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Post by Leanne on Jun 14, 2011 2:07:00 GMT -5
JERUSALEM -- Syria's seething. Egypt's buckling. Libya's burning. Turkey's juggling immigrants. Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan have their own miseries. And little Israel, the size of New Jersey, is attracting tourism. Seeing what's happening with my own eyes felt like I'd never left home: Israel's airline El Al does bagels for breakfast. Three-thousand years ago King David made Jerusalem the capital. Its King David Hotel, blown up in 1946 then offered by the government to Chicago's Palmer House and DC's Willard Hotel owners for the price of the silver and linen -- but refused -- serves gefilte fish. Its new Mamilla mall, which was No Man's Land area until two years ago, includes Tommy Hilfiger, Crocs, Nautica, Gap, Nine West. We have Rockefeller Center. They have Rockefeller Museum. Their YMCA was built by our Empire State Building architect. A hotel going up will be managed by the Waldorf Astoria. Predating the Bible is its Old Market, along the Via Dolorosa, selling T-shirts that read "Sponge Bob," "Coca-Cola," "Hard Rock Cafe" and "America, don't worry -- Israel is behind you." Near a parked camel? The TV face of Robert Gates on CNN. A 9/11 memorial carved into the Judean Hills lists the names of all 3,000 victims. It was funded by New Yorkers and Israelis. It is a site that attracts tourists. The Dead Sea gets mentioned in the Good Book. Now, along its shore, sits a McDonald's. Thou Shalt Not Miss a Cheeseburger. HERE vacationing together are "Grey's Anatomy" stars Sarah Drew and Kevin McKidd, schlepping through the sights with Zach Levi of NBC-TV's "Chuck." There sits Elie Wiesel breakfasting alone. Yarmulke on his head, newspaper in his hand. Here a New Yorker fan greets me. He's a reader of the column. In the one square mile of the Old City, a busload of tourists from Brazil haggles for souvenirs near the Muslims' revered Dome of the Rock. Visiting Armenians mixing with Coptic Christians between Greek Orthodox pilgrims near locals go to prayer on streets filled with chanting Hasidic Jews in traditional black garb. And nowhere was anyone mentioning Congressman Anthony's Weiner, Kim Kardashian's ring, Oprah's final last day, or Katie's newest first day. It's expensive. Roughly 3½ shekels to the dollar. It's crowded. The world's largest number of foreign news journalists. It's 92 degrees in the shade. They smoke. Everyone has a cellphone. Each sign starts in three languages -- Hebrew, Arabic, English -- and then goes onto French and Chinese characters. Here are ancient stones from the days of Herod the King. There are glitzy stones from H. Stern the jeweler. EVERY dinnertime, every restaurant the joke is: Put three Israelis to gether, you get five opinions. The subject? Always politics. Say the liberals: "You must be a left-winger, or this country won't survive. We have to accommodate our surrounding Arab neighbors. They are too powerful. We are small. We are afraid. We could lose our land totally or become an international pariah like South Africa was in the '80s. We decided after 2,000 years it was time for us to go home. This is our homeland. Fine. But we forgot to notice it wasn't an empty country." Right-wingers: "We have no choice. They don't want us here. We are compelled to stand firm. In Year 2000 Clinton, Ehud Barak and Arafat struck a deal which, then, Yasser Arafat would not OK. Same agreement Bush wanted and Obama wants. If ever there is any peace treaty, it will be that very same one." Here they love Obama. He gets better marks in this country than in his own. They knock their own politics. They rap their own leaders. Each has something to say about America. Obama is not pro-Israel. Israel is pro-Obama. Hotels are excellent, food good, drivers and cars and motor coaches A-1. What didn't make it here? Starbucks. It tried. It flunked. It closed. The nation's own citizens deem their coffee better going back to the days of Suleiman the Magnificent. You don't argue with an Israeli, so Starbucks has gone the way of Arafat. This land's archaeological finds are the ninth wonder of our modern world. An excavation is currently unearthing the long-buried