Israel Museum Director to Guggenheim

Mr. Snyder has done some remarkable work over the past decade in making the Israel Museum an international destination. Currently, he is in the process of overseeing the impressive and well-timed renovations we wrote about a few months ago. We think he’d make a fine director of NY’s prestigious Guggenheim.

From HAARETZ:

Israel Museum director is candidate to run New York’s Guggenheim

By Haim Handwerker

NEW YORK - The Guggenheim Museum in New York has formed a search committee to find a new director for the institution. One of the prominent names appearing on the list thus far is that of James Snyder, the director of the Israel Museum.

The museum did not confirm the report and said in response: “At the moment, the search committee has not yet approached potential candidates for the position.” Snyder, who is completing a visit to New York today, also responded diplomatically: “I have no information regarding the Guggenheim’s plans. If people are speaking of me positively as far as my professional skills, I take that as a compliment.”

Continue reading Israel Museum Director to Guggenheim…

Israeli To Build Newest and Glitziest Casino in Vegas

Make way everyone. Israeli investor and real estate magnate Yitzhak Tshuva just imploded the old New Frontier casino to make way for a new vegas megaresort… awesome. I guess the days of 25¢ slots are long gone. No more blue headed grandmas clogging up the gaming floor…

Above is a rendering of the digs.

From AP:

New Frontier Casino Imploded
By RYAN NAKASHIMA – 3 hours ago

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The New Frontier casino-hotel was imploded early Tuesday, giving a violent end to the second property to open on the Las Vegas Strip.

The 16-story hotel tower was felled with over 1,000 pounds of explosives before a group of reporters and bystanders to make way for a multibillion-dollar resort bearing The Plaza brand, which is set to open in 2011.

Elad Group owner and Israeli billionaire Yitzhak Tshuva, who is partnering to build an $8 billion megaresort where the New Frontier stood, shook hands and gave hugs after the tower went down.

An easterly breeze helped to quickly dissipate the dust.

Continue reading Israeli To Build Newest and Glitziest Casino in Vegas…

Natalie Portman Directs Oz Adaptation

Our favorite Israeli leading lady will be making here directorial debut with a film based on Amos Oz’s autobiography according to YNET:

Portman doing Oz

Actress Natalie Portman will direct the film based on Amoz Oz’s autobiography, “A Tale of Love and Darkness”

Natalie Portman will direct the film “A Tale of Love and Darkness” based on Amos Oz’s bestseller. The two-year production will launch Portman’s directing career. Portman acquired film rights through her production company “Handsomecharlie”.

Portman said that she feels inspired by the mandate to direct. Alongside her booming acting career in films such as” The Other Boleyn Girl” and “My Blueberry Nights,” Portman is active in many areas and community outreach programs.

Israel Hi-Tech

Here’s the latest from “Telecom Israel” an annual event featuring the best of tech from Israel. Brought to you by Israel Up Close.