What's New

EL-AL Economy Class Plus

EL AL invites you to enjoy a more comfortable, more pleasant and more pampering flight experience! Economy Class Plus New! Due to demand, Economy Class Plus seats on the 767-300 fleet Greater pitch between rows (36” instead of 32”) 33% greater incline than in Economy Class Special footrest Economy Class Plus is situated at the front of Economy Class, with 34 – 40 seats in 5 – 8 rows, depending on the aircraft. The Class is separated from Economy Class by a curtain. The improved ergonomic seat is more comfortable, affording the passenger a feeling of spaciousness. About Economy Class Plus Service: Designated check-in counters Individual entertainment system (on the 767 fleet - a state-of-the-art ipad for every passenger) More comfortable work and entertainment environment, including an electric outlet* Economy class meals Alcoholic beverages as served in economy class Special comfort kit Business class pillow and blanket And many more features for a richer flight experience. Electric outlet installation throughout the planes will be performed in several stages. would you like to treat yourself to a more pampering flight experience? sign up now to be listed for a seat in economy class plus on your next flight and we will contact you within the next 24 hours. being seated in economy class plus entails a fee. new! due to demand, economy class plus seats on the 767-300 fleet are now on sale for flights beginning february 18, 2013. Registration for economy class plus is available to every passenger holding an el al ticket, from any ticket class and all types of ticket, including bonus tickets. Passengers in classes with full flexibility (y, s, and m classes) are entitled to be seated in the class for free when reserving their flight, subject to seat availability. The price per flight segment on long range destinations is $150 (USA, Canada, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Africa and India). The price per flight segment on short range destinations is $80. Matmid members • Top platinum, platinum and gold matmid members enjoy priority for these seats at no cost when making a reservation* • Top platinum matmid members are entitled to be accompanied by one passenger in economy class plus for free. * subject to seat availability in the class • matmid members may purchase seats in economy class plus for points: The price per segment for a seat on long range destination flights is 300 points. The price per segment for a seat on flights to european destinations is 160 points. The class is available on the 747-400 fleet as of july 1, 2012. economy class plus will be available for flights on the 767-300 fleet from february 18, 2013. changing the means of payment from money to points or from points to money entails a fee of $20 per reservation.

Rave Reviews in BHAM For Israel Products

The Birmingham Jewish Federation created a program called BUY BUY ISRAEL almost two years ago when an international call by anti-Israel forces for a boycott of Israeli products was initiated. BUY BUY ISRAEL was designed to encourage Update readers to be on the lookout for Israeli made products in the Birmingham area. Our goal was to counter those who want to say "bye, bye Israel." Our BUY BUY ISRAEL program continues to be successful! We recently received a tip from Birmingham Jewish Foundation Executive Director Sally Friedman that Publix on Overton Road carries Wissotzky Tea, which is made in Israel. Upon further investigation and discussion with Publix manager David Meddick, our BJF team realized that Publix on Overton carries several Israeli-made items. According to David, this is because of Publix's proximity to both Knesseth Israel Congregation and Chabad. However, David noted, it's not just Jewish customers who are purchasing Israeli-made products. "We get rave reviews on many of our Israeli-made products and are looking to expand our selection," David explained. The BJF thanks Publix for supporting Israeli businesses and encourages our readers to check out Publix's great selection.

SODA STREAM ADS BANNED IN BRITAIN

With the made in Israel product - SodaStream - consumers can make delicious carbonated beverages at home. A SodaStream ad has been banned in Britain because it notes that SodaStream can reduce dependence on canned and bottled beverages. Watch for SodaStream ads during the upcoming Super Bowl. The products are excelent and environmentally friendly.

ISRAELII PRODUCTS FEATURED AT AICC AWARDS

Wednesday, October 17, 2012, an awards and celebration dinner was sponsored by Chicago’s America-Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC) and the America-Israel Economic Forum (AIEF). The main function of the AICC is to foster business links between the U.S. and Israel. The AEIF is the region’s only independent Educational Forum on Israel and its Economy. The Honorable Donald Plusquellic (Mayor of Akron, Ohio) was the evening’s keynote speaker. Earlier this year, Mayor Plusquellic signed an agreement with Israel’s national water company Mekerot, establishing the company’s first U.S. location in Akron, where it will work with local companies to develop new technologies. Akron’s mayor signed a deal to invest $1.5 million in public and private funds in Israel’s high tech Targetech incubator, and establishing Akron as the destination for graduation start-ups to establish their U.S. operations. The two men honored for their outstanding work in their support for Israel’s economic sustenance and growth were Steve Lavin and Michael Traison. The event featured a wine tasting and fashion show during the reception hour. The models wore beautiful clothes and fashion jewelry created by Israeli designers and the guests were able to mingle with the models to obtain information about the designers and their creations. All wine served at the dinner tables came from Israel. Exquisite flowers, also grown in Israel, adorned the room. Decorating each table was an attractive basket of snack and food products, all made in Israel and available at stores found on the Buy Israel Goods site. At the end of the evening the guest were invited to help themselves to the basket treats and the flowers. El-Al airlines was generous with a goodie bag for each guest which included several brochures, offering information about Israel, its’ historic locations, and any helpful guides to plan a tour of Israel!