City of David. Where we're told John the Baptist was born, I watched an Ethiopian in Levis photograph the site with his cell while a tall male guide in a long ponytail gave him whatever rehearsed spiel worked and ended with, "You can even check this on the Web." Along the Stations of the Cross, vendors were pushing kids' toys. At the Mount of Beatitudes, it was travelers with backpacks and Nikes. The acacia tree, the wood from which Noah built his ark, was being visited by a tour of 30 from China. Masada, the site most visited in this country, where King Herod in the final days of B.C. had his winter fortress, staged a concert last night with Andrea Bocelli. The galabaya, Arabia's full-length traditional white shirt worn as the male's daily dress, had the label "Made in China Read more: www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/cindy_adams/eyes_opened_in_israel_jUtcwwNjmqUfG70yiHbDAJ#ixzz1PEQl9ELM
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Post by Leanne on Jun 14, 2011 13:53:04 GMT -5
celebs.walla.co.il/?w=/3601/1831936 in hebrew google translations Stars 'Grey's Anatomy' in Israel From: Walla! Celebs | Photo: Image Bank - gettyimages, Walla! Tuesday, 14 June 2011, 10:32 Hollywood is here: Hollywood TV six players are currently in Tel Aviv as part of a trip conducted by Zionist advocacy organization. Mac Dream While staying at home, but Walla! Celebs already have chest pains Heart of Walla! Celebs went on alert: Six players Hollywood series " Grey's Anatomy , "" failure. R ", and" Raising Hope "are currently in Tel Aviv as part of a delegation made by the Zionist Organization" America's voice in Israel. " Enter Here: Sarah Drew (April Akpner), Kevin Makakid (Owen Hunt), Lucas Neff, Shannon Woodward, Gregory Smith, Travis Milne signed their passport at the airport earlier this week. Disappointment of fans, Meredith and Dr. potters remained in the meantime home. Today, according to plans, will sextet Center "please touch 'in - there will be watching the show" not by bread alone "is displayed by the players who are deaf - blind. Organization of "America's voice in Israel" is a Zionist organization working for the Israeli propaganda by bringing people affect Israeli public opinion leaders, to be impressed for the better drop the word that this is not such a terrible place when they return to the United States. Walla! Celebs Doctor, save me.
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Post by MarryMeOwen on Jun 14, 2011 15:57:35 GMT -5
Zachary Levi and KMK together I would Probably faint lol
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Post by ohcyfan on Jun 14, 2011 19:53:29 GMT -5
That Google translation is horrible. I'm fluent in Hebrew (lived in Israel for 17 years) and I translated directly from the Hebrew. Here's my version, which I have to say is way better. They mistranslate and the words they use have very different connotations than what they mean in Hebrew. Here you go:
Grey’s Anatomy stars in Israel
Hollywood is here: six Hollywood TV actors are in Tel Aviv right now on a trip that was arranged by the Zionist Information Organization. McDreamy stayed home, but how cool! Celebs already have chest pains. (This last sentence makes no sense to me, but that’s what it means.)
Celebs, get ready: six Hollywood actors from the series “Grey’s Anatomy,” “ER,” and “Raising Hope” are in Tel Aviv right now, on a delegation that was arranged by the Zionist Organization’s “America’s voice in Israel.” We have: Sara Drew (April Kempner), Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt), (insert other names here - can’t be bothered to do it myself) who had their passports stamped at Ben Gurion airport at the beginning of the week. To the disappointment of their fans, Meredith and Dr. McDreamy stayed home.
Today, according to plan, the six arrived at the “Please Touch” center in Jaffa -- where they will see the play “Not By Bread Alone,” which is performed by deaf and blind actors.
America’s Voice in Israel is a Zionist organization the helps to spread information about Israel by bringing influential people to Israel, with the goal that they are favorably impressed and will take back with them to the US the news that this is not a terrible place.
