eretz » our Israeli homeland -RLQXVWRKHDU 0DUWLQ%HONLQ'2 VSHDNRQWKHWRSLFRI 8QGHUVWDQGLQJ05, DQGD7UHDWPHQW IRU5HODSVLQJ06 'RQ¶WPLVVWKLVRSSRUWXQLW\WROHDUQ PRUHDERXW06DQGFRQQHFWZLWK RWKHUVLQWKH06FRPPXQLW\ DW30 3ULPH6WHDNKRXVH 2UFKDUG/DNH5RDG :HVW%ORRPILHOG0, This event is accessible to people with disabilities. A light meal will be provided. 3OHDVH5693IRU\RX DQGDJXHVWE\FDOOLQJ In what would be an historic first formal visit, a senior member of the British royal family is planning an official trip to Israel in 2017, a tour that would coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, according to a U.K. Jewish community leader. While royals have visited Israel in the past, no rep- resentative of the British monarchy has ever come to the country on an official “royal tour.” An official royal visit to the Jewish state would be the first in Israel’s 68-year existence, during which nearly every other country on Earth has Speculation has a member been visited by a represen- of the royal family, possibly tative of the Crown. Prince Charles, visiting The community leader Israel next year. said the details of the visit were not yet finalized but that the trip would be led by a senior member of the royal family. While the visit would coincide with the 100th anni- versary of the Balfour Declaration, issued by foreign secretary Lord Arthur Balfour in 1917, it is unclear whether the trip would officially mark the document’s centenary. Instead, the visit may be formally billed as a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jerusalem in which General Allenby led the British Army to a victory over the Ottoman Empire. The British Embassy in Israel could neither confirm nor deny that a trip was being considered, saying, “Any planned tours will be announced in due course in the usual way.” — Raoul Wootliff, Times of Israel To Russia … With Caffeine Coffee drinkers in Moscow can now enjoy their favorite bev- erage for an affordable price. The Israeli chain Cofix, popular for its menu featuring a fixed price of 5 shekels, has opened the first of its planned 1,000 Russian branches, according to the Marker, an Israeli financial website. The Moscow branch features a fixed price of 50 rubles for all menu items. When comparing the countries, it evens out to be about 3 shekels cheaper than the Israeli stores. The price is drastically cheaper than competitors such as Starbucks, who according to Bloomberg News, charges 245 rubles for a cappuccino. Cofix has adapted its menu to the Russian audience, adding fresh carrot juice, blintzes and a variety of tea. Two more branches were expected to open in Moscow in the next month, with the first one opening in Red Square. There are set to be 300 Cofixes in Moscow alone, with up to 1,000 spreading across the country. Cofix has 152 branches in Israel. — Jerusalem Post MARC ISRAEL SELLEM, JERUSALEM POST A Royal Journey? Cofix on Jerusalem’s Ben Yehuda Street Hollywood To IDF Following a lifelong dream, American actor Houston Mack traded California and Hollywood for Kibbutz Yagur, Hebrew courses and the Paratroopers Brigade. After acting in school plays at age 10, Mack’s career took off and landed him recurring roles in television series and films such as You, Me and Dupree, Stop That Cycle and Latchkey. During the summer of 2013, he decided to immigrate to Israel and began studying Hebrew at Kibbutz Yagur. In December 2015, he was drafted into the IDF and eventu- ally the Paratroopers Brigade. “I want a good future for our country,” Mack said. “If I can contribute, it is my responsibility to do that. “My dream is to study film here in Israel and present Israel positively in world cinema.” — Tsahi Dabush, Ynet News Child actor Houston Mack is now an Israeli paratrooper. 36 November 17 • 2016