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After a three-year break, Debate for Peace made a highly anticipated return to Yale Model United Nations (YMUN), taking part in the 52nd edition of this prestigious global conference. The Israeli delegation—comprising seven accomplished students from six schools and cities across Israel—spent an inspiring week in New York City and New Haven, CT engaging in diplomacy, cultural exploration, and rigorous MUN competition.
The experience began with three days of visits to missions to the United Nations, where students met with diplomats from the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica, Austria, and the United States. These briefings gave delegates firsthand insight into how global representatives negotiate, advocate, and collaborate on critical international issues. Additionally, the group talked with Professor Mehnaz Afridi, Director of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan College.
A standout feature of this year’s trip was the warm welcome from the Park Avenue Synagogue community. Delegates were hosted by local families and participated in evening panels and workshops with synagogue youth groups at Park Avenue Synagogue and nearby Central Synagogue. The delegation also engaged in interfaith dialogue with Sheikh Musa Drammeh and joined a peacebuilding simulation organized by the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace and the Women’s Federation for World Peace—highlighting an emphasis on cross-cultural understanding and cooperative problem-solving.
Beyond diplomatic and educational activities, the students explored iconic New York City landmarks—from the 9/11 Memorial and Times Square to Roosevelt Island and the Staten Island Ferry.
At the heart of the visit was the Yale MUN conference itself, where nearly 2,000 students participated in 50 simultaneous committees. The Debate for Peace delegates took on roles in diverse committee topics, such as Jumanji, Money Heist, and the Yellowstone Explosion, pushing their research, negotiation, and public speaking skills to new heights. Among their achievements, Naomi Gildor earned an award for Best Position Paper as well as Best Delegate in the Blackfyre Crisis committee—a notable recognition of her exceptional preparation and performance.
In addition to committee sessions, the team took part in a peacebuilding simulation led by Yale’s International Leadership Center and shared a Shabbat lunch at Yale’s Slifka Center for Jewish Life, enriching their understanding of both global diplomacy and cultural tradition. The group left a lasting impression on all who met them, as highlighted by quotes from several of the youth educators who engaged with the students in NYC: “hearing from your group was a great way for our students to actually understand more about the reality (of diverse teens growing up in Israel)” - Noa Shaul, Assistant Director, Congregational School at Park Avenue Synagogue; “we cannot thank you all enough for sharing your incredible teens with us. Their maturity and thoughtfulness were inspiring to us and the 8th and 9th graders alike. Keep up the incredible work--they are exactly what this world needs” - Eve Morin, Assistant Director of the LCLJ at Central Synagogue.
Debate for Peace expresses deep appreciation to the YMUN organizers for supporting their participation and to the Park Avenue synagogue community for hosting the students.
Photo credits: Hala Abusaris
Steven Aiello Director, Debate for Peace
Visit our website: http://debateforpeace.org/
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- Written by Silvia Golan
.Dozens of world leaders, diplomats, and heads of Jewish communities will arrive via an "airlift" for the second international conference led by Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli.
JERUSALEM – Prime ministers, ministers, and lawmakers from around the globe will land in Israel next week for the "Generation Truth" conference. The summit, scheduled for January 26-27, coincides with International Holocaust Remembrance Day and is part of a strategic government decision to lead a global, open, and unapologetic fight against antisemitism.
The conference will feature a state gala attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a day of high-level discussions with President Isaac Herzog, and a special parliamentary session at the Knesset hosted by Speaker Amir Ohana.
Summit Highlights
Monday, Jan 26 (Morning) – Knesset Session: Minister Chikli and Speaker Amir Ohana will host parliamentarians from over 15 countries, including Austria, France, Brazil, and the USA. Discussions will focus on legislation, Holocaust education, and countering foreign political interference.
Monday, Jan 26 (Evening) – State Gala: Held at the International Convention Center with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The "Government of Israel Award for Combating Antisemitism" will be presented to Leo Terrell, head of the Trump administration's antisemitism task force. A special tribute will honor the memory of the late Charlie Kirk, presented to his personal pastor, Rob McCoy.
