City notes: Israel’s Olympic athletes light up the hanukkia

CENTER Athletes and Olympic Committee 2016 staff members who are preparing to head to the Games in Rio de Janeiro next summer lit Hanukka candles every day this week, together with visitors at the Olympic Experience Museum in Tel Aviv. Rhythmic gymnast Neta Rivkin and surfer Nimrod Mashiah were the first to light the candles, followed by gymnast Alex Shatilov and swimmer Guy Barnea the next day. A string of other past and present Olympic athletes also took park in the Hanukka initiative. The Olympic Experience Museum presents a one hour, five-ring trip through the greatest Olympic records, with a special focus on Israel's finest moments. The Olympic Experience boasts state-of-the art hi-tech imaging and illustrations, audio-visuals presentations, holograms, interactive screens, hands-on trials and more. Dozens of French olim light Hanukka candles upon landing in Israel Some 50 new immigrants from France were expected to arrive at Ben-Gurion airport this week, where they were to be welcomed with a festive Hanukka candle-lighting event featuring Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky. The event, hosted by the Jewish Agency and the Immigrant Absorption Ministry, was set to be held at Terminal 1 immediately following the arrival of the El Al flight from Paris. Some 7,000 immigrants from France have arrived in Israel so far this year, a 10 percent increase compared to the same period in 2014. NORTH First Arab Food Festival launched in downtown Haifa The first Arab Food Festival was launched in downtown Haifa this week, running from December 8 to 11. The festival, named A-sham, takes place within the framework of the Festival of Festivals and celebrates the world of Arab cuisine, showcasing dishes which are fast disappearing from the local culinary landscape. A-sham, an initiative of the Downtown Haifa Administration, is under the creative direction of Arieh Rosen and 2014 Masterchef Israel winner Dr. Nof Atamna-Ismaeel from Baka al-Gharbiya. The word “a-sham” in Arabic refers to the geographic area known as the Levant, with its famous Arab cuisine, which stretches from Aleppo in Syria through to the Negev, Lebanon and Trans-Jordan. Together, the chefs have worked to bring back tastes that are disappearing for reasons that include being too labor-intensive – such as habisa, a black and white pudding sweetened with carob juice that takes hours to prepare, and being associated with “poor” cuisine – such as haroumanieh, green lentils cooked with eggplant in pomegranate juice. During the four-day festival, 25 selected chefs from around Israel have been cooperating with various downtown Haifa restaurants, creating at least one “festival dish” from the Levantine kitchen. A map detailing all 25 restaurants, chefs and dishes is available to festival-goers, allowing them to taste their way through the festival. Youth killed in ATV accident near his kibbutz One person was killed and another injured in an ATV accident last weekend near Kibbutz Ayelet Hashahar. MDA paramedics pronounced 26-year-old Elon Ashtar dead at the scene after they attempted to resuscitate him. Ashtar was a resident of the kibbutz. A 16-year-old boy who was also in the overturned ATV suffered lightly bruised limbs, and was treated at the scene before being taken to Ziv Medical Center in light condition. Guard attacked in Afula school A security guard at an Afula school was attacked Monday morning, MDA reported. According to reports, the man, aged around 50, sustained light injuries in the assault by three suspects and had his personal weapon stolen. He was evacuated to a local hospital for medical treatment. Police were searching for suspects and said the incident was criminally motivated. SOUTH Eilat celebrates Hanukka Eilat ushered in the Festival of Lights with a wide range of activities for residents and visitors this past week. Events included opera for children, an artists' market, bird-watching, plays and shows for children and families, and musical performances along the promenade. Candle-lighting events and ceremonies were held at various city institutions, and every evening at the bazaar and at shopping malls around Eilat. Rahat resident files complaint against brother for alleged attack A 21-year-old Rahat resident has been accused of brutally attacking his 20-year-old sister over a relationship she had with a young man. An indictment filed at the Beersheba District Court claimed the man beat his sister with a wooden stick, breaking her hand and causing injury to her head and legs. The defendant also allegedly threatened to kill her if she filed a complaint at the police station. The siblings' younger brothers apparently prevented their brother from attacking her any further and called their father to the scene. The prosecution filed a motion to detain the defendant until the end of legal proceedings.

City notes: Israel’s Olympic athletes light up the hanukkia

A catch-up from around the country.

Report: Trump's Board of Peace's official fund empty

Knesset advances haredi-backed daycare bill

City notes: Israel’s Olympic athletes light up the hanukkia

A catch-up from around the country.

See more on