Different from all other States



As we approach the Jewish festival of Passover and the night that is “different from all other nights” it is appropriate that there is much in the recent news that positively distinguishes the Jewish State from the norm.

In medical news, Israelis have been developing some unique treatments and devices that will make a big difference to the lives of the chronically sick.  The Renaissance Guidance System developed by Israel’s Mazor Robotics allowed doctors in Denver to perform the first ever Deep Brain Stimulation procedure on a patient suffering from Parkinson’s disease – whilst he was asleep!  The 65-year-old patient responded well to the treatment.  Lupus sufferers eagerly await the next Phase II trials by Israeli biotech XTL Biopharmaceuticals of hCDR1 (Edratide) - the first new treatment for Lupus in 50 years.  And scientists at Israel’s Technion continually “think outside of the box”.  They have been using a 3D scanner to develop unique objects, including the first ever inhalation mask specially designed for babies.




Israel’s unparalleled medical innovations can be on a large or small scale.  Winter hospital overcrowding will be alleviated by Israel’s largest Emergency Room – a new 5,000-square-meter fortified ER at the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva that can treat 200,000 patients a year.  On the other hand, at the microscopic level, Israel’s prominence in the revolutionary field of nanotechnology has led to the discovery of a new way to tackle ovarian cancer.  Tel Aviv University scientists have devised a cluster of nano-particles that use chemotherapy to target tumor cells directly.  It has achieved a 25-fold improvement in effectiveness with a dramatic reduction in toxic effect on healthy organs.

No other country acts like Israel in the face of humanitarian crises.  This week’s program on Tel Aviv radio TLV1’s “Out of the Comfort Zone” features some of the staff that are treating injured Syrians at the Western Galilee hospital in Nahariya.  Remember that Syria is technically still at war with Israel.  And whilst the UN and its member nations make profound speeches about the situation in the Ukraine, Israelis are busy saving lives. Israeli citizens are raising funds and have airlifted several wounded Ukrainians to Israeli hospitals for treatment.




I’ve often written about how Israeli hi-tech is making a huge difference to the developing world, but the recent focus on Israeli technology has been from the USA and the UK.  First, New York and Boston and then Chicago and San Francisco held events with packed audiences to hear from Israeli cleantech companies.  Then a 30-strong Israeli delegation of technology companies was hosted in London as part of the UK-Israel TeXchange program.  Israel is now Britain's largest trading partner in the Middle East.  British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a message marking Israeli Science Day, "The work of your scientists is helping humanity in some truly profound ways."

Israeli technology companies frequently launch products that are quite different to the normal money-spinners developed elsewhere.  It may be quite some time before people feel comfortable “printing” their meals but the “Ginny” printer from Israel’s White Innovation could eventually revolutionize the food market.  Of more immediate practical use are the talking spectacles for the visually impaired made by Israel’s OrCam - especially now that Intel Corporation has put 15 million dollars into the company.  And whilst we are speaking about speech technology for the disabled, TalkITT from Israel’s VoiceITT turns impaired speech into computer-generated, natural-sounding sentences.  See what a difference it makes to kids and adults suffering from a stutter, a stroke or a neuro-degenerative disease.




One of the features in the history of the festival of Passover is the big difference made by women that helped bring about the redemption of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt.  It should therefore be no surprise that the modern Jewish State also recognizes the contribution made by its women.  In fact the latest World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap survey just ranked Israel the best country in the Middle East for women's rights and freedoms.  Israel also received the “Reducing the Gender Gap” prize in 2013 from the European Parliament for championing women's rights.  To emphasize the point, fourteen women will lead the traditional torch-lighting ceremony for Israel’s Independence Day. The women represent a unique mosaic of Israeli society and include Hindiya Suliman from Bu'eine Nujeidat, who works to empower Israeli Arab women.
 
Eight Israelis - including Muslims, Druze and Bedouin - have been visiting Canadian universities to highlight a different side of Israel to that normally portrayed in the media.  Some students were shocked to learn that Arabs study at Israeli universities and that many even serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

Finally, award-winning American actor and director Blair Underwood saw many different aspects of Israel during his recent visit to the Jewish State with America’s Voices in Israel.  Blair toured a military base, Haifa’s Bahai Gardens, hospitals, the Sea of Galilee and the Western Wall.  But the highlight of his very first day in Israel was meeting Mehereta Baruch. Mehereta is an Ethiopian Jewess who arrived in Israel aged 10 without her parents.  She is now Deputy Mayor of Tel-Aviv. 

Israel – daring to be different.

Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.
For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com

Freedom Begins Here



Recent news is full of examples of how freedom continues to be championed by the Jewish State, where the concept began.  This is particularly appropriate at this time of year, in the lead-up to Passover - the Jewish festival of freedom.

Every week, Israeli discoveries and developments gives freedom to many suffering from deadly diseases.  March is Israel’s colon cancer awareness month, highlighting the decline of fatalities due to early diagnosis.  Genetic diseases Progressive Cerebro-Cerebellar Atrophy (PCCA and PCCA2) can now be detected in prospective parents thanks to a simple blood test developed by Dr. Ohad Birk of Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva.  And further breakthroughs in fighting neurological diseases are almost certain, with the establishment by the Weizmann Institute and the Max Planck Society of a new laboratory for Experimental Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurogenetics in Rehovot.

Arabs in Israel have more freedom than in any other country in the Middle East.  20 percent of students at Israel’s Technion are Arab. 100 have graduated from Technion’s NAM (Outstanding Arab Youth) program since 2006 and are now embarking on successful careers in hi-tech and engineering.  And as Chairman of “Druze for Israel” Mendi Safadi explains, Arabs, Christians, Druze and Jews are all equal in Israel. Mendi was born in the Golan Heights on the border with Syria and highlights Israel’s humanitarian aid to the beleaguered civilians of Israel’s neighbor.



It is significant that Israeli cooperation with the “Land of the Free” continues to go from strength to strength.  The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act.  The bill promotes bi-lateral military, energy, water, science, homeland security, and agriculture co-operation.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also signed a Research & Development agreement with California Governor Jerry Brown, focusing on water, energy, storage and cyber security.  Then, over 1,000 senior executives from around the world came to Israel Dealmakers Summit 2014 in New York to hear about Israeli innovation in Digital Media, Cleantech, Mobile, Internet, Big Data, Semiconductors, Software, Healthcare and Telecom. But the message really came home when it was announced that America’s symbol of freedom - the Statue of Liberty – is to incorporate Israel’s BriefCam in its state-of-the-art surveillance system. Briefcam’s unique Video Synopsis software solution enables law enforcement and security personnel to review hours of video in minutes.



Freedom of trade is bringing Israeli innovations to other parts of the world too.  Japanese companies Takeda, Rakuten, Samurai Incubate and now the Japan External Trade Organization are investing in the Israeli startup market in search of new technologies to expand their businesses.  Over in Europe, Israeli biotech Insuline has announced a new distribution agreement for marketing its InsuPad product in the Netherlands and Belgium.  InsuPad gives more freedom to diabetics by increasing the effectiveness of Insulin injections, lowering the required dose and allowing flexibility on timing the injections.