THE ARTS OF LOLLAPALOOZA

THE ARTS Lollapalooza is Coming to Tel Aviv in 2013! Lollapalooza, one of the largest U.S.-based music festivals, will be coming to Tel Aviv in the summer of 2013. 50 bands will perform next year on August 20-22 in Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park. The three-day festival is scheduled for mid-week, Tuesday through Thursday, in order to prevent it from interfering with Shabbat. It will be the the first large-scale global music event in Israel and the third international location for Lollapalooza, following editions in Chile in 2011 and Brazil this year. Arutz Sheva, an Israeli news organization, reports that the mayor of Jersualem called Lollapalooza's founder to say Jerusalem would love to be a venue also in order to bring young people to Jerusalem to change the general (and erroneous) perception as a city too serious and too religious to even think about hosting the festival. So how about next year (after Lollapalooza 2013) in Jerusalem?

KOSHER WINES: ADVANCING BRAND ISRAEL

Kosher Wines: There Is a very interesting article in the Chicago Jewish News (June29th-July5th,2012) by Adam Montefiore. The United States is Israel’s largest export market for wines, with over 50% of all Israel’s exports going there. The Israel Wine Producers Association (IWPA), includes fifteen Israeli wineries. It takes in wine regions from the north to the south of the country, covering every terroir in Israel. Although Carmel and Barkan are involved, there are many boutique wineries such as Castel and Yatir. IWPA’s ultimate goal is to communicate, educate, market and expose US customers and consumers to Israel as a world class wine region. The Herzog family, owners of two wineries are not only the largest importer and distributor of Kosher wines in the world, but also the largest importers of wine, spirits and food from Israel. The IWPA is a grouping of Israeli wineries which is able to give the color, variety, and flavor of the Israel wine scene. It includes some of the largest and best Israeli wineries, along with the most exciting new wineries. Israel is a New World country in one of the most ancient wine growing regions. Before the Greeks and the Romans of ancient times, and well before the Italians and French of today, they were making wines in Ancient Israel. The renewal started in the 1880’s due to the finance and vision of a Rothschild. This recent quality revolution has ensured that Israel is one of the newest of the wine producing countries.

AIPAC SERVES ISRAELI WINE TO 13,000 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

America Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) served Israeli wine to a record 13,000 dinner guests at the 2012 annual Washington, D.C. confrerence. This was probably the largest dinner EVER served Israeli wine, anywhere in the world. Congratulations to AIPAC for its good judgement and taste in wine and for helping Israel to help itself. Be sure that ONLY Israeli wine is served at your event.

VIEW BLOG AND SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS

In many product categories - especially food, wine, cosmetics HBA, and women's apparel - the BLOG feature provides information, product suggestions, and the opportunity for visitors to submit their comments, recommendatons, and suggestions. Tell us which foods, wines and other products you particularly like. Email us at: blog@buyisraelgoods.org. Submissions must be reviewed before publicaton to prevent vandalism of this site.

TOP TEN ISRAELI SKIN AND HAIR CARE PRODUCTS

Visit BLOG, and click on HEALTH AND BEAUTY to view a series of weekly postings that describe the top ten Israeli skin and hair care products. There are none better. See also the series on wine tasting, and how what we know in advance greatly influences how well we think we like a wine.

NEW BLOG FEATURE NOW ONLINE

The new BLOG feature now online provides information and news about Israeli products & companies. In any market area, click on BLOG, and then the category of interest. Companies selling Israeli products may submit information and pictures to: blog@buyisraelgoods.org

USE ISRAELI WINES FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION OR PERSONAL EVENT

Some hotels and caterers tend to resist serving Israeli wine. It is necessary that you insist, follow up, and put it in writing. Be sure it is understood that your instructions apply to both the bars before the event dinner and to table service.