The 35th Annual International Arts and Crafts Fair of Jerusalem will take place in Sultan’s Pool from 2-14 August, 2010. The colorful fair, known as Khutsot Hayotser in Hebrew and named after the small arts and crafts lane which is open year round at the foot of the Old City Walls, features 150 Israeli artists and artisans, an international art exhibit from 39 countries, an international food fair, attractions for children, creative workshops, theater, dance and musical performances and spreads over an area of 5,000 square meters. A number of pavillions hosting various artists, food, entertainment are on display. The Israeli Pavilion houses over 150 of Israel's finest artists, exhibiting and selling paintings, ceramics, metalwork, jewelry, textiles and weaving, Judaica, woodwork and more. An International Pavilion features artists from the Far East, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. An aboriginal art exhibition from Australia will be on display for the first time ever. Some of the most popular Israeli performers will provide life entertainment inside Sultan's Pool every evening at 21:30 including Gidi Gov (2.8), Boaz Sharabi (3.8), Hadag Hanahash (4.8), Arkadi Duchin (5.8), David Broza (7.8), Church of Reason (8.8), Aviv Gefen (9.8), Mosh Ben Ari (10.8),) Shlomi Shabat (11.8), Achinoam Nini (12.8) and Ivri Lider (14.8). Smaller stages will host performing groups from Colombia, Korea, Poland, Romania and Thailand. An International Food Fai

In his new book, Evangelicals and Israel: The Story of American Christian Zionism,  Stephen Spector delves deeply into the Christian Zionist movement, mining information from original interviews, web sites, publications, news reports, survey research, worship services, and interfaith conferences, to provide a surprising look at the sources of evangelical support for Israel. 

 

Most observers explain the bedrock support of Israel among evangelical Christian as stemming from the apocalyptic belief that the Jews must return to the Holy Land as a precondition for the second coming of Christ.  But the real reasons, argues Stephen Spector, are far more complicated. Travelujah had the opportunity to speak with Spector about his findings.

 

On May 8th Pope Benedict XVI is expected to begin his journey to the Holy Land.

 

The Papal itinerary includes stops In Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Territories.

 

 This is the first visit of Pope Benedict XVI's to the Holy Land since becoming Pope and it will include visits with Christian community leaders, Moslem leaders, Palestinians and Israelis.

 

 Several masses will be held at a number of different holy sites throughout the region.

 

According to our Vatican sourse,