One of the most powerful aspects of liberty is “Freedom of the Mind”.  The Israeli education system encourages its citizens to aim for the highest level of achievement.  For example Israel’s National Science Day celebrates the birthday of Albert Einstein with the scheduling of hundreds of events at universities and research institutes.  And Israeli students were in free flight at the 54th Israel Annual Conference on Aerospace Sciences. It included a competition for students to build unique aircraft, which resulted in a mechanical bird, a short take-off drone, an electric passenger plane and an autonomous cluster of satellites.  Israel freely shares its educational developments with the world.  Israeli accelerator MindCet incubates education technology start-ups in Tel Aviv and in the Negev.  Its founders went to SXSWedu in Austin Texas, along with start-ups CodeMonkey, Simlisco and RoadStory to explain how technology can significantly change teaching and learning processes.

Some sections of the community will benefit from Israeli support and technology in order to achieve maximum freedom in today’s society.  The UpWest Labs Female Entrepreneurship Program, funded by Google, is establishing a network of mentors in Silicon Valley and Israel.  Its co-founder Shuly Galili said, “Israel leads the world in empowering women to take command.”  Meanwhile, delegates at the recent AIPAC conference saw a demonstration of EyeMusic – a tool developed at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem that provides visual information for the blind.  Shapes, colors and locations are converted to music in order to give an audible “picture” of objects.



Finally, here is an opportunity for those who want the freedom to become independent, self-sufficient and resilient.  In this “life-changing experience”, Naale Elite Academy enables students to complete their last three years of high school in Israel. The program, co-funded by the State of Israel and the Jewish Agency, provides a full scholarship with all expenses paid until graduation.

Israel – for the freedom to be yourself.

Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.
For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com

History of Israel's Good News Jan to Mar 2014



History of Israel’s Good News Jan to Mar 2014
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In the 30th Mar 2014 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        US neurosurgeons used an Israeli robot to treat a Parkinson’s sufferer whilst he slept.
·        Israeli scientists have developed nano-particles to deliver safer, more effective chemotherapy.
·        Official recognition that Israel is the best country in the Middle East for women.
·        An Israeli company prepares and cooks food using a printer.
·        Thanks to an Israeli innovation, those with impaired speech can now be heard clearly.
·        Brazil is using Israeli technology to protect this summer’s Soccer World Cup.
·        The Rolling Stones are to perform in Tel Aviv.
·        A video of the re-appearance of a Negev desert river has gone viral.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary.  Click here for “Freedom begins here” (fast-loading version, no adverts).  Also on San Diego Jewish World and United with Israel.

·        Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News and WorldMediaMonitoring.com

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Israeli robot treats sleeping Parkinson’s patient.  The first ever Asleep Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) procedure was performed in Denver, Colorado using the Renaissance Guidance System developed by Israel’s Mazor Robotics.  The 65-year-old patient, previously suffering from Parkinson’s disease, was responding well.

Cooperating to save lives.  The two top Israeli lifesaving organizations Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah will now share data on all emergency calls. UH volunteers can arrive quickly on their ambucycles to treat the sick and injured.  MDA staff in ambulances will then continue treatment and take patients to hospitals.

Using music to treat illness.  (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Israeli nonprofit “Haverut” (meaning “friendship” in Hebrew) is introducing healing through music. Guitarist Navot Ben Barak and flutist Avshalom Eshel perform twice a week at the Hadassah Medical Center in Israel. Songs are chosen for each individual patient.

Hope for Lupus sufferers.  Israeli biotech XTL Biopharmaceuticals is gearing up for a Phase II trial of its hCDR1 compound for the treatment of Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – SLE).  HCDR1 is the first new treatment for Lupus in 50 years and was given special orphan status by the United States FDA.

IDF wins the fight against PTSD.  (Thanks to Nevet – www.broaderview.org) Canadian army experts are looking at how the Israeli Defense Forces have successfully combated Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  The rate of suicides in the IDF is lower that of the national population, thanks to several key support practices.

New way to tackle ovarian cancer.  (Thanks to NoCamels) Professor Dan Peer of Tel Aviv University has devised a cluster of nano-particles that use chemotherapy to directly target tumor cells.  It has achieved a 25-fold improvement in effectiveness with a dramatic reduction in toxic effect on healthy organs.

How the Technion helps babies to breathe.  More on the 3D scanner developed in the Geometric Image Processing Lab of Israel Technion Professor Ron Kimmel.  (Baby mask reported in 11 Aug 2013 newsletter.)

Israel’s largest ER.  The new 5,000-square-meter fortified emergency room at the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva can treat 200,000 patients a year. It will relieve overstretched emergency rooms in other parts of the country, especially during the winter season. It cost NIS 90 million (about $26 million) to build.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

The best country for women in the Middle East.  The latest World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap survey ranked Israel the best country in the Middle East for women's rights and freedoms.  Israel also received the “Reducing the Gender Gap” prize in 2013 from the European Parliament for championing women's rights.

Women-only lighting of Independence Day torches.  The traditional torch-lighting ceremony for Israel’s Independence Day will be conducted solely by 14 women who represent a unique mosaic of Israeli society.  They include Hindiya Suliman from Bu'eine Nujeidat, who works to empower Israeli Arab women.

Chefs support Jerusalem’s elderly.  Leading chefs from European Michelin-starred restaurants have come to Israel to raise funds for Ezrat Avot. Together with Israeli chefs they will cook a gourmet dinner - the proceeds going to the construction of a health and life enrichment center for Jerusalem's elderly population. 

Israeli Arabs visit Toronto.  Eight Israelis including Muslims, Druze and Bedouin have been visiting Canadian universities to dispel the myths by Israeli Apartheid Week organizers.  Some students were shocked to learn that Arabs study at Israeli universities and that some even serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

Syrians treated in Israel:  This week’s program on Tel Aviv radio TLV1’s “Out of the Comfort Zone” features some of the staff that are treating injured Syrians at the Western Galilee hospital in Nahariya.

Ukrainians treated in Israel.  This video focuses on schoolteacher Sergiy Trapezun who was shot in Kiev and is now recovering after his operation at Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, Israel.

Top 10 global publisher of mobile games.  Tel Aviv-based TabTable offers more than 250 different games and apps for children, including lullabies, digital books and educational experiences.  It has reached 300 million downloads in 4 years and has 25 million monthly active users – including many in Saudi Arabia.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Print your meals.  Israeli company White Innovation has developed “Ginny”, a printer that could revolutionize the food market.  Place a capsule of raw ingredients into one side of the machine. Next, olive oil, milk or water is injected. It then marinates for about thirty seconds and produces a tasty, cheap and healthy feast.

Huge attendance at Israeli nano-conference.  Over 1,200 delegates from 36 countries arrived in Tel Aviv for the Israeli Nanotechnology Conference.  Co-chairman Rafi Koriat said that a nanotechnology revolution would be more life changing than the automobile, microtechnology and optics revolutions combined.

California and Israel: Partners in cybersecurity.  Tom Glaser’s latest article highlights the work of the California-Israel Chamber of Commerce.  The CICC formed a Cyber Security Committee and developed programs, events, and participation in Israeli conferences to generate business and investment opportunities.