Tuesday, Jan 27 – Main Conference: On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, President Isaac Herzog will address the summit. Sessions will provide operational tools to combat three pillars of modern antisemitism: Violent Islamist Antisemitism, Progressive Antisemitism (delegitimization of Israel), and Far-Right Antisemitism.
A Dire Global Reality
The summit convenes against a backdrop of unprecedented violence. In 2025 alone, 20 people were murdered in antisemitic terrorist attacks, including a mass casualty event during a Hanukkah celebration in Australia. Additionally, Diaspora Affairs Ministry data reveals that 78% of Jewish students on global campuses have felt the need to hide their identity.
The Ministry has responded by launching a national command center to monitor incitement, training global police forces, and promoting regulations against international organizations linked to terror groups.
Advance registration is required
More info
The Government of Israel will present its annual Award of Honor for the Fight Against Antisemitism to Senior Counsel Leo Terrell, Chair of the U.S. Department of Justice Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. In addition, a special Award of Honor in memory of the late Charlie Kirk will be presented to his personal pastor, Rob McCoy, in recognition of his principled and courageous stand for truth, Israel, and the fight against antisemitism.
Both awards will be presented at a special gala on Monday, January 26, at the Jerusalem International Convention Center (Binyanei HaUma), by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli.
The gala will inaugurate the Second International Conference on Combating Antisemitism, titled “Generation of Truth,” initiated by Minister Chikli and taking place January 26–27, 2026, in Jerusalem, ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The conference will bring together senior Israeli political leaders and dozens of international participants.
Since October 7, the Trump administration has taken a firm and consistent stance against antisemitism and in support of Israel’s right to defend itself. Senior Counsel Terrell is being honored for his determined and sustained efforts to confront the growing wave of antisemitism in the United States, particularly on university campuses. In his role as head of the Department of Justice Antisemitism Task Force, he has worked tirelessly to hold academic institutions and their leadership accountable when they have failed to adequately address antisemitism within their communities and spaces.
“Senior Counsel Terrell’s leadership and moral clarity have produced tangible, on-the-ground impact and earned him broad recognition among Jewish communities, elected officials, and public figures in the United States and around the world,” said Minister Chikli. “This award honors those who refuse to remain silent and who choose to stand with the Jewish people, with Israel, and with truth.”
Charlie Kirk was a prominent voice in the global fight against antisemitism and a steadfast supporter of Israel. Through his leadership of Turning Point USA and his public advocacy, he spoke out forcefully against antisemitic rhetoric and actions and consistently challenged efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel. The award presented to Pastor Rob McCoy honors Kirk’s enduring legacy and his unwavering commitment to standing with the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
The conference will feature plenary sessions, panel discussions, and closed-door forums aimed at developing tools and strengthening international cooperation to combat antisemitism. It will focus on three central manifestations of contemporary antisemitism:
1) Violent Islamist antisemitism;
2) Progressive antisemitism that employs human-rights language to delegitimize Israel and exclude Jews from public life; and
3) far-right antisemitism, which has intensified and gained renewed legitimacy in recent years.
Confirmed international participants include Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania; Sebastian Kurz, former Chancellor of Austria; Scott Morrison, former Prime Minister of Australia; Mariano Cúneo Libarona, Minister of Justice of Argentina; Flávio Bolsonaro, Brazilian senator and presidential candidate; and Eduardo Bolsonaro, member of Brazil’s Congress, alongside senior representatives from Europe, Latin America, and North America. Participating countries include Albania, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States
Minister Chikli added:
“Over the past year, antisemitism has crossed a red line, with Jews murdered around the world simply for being Jewish. This conference aims to build an international coalition that understands antisemitism is a murderous ideology threatening the entire free world. It is time to move from defense to offense.”
https://generationtruth.co.il/
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- Written by Silvia Golan & Stephen Abrahams
The Israeli Opera celebrates 40 years of creation with a rich and diverse season centered on seven operatic productions that unite original Israeli creations, international collaborations, top-level Israeli and international artists, and profound artistic vision.
