What will you be driving in 2010? A Sneak Peek
Posted on May 13, 2008 • By Rebecca Markowitz
Category: Environment, Social, Technology | Leave a Comment
If you answered “One of the two yellow Hummers in Israel”, you may not really be interested in the rest of this post. For the rest of us, we could end up driving electric cars within the next 2 years, thanks to Shai Agassi and Renault. The latest model has been spotted circling around parking lots in Tel Aviv. I wonder who the lucky guy/gal is that gets to test it and is forced to drive around in circles all day. Weee!
While I admit that this is no flying car, the electric car will create cleaner air and lower our dependency on fossil fuels, a good thing considering the only oil Israel has is olive oil and it’s too tasty to be wasted on transportation.
Newsweek explains that 150 recharging stations aka ’swaps’ will be built around Israel and will take the same amount of time to fill up as a traditional gas pump. You’ll also be able to recharge at home or the office for shorter distances. Drivers can pay for the recharging with monthly subscriptions, similar to a cellphone plan, and it should end up being cheaper than gas.
When these guilt-free and cheaper fueling electric cars become available to the public, I will definitely want one. But I ain’t getting on the roads until the national aggression level in Israeli drivers is lowered significantly. Where is Project Better Drivers? That is the real question here.
Shai Agassi, of Project Better Place, is speaking at the President’s Conference in Jerusalem this week, so hopefully we’ll learn of the latest status of the project and report it here on israelplug.
Celebrating Israel’s 60th with Videos, Websites, Blogs, Birthday Cards, Conferences, Snacks, and more
Posted on May 5, 2008 • By Rebecca Markowitz
Category: Art and Culture, Multimedia, Social media | 2 Comments
Dear Israel,
I know we have neglected you a bit on our site in the past few months, but this birthday has put our priorities back in focus. As I get alerts and updates on all of the celebrations in your honor, I get that warm fuzzy feeling about how special it is to live here (despite the wacked out taxi drivers and funny hours at the post office).
As a mini-present (and it’s the thought that counts, right? we’re done with the buying each other things stage I hope), I’ve compiled a list of as many websites, videos, blogs, conferences, snacks (?!), etc. that I could possibly find that are dedicated in entirety to you, your innovations, your accomplishments, and your commitment to being an open home to the Jewish people. (cheesy enough? stole it from another Hallmark card I saw in the Israel birthday card store)
Thanks for making us proud and Happy b-day from israelplug! Read more»
Superstar Bloggers in Israel - the best PR Israel could ever get
Posted on April 15, 2008 • By Rebecca Markowitz
Category: Social media | 1 Comment
There are at least 13 bloggers in Israel right this minute that are unbelievably influential and major celebrities to those with Internet Addiction Disorder. Unfortunately, It wasn’t easy finding info about these tours but thankfully someone dropped a few hints my way. This is a shame, considering these visits should be promoted like a… fill in your own analogy. Rebecca the gumshoe to the rescue. Read more»
Pulp Fiction meets McDonald’s meets schwarma
Posted on April 6, 2008 • By Miriam Schwab
Category: Art and Culture | 2 Comments
Maybe you’ve seen this McDonald’s commercial, but it’s really cute so I thought I’d post it for those of you who might have missed it.
In this commercial, fake John Travolta and fake Samuel L. Jackson (who are very good) remake the famous scene in Pulp Fiction where they discuss the different names for Big Macs all over the world. In this version, fake John tells fake Sam that the pita bread with turkey meat in it is called a McSchwarma in Israel, but the best part is when he tells fake Sam how Israelis ask for it. Very cute. Read more»
It seems Israel’s starting to get social media with new videos on YouTube!
Posted on March 27, 2008 • By Miriam Schwab
Category: Social media | 2 Comments
As many of us are aware, a large portion of the battle for Israel’s right to exist and be secure plays out in the media. Until a few years ago, the main battle field was on TV: CNN, Sky, and our biggest fans: BBC; and in the papers: New York Times, Washington Post, and our biggest fans: The Guardian. (Oh, those Brits. I know we’re fabulous, but they really should try to tone down their love for us.)
