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- Written by KKL
Aerial map of Rosh Tzippor, which looks like a bird's head. Photo: Yoav Devir
On December 18th, a ceremony was held to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone for the new Rosh Tzippor bird-watching center to be established in the forest with the support of the Besen Family Foundation and Friends of JNF Australia. Among those present were KKL-JNF officials, the Mayor of Tel Aviv, the Australian Ambassador to Israel and relatives of the donors.
"Residents of central Israel deserve to have a green area that will be accessible to everyone. The bird-watching center will add another natural gem to Yarkon Park," said KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler at the ceremony. In his speech he recalled the task that JNF Australia had taken upon themselves in the wake of the Maccabiah disaster: to work for the rehabilitation of the Yarkon River. "In those most difficult times the community displayed exceptional generosity of spirit," said the world chairman.
KKL-JNF began to plant the Rosh Tzippor (Hebrew for bird's head) Forest in the 1950s, and work still continues there today. The first trees to be planted were eucalypti, themselves natives of Australia. In recent years, however, local varieties such as Tabor oak, Judas trees and two species of mastic tree have been added to the mix.
Aerial map of Rosh Tzippor, which looks like a bird's head. Photo: Yoav Devir
The forest has dense undergrowth and it is home to a variety of songbirds and waterfowl. These, however, are not the source of its name, which derives instead from the shape of the forest: when viewed from the air it has the appearance of a bird's head with an eye in the appropriate spot.
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, a former pilot and commander in the Israeli Air Force, is probably long familiar with the landscape of the park as seen from above. In his present capacity as mayor, he is well aware of the park's special importance to the residents of his city. "This park is a miracle, a green oasis surrounded by fast highways and urban development," he told those present at the ceremony.
The mayor added that the site is one of the most frequently visited in the country. And, indeed, on a weekday morning the park is thronged with people: cyclists, joggers, groups of schoolchildren, courting couples and parents with baby buggies.
The park is crisscrossed by a number of walking routes, cycle paths and jogging trails. The easier footpaths are suitable for family outings and accessible to people with disabilities; children will enjoy the zip lines, rope bridges, roundabouts, seesaws and wooden climbing equipment in the adventure playground.
Other places to visit in Rosh Tzippor Forest include the historic Seven Mills (Sheva Tahanot) site, where water mills constructed along the banks of the Yarkon River in the 19th century remained in use until around a hundred years ago. On Napoleon Hill the remains of settlements dating back thousands of years can be seen.
Right: Eva & Marc Besen, Efi Stenzler, and H.E. Dave Sharma sign the document to be placed in the cornerstone. Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive.
Left: Birds on the Yarkon River. Photo: Yoav Devir
Australian Ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma said that on his travels around the country he had been greatly impressed by everything Israel has managed to achieve in such a short time against all the odds. "Thanks to the active Zionist Jewish community of Australia and its collaboration with KKL-JNF, we have had the privilege of taking part in the building of the State," he added.
The main contribution towards the establishment of the bird-watching center was donated by the Besen Family Foundation of Melbourne, and over thirty members of the family took part in the ceremony. Foremost among them were Marc Besen, who celebrated his 90th birthday in the course of the visit, and his wife Eva.
"Our family has grown since our last visit to Israel, and the State, too, has grown and developed," said Mr. Besen. "We are very happy to be here playing a modest role in making the region green and contributing in a small way towards the growth of the State of Israel as a whole."
Australian donors Geoffrey and Velmae Morris of Perth were likewise present at the ceremony. "I learned from my father that Israel is our native land and our second home, and everything we can do for the State brings us great happiness," said Geoffrey Morris. "I regard the rehabilitation of the Yarkon River as a particularly important project, and, of course, developing nature tourism in Israel is vital, too."
The list of Australian donors who contributed to the establishment of the bird-watching center includes the Ferster and Schaffer families, the estate of Stephen and Rita Gerstl, Sussanne Pinkus and Esta Blashid; an additional donation was made by the Beer-Gabel family of France.
After the speeches were over, all those present made their way to the spot where the foundation stone would be laid. Before the hole was covered up with cement, the participants filled it with documents bearing their signatures in order to mark the establishment of this new site.
Architect Gidon Sarig presented the plans for the bird-watching center, Dr. David Pergament, Director of the Yarkon River Authority, told those present about the park and the rehabilitation of the waterway, and the day's activities concluded with a tour of Yarkon Park in a vehicle resembling a motorized train. Like the residents of Tel Aviv and its surrounds and visitors from all over the country, the Australian guests enjoyed the lake, the tropical garden, the rock garden, the park landscapes and the riverbank scenes.
- Details
- Written by Silvia G Golan
Photo Mayor of Hertzlia City Moshe Fadlon and Mr Sandeep walia
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company L.L.C. opened its first hotel in Israel, the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Hotel on Sunday, December 15, 2013.
This new luxurious hotel that is the firth kosher Ritz-Carlton in the world , has 115 spacious guest rooms and 82 residential apartments, and it is located at Herzliya's Marina.
Distinguished guests were in the opening event included Ofra Strauss, owner of the Strauss Group and his family, Ami Federman, President of the Israel Hotel Association, Stas Misezhikov, former Israel's Minister of Tourism, Ran Rahav, communication and PR figure in Israel.
Photo Ofra Strauss & Gadi Hassin the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Hotel Manager
Mr. Gadi Hassin, the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Hotel Manager said: "We are excited to join the international Ritz- Carlton Hotel Company and proud to launch the first hotel of this network in Israel. The Ritz- Carlton Hotel Company brings to Israel new standards in the field of luxury hotels. Now everything is ready to make the stay of our guests an unforgettable experience, as suitable to the high standard presented by the network and reflected in our request to our guests: "Let us stay with you". Our service enables an extraordinary hospitality that meets the needs of each customer. This is our worldly identification mark, expected by the guests who return to us".
