*The Israeli actress and model, Moran Atias, is expected to co-star in a new picture called Third Person, alongside Mila Kunis, James Franko and Liam Neeson. The new feature is created by Paul Haggis (Million Dollar, Baby), and its plot revolves around three love stories happening in Paris, Rome and New-York. Atias, who speaks fluent Italian, will play a Gypsy living illegally in Italy and does everything in her power to survive. The shooting will begin in October. This is not Atias’ first international role. After becoming a famous figure in Italy, she participated in small roles in CSI:NY and CSI:MIAMI and also took part in the features: The Next Three Days, and Crash.
*The international music festival Lola-Palooza will arrive to Israel next year. The once alternative-rock festival that started in 1991 became one of the best musical attractions, and hosted, amongst others, Lady Gaga, The Killers, Kanye West, and more. In a press conference held in Chicago last week, it was announced that next year’s festival will take place on August 20th in Ha’Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv.
*Jewish Russian tech investor Yuri Miller, decided to transfer 3 million dollars into the bank accounts of nine physicists. Two of the recipients of the Fundamental Physics Prize were the Israeli-American Professor Nathan Seiberg and the Jewish Professor, Edward Witten, both of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton N.J. Witten then announced he is most likely to donate part of the $3 million to J Street, a liberal pro-Israel group, supporting Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
*150 young Jews from around the world arrived in Israel to participate in Magen David Adom (the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross) summer program. In this special summer program, foreign volunteers go through a quick 10 days first aid and emergency care course and then experience a month-long volunteer period in an ambulance alongside professional Israeli volunteers. The MDA volunteer programs run in conjunction with the Jewish Agency for Israel.
*A brand new initiative by “Bishoolim” school for cooking opens the opportunity for handicapped individuals to learn how to cook like professional chefs. The school recently opened a new class, aimed for handicapped people sitting in wheelchairs, and provides a specially made cooking class, which allows the participants to function at their best and move around freely. For some tasks, which are a bit more complicated to perform while sitting in a chair, the participants’ caretakers help out.
*74 years after being shut down in Germany by the Nazis, Ha’Shomer Ha’tzair youth movement, re-opened a first branch in Berlin last week. The movement’s first branch in Germany opened in 1931, and was allowed to keep working due to its Zionist nature (at first, the Nazis wanted to clear Germany of Jews, and the longing for Israel helped their initial purpose). In 1938, during the Crystal Night, they were banned from existing, but continued meeting secretly.
*The Breakdance team, Kosher Flava, who’s members come from a small town in Israel, won the Israeli Breakdance championship for the second year in a row , and is due to represent us in the world championship taking place in France, two months from today.