Unlike Americans and Canadians, Israelis are none too quick to start building with strawbale and adobe. I did meet a couple pioneers over the last 5 years who have built adobe homes: Lila, a German immigrant who lived near Arad in the Negev and Shai Gonorov, an eccentric Israeli living off the grid in Shaharut, […]
Hipsters from the Comme Il Faut fashion house in Israel have opened their own mini-mall, an “anti-mall” they say, in Tel Aviv’s port. It is one which encourages creativity over mass-consumption. Tel Aviv is a fast and furious place. Days after Gaultier and Gucci release new collections, knock-offs are already on the streets being peddled […]
Ever try hugging a cactus? That’s why treehugger types are having a harder time in the Middle East. It’s a bit sad that environmental awareness in the Middle East is years behind that of Europe and the US. But then again, have you ever tried hugging an olive tree or cactus? Although it may be […]
While the Christians are busy unwrapping their presents around the world for Christmas, the LA-based clothing company American Apparel, decided to launch a sale just for the Jews who complain that the only thing they get to do on Christmas day is eat Chinese food and go to the movies. Lucky for the Jews, there […]
We not only made it to the list of top Earth-Hackers of 2007, we also made it to spot 25 of Discover Magazine’s list of Top Science Stories of 2007! A team of Israeli atmospheric scientists from Tel Aviv University explored the influence of intense lightning storms from East Africa on the world weather patterns. They discovered that “More than […]
Afraid that this planet is doomed? Before global warming sets in, how about shooting a sample of your DNA into outer space? For a mere $87 you have the chance of being immortalized. Maybe your genes will drift back down to earth in a couple of billion years when the earth has calmed down. Or […]
The Arava Institute makes green peace
Bank Leumi has a new trick up its sleeve. It has decided to use smell marketing to get Israelis to invest more money. It is not a new concept, and one used by everyone from sleezy car salesmen to shop owners around the world. Smells play with our senses; they trigger old memories and can […]
Four days ago and in honor of the shortest day of the year, the Jerusalem Municipality covered the lights illuminating the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City with green filters–with the result that as we are writing this, the walls are glowing green against the night. Why green? Apparently this special lighting, which was inaugurated […]
The other evening we were chatting with a friend from Hebrew Union College, which is located in the heart of Jerusalem’s city center. She told us that the HUC students have taken the initiative to stop using disposable coffee cups and cutlery, in an effort to make their daily meals and beverages more eco-friendly.
Haaretz reported today that the tender for building a massive solar power plant in the Negev will not be given preference to Israeli companies. The article explains that, “The decision was made, among other things, to avoid the impression that the tender was written for the benefit of the only two Israeli companies who could […]
“Mending” is the theme of environmental sculptor Dani Karavan, whose massive works can be found from the barren deserts of the Negev all the way to gay Paris. And when he says mending, Karavan implies the mending of animals, plants, society and the near and far environments. Celebrating the artist’s 77th birthday is a Dani […]
Ancient historians have described the export of ointments from the Judean Desert throughout the Roman empire and beyond, at least until the 2nd century BCE. Now the modern company, Herbs of Kedem, has revived the historical use of these herbs for medicinal uses. Amazed by their extraordinary success, researchers at Rambam hospital in Haifa have […]
A day out at the IKEA store in Netanya is a national pastime in Israel. While we don’t mind an outing once and a while to the superstore, we’re cautious about buying furnishings from there. Firstly for the quality issue and secondly because the business shuts out our smaller home furnishing stores in Israel.Big box […]
(A photo from one of Dani Machlis’s online galleries) In Israel, space is limited, but it doesn’t have to limiting. Take for example Dani Machlis from Be’er Sheva. The photographer recently discovered that owning his own gallery wouldn’t cost a fortune if he built it into his own living room. Repurposing space in the home […]