Photo Adi Strauss
Mr. Hervé Humler, President & COO of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, said: "The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is pleased to open its first hotel in Israel, and provide to our guests from the entire world the opportunity to enjoy legendary service and prize-winning hospitality. The hotel location in Herzliya combines the unique possibility of business and pleasure. The sea coast along an established business area will provide our world-wide guests a luxurious and extraordinary experience".
Photo Gil Geva
Accommodation and Services
The Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Hotel with very selected team offers the following accommodation and services:
· 115 spacious guest rooms
· 82 residential apartments
· Spa - joint venture with Shiseido spas
· Fitness centre
· Rooftop pool and bar
· Business and events facilities
· Herbert Samuel Herzliya restaurant - Yonatan Roshfeld offers modern Israeli cuisine in Kosher version. This makes the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Hotel the only one with Kosher cuisine in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.
· Lobby lounge
Address and Communication Means
Address:
The Ritz-Carlton Herzliya Hotel
4 Hashunit St.
Herzliya 46555, Israel
Telephone:
+ 972 9 373 5555
Website:
www.ritzcarlton.com/herzliya
Photos by Silvia G.Golan
- Details
- Written by Silvia Golan
GINDI TLV FASHION WEEK 2014 will take place in the TLV Fashion Mall between the days 9-12 in March 2014. The TLV Fashion Mall belongs to the companies that promote and own the FASHION WEEK: Gindi Investments, Moshe and Yigal Gindi, הריבוע הכחול נדל"ן and Fashion Producer Moti Raif.
GINDI TLV FASHION WEEK 2014 will be supported by public institutions, such as the Israel Institute Export, Manufacturers Association of Israel, Ministry of Tourism and Tel Aviv Municipality.
The FASHION WEEK will count with the participation of 22 leading Israeli fashion designers, who will present the fall and winter 2014-2015 collections and the summer 2014 collection to the major fashion community in Israel.
The FASHION WEEK will also count with the participation, for the first time, of international commercial buyers, who will be exposed to these collections, in order to promote the expansion of the Israeli fashion throughout the International Market.
Manor Gindi, Gindi Investments CEO, said: We are very excited today, and proud to continue this second year with the FASHION WEEK, which provides the Israeli fashion the best and most respectable stage. TLV Fashion Mall is a home for the Israeli fashion industry, and as we invest with great love and faith, so we will bring the most advanced fashion stage, such as did not exist before in Tel Aviv nor Israel.
The building of the TLV Fashion Mall stage is one of our biggest projects, and we are proud to continue and create with imagination, innovation and achievement.
Fashion Producer Moti Raif said: With the announcement of FASHION WEEK: We are more proud this year as ever to continue, create, develop and excite, and to bring the best and most creative fashion of our country to the public of fashion lovers. This year I am particularly glad because the FASHION WEEK will host international buyers, who will give us the opportunity to break our way into the international market.
Moti Raif also added: the production of the FASHION WEEK involved enormous investment, one of the largest at international level. I have no doubts that that we will produce new events of this type and others, of which will inform you in the future. We will present the best of our achievements, and wish a great success to all the participating designers.
Photo Silvia Golan
- Details
- Written by Sunorama
Royal Caribbean International launches Quantum-Class Cruise Ships
Unseen cruise ship design that includes free-flight experience, crushing car games, wheel skating, virtual terraces, and more…
As part of over 40-year heritage of innovation and creative design, Royal Caribbean International is looking forward to launch the Quantum-Class cruise ships, starting with the delivery of its latest ground-breaking ship, Quantum of the Seas, in November 2014, which continues the company’s strategy of developing the next generation of cruise vacations.
These cruise ships will change the rules of the game in cruise ships experiences, including free flight of guests of over 100 meters, the largest onboard sports and entertainment area, with crushing car games, wheel skating, and more. The cruise ships will also include the largest and most advanced onboard cabins. These cabins will provide innovative design, storage and comfort, including the first onboard virtual terraces.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) recently held its third quarter earning call communicating that 2013 Quarter Three results were better than expected, driven by stronger close-in demand and good cost control which more than offset the revenue and cost impacts from Celebrity Millennium's unscheduled drydock. Constant-Currency Net Yield for the third quarter increased 2.6%, which was 110-basis points better than the mid-point of previous guidance. Stronger close-in demand in Europe and Asia, as well as robust onboard revenue drove the revenue improvement. The order book for 2014 remains ahead on both load factor and rate.
Mrs Helen Beck, Regional Director, International Representatives, Europe, Middle East, Africa in conversation about the Israeli market said: “ We are pleased to see an approximately 10% increase year on year for our 2013 sales over 2012 with bookings being split between Europe and the rest of the world including the Caribbean, Alaska and Asia.” She continued: “The forward bookings for 2014 are very positive being currently well ahead of same time last year giving a good indication that the Israeli market is recognising the value of booking earlier to secure the best rates and availability
Uri Schnabel, CEO of Sunorama Tourist Services Ltd, RCCL’s appointed representative for Israel commented: “This is particularly encouraging and important as we are already seeing rates for European cruises increasing steadily due to there being less capacity deployed for the 2014 European season. Equally encouraging is the increasing interest that we are seeing in the Caribbean ships and itineraries throughout the year. The demand from the general public, particularly for Royal Caribbean’s Oasis and Allure of the Seas, remains high as these ships are well-suited to the multi-generational families that we see now travelling from Israel to the US”.
Photo Silvia Golan
