Hi Eric and all, No I'm not the first Israeli on Mudcat- or maybe I was the first but Irwin is another and a welcome addition. I mostly tend to lurk. There have been some interesting discussions on Israel's role in the middle east conflict- but I tend to pull my head in and withdraw from them- as I feel myself under attack for just being here. Nuff said I don't want to enter a political or moral discussion here. The folk scene in Israel is now thriving! I and a couple of friends started off most of it about 25 years ago- and we now have 4 or 5 folk clubs meeting once a month- some pubs with folk music- even a Molly Bloom's Irish Pub. We have one British/American type folk festival- which is organised by me, my family and friends- its called Jacob's Ladder.About 3000 people attend for an Israeli weekend(Fri-Sat).People from all backgrounds and of all colours and religions attend. There also have several ethnic/spiritual festivals with a lot of good ethnic music, incense and mud bathing- but most of the Anglo folkies are of the EX Hippy generation who don't go in for that type of thing any more - so they come to Jacob's Ladder- where only the kiddies mudbathe. My wife and I visited the Cleckheaton festival a couple of years ago- and enjoyed it very much- though I'm sorry we didn't get to meet you Eric. Best Wishes to you and here's to the Hols! Jack The Lad In Israel