A season that looks back with pride and looks forward with a renewed commitment to artistic creation at the highest level.
And with a significant cultural discourse, created from an Israeli perspective and part of the international opera scene.
Its programming includes: Dido Aeneas, Iolanta, The Dybbuk, The Magic Flute, Salome, Nabucco, and Tosca.
A season that looks back with pride and looks forward with a renewed commitment to artistic creation at the highest level.
And with a significant cultural discourse, created from an Israeli perspective and part of the international opera scene.
Its programming includes: Dido Aeneas, Iolanta, The Dybbuk, The Magic Flute, Salome, Nabucco, and Tosca.
Tali Barash-Gottlieb, General Director of the Israel Opera:
"It is a great thrill to inaugurate a season that will celebrate Israeli opera and a wonderful opportunity to thank the artists, the creators, the wonderful backstage team, and the audiences who lovingly accompany us. For four decades, we have walked together on a path of unwavering artistic excellence, international activity, the development of young artists, and original Israeli creation. And this is just the beginning!
At a time when Nechama seems to be more active, we have decided to celebrate its 40th anniversary with various social, educational, and community initiatives across the country, which will give the season a new dimension of meaning." Israel Opera Season Opening Video | 40th Season
https://youtu.be/5Lqx96OpeCc?
The 40th Season reflects this trajectory: a season filled with Israeli talents who have grown up in opera and who collaborate with world-class artists, directors, and conductors.
The Israel Opera considers education, community, and shared art as integral parts of its cultural mission. In its 40th anniversary, it will expand its educational and social activities, open its doors to new audiences, and continue to foster the training of the next generation of opera artists in Israel.
The 40th Season will open in November 2025 and will include seven spectacular productions:
The Israel Opera is proud to open its 40th season with a magnificent production of Henry Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas," the first opera presented at the Israel Opera since its founding in 1985, conducted by Hanan Snir.
Now, four decades later, it returns to the stage in a world premiere directed and designed by Stefano Poda (Russell, Faust, The Tales of Hoffmann), who creates a visual world richly inspired by Greek mythology and blending Baroque and Gothic styles. Directed by Stefano Poda | Directed by Gerd Amlung
"Dido and Aeneas" tells the story of the Queen of Carthage, who falls in love with the Trojan hero Aeneas, but is forced to confront dark forces seeking to separate them.
In Purcell's hands, the mythological story has become a fierce struggle between good and evil, between the power of love and the angels of destruction. And as in opera, the expected victory of the hero (Aeneas) is no consolation for the tragic death of the heroine (Dido). Purcell's moving and precise music is considered one of the cornerstones of English opera, headlined by Dido's immortal lament, "Earth," in "When I Lie."
The production celebrates the wonderful talents that have emerged in Israeli opera in recent years, and all its soloists are graduates of the Israel Opera's Meitar Opera Studio.
Featuring the Barracuda Orchestra and the Israel Opera Chorus, conducted by Itai Berkowitz. November 16-28, 2025.
For the first time at Israel Opera: "Iolanta" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Directed by Shirit Lee Weiss | Directed by Dan Ettinger.
The Israel Opera will present a new original production of "Iolanta," the last opera written by Tchaikovsky, directed by Shirit Lee Weiss (Mothers, Hanoch Levin - The Opera) and conducted by Dan Ettinger, Music Director of the Israel Opera. A team of leading Israeli designers—Adam Keller (set design), Ole Shevchov (costumes), and Nadav Barnea (lighting)—created a world for Iolanta's story that combines a poetic appearance with a deep psychological connotation. The work tells the story of the blind princess Iolanta, who grows up in an isolated castle, while her protective father prevents her from learning the truth about her blindness and from exposing herself to the world.
An unexpected encounter reveals new feelings in her and awakens her longing to discover the truth.
This is a story of innocence, love, and the search for the inner light found within every person. From January 18 to 28, 2026.
World premiere of Yosef Bardanashvili's opera "Dybbuk." Director: Ido Riklin | Director: Dan Ettinger.