UK PM praises Israeli science.  British Prime Minister David Cameron sent Israel a recorded greeting in honor of Israeli Science Day, which was launched at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.  "The work of your scientists is helping humanity in some truly profound ways," he said.

Israelis clean up in the US.  Israeli cleantech companies enjoyed 4 fruitful events in March - at the Landmark Israeli Dealmakers Summit in New York; the New England-Israel Business Council in Boston; the CleanTech Forum in San Francisco and an exclusive investor event in Chicago.

High-tech Israelis aim for the Moon.  (Thanks to Grace) Israeli high-tech start-ups continue to propel themselves farther into the realm of science fiction.  This innovative know-how continues to turn adversity into opportunity.  Israel is now Britain's largest trading partner in the Middle East — thanks to high-tech.

Start speaking freely.  Israel’s VoiceITT has developed speech technology for kids and adults who have difficulty making themselves understood.  If you suffer from a stutter, a stroke or a neuro-degenerative disease, TalkITT will turn your impaired speech into a computerized output of what you really intended to say.

Israel and Canada team up to extract shale oil.  The chief scientists of Israel and Canada have approved a $6.7 million project to develop novel and more efficient ways of extracting shale oils and other gases deep in the earth.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Israel is working.  Israel's unemployment rate dropped to a record low in February.  For those aged 15 and over, the rate declined to 5.8% from 5.9% in January.  For those between 25-64 the rate dropped dramatically from 5.4% to 4.9%.  Participation in the labor force rose to a record high of 80%.

Israeli trade delegation in London.  A 30-strong group of Israeli companies specializing in retail and water technology met heads of British corporations, including Marks and Spencer, Tesco and ASOS to strengthen trade ties with the UK.  The initiative was part of the TeXchange program.

Israeli news station on US TV channel.  Jewish Life TV will air Israel’s i24news on American cable and satellite networks.  This is the first time that the Jaffa-based i24news will be shown to an American audience via television, and not just online.  i24news will provide 15 hours of weekly magazine content.

Brazil to protect world cup with Israeli drone.  The Brazilian Air Force will operate the new Hermes 900 UAV from Israel’s Elbit Systems to protect 2014 FIFA World Cup soccer games.

Intel backs OrCam’s glasses for the blind.  Intel Capital is investing $15-20 million in Israeli artificial vision company OrCam Technologies. OrCam develops a range of visual improvement products for the visually impaired including a system enabling them to read content and interpret the world around them.

Israeli lottery raised NIS 5.8 billion.  Israel’s National lottery raised more than $1.5 billion in 2013 – a 14% increase on 2012.  Grants were given to build kindergartens, classrooms and municipal buildings.  Scholarship funds, the arts and the sciences also benefited.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

30 years of the Israeli opera.  Israel Opera’s ambitious 30th anniversary program features seven operas, two Masada events and 10 dance concerts.  Operas include Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville”, Verdi’s “Nabucco” and a new Israeli opera “The Lady and the Peddler”.

Tel Aviv’s Bauhaus buildings are on-line.  Design lovers can now use the Internet to preview some of Tel Aviv’s largest collection of Bauhaus architecture in the world.  Artist Avner Gicelter has produced a series of colorful graphics that illustrate why Tel Aviv was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003.

Blair Underwood visits Israel.  (Thanks to Size Doesn’t Matter) Award winning actor and director Blair Underwood met with Mehereta Baruch, an Ethiopian Jewess who arrived in Israel aged 10 and is now Deputy Mayor of Tel-Aviv.  He also toured a military base, Haifa’s Bahai Gardens and Rambam hospital.

Here come the Rolling Stones.  It’s true!  World renowned rock band The Rolling Stones confirmed that they will perform in Tel Aviv on June 4, as part of their “14 On Fire” world tour.  Ticket sales for the Park Hayarkon begin Sunday, March 30 at 9 a.m. 

Running for LOTEM.  One of the Jerusalem Marathon participants was partially paralyzed Raz Ruterman who raised funds and awareness for the NGO LOTEM – Making Nature Accessible.  Raz serves as a tour guide for the inclusive trail at Nahal Hashofet in the Megiddo region – one of the first accessible trails in Israel.

The first international birding race.  Israel is hosting an inaugural birding sporting event.  Fourteen international teams of birders will participate in the “Champions of the Flyway” in Eilat to celebrate and raise awareness of bird migration.  The winning team spots the most unique species in 24 hours.

Israeli cyclists go Dutch.  The Prime Ministers of Israel and the Netherlands established the “Going Dutch” conference - an international conference on urban planning and cycling culture.  It also featured an interactive bicycle exhibition entitled Free Wheel, with more than 100 historic bicycles on display.

Israeli wins women's Thai boxing championship.  Sarah Avraham (20), of Kiryat Arba in Judea, won the Woman’s World Thai-Boxing (Muay Thai) Championship in Thailand. Sarah was born in Mumbai and converted to Judaism in 2008.  She immigrated to Israel following the attack on the Mumbai Chabad House.


THE JEWISH STATE

Miracles.  Here is an appropriate video to bridge the period between the Jewish festivals of Purim and Passover. It features singers Gad Elbaz, Naftali Kalfa and Ari Lesser.

The only pilot ever to thwart a highjacking.  The disappearance of Malaysian flight MH370 has led to the emergence of another story.  In 1970, El Al pilot Uri Bar-Lev used bravery, trained skills (plus something that cannot be defined) to disarm two armed PFLP terrorists who threatened to blow up his plane at 29,000 feet.

Thousands attend North American Aliya events.  Seven Aliya fairs took place simultaneously in major cities across North America. Some 1,500 showed up to the Nefesh B'Nefesh Aliyah Mega Event in Times Square.  Other fairs took place in Toronto, Montreal, Florida, Baltimore, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Like streams in the Negev.  Recent desert rainstorms in Southern Israel have caused a river to return.  This video has had over half a million views in two weeks.  Watch closely after 45 seconds.

Look who’s cleaning windows?  On the recent Jewish festival of Purim, two window cleaners dressed as the superhero Spiderman cheered up young patients at Israel’s Schneider Children’s Medical Center.

New look ZF.  The UK’s Zionist Federation has launched its re-branded image. It has also released a new film that publicizes Israel’s technological achievements, thriving economy and culture. 


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In the 23rd Mar 2014 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Israeli scientists have discovered the cause of another crippling genetic disease.
·        Hear a Golan Druze leader praise equal opportunities for minorities in the Jewish State.
·        The Statue of Liberty’s new security systems feature Israel’s Briefcam.
·        See how the blind can use an Israeli device to “hear” shapes.
·        Israeli innovators have been making big deals in New York
·        145 million TV viewers are expected to watch an Israeli-hosted swimming competition.
·        A French-born, UK-bred immigrant is the oldest ever recruit to the Israeli paratroops.

·        Previous JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary.  Click here for “A Happy State of Mind” (fast-loading version, no adverts).

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Genetic disease breakthrough.  Dr. Ohad Birk of Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva has discovered the genetic mutations that cause Progressive Cerebro-Cerebellar Atrophy (PCCA) and its variation PCCA2.  A simple blood test can detect both these mutations in prospective parents.

