Archive | 2012 | August | 05

Mazel tov!

Six months after very quietly debuting wedding bands at the 2012 Oscars, Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied exchanged marital vows in a Jewish ceremony at a private home near Big Sur, Calif., Us Weekly can exclusively confirm. The 8pm wedding took place beneath a chuppah–and in the dark! No other details were immediately available.

The Oscar-winning actress, 31, and French-born dancer-choreographer Millepied, 35, are parents to a 13-month-old son, Aleph.

After meeting on the set of 2010′s Black Swan (Millepied was choreographer and had a small role in the film that won Portman a Best Actress Oscar), the stunning couple announced their engagement and pregnancy in December 2010. (A set source told Us it was “seductive to watch” to couple fall fall for one another . . . There was no way the attraction could be missed.)

During her acceptance speech in February 2011, an emotional Portman called Millepied “my beautiful love,” and thanked him for giving her “the most important role of my life [motherhood].” Aleph was born that June.

It’s time for Beauty City TLV 2012, where acclaimed beauty products like Ahava, L’Oreal Paris, Lancome, and DKNY are presented in a glamorous beauty fair. Model and FashionTV presenter Viki Makrianis gives us an indepth look at what’s going on at the fair. Hairstylists, makeup artists, celebrities, and models are on hand for the big event. During the event, there’s a fashion show complete with black dominating looks, ruffled dresses, lace, studs, and a performance by Noa Tishby.

Appearances: Viki Makrianis, Yaara Benbenishty (Model), Shelly Gafni (Model), Liraz Dror (Model), Noa Tishby

Alex Shatilov failed to win an Olympic medal on Sunday, finishing the men’s floor exercise in sixth place.

The 25-year-old, who placed 12th in the men’s all around on Thursday, received 15.333 points, a drop from his 15.600 result in the same discipline on Thursday.

The competition was a tough one, with high marks given to all the participants, especially the first three competitors. Kai Zou of China won the gold with 15.933 points. Second and third place were both awarded 15.800 points.

Lee Korzits lost valuable points on Sunday, but is still tied for second overall in the Olympic windsurfing standings.

Korzits entered the day in second place overall, and managed to keep that place after the ninth race. She finished the 10th race — the last before the double-point “medal race” — in 11th place.

Israel’s windsurfer is now 14 points behind Marina Alabau of Spain, tied for second with Olha Maslivets of Ukraine, one point above fourth place.

On Tuesday the reigning world champion will try to win her first Olympic medal, and Israel’s first at the London Games.

Seven Israeli athletes in all were competing on Sunday, including synchronized swimmers and sailors.

Source: Times of Israel

Bloomberg news agency says explorations under Mediterranean Sea have uncovered $240 billion worth of gas, which is far more than can ever be used in Israel

Gas exploration companies Noble Energy Inc., Delek Group Ltd. and others have discovered enough natural gas to supply Israel’s domestic needs for the next 150 years, an investigative report published by Bloomberg news agency claimed on Saturday.

“The gas would be worth about $240 billion, equal to Israel’s annual economic output, based on today’s prices in the UK,” the report claimed.

The report described Israel’s ongoing debate over how to manage the gas discoveries. While many in Israel are lobbying to prevent exports and instead store gas reservoirs for times of need, others have called to make quick profits from gas exports by pipeline or ship.

The report quotes Nick Maden, a senior vice president for international exploration at Statoil ASA as saying that he “would be surprised if some of the gas in Israel isn’t stranded,” as there has been “more gas discovered than you can commercialize.”

Noble Chief Executive Officer Charles Davidson was also quoted in the report as saying during a May conference that the company has found “far more natural gas that can ever be used in Israel.”

Bloomberg also pointed to several strategic challenges that Israel faces in its gas fields, including security threats that deter prospective investors and territorial disputes with Lebanon.

Source: Ynetnews.com

By David Caspi

Showtime Teases “Homeland” Season 2, Shot in Israel

Cable TV network Showtime has posted several short clips on YouTube teasing season 2 of its Golden Globe winning suspense drama “Homeland”. Most clips available now online feature cast and crew on set in Tel Aviv and Jaffa, as they are filming large portions of the new season’s first two episodes in the holy land almost three months ago.

The clips, presented by actor Navid Negahban, who plays CIA number-one Al-Qaeda target Abu Nazir, shows lead actors Claire Danes & Mandy Patinkin in character, as they shoot action scenes around Tel Aviv. Shooting in Israel also took place in Haifa, Nazareth and Ben Gurion Airport.

Earlier this week, while speaking at the Television Critics Association summer press tour event at the Beverly Hilton, executive producer Howard Gordon explained that the plot on paper takes place in Beirut Lebanon but it was an easy decision to have Tel Aviv double it. “Not only do we have these exotic and wonderful locations, which really do a remarkable proxy for Beirut because, when you think about it, it’s only a couple hundred miles away”, he told American reporters, “we have this tremendous production value for a great value because we had amazing professionals and we took a bunch of our key people over there”.

“Homeland”, nominated in 9 categories including Outstanding Drama Series at the upcoming Emmys, is of course based on Israeli show “Prisoners of War”, which is now available in North America via on-demand TV streaming website Hulu. Season 2 of “Homeland” premieres September 30 on Showtime.

Source: Algemeiner

Tel Aviv becomes third international destination for legendary Chicago concert

One of the US’s biggest music festivals announced Saturday it would be adding Tel Aviv to its small repertoire of international stops.

The Lollapalooza festival, helmed by former Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, who is Jewish, will be bringing together 50 bands for three days of shows to Tel Aviv next year, organizers said Saturday,

“Lollapalooza began as music’s premier traveling festival,” Farrell said in a statement. “As a musician, I really missed the days when we were on the move. In the last few years we’ve widened our scope, presenting Lolla to the ‘festival generation’ around the world. Next stop – Tel Aviv.”

Organizers say the festival will be the first major international festival to visit Israel. It will take place August 20-23, 2013.

“Consumers have a voracious appetite for entertainment, yet there has never been a major music festival. To me, this combination screams Lollapalooza,” said Marc Geiger of WME Entertainment, a partner of Lollapalooza, LLC, in a statement.

Started as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction, the festival became a permanent fixture on the Chicago music scene in 2005. In 2011 it expanded to Santiago, Chile, and earlier this year to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The lineup for the show, which will take place at Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park, where most international acts play, hasn’t yet been announced. In bringing in artists, organizers will be up against a campaign for artists to boycott Israel that has seen a number of recent successes, including Elvis Costello and Cat Power.

Since leaving grunge band Jane’s Addiction, Farrell has embarked on a number of projects, many with Jewish themes. Hist first solo album “Songs Yet To Be Sung,” was based on kabbalist teachings, and he often plays as DJ Peretz.

In 2006, Farrell put on Purimpalooza for the Jewish holiday, bringing a number of Jewish acts, including Matisyahu, to San Francisco.

Source: Times od Israel

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