Ido Riklin, author of the opera libretto, has created a new version of the story of the impossible love of Leah and Hanan, the heroes of S. An-Sky's classic work. Riklin's heroes struggle between faith and passion, between tradition and personal freedom, and pay with their lives for the society they live in's failure to accept free choice. The music, written by award-winning composer Yosef Bardanashvili, connects Jewish tradition with the complex psychological world of the opera's heroes, moving from moments of joy to the depths of lost souls. The finest soloists in Israeli opera participate in this grand production, with the Opera Orchestra, the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, and the Opera Chorus. February 18-25, 2026
Ido Riklin, author of the opera libretto, has created a new version of the story of the impossible love of Leah and Hanan, the heroes of S. An-Sky's classic work. Riklin's heroes struggle between faith and passion, between tradition and personal freedom, and pay with their lives for the society they live in's failure to accept free choice. The music, written by award-winning composer Yosef Bardanashvili, connects Jewish tradition with the complex psychological world of the opera's heroes, moving from moments of joy to the depths of lost souls. The finest soloists in Israeli opera participate in this grand production, with the Opera Orchestra, the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, and the Opera Chorus. February 18-25, 2026
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "The Magic Flute." What is it about this immortal opera that keeps us coming back to it again and again? Is it the eternal struggle between good and evil? Is it the longing for love that finds its answer at the end of the work? Or its magical imagination and humor? And perhaps it's the ingenious music Mozart created, which captivates children and adults alike? The answer is probably all of these and more, because it seems this masterpiece hides countless layers. In the 40th season, we decided to return to this beloved piece and discover more about the story of Pamina and Tamino, Papageno and Papagena, the Queen of the Night, and Sarastro. "The Magic Flute" has not left opera stages around the world for over 230 years, a testament to the power of a masterpiece to move and touch every person.
Conductor Alexander Joel returns to Israeli opera to lead soloists from Israel and abroad, with the participation of the Rishon LeZion Opera Orchestra, the Israel Symphony Orchestra, and the Israel Opera Chorus. March 13-26, 2026
'Salomé' by Richard Strauss. One of the most daring and powerful operas in the world repertoire returns to Israeli opera stages in the acclaimed version and direction of Itay Tiran and Dan Ettinger. The work, based on the play by Oscar Wilde, is set in Herod's court and centers on Salomé, a young and enigmatic princess who refuses to submit to the laws of the male world and is willing to pay any price for her desire. Itai Tiran and Renana Raz (the production's choreographer) created a world filled with beauty and horror with Strauss's music, a world where sensuality transforms into violence, where Salome cries out to challenge not only the existing order, but also her father, the king.
Yoav Cohen's stunning video work brings the image of the moon to life and makes it an active actor: a red moon that brings destruction.
Featuring soloists from Israel and abroad, and the opera orchestra, the Rishon LeZion Israel Symphony Orchestra. May 6-17, 2026
"Nabucco" by Giuseppe Verdi. Conducted by André Heller-Lopez | Conductor: Maestro Carlo Montanero. It's impossible to celebrate 40 years of an opera house in Israel without Verdi's epic work, nicknamed "the Jewish Opera": the opera that expresses, above all, the Jewish people's eternal longing for their homeland and their inexhaustible hope for freedom.
The Slaves' Song, Pensiero Va, has become a universal prayer for freedom throughout the world. And today, more than ever, this prayer takes on a special meaning. Jewish-Brazilian conductor André Heller-Lopez, creator of several versions of this opera in Europe and Latin America, is coming to the Israel Opera for the first time and, with the staging of Verdi's masterpiece in Israel, also closes a moving personal cycle. Featuring soloists from Israel and abroad, the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, and the opera chorus. June 12-27, 2026
The Israel Opera will conclude its 40th season with a new original production of Tosca, directed by Ido Riklin and Dan Ettinger. Puccini's suspenseful opera brings to life the story of the violent clash between the art world (the opera singer Tosca and her partner, the painter Querdosi) and a representative of a shadowy regime that seeks to silence its opponents while exploiting their power for its own gain. The story, set in the original work in Rome in 1800, remains relevant and universal.