New Israeli-German lab for neurological illnesses.  The Weizmann Institute and the Max Planck Society are establishing a laboratory for Experimental Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurogenetics in Rehovot. Headed by Weizmann Professor Alon Chen it will research cognitive, emotional, behavioral and neurological disorders.

March is colon cancer awareness month.  The prevalence of (often-deadly) colo-rectal cancer in Israel has declined thanks largely to intensive information campaigns by the Israel Cancer Association and others.  The rate of patients who were diagnosed at an early stage almost doubled – from 20 percent in 1994 to 39% today.

GPS navigation in hospital.  Some hospitals are now so large that 25 per cent of visitors and patients become confused and get lost inside, despite signage and information desks.  Carmel Medical Center in Haifa is the first hospital in Israel to introduce a smartphone GPS app to help people find their way to the correct department.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Arab students excel at the Technion.  20 percent of students at Israel’s Technion are Arab, which shames anyone claming Israel is an apartheid state. 100 have graduated from Technion’s NAM (Outstanding Arab Youth) program since 2006 and are now embarking on successful careers in hi-tech and engineering. 

The IDF in Hebron.  This video shows how some Palestinian Arab children react to Israeli soldiers.

A Druze voice enlightens.  Mendi Safadi is Chairman of “Druze for Israel”.  Born in the Golan Heights, Mendi tells that Arabs, Christians, Druze and Jews are all equal in Israel. He also highlights Israel’s help for Syrians.

Japanese firms seek to tap into Israeli startups.  More Japanese companies are looking at the Israeli startup market in search of innovative technologies and investments to beef up their businesses. Takeda, Rakuten, Samurai Incubate and now the Japan External Trade Organization are investing heavily in the Jewish state.

Sustainable water solutions for Africa.  Ornit Avidar, formerly a diplomat for Israel’s Ministry of Industry and Trade founded Waterways, in 2010 in order to provide small-scale, locally beneficial water solutions to rural African villages.  They install easily maintainable solutions that do not require huge start-up costs.

Israel is a major strategic partner of the US.  The US House of Representatives approved by 140 - 1 the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act.  The bill promotes bi-lateral military, energy, water, science, homeland security, and agriculture co-operation and has now been transferred to the Senate for final approval.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Israeli system protects Statue of Liberty.  (Thanks to Israel21c) The Statue of Liberty National Monument has included Israel’s BriefCam in its state-of-the-art surveillance system. Briefcam’s unique Video Synopsis software solution enables law enforcement and security personnel to review hours of video in minutes.

Baby monitor grows up.  (Thanks to Israel21c) In 2010, Israel’s Evoz introduced an app that turns an iOS device into a virtual baby monitor.  This summer, the app matures into a full home-monitoring system that will detect burglars, fire, electrical devices not switched off, elderly at risk, and more.

Israeli students take to the air.  One of the highlights at the 54th Israel Annual Conference on Aerospace Sciences in Tel Aviv was a competition for students to build unique aircraft.  Projects included a mechanical bird, a short take-off drone, an electric passenger plane and an autonomous cluster of satellites.

Israel's record-breaking milkers.  (Thanks to Stuart Palmer)  Joshuah Miron heads the Ruminant Sciences Department at Israel’s Volcani Center.  He says that Israel’s success in the dairy industry is due to enhanced breeding of cows for their milk, advanced nutrition science, and a team of highly educated dairy farmers.

National Science Day.  Hundreds of events are scheduled to be held at universities and research institutes for Israel’s National Science Day on March 26. Usually held on March 14, the birthday of Albert Einstein, the celebration is postponed this year to avoid clashing with celebrations for the festival of Purim.

Israel and California sign R&D agreement.  Israel’s PM signed an agreement with California Governor Jerry Brown stressing four main Research & Development areas: water, energy, storage and cyber security.  Brown said "10% of San Diego's water will be a result of this collaboration and an outcome of Israeli technology."

The blind can hear shapes.  Delegates at the recent AIPAC conference saw a demonstration of EyeMusic – a tool that provides visual information for the blind.  Shapes, colors and locations are converted to music in order to give an audible “picture” of objects.

Israeli-Chinese electric bike.  Qoros - the joint venture between Israel Corporation and China's Chery - has unveiled the EBIKE at the Geneva Motor Show. The bike, one of the most advanced electric bicycles ever developed, is equipped with a large battery, electric motor, touchscreen display and traditional pedals.  Meanwhile, multinational car manufacturers are expecting heavy competition from Qoros’ new hatchback.

A new mindset for education.  The Israeli accelerator MindCet incubates education technology start-ups in Tel Aviv and in the Negev.  Its founders went to SXSWedu in Austin Texas, along with start-ups CodeMonkey, Simlisco and RoadStory to explain how technology can significantly change teaching and learning processes.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Israel’s currency reserves increase again.  Israel’s deposits of foreign currency rose for the sixth consecutive month to yet another all-time record of $83.976 billion at the end of Feb 2014.

Budget deficit lowest in 2.5 years.  Israel’s accumulated budget deficit fell to NIS 28.6 billion or 2.7% of GDP.  It is the lowest since Aug 2011 and below the government's target of 3% of GDP.

Where dealmakers and innovators meet.  Over 1,000 senior executives from around the world came to Israel Dealmakers Summit 2014 in New York to discuss innovation across key growth sectors including Digital Media, Cleantech, Mobile, Internet, Big Data, Semiconductors, Software, Healthcare and Telecom.

Nurturing female Israeli entrepreneurs.  The UpWest Labs Female Entrepreneurship Program, funded by Google, is establishing a network of mentors in Silicon Valley and Israel.  Its co-founder Shuly Galili said, “Israel leads the world in empowering women to take command.”

Send us a minibus.  Israel’s Ototo ("just a second" in Hebrew) is attempting to change the concept of public transport with “travel-on-demand”. Ototo will use crowdsourcing to identify demand for passengers from a particular destination to another, and will send a bus or minibus.

Insulin products for Europe.  Israeli biotech Insuline has announced a new European distribution agreement with 24Care, which will distribute InsuPad in the Netherlands and Belgium.  InsuPad increases the effectiveness of Insulin injections, lowering the required dose and allowing flexibility on timing the injections.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

The Antithesis of weddings.  Tel Aviv’s TLV1 Radio DJ Antithesis broadcast a very special edition of Kol Cambridge on the day of his marriage.

PM is TV tour guide.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the star of a new series about the tourist sites in Israel. The program, produced and hosted by CBS travel editor Peter Greenberg, features footage shot the length and breadth of Israel, with Netanyahu himself introducing Israel’s major tourist spots.

The Prodigy to perform in Tel Aviv.  British pioneers of rave, techno, and big beat genres, the band The Prodigy plans to perform in Tel Aviv on 29 May 2014. They have sold over 20 million albums, and hits include ‘Firestarter’ and ‘Breathe’.

Israelis are riding high.  The Israeli Equestrian Team made history when its show jumpers competed in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, the first time that an Israeli team has ever participated in an international equestrian competition.  Their debut was at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Palm Beach, Wellington, Florida.