How cool! Celebrity Doctor, save me.
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marcy
KMKonliner
Posts: 2,528
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Post by marcy on Jun 15, 2011 0:19:25 GMT -5
Much appreciated, Ohcyfan. It make so much more sense now, thanks!
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Post by Leanne on Jun 15, 2011 0:32:37 GMT -5
Thank you ohcyfan for the translation .... Ive replace the translation on our website to
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Post by Leanne on Jun 15, 2011 1:19:13 GMT -5
@sarahdrewgreys Sarah Drew
We are traveling around with a group called Americas voices for a week. Headed to Nazareth and the sea of galilee today! So excited!!
Saw a play by an all deaf and blind theatre company last night then ate in a blackout restaurant-- so moving and amazing!
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Post by Leanne on Jun 17, 2011 2:00:03 GMT -5
@sarahdrewgreys Sarah Drew
In jerusalem for the next three days! So excited to start exploring!!
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Post by Leanne on Jun 18, 2011 2:17:15 GMT -5
While their co-stars may be spending the summer hosting shmancy philanthropic galas and releasing fragrances, Grey's Anatomy actors Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt) and Sarah Drew (April Kepner) are taking a more traditional approach to summer — vacationing! The pair joined the casts of Raising Hope and Rookie Blue on an Israeli adventure with American Voices, and we've got the scoop on their activities in the Holy Land. Kevin and Sarah were spotted at the ancient port of Jaffa in Tel-Aviv, soaking up the sun and stunning views of the water. Later, Sarah and her husband Peter, and Kevin and his mom visited the Jezreel Valley, a place rich in biblical history. It looks like Kevin found a drum set while in Sderot, Israel, and it didn't even take a couple of drinks for him to unleash his inner rock god. He grabbed a pair of sticks and started to jam, and, from what we hear, he's got great rhythm! Why are we not surprised...? Later, the group headed off to Nazareth to swim in the Sea of Galilee. Oh, and they just so happened to catch a gorgeous lunar eclipse over the sea that night. NBD. After a relaxing and refreshing night spent in a spa (who do we have to bribe to get on one of these celeb getaways?), they headed to Safad, Israel, where Sarah and Peter checked out the adorbz cobblestone alleyways and Kevin vegged out with a coffee at a quaint cafe. And, of course, as any college kid who's ever been on birthright knows, the highlight of any Israeli adventure is floating in the Dead Sea. The boys on the trip (including Kevin) donned their swim trunks before slathering themselves up with some Dead Sea mud and taking a dip. Oh, there are pictures, alright. We've gotta say, there are few images we've enjoyed more than Kevin McKidd, shirtless, with face and body in a full mud mask... We bet his skin was super soft that day! www.wetpaint.com/greys-anatomy/articles/kevin-mckidd-and-sarah-drew-take-an-israeli-adventure
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Post by Leanne on Jun 19, 2011 9:43:51 GMT -5
Original artilce in Hebrew www.barosh.co.il/show_article.asp?tbl=articles_tbl2&minisite_id=2&news_id=3580 translated by Google Translator (more photos at link) Hollywood Jerusalem Grey's Anatomy star, raising the blue Hope and recruits arrived at Jerusalem, in order of organization in American Voices From: Tal Marom - Mlovtz - Israeli beauty portal system at the top Posted: Friday, 17/06/2011, 11:37 Kevin Mc Kidd (Grey's Anatomy) and his mother, Sarah Drew (Grey's Anatomy) with her husband, Lucas Neff (raise the hop), Shannon Woodward (AP RP, raise the hop), Gregory Smith (Awrood, patriot, games Toy, raw blue) and Trauis Milena (rookies in blue), arrived in Jerusalem hosted organization Voices of America in "America's - Voices - In - Israel", a Zionist organization which works for Israeli public relations, and does so by bringing people affect and trails of public opinion, all It's good to be impressed and will spread the gospel. With the arrival of Hollywood Group Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem, received by Vice President of the hotel, Mr. Ilan Brenner. During the conversation it became clear that today is the anniversary of Sarah Drew and her husband - they all raised a toast to the couple and wished them many more years of love and friendship. Star Struck by the amazing view of Jerusalem. Gregory Smith, apparently, an avid photo enthusiast, he immediately began to photograph the scenery, luckily fireworks lit up the sky and there was great joy. After a brief explanation of the landscape and Jerusalem, everyone decided to go on a tour of night on the town, jump to eat and finish a bike ride around the Old City. Stars will be hosted in Jerusalem until Sunday night. hoping we get a better translations for this
