 14 years ago. Most notably among the activities is a Yoga class taught on surfboards which gives participants a unique opportunity to combine their Yoga practice with the relaxation of being on the water.   In addition, there will be a special screening held of “Yoga Is” which is a film about a woman who, after losing her mother to cancer, decides to embark on a worldwide journey in order to find the spiritual meaning of life and realize her joy of practicing yoga. To view the program, visit herzliya-marina.co.il June 20 between the hours of 6:30-11:00 PM June 21 between the hours of 6:00 AM-6:00 PM Admission is free, please bring your own exercise mats.