Israel to host European swimming championships.  Israel will host the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Jan 2015 - the first time for such a large-scale swimming event.  The venue is the new Olympic-size pool at the Wingate Institute near Netanya, and anticipates around 145 million TV viewers.


THE JEWISH STATE

A life-changing experience.  Naale Elite Academy enables students to complete their last three years of high school in Israel while learning to be independent, self-sufficient and resilient. The program, co-funded by the State of Israel and the Jewish Agency, provides a full scholarship with all expenses paid until graduation.

Places of Interest – Netanya.  United With Israel has just featured my hometown. The Marmaluke ruins, the Yemenite museum and the Iris reserve enhance the beautiful beaches, exciting shuk and splendid eateries.

21% increase in Israeli philanthropy.  Israelis contributed NIS 5.7 billion (approx £1 billon or $1.6 billion) to nonprofit organizations in Israel in 2011 - up from NIS 4.1 billion in 2009.  It is the first comparison ever performed by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics.

Technion receives $21 million donation.  The Azrieli family has donated $21 million to Israel’s Technion, to help build a Tel Aviv campus.  David Azrieli, 91, studied at the Technion in the 1940s and fought in the 1948 Israeli War of Independence.

Definitely not over the hill.  29-year-old French-born, UK-raised lone soldier Isaac Moyal is Israel’s oldest recruit to the paratroop regiment. He has already shown that he can more than keep up with teenagers.  It helps that he has a brown belt in kickboxing and does Krav Maga (self-defense), freerunning, and rollerblading.

The Argan trees are growing up.  “When you come into the Land and have planted trees for food...” Here is a new video from Zo Artzeinu (“This is our Land”) that shows Argan tree farmers Yoni and Shoshana Rappeport in Mitzpe Ramon connecting the physical to the spiritual.  The planting season is upon us – you can join in too.


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In the 9th March edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Positive news for two new Israeli leukemia treatments.
·        Wounded Ukrainians have been airlifted to Israeli hospitals.
·        Only in Israel can top multinational companies design hi-tech products together.
·        Twice as many low cost flights to Israel this summer.
·        Two Israeli winners in this year’s Academy (Oscars) awards
·        Israelis will make people happy on Good Deeds day and on Purim.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary.  Click here for “Things can only get better” (fast-loading version, no adverts).  Also on San Diego Jewish World and United with Israel.
·        Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News.

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Israel prize for developer of Alzheimer’s treatment.  The Israel Prize for Medicine goes to Professor Marta Weinstock-Rosin of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.  Weinstock-Rosin developed Exelon, for treating dementia related to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.  Exelon is currently undergoing Phase II trials.

US approval for Leukemia treatment.  The US FDA has approved SYNRIBO from Israel’s Teva for the treatment of patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia who failed therapy using tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Positive results in Leukemia trials.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s BioLineRX announced that its BL-8040 treatment for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) stopped growth of cancer cells in-vitro and caused them to self-destruct.  It also reversed any protection given to the CML cancer cells from a bone marrow transplant.

Promoting bone cancer research.  Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have received a $62,500 grant for promising research into osteosarcoma metastasis - a bone cancer commonly found in children and young adults. Dr Rami Aqeilan and his team will explore microRNA biomarkers and responsiveness to therapy.

Stroke treatment shows promise.  Israel’s D-Pharm has announced successful interim results in the Phase IIa clinical trial of its drug THR-18 taken in conjunction with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for the treatment of cerebral stroke.  D-Pharm’s share price rose 117%, despite the trials taking place in the Ukraine.

Elderly and infirm can stay at home.  Israeli life-science company Essence has launched Care@Home - an in-home care monitoring solution for the elderly and chronic disease sufferers.  The system learns a person's everyday routine and detects any deviations, such as skipped meals, reduced activity or unusual events.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Ten years of caring for seriously ill.  The Israeli charity Life’s Door - Tishkofet has helped more than 10,000 patients, family members and professionals in its ten years of operation.  Professor Ben Corn of Tel Aviv University founded the organization after losing his father to cancer and finding no one to help with the trauma.

Israeli Arabs live longer than Americans.  As the book “Liberal Oasis: The Truth About Israel” by Joshua Muravchik states, “Israel has done better in evening out the differences between its Jewish and Arab citizens than most countries encompassing sharply diverse nationalities.”  Available on Kindle.

Academic center for Arab girls.  Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has inaugurated the “Center for Excellence You-niversity” in Beit Hanina, an Arab neighborhood in the eastern part of the city. The Center was established in cooperation with the Jerusalem Municipality and the World ORT Kadima Mada.

Israeli soldiers save Palestinian Arab crash victims.  Members of the Israel Defense Force’s 669 Search and Rescue Unit treated 4 Palestinian Arabs who were injured in a car crash.  Their speeding vehicle flipped over and fell into a wadi.  The severely injured and a two-year-old were evacuated by helicopter to hospital.

Syrians treated in Israel: (Thanks to Nevet – www.broaderview.com) Dr. Massad Barhoum, Director General of Israel’s Western Galilee Hospital (and a Christian Arab) talks about treating casualties from Syria’s civil war.  http://bcove.me/fc8s1coe

Ukrainians treated in Israel.  Seven Ukrainians wounded in the Ukrainian unrest are being flown to Israel for treatment.  One, Alexander, aged 20, landed at Ben-Gurion airport last week and was rushed to Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot for wrist surgery.

Princeton partners with IDC Herzliya.  Juniors from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs will enroll in the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at IDC Herzliya.  The IDC is Wilson School’s only partner in the Middle East.

LAPD get tour of Israeli hi-tech.  Eight top brass of the Los Angeles Police Department spent 9 days in Israel seeing Israeli crime-fighting technology.  Of most interest was the HoverMast from Israel’s Sky Sapience.

22 ways Israel has helped Africa in last 3 years.  A great summary by Israel21c of Israel’s recent technological, humanitarian, medical, ecological and agricultural aid to developing African nations.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Thinner, stronger and greener packaging.  Israeli start-up Valentis is developing a packaging material that has a strength-to-weight ratio 8 times greater than stainless steel.  The material is based on nano-crystalline cellulose (NCC), a biodegradable, transparent material made from plant pulp waste.

Toys help develop children's skills.  Israel’s TinyLove makes innovative toys for babies. Check out this video, showing only one of their many products.  It’s on the anti-Israel boycott list, so please support them.

Identifying malicious operations.  Israel’s Cybereason has launched its service that spots hackers once they have breached the security defenses of an organization.

Israel’s Moon shot is already a winner.  Israel’s SpaceIL says its 140kg LunarX satellite is one of the top contenders for Google’s $30 million prize for landing on the moon.  It is the smallest, smartest spacecraft, plus the first to rely on optic navigation. And the project has already won the hearts of a whole generation of Israelis. 

New program for tech entrepreneurs.  The Technion-Cornell Innovation Institute (JTCII) is launching a new one-year postdoctoral “Runway program” for technology entrepreneurs.  Professors provide academic guidance whilst off-campus consultants supply legal, industrial and financial advice.

Multinationals work together in Israel.  Only in Israel can Citi, Ebay, General Electric, General Motors, Microsoft, Red Hat, and 3M develop new ideas together.  The seven companies will send 3-5 software engineers to a “Weekathon” in Ra’anana where they will work in groups to develop futuristic products.