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Post by Leanne on Jun 20, 2011 0:37:42 GMT -5
From Hollywood to Jerusalem Stars of Grey's Anatomy, Raising Hope, and Rookie Blue arrived in Jerusalem under the auspices of "America's Voices in Israel." By: Tal Marom-Melovitz
Kevin McKidd (Grey's Anatomy) and his mother; Sarah Drew (Grey's Anatomy) and her husband, Lucas Neff (Raising Hope); Shannon Woodward (ER, Raising Hope), Gregory Smith (Everwood, The Patriot, Rookie Blue), and Travis Milne (Rookie Blue) arrived in Jerusalem as guests of "America's Voices in Israel," a Zionist organization that works to further Israeli public relations, and does so by bringing influential public opinion makers to Israel so that they will be favorably impressed and spread the news.
With the arrival of the group from Hollywood to the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem, they were received by the Assistant General Manager of the hotel, Mr. Ilan Brenner. In the course of the conversation it was revealed that today is the anniversary of Sarah Drew and her husband -- and everyone drank a toast to the couple and wished them many years of love and companionship.
The stars were struck by the amazing landscape of Jerusalem. Gregory Smith, it turns out, is an avid photography enthusiast, and he began to immediately take pictures of the scenery. As luck would have it, fireworks lit up the sky and everyone was thrilled. After a brief explanation of the view and of Jerusalem, everyone decided to embark on a nighttime tour of the city, including getting a bite to eat, and they concluded with a bike ride through the streets of the Old City.
The stars will be guests in Jerusalem until Sunday night.
thanks again to ohcyfan
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Post by Leanne on Jun 20, 2011 1:10:51 GMT -5
Cast members from 3 US TV series wrap up tour By JOSHUA HAMERMAN 06/20/2011 03:12 For the second time in a month, actors who play doctors on an American television series were able to simulate medical procedures at Israeli hospitals. For the second time in a month, actors who play doctors on an American television series were able to simulate medical procedures at Israeli hospitals. On Friday, Kevin McKidd and Sarah Drew, who portray Dr. Owen Hunt and Dr. April Kepner, respectively, on the ABC show Grey’s Anatomy, visited the robotic surgery laboratory at Hadassah University Medical Center at Ein Kerem. The famous guests were allowed to use the robotic tools to complete procedures, just like their characters. RELATED: Thinking out of the box In May, members of the cast of the FOX series House – Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Jesse Spencer, Amber Tamblyn – and David Shore, the show’s creator, executive producer and lead writer, used robotic surgical tools during a visit to the Sheba Medical Center’s medical simulation ward at Tel Hashomer. On Friday, McKidd and Drew participated along with Gregory Smith and Travis Milne, who co-star in the ABC police drama series Rookie Blue, and Lucas Neff and Shannon Woodward from the FOX sitcom Raising Hope. The delegation’s week-long trip was organized by America’s Voices in Israel and co-sponsored by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and by El Al Israel Airlines. America’s Voices in Israel also organized the House cast’s tour of Israel last month. The delegation members also toured the Hadassah University Medical Center- Hebrew University Biotechnology Park and Charlotte R. Bloomberg Mother and Child Center. “It’s humbling to see the work that real surgeons do,” McKidd told The Jerusalem Post. McKidd’s mother, Kathleen, accompanied him to Israel. “My mom’s always wanted to come to Israel and visit Jerusalem,” he said. “This is a lifelong dream of hers.” McKidd briefly