Two haredi comedians delight secular audiences, proving you don’t have to use profanity to be funny; Israelis have flocked back to restaurants, sports stadiums and cultural events; Israel to host French Champions Trophy soccer match; and much more!
By Michael Ordman
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Kosher comedy
Efi Skakovsky and Meni Wakshtock, two ultra-Orthodox comedians, are proving that being Haredi and not using profanity doesn’t mean you can’t be funny. The duo, known as Bardak, are incredibly popular among secular Israelis with 4.7 million views of their 25 Youtube videos.
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/03/14/ultra-orthodox-duo-takes-the-comedy-world-by-storm/
(no English subtitles but easy to interpret)
Fully booked
Israelis have flocked back to restaurants, bars and cafes in huge numbers as vaccinated diners celebrated the re-opening of Israel’s culinary and leisure facilities. Some restaurants reported non-stop requests for bookings with a 10-day waiting list for tables.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/restaurants-fully-booked-as-israelis-flock-back-after-year-of-restrictions/
Israel opens nature parks
The Nature & Parks Authority has renovated many of Israel’s nature and heritage sites ahead of Election Day, a national holiday. Jerusalem has also opened four nature park activity centers – Cedar Valley, Saker Park, Ein Kerem and Nahal Refaim Park.
https://www.newsrael.com/post/-MVkk7rPiUnrCz2bpS-v
https://www.newsrael.com/post/-MVoSWD4RyYpZ_ZbqORS
Fans return to stadiums
For the first time in over a year, Soccer supporters are back in Israel’s stadiums. A maximum of 1,500 vaccinated or Covid-19 recovered fans over the age of 16 were permitted to attend matches in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Netanya and Kiryat Shmona.
https://www.newsrael.com/post/-MVlwmfeINW9tQ_LBWxe
https://www.timesofisrael.com/soccer-fans-allowed-back-into-stadiums-for-the-1st-time-since-start-of-pandemic/
The rise of Mizrahi music
Excellent new video explaining Mizrahi (Middle Eastern Jewish pop) music from its origins to the modern day.
Israel vaccinates South Park
A special one-off episode of the popular South Park animation comedy series featured an El Al plane landing in South Park with supplies of vaccine for all the residents. “South ParQ Vaccination Special” also gave Israel a separate compliment for its cool, efficient vaccination process.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/south-park-celebrates-the-vaccination-nation/
New sights at Jerusalem’s sites
The new Hebrew month (Rosh Codesh) of Nisan coincided with the opening of many of Jerusalem’s sites, entertainment venues, hotels and businesses. A large number had been renovated and upgraded since the beginning of the lockdown. Just in time for the festival of Passover.
http://rjstreets.com/2021/03/14/how-many-jerusalem-sights-do-you-recognize/
Israel to host French Champions Trophy
Bloomfield Stadium Tel Aviv will stage the French Champions Trophy soccer match on 1st Aug. The opening match of the French soccer season, between the Ligue 1 champions and the winners of the French Cup, is traditionally held outside of France.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/french-champions-trophy-soccer-season-opener-to-be-held-in-tel-aviv/
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