Cheap roaming for smartphones abroad.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI)  Israel’s Simgo has launched a low-cost roaming service for Samsung and iPhone.  Attach a virtual SIM-enabled protective cover to access high-speed data services, enjoy excellent quality, whilst retaining your own mobile number for all calls.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Israel’s cyber industry.  Israel National Cyber Bureau (INCB) has estimated exports by Israeli companies in the cyber field at $3 billion in 2013 - three times greater than those of the United Kingdom.  Also, Israeli cyber companies raised $165 million last year - approximately 11 percent of total funds raised worldwide.

Who’s using your website?  Israeli start-up SimilarWeb performs in-depth analyses of website traffic. It has thousands of customers, including Adidas, eBay and Hewlett Packard.  It has just raised finance to expand into Germany and the US.

Frutarom gets more fruitful.  Israeli flavors and ingredients giant Frutarom is still growing.  It has now bought Florida-based CitraSource, which specializes in developing, manufacturing, marketing and selling of unique solutions in citrus specialty ingredients.

Managing 3000 vehicles in Brazil.  Israel’s Pointer Telocation has been awarded a $3 million contract for systems to manage a fleet of 3000 vehicles in Brazil. Pointer's telemetry solution can track and manage fuel consumption, prevent fuel waste, unauthorized use of the vehicle, improve productivity and reduce accidents.

What went right in the State of Israel?  Please read this great article by Professor Michael Curtis. It describes some of the major International companies that have come to the Jewish State to share in its success.

Building the US border fence.  The US subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems has won a $145 million contract to help secure the US Mexican border fence.  Arizona Senator John McCain said the technology would help “give our agents the ability to detect, evaluate, and respond to all illegal entries crossing our border.”

Twice as many low-cost flights.  This summer, Israel will operate 89 low-cost flights per week from Ben Gurion airport’s Terminal 1.  This is double the number for summer 2013 and 33 more than the current figure.

Healthier gluten-free sweets.  Israel’s Carmit Candy Industries has launched gluten-free chocolate clusters.  Those with Celiac Disease / Gluten Intolerance and those following a gluten-free lifestyle can enjoy a wide range of combinations of gluten-free cereals and dried fruits or nuts, covered in either chocolate or yogurt.

US roadshow for Israeli clean-techs.  A delegation of 15 Israeli energy and water companies is headed to the U.S. for meetings with investors in San Francisco and Chicago.  The companies include Hydrospin Monitoring Solutions, NewCo2Fuels, G.P.M. and Greenlet. 

Wireless to Latin America.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s FriskyDSP Technology has licensed its LTE Layer 1 Small-Cell Extended Range solution to one of Latin America’s foremost communication institutions. The government of the unnamed country demands rural areas 30km from cities to be covered by wireless by 2017.

Alcoholic drinks at 5 shekels each.  The coffee chain Cofix, which sells everything on its menu at 5 shekels an item, is opening up in the evenings to sell alcoholic beverages also at 5 shekels (under $1.50) a glass.  Even at those prices, Cofix expects to make a gross profit of 100 per cent on each drink.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Jerusalem youth orchestra shines at Carnegie Hall festival.  (Thanks to Linda) The Jerusalem Conservatory Hassadna youth wind orchestra won the New York wind festival competition at Carnegie Hall.  New York State communities hosted the 45 musicians who then gave a free concert to 200 at Westchester Jewish Center.

Happy in Tel Aviv.  (Thanks to Barry and Israel21c)  Israelis dance to the sounds of Pharrell Williams’s song “Happy” with background scenes of Tel Aviv / Yafo.

Two Israelis win Oscars.  Israel’s Niv Adiri picked up an Oscar to add to the BAFTA he’d won previously for his team’s work on the sound of the multi-award winning film "Gravity."  Also celebrating was Israel’s Arnon Milchan who co-produced “12 Years a Slave” which won the top prize of Best Picture.

40,000 hit Tel Aviv’s pavements.  The streets of Tel Aviv overflowed as 40,000 runners took part in the 2014 Samsung Tel Aviv Marathon.  It was Israel’s largest professional running event.  Ezekiel Koech of Kenya won the men’s event in a new course record of 2hrs 14 minute 40 seconds.


THE JEWISH STATE

Hi-tech internships in Israel.  The Israel Tech Challenge, a new initiative by The Jewish Agency, will offer young gifted Jewish students in computer science from around the world - among them Ivy League students and employees of companies such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google - an insider's look at the Startup Nation.

Every cloud has a silver lining.  Israel's embassy in Japan has donated more than 300 Anne Frank-related books to public libraries in Tokyo, after many were found vandalized.  The mayor of Tokyo's Suginami ward said, "Through this incident, I believe that people also learned about the horrid facts of history and of racism."

Hero pops the question.  Just over a year ago I reported on IDF Captain Ziv Shilon who lost an arm in a Hamas attack but returned to duty shortly afterwards.  I’m pleased to write that he proposed to his girlfriend at a “Friends of the Israel Defense Forces” event in Florida, and she said, “Yes”.

Good Deeds Day gets bigger.  11th March sees the launch of “Good Deeds Day – Kulanana” with its aim to get one million Israeli citizens to take part.  The goal is to strengthen the fabric of Israeli society by encouraging cooperation between Israel’s different communities.

Laugh - Purim is coming.  A flash mob cheers up travelers on the Jerusalem light railway.  After all, it’s the Hebrew month of Adar Sheni and the Jewish festival of Purim is approaching. 

The long-eared owl is back.  The long-eared owl, a nocturnal bird of prey, was once a rare sight in Israel, but in recent years it has proliferated. Like a number of other species of birds, the long-eared owl has become more common in the North and similar areas, having become accustomed to the expanded, JNF-KKL forests.


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In the 2nd Mar 2014 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        An Israeli treatment is curing sufferers of Type 1 diabetes.
·        Israeli doctors saved two Gaza mothers and their 3 babies.
·        The Israeli app “CamMe” won the top award at the Mobile World Congress.
·        Israel has completed tests of its system to protect civilian aircraft against missiles.
·        Israeli water filters will produce clean drinking water for Angola.
·        Almost a billion birds stop off in Israel during their annual migration.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary.  Click here for “It Happened Here First” (fast-loading version, no adverts).  Also on San Diego Jewish World, United with Israel and IsraelSeen.

·        Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News.

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Type 1 diabetes treatment success.  Clinical trials of Alpha 1 Antitrypsin (AAT), developed by Dr Eli Lewis of Ben Gurion University, reduced insulin dependence in Type 1 diabetes sufferers and cured several of the disease.  Some physicians are now prescribing AAT as an off-label treatment ahead of FDA approval.

Trials success for cervical cancer test kits.  Israel’s Micromedic has reported positive results in its pilot study conducted in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Union Hospital), a central hospital in Beijing, using the CellDetect product for the detection and identification of cervical cancer.

New solutions for heart disease.  Israel’s Technion Institute and the Toronto-based University Health Network (UHN) have announced the establishment of the “Technion - UHN International Center for Cardiovascular Innovation”. New ways to treat heart disease can reduce the second leading cause of death in Israel and Canada. 