Featuring soloists from Israel and around the world, the opera orchestra (the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion), and the opera choir. July 17-30, 2026
Link for more details and ticket purchase: https://www.israel-
Address: Shaul Hamelech 19, Tel Aviv
Phone: 03-6927700
Phone: 03-6927700
Photos Silvia G. Golan
More pics at Facebook: Israel Diplo / Diplomacy Israel / Silvia G.Golan
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- Written by Silvia Golan
Tel Aviv University Launches International MA in Jewish Studies
A Global, Immersive Academic Experience
Tel Aviv, Israel — Tel Aviv University (TAU) invites students from around the world to apply to its International MA in Jewish Studies, a dynamic program in English offering an in-depth exploration of Jewish civilization from antiquity to the present.
Hosted within the framework of TAU’s Faculty of Humanities and in collaboration with the Lowy International School and the Koret Center for Jewish Civilization the program offers a broad, interdisciplinary curriculum encompassing Biblical studies, Jewish and Semitic languages, and Jewish history as well as Jewish culture, literature and thought.
Classes are taught in English by internationally renowned scholars and are offered on TAU’s vibrant campus, with select hybrid and Zoom-based options.
A distinctive feature of the program is its academic partnership with Goethe University Frankfurt, one of Europe’s leading centers for religious studies and Jewish history, culture, and thought. Through this collaborative partnership, students can enroll in English-language courses offered by the Jewish Studies program and the religious studies program at Goethe University, further enhancing the program’s international scope.
Current courses include:
- The Dialogical Turn in Modern Jewish Philosophy— Prof. Christian Wiese & Prof. Menachem Fisch
- The Theology of the Hebrew Bible— Prof. Dalit Rom-Shiloni
- The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Hebrew Bible: Transmission, Interpretation, and Ideology— Prof. Eshbal Ratzon
- The Jewish Magical Tradition: An Introduction— Prof. Gideon Bohak
- Early Modern Ashkenaz: Jewish Thought and Culture in the German Lands– Prof. Maoz Kahana & Prof. Rebekka Voss
- Modern Jewish Politics: Between Power and Powerlessness— Prof. Scott Ury
- Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews in Cross-Cultural Settings: Past and Present— Dr. Noah Gerber
“Through a wide range of courses on various aspects of Jewish studies, TAU’s MA program in Jewish Studies offers students the opportunity to study with leading scholars from TAU and Goethe University Frankfurt alongside a dynamic cohort of international students from Israel, Germany, and a number of other countries.”
Prof. Scott Ury, Academic Director, International MA in Jewish Studies, Dept. of Jewish History, TAU.
In addition to academic studies, students may enroll in intensive Hebrew language courses, participate in TAU’s Yiddish Summer Program, and take a wide range of additional courses on TAU’s campus offered in English and, for those with sufficient proficiency, in Hebrew.
TAU’s International MA in Jewish Studies provides students with a unique opportunity to engage directly with Israeli society, gaining critical insight into the historical, cultural, and political background of Israel as well as the crises currently facing the broader region.
As Alena R., a visiting MA Student from Goethe University notes:
“Studying in Tel Aviv is a great opportunity, because it allows for multiple ways of personal and academic growth: Experiencing living Israeli and Jewish culture, learning Hebrew, attending English seminars and getting research insights to current research by attending colloquia. The classes are diverse and interesting, and the teachers are dedicated, open, and supportive.
The program is open to students holding a BA in the Humanities, and in certain cases BA degrees in the Social Sciences or other fields. It is well-suited for those planning to pursue doctoral studies in related fields, careers in education, journalism or politics, or those who wish to work in non-profit or cultural organizations.
The MA can be completed in three to four semesters. Students can integrate some Zoom-based courses and intensive summer courses at TAU as well as several Zoom courses through Goethe University Frankfurt into their program of study. TAU also offers opportunities for student exchange with Goethe University that allow students to spend a semester at our partner university in Frankfurt.
A limited number of scholarships are available for students enrolling in the Spring Semester, March 15, 2026-June 30, 2026.