traveled to Israel 15 years ago when, during a family vacation in Cyprus, the Scottish actor took a ship to Israel for a one-day excursion. He acquired many Israeli friends during the filming of the movie Bunraku, written and directed by Guy Moshe and produced by Ram Bergman, in Romania in 2008. “I have a group of Israeli friends in Los Angeles – they’re great people and the people here are the same,” McKidd said. “I encourage travel across the board, not just to Israel, but this is a very interesting country to visit and I would encourage people to come and see the country and the surrounding places.” The Grey’s Anatomy, Rookie Blue and Raising Hope actors began their tour in Tel Aviv. While dining with former MK Effie Eitam at the 2C eatery atop the Azrieli Towers, another patron, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz, walked over to greet Eitam and his guests. The tour’s itinerary included stops in Jaffa, Sderot (where the actors spoke to film and TV arts students at Sapir Academic College), Nazareth and Safed, as well as climbing Masada, floating in the Dead Sea and swimming in Lake Kinneret. Most of the delegation members left Israel on Sunday evening; Smith and Milne planned to extend their stay so they could travel to Eilat and to Petra in Jordan. During a press conference with Smith and Neff at Jerusalem’s Inbal Hotel on Sunday, Drew said the most moving places she visited during the trip were the Western Wall and the Garden of Gethsemane. “There’s so much history here, so I would encourage people to make the trip out,” said Drew, the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and the wife of a professor specializing in Second Temple-era Judaism. “I felt completely safe the entire time I’ve been here – I think it’s a good thing to let people know not to be afraid to come,” she said. www.jpost.com/ArtsAndCulture/Entertainment/Article.aspx?ID=225707&R=R1
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Post by Leanne on Jun 20, 2011 9:52:39 GMT -5
Grey's Anatomy actors practice medicine in Israel Monday, June 20, 2011 | Ryan Jones Grey's Anatomy actors practice medicine in Israel Actors from the popular American medical television series Grey's Anatomy got a chance to try their hand at some of the most advanced robotic surigical techniques in the world when they visited Jerusalem's Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital on Friday. Kevin McKidd and Sarah Drew, who play Dr. Owen Hunt and Dr. April Kepner, respectively, were given the opportunity to practice complicated procedures while visiting Hadassah's robotic surgery laboratory. McKidd and Drew were joined by actors from two other popular television series, Rookie Blue and Raising Hope. The group of American actors was in Israel at the initiative of America's Voices in Israel, an organizatino that exists to bring influential figures and opinion molders to the Jewish state in order to counter widespread misconceptions and outright lies regarding life in and the policies of Israel. Last month, America's Voices in Israel brought cast members of the FOX series House - including Lisa Edelstein and Omar Epps - for a similar visit. The House actors were also given the chance to practice real medicine at Israel's advanced medical facilities. www.israeltoday.co.il/NachrichtenHeute/tabid/178/nid/22833/language/en-US/Default.aspxisrael today magazine
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Post by Leanne on Jun 22, 2011 1:08:43 GMT -5
Small-screen heroes Sir, – I would like to extend a huge yasher koach (well done) to actor Kevin McKidd and the other visiting US actors participating in the America’s Voices in Israel trip (“Cast members from 3 US TV series wrap up tour of ‘so much history,’” June 20). These brave souls said no to stereotyping and to what I am sure is ongoing pressure to boycott Israel in every way by a very active anti-Israel Left in the US and all over the world. We should thank them for their lack of prejudice against Israel and for getting to know us, and ask them not only to take home their true impressions of our beloved holy land, but to send us their friends – and even our foes – so they may see for themselves what Israel and Israelis are really made of. BARBARA BROWN Beit Shemesh www.jpost.com/Opinion/Letters/Article.aspx?id=225996&R=R102
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