Mobile app for those at risk of heart attack.  Israeli-developed GPS-based CathMaps+ is the world’s first HIPAA-compliant mobile app for those with elevated risk of a cardiac incident.  Android and iOS smartphone users share their medical history with cardiologists and tools include maps of the nearest catheterization labs.

The regenerating Professor.  Whilst at Israel’s Weizmann Institute, molecular geneticist Professor Michel Revel developed treatments for MS, ALS and diabetes.  Now at 75 years of age, he works at his biotech Kadimastem developing pluripotent stem cells as a regenerative medicine solution for all three diseases.

Hopes for tomorrow.  Two new videos highlight how Israel’s Beit Issie Shapiro helps children born with mental and physical disabilities develop to their full potential – even to use iPads.  In the first video are Roni, Eytan, Nevo and Liora.  In the second Eytan’s Dad is running the London marathon for Beit Issie and his son.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Technion course for Arabs.  Unusually positive article by Tom Friedman about the on-line nano-technology course run by Israel Technion’s Israeli-Arab Professor Hossam Haick.  Some ask him, “Are you a real person? Are you really an Arab, or are you an Israeli Jew speaking Arabic, pretending to be an Arab?”

Israel honors Israeli-Arab volunteers.  700 Israeli-Arab volunteers gathered in Karmiel for a celebratory, upbeat and heartwarming event to show them appreciation. Congratulations and affection was showered upon the plucky volunteers who resist blatant bullying in order to perform civic service inside their communities.

Good relations.  (Thanks to Michael and Joy) The PA leadership may not like it, but the religious Jews of Beitar Illit have been shopping in and receiving services from the Palestinian Arab town of Husan for years.  And both communities are very happy about it.

Yitzhak Rabin is granted Israeli citizenship.  18-year-old Yitzhak Rabin Namsy was born in Jordan and named after the ex-Israeli Prime Minister. His parents fled to Israel in 1998.  Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar personally presented Yitzhak with his Israeli ID card so that Yizhak could fulfill his wish to serve in the IDF.

Haifa doctors save two Gaza mothers and their 3 babies.  Doctors at Haifa’s Rambam hospital delivered twins to a Gaza woman with a severe blood clot disorder.  They then delivered a baby to a second Gaza mother in a critical condition due to Rh incompatibility, and then fixed the baby’s congenital heart condition.

IDF Diversity Week.  Every year, thousands of minority recruits join the Israel Defense Forces.  Immigrants have brought their unique culture and traditions from their countries of origin.  The IDF also contains hundreds of Bedouin, Circassians, Druze, Arab Christians and Arab Muslims who want to serve their country.

Finland looks to Israel for inspiration.  Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen is determined to overhaul his economy, and cites Israel's success as a "start-up" nation brimming with high-tech innovation as his model.  Meanwhile, Finland has been purchasing millions of Euros of Israeli technology.

What does everyone want?  Israeli Technology.  Israeli PM Netanyahu told the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations that all visiting foreign Heads of State have been asking for three things: Israeli technology, Israeli technology and Israeli technology.

Young innovators solve global problems.  Over 70 young Israeli entrepreneurs impressed United Nations representatives at the Israeli Designed International Development (ID2) conference in Caesarea.  Innovations demonstrated included plants that give off light at night and MobileOCT’s cervical cancer diagnosis system. 

Israel and Cyprus ties have never been better.  Relations between Israel and Cyprus are at an unprecedented level, said Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulines during his recent visit.  There is good cooperation on security, energy, water management, science and technology.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Most innovative app.  190 Israeli companies presented at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.  Israel’s PointGrab won “most innovative app” with CamMe that lets users make gestures to take “selfies” (photographs of themselves) from their iPhone from up to 16 feet away.  Israel’s EverythingMe was also one of five finalists.

Israel helps drought-stricken California.  In its most severe drought since 1977, California looks to Israel for expert water advice and technology.  Israel’s IDE Technologies Ltd. is already helping to build what it says will be the largest seawater desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere.

Better herbicides.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s Evogene has launched PoinTar, a computationally based target discovery platform for generating new herbicides.  It identifies key molecules responsible for essential biological processes in weeds, which have the potential to be chemically inhibited in order to cause weed death.

Better batteries.  The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has boosted the power of sodium-ion batteries with a new type of anode.  Also Israel’s EnStorage received a $1 million grant for its HBr flow battery development.  Meanwhile Professor Doron Aurbach of Bar Ilan University won the prestigious 2014 International Battery Association Yeager Award for developing super (EDL) capacitors and rechargeable magnesium batteries.

Eilat’s ecology recovers.  In 2008 Israel relocated its Eilat fish farms to the Mediterranean port of Ashdod to prevent further damage to the Red Sea ecology. Studies have now shown that previously endangered Eilat marine species have recovered and no adverse affects have been reported regarding the Ashdod environment.

Enjoy the ride.  Here are two videos that demonstrate the selective suspension in the revolutionary new wheel developed by Israel’s SoftWheel.

Eleven cyber security awards.  Israeli cyber-security companies received eleven awards at the RSA Security Conference in San Francisco.  Votiro won gold in the “Innovations in Next Generation Security” category for its software that “sanitizes” any form of data that enters an organization via the Internet.  Covertix won two awards - silver for its database security and bronze for “Awesome Product of the Year”.

Cleantech 2014.  CleanTech 2014, the 18th annual international event for Clean Technologies at Airport City focused on environmental quality, infrastructures and green building, renewable energy and water technologies.

Safer aircraft.  Israel’s Defense Ministry has successfully completed final testing on the “Sky Shield” system that protects commercial planes from missile attacks.  A thermal camera integrated with laser technology deflects missiles.  European authorities reported eight attempts to launch missiles at airplanes last year.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Moody’s upgrades its view of Israel’s banks.  Moody's Investors Service has revised its outlook for the Israeli banking system from “negative” to “stable”.  It reverses their downgrading of banks in May 2012 and reflects improved macroeconomic conditions, capital buffers, liquidity and funding.

EasyJet launches Hebrew site.  UK low-cost airline easyJet has launched a Hebrew-language homepage that allows customers to book flights in any of the ten currencies available.  EasyJet added that, in February, it flew its one-millionth passenger on its Israel route since it started operations in 2009.

“Angels” choose winning start-ups.  New Israeli company iAngels provides a service for individuals to invest relatively small amounts in start-ups.  iAngels is advised by wealthy investors “Angels” who pledge their own money.  Smaller investors join a “crowdsourcing” investment that is returned if the finance target isn’t reached.

Developing Ethiopia’s potash mine.  Israel Chemicals and Canada's Allana Potash will jointly develop Allana's Danakhil potash project in Ethiopia. The proposed mine's feasibility study indicates that it will produce approximately one million tons of potash annually within five years.

Clean water for Angola.  Amiad Water Systems won a $1.1 million contract to supply 50 filtration systems to a project providing clean drinking water in Angola.  Meanwhile the Israeli government honored Amiad an Outstanding Exporter award for exporting products totaling $83 million in 2012. 