Now, the battle takes place on the web. Thousands of blogs are pro Israel, tens of thousands think Israel is the cause of the all of the world’s ills, and the fight goes on. Social media has added to the fun, with facebook becoming a shooting range for those who think people who live in Judea and Samaria (also known as the West Bank) are Israelis, while facebook insisted they were Palestinians. Yet Israel’s official stance in these arenas has been silent. Until now. Read more»
Disappearance of Bishop Tutu
Posted on March 24, 2008 • By Miriam Schwab
Category: Social | Leave a Comment
The following is an open letter to Bishop Desmond Tutu from Simon Deng, a native of the Shiluk Kingdom in southern Sudan, and an escaped jihad slave and a leading human rights activist. In this article, Deng asks Bishop Tutu why he is so intent on criticizing Israel as an apartheid state, when Israel is so obviously not the same as South African was, and while so many people around the world truly in need of help are being ignored.
Deng is an activist who fights to stop slavery, and has spoken on the topic around the world. More links on the topic are at the end of this article. Read more»
Tel Aviv Eateries “on a roll”: 100th sushi restaurant opened
Posted on February 10, 2008 • By Jon Bartov
Category: Art and Culture | Leave a Comment
Tel Aviv celebrated the opening of its 100th sushi restaurant, and thus became the third largest sushi market in the world (in per capita terms) behind New York and Tokyo. Thus, Ben Gurion’s dream of a cultural melting pot has been replaced with a sushi platter of trendy, cultural diversity. Not to worry, an Israeli influence can still be felt, as approximately 20% of said restaurants are kosher.
Tel Aviv isn’t alone: new sushi restaurants can be seen sprouting up everywhere around Israel, from the Golan Heights to Eilat. With Japanese cuisine constituting the fastest growing sector, more and more people are moving the gefilte fish aside for some savory hosomaki.
Looking for a good place to eat?
Feeling adventurous? Here’s a little sushi DIY:
Yad Ezra VeShulamit give thousands of blankets and heaters during Israeli cold spell
Posted on February 7, 2008 • By Miriam Schwab
Category: Non-profit | Leave a Comment
Yad Ezra veShulamit is an Israeli charity organization that helps thousands of needy families throughout Israel. During the recent cold spell that hit Israel, Yad Ezra veShulamit distributed thousands of blankets and heaters to keep those in need warm. They caught this effort on camera, and posted it on YouTube, which is an impressive move to use social media by a non-profit (although they should have put their site URL in the video’s description on YouTube and throughout the movie; but at least it’s a start!)
Israeli duo come out “on top” down under with Australian Open tennis win
Posted on February 7, 2008 • By Jon Bartov
Category: Art and Culture | Leave a Comment
Israel’s top tennis pair made history this weekend, winning the Australian Open doubles title and becoming the first Israeli pair ever to win a Grand Slam event. The Australian Open is one of four major tennis tournaments that take place during the year, and Israeli duo Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich came out “on top” down under, thanks to inspired play which included not losing one set! In addition to a check of 400 thousand dollars, their efforts awarded them national admiration, including a phone call from Israel’s prime minister, Ehud Olmert.
A bit of background on Andy and Yoni
“We really have to thank the great Israeli crowd,” Erlich said of the Israeli fans that made the long trip to Australia to cheer them on. The win was a long time coming for the duo, which several times has gotten close to a coveted Grand Slam title, always coming up just short. Starting off the tennis season in such great form, as well as the relief of finally “getting the monkey off their back,” the Israeli pair is in a good situation to repeat their historic win during this year.
Follow all Israeli tennis results
Cisco CEO John Chambers speaks highly of Israel
Posted on February 7, 2008 • By Jon Bartov
Category: Business | Leave a Comment
John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems, likes Israel. He even said so at President Simon Peres’ special-invite-only business dinner with Israel’s hi-tech leaders.
“Venture capital is not about money, it’s about expertise,” he said, referring to Israel’s strength as an innovator.
“We’re deeply committed to Israel and intend to expand,” Chambers said adding that he was “very satisfied” with his company’s activities in Israel.
Cisco Systems Inc (Nasdaq: CSCO) with a market capital of $145 billion, is the world’s premier networking company and is responsible for many innovations, particularly in the world of Web 2.0. Cisco has acquired nine Israeli companies, and it seems he may be doing some shopping on this trip as well:
“I’m going to continue to acquire companies here,” Chambers said, noting Cisco has bought more companies in Israel than in any other location other than the United States. “I think you are going to continue to see us being very proactive in this country. We see a lot of innovation occurring here across everything.”
Chambers has been pretty busy during his trip in Israel. In addition to the dinner, he has unveiled two community projects (with a total investment of 2.5 million dollars) which use technology to advance the peace process and help underprivileged youth.
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