Israeli hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari is to be honoured by the Fellowship of Israel and Black America with the first ever Martin Luther King Jr. Israeli Award.

Ben-Ari will be feted for her efforts to reach out to African-American youths with her song Symphony of Brotherhood, the video of which features clips of the late civil rights leader.

And the musician is delighted to have her work officially recognised.

Israeli president Shimon Peres has asked Barbra Streisand to perform at the country’s 60th anniversary celebrations next year.

Peres praises the singing diva’s rendition of Avinu Malkeinu and hopes the star will lend her talents to the planned festivities.

He also reveals the celebrations will include a special tribute to the United States.

The 84-year-old leader says: “It’s time to say thanks for being on our side”.

More than 25,000 people have attended Britain’s biggest one day Jewish arts festival. Simcha on the Square, which took place in central London’s Trafalgar Square, saw a host of entertainers from a Jewish Elvis to Sacha Baron Cohen’s musical brother Erran take to the stage.

Organised by Jewish Culture UK, an umbrella organisation of groups promoting Jewish life and in partnership with the Mayor of London, the event featured an eclectic choice of entertainment on offer including bottle dancers from Fiddler on the Roof, klezmer performers and folk dancing.

Stand-up comedy legend Jackie Mason is to top the bill of an Israel 60 event being organised by the Zionist Federation in London.

The Yom Ha’atzmaut Gala Show at Wembley Arena on May 8 will mark the 60th anniversatry of the formation of the Jewish state and will also feature Israeli singer Sarit Hadad.

Other acts and performers, as well as ticket prices will be announced in the coming months.

Acting legend Kirk Douglas is set to return to New York for his only appearance in the State to talk about his autobiography Let’s Face It.

The actor, who is now 90, grew up as Issur Danielovitch in New York and will be telling stories about his life to an audience at the Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust on September 9 from 2.30pm.

Footballer David Beckham is set to be one of the star guests enlisted by Chabad to raise millions of dollars for its annual To Life Telethon to support projects aimed at helping those less fortunate.

The LA Galaxy player has been approached by the Jewish organisation to appear either live or pre-recorded for the broadcast - which is famous for its dancing rabbis - on September 9.

A packed crowd at London’s Comedy Store helped to raise over £8000 as part of a memorial event to remember Miriam ‘Mim’ Hyman, who was a victim of the London Bombings of July 7 2005.

Organised by friends and family to support the Miriam Hyman Memorial Fund which supports sight-saving charity Orbis UK and its work in the developing world, the comedy event saw performers including Mark Maier, Jon Culshaw, Simon Amstell and Marcus Brigstocke take to the stage.