For more information about the program, admissions and the application process, please visit the Jewish Studies program website or contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Image caption: The entrance to Tel Aviv University.
Credit: Tel Aviv University.
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- Written by Silvia Golan
Israel Canada Fashion Week Tel Aviv 2025, Opens in a new space at the Kreminizki Complex.
TLV Israel | October 26-30, 2025.
TLV Israel | October 26-30, 2025.
This year is the 15th that FWTA will take place , and we are excited to announce a new venue - the Israel Canada Kremeniski Complex - with Israel Canada as the official main sponsor.
The event, initiated and produced by fashion entrepreneur Motty Reif, will showcase the very best of Israeli fashion, culture, and creativity.
Barak Rosen, CEO and Co-Owner of Israel Canada, commented:
"This year, we chose to sponsor Fashion Week Tel Aviv 2025, in conjunction with our new joint project with Check Point. The connection between fashion, culture, and innovation reflects our vision of leading advanced urban experiences while bridging city life and local creativity".
A global call for solidarity and support. This year’s edition places a strong emphasis on reaching out to Jewish and Israeli communities worldwide, encouraging them to support Israeli designers and local creation. The initiative underscores resilience in the face of economic, cultural, and security challenges.
Commitment to diversity and sustainability. As in previous years, Fashion Week will continue to highlight sustainability, inclusivity, and a redefined beauty ideal that embraces diversity and equality while serving as a source of inspiration.
Opening Gala & Lifetime Achievement Award
The opening gala, set for October 26, will feature a fashion showcase inspired by Israeli culture and will honor legendary fashion photographer Ben Lam with a Lifetime Achievement Award. With a career spanning more than four decades, Lam has shaped and documented Israel’s fashion landscape, capturing iconic moments and influencing aesthetics both locally and internationally.
New Venue, New Vision
After a two-year break, Tel Aviv Fashion Week returns with a fresh vision at the Israel Canada Kremeniski Complex, developed in partnership with Check Point. The site will host in the future innovative technology campus alongside modern residences and retail spaces, positioning it as a central hub of innovation, business, and urban life in Israel.
This collaboration symbolizes a shared vision of creating a new urban icon in Tel Aviv, blending technology, design, and contemporary living.
Participating Designers
The 2025 edition will feature 28 spectacular runway shows from Israel’s leading fashion designers, alongside the debut of internationally acclaimed Israeli designer Kobi Halperin.
Designers include:
Vivi Bellaish, Alon Livne, Hagar Alembik for “Alembika,” Tovale, Yanky & Nataf, Shai Shalom, Shahar Avnet, David Weksler, Mother of All (Golan Taub & Noa Pasternak), Shenkar Fashion Department, Genish, Shani Shemer, Kianne Frankfurt, Alma Spiegler, Yuval Elroy (OUTRE), Klil Dekel, Noam Maayan (PATTERN), Omer Michaeli, Liel Yamin, Yaron Minkowski, Idan Laros, Inspiration day , Roz, Elky Katz, People Studio x Hili Ari, Liron Goshen-Armand, Yuval Caspit for Terminal X, JORD-I, Chana Marelus, and more.
Leadership Team
* Founder & Producer: Motty Reif, Reif Entertainment.
* Executive Producer: Daniela Bassal Landa.
* Creative Director: Sharona Bond.
* Runway Director: Nimrod Peled.
* Main Sponsor: Israel Canada
Motty Reif stated:
"I am proud and excited to bring back Israel Canada Fashion Week Tel Aviv 2025, especially now, when we all need hope and creative spirit. It is a moral duty to provide a worthy stage for Israeli design that touches our souls, our economy, and our society".
He added:
"This partnership with Israel Canada goes far beyond sponsorship - it represents shared values, belief in local culture, and a desire to empower Israeli creativity. Israel Canada Fashion Week 2025 will stand as a symbol of the power of culture, a moment of unity, initiative, and Israeli artistry".
Event Information
* Dates: October 26-30, 2025
* Location: Israel Canada Kremeniski Complex, Tel Aviv
Tickets Available at: https://fashionweektelaviv.