America’s support for the Start-up Nation.  Tom Glaser begins a series of blogs for the Times of Israel.  In it, he will focus on the American side of the U.S. - Israel business equation with articles about the people, companies, and organizations making a difference.  I hope to link to his regular articles here.

India’s potatoes need Israeli technology.  (Thanks to Uri) India’s Dr. Akhilesh Kumar works at Israel’s Vulcani Agricultural Research Institute.  His is investigating how to store India’s glut of winter potatoes to feed its hungry population all year round.  Israeli hi-tech can help develop better strains and solar-powered storage.

Israeli gas exports can bring peace between Turkey and Greece.  (Thanks to Nevet - www.broaderview.org) An optimistic piece in the Turkish Haber Turk monthly magazine.  Translated by Al-Monitor.com

Tax breaks to 400 communities.  Israel’s Finance Minister is doubling the number of communities eligible for tax benefits. The emphasis in the composition of the list was the distance of the community from Israel's center and its proximity to the borders with Syria, Lebanon, or the Gaza Strip.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Mazel Tov to Antithesis.  Our friend, Tel Aviv Radio TLV1’s Antithesis, will be busier than usual next week.  Kol Cambridge’s resident DJ is getting married on Thursday.  Looking forward to great music at his wedding.

Open Hearts: A Memoir.  This new biography is about renowned Israeli cardiac surgeon Professor Joseph Borman.  One of his accomplishments was to save the life of critically injured soldier Doron Lancet during the 1967 Six-Day War.  Doron went on to lead the Israeli team that helped map the human genome.

Jerusalem invests in TV and film production.  Jerusalem’s municipality is to invest NIS 22 million to encourage more film and television production within the capital.  The television series Dig, co-written by Gideon Raff of Homeland fame, will be the first production to benefit from the initiative.

Israel gets good draw for Euro 2016 soccer.  Israel was placed in Group B for the qualifying stages of the European Nations Cup 2016, with Wales, Belgium, Andorra, Cyprus and Bosnia-Herzegovina.  The top two teams will qualify for the championship round.


THE JEWISH STATE

Where do Israel’s innovators come from?  The best entrepreneurial incubator in the world might actually be created via conscription … the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).  A crop of successful new entrepreneurs is coming out of Israel and they credit military schooling for their success.

Israel’s popularity highest for 23 years.  (Thanks to Yoram Ettinger) According to the latest Gallup poll, Israel was rated favorably by 72% of Americans.  This compares to 66% at this time last year and is the highest level since 1991.

My Israel in 10 objects.  Israel's Ambassador to the UK, Daniel Taub gave an enthralling talk at the UK Limmud Conference.  It is a personal, funny and surprisingly moving portrait of contemporary Israel.

Presbyterian leaders acknowledge the truth.  A delegation of 14 leaders from the Presbyterian clergy visited the Soda Stream factory in Maaleh Adumim.  During the tour they affirmed that the location of the factory enhances the business as well as the interpersonal relations between Israelis and Palestinian Arabs.

Here come the birds.  A recent IBA broadcast featuring some of the 1 billion feathered visitors to Israel.


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In the 23rd Feb 2014 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        A non-invasive Israeli blood-flow monitor prevents brain damage.
·        A Syrian father praised Israeli doctors who saved the last surviving member of his family.
·        California’s new Israeli-built solar power plant produces a third of all US solar energy.
·        Jordan is the first foreign country to buy Israeli gas.
·        Help finance the new Israeli invisible keyboards, for the blind and sighted.
·        An Israeli won a BAFTA award and is in line for an Oscar.
·        Archeologists have uncovered a 2300-year-old village near Jerusalem.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary.  Click here for “The Goals of the Jewish State” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).  Also on United With Israel.
·        Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News.

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Israeli doctor discovers new bacterium.  (Thanks to Nevet www.broadview.org)  Dr. Itai Amir of Israel’s Maayanei Hayeshua hospital discovered a new strain of bacteria when examining a patient’s blood culture. Eisenbergiella Tayi assists in digestion and has tremendous scientific importance, according to hospital experts.

Non-invasive blood-flow monitor.  CerOx from Israel’s Ornim is the only non-invasive device on the market monitoring blood flow to the brain in patients with severe brain trauma.  The CerOx device uses ultrasound and near-infrared light to measure oxygen saturation and prevent brain damage.  It has just raised $10 million.

Treating depression in Sweden.  Israel’s Brainsway has installed its Deep Brain Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) systems at Stockholm's Karolinska University Hospital where they will be used immediately to treat patients with depression.  Sweden has one of the highest rates of depression in the world.

Neck device keeps hearts beating.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI)  Israel’s BioControl Medical has developed the first medical device to treat chronic heart failure using neuro-stimulation.  It operates by stimulating the vagus nerve on the right side of the neck. Trials are being conducted at 80 centers in the US, Europe and Israel.

Reducing chemotherapy side effects.  Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered the cause of mucositis – a devastating intestinal inflammation in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.  The problem is Interleukin-1 (IL-1 beta), a protein secreted by the stressed mucosa, which can be blocked.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  In contrast to what you may have read elsewhere, most ordinary Jerusalemites get along quite well together.

Encouraging girls to like STEM.  Tel Aviv start-up Gangly Sister is producing a cartoon web series to promote Science, Tech, Engineering and Math to girls.  The English-language series, titled, “Purple and Nine,” has had 64,000 views since its debut on Jan 30. The plan is to release one new 5-minute episode every month.

A Jewish-Arab school, in an Arab town.  At the Bridge Over the Wadi elementary school, children from both the Jewish and Arab communities learn together in Hebrew and Arabic.  (From an Indonesian website)

Teaching Arab children to love reading.  Israel’s Education Ministry has launched a national program to encourage pre-school children in Arab communities to read.  Maktabat al-Fanoos (“Lantern Library”) will deliver 4 free books to over 45,000 children in 1,750 kindergartens to bring home and read with their families.

Syrians treated in Israel:  Three wounded Syrians including a 14-year-old boy were taken to Israeli hospitals for treatment last week. Poriya Medical Center in Tiberias, has now treated 46 Syrians.  Doctors at Rambam hospital in Haifa removed part of the skull of a six-year-old Syrian boy who arrived in a coma. He was injured in an explosion that killed his mother and siblings.  After six weeks he was discharged to his grateful father.

Helping India clean polluted wetlands.  A team of Israel scientists arrived in Bhubaneswar, Hubaneswar, India, to test a pilot program to use plants to remove pollutants from contaminated soil and water.  The holistic wastewater management process is called “phyto-remediation”.  (See Algemeiner article for more info on India)

Israel and Germany to give joint aid for Africa.  Israel and Germany are launching a joint project for humanitarian relief in developing countries, specifically in Africa.  “The Africa initiative" will see Israel pledge 24 million shekel ($6.8 million) toward humanitarian relief in developing countries from 2015-2020.

Peruvian President visits Israel.  President Ollanta Humala of Peru arrived in Israel for a three-day visit designed to increase economic and security cooperation between the two countries.  Humala was set to meet representatives of Israeli high-tech firms, and receive an honorary doctorate from the Hebrew University.

Greek food bank studies Israeli charitable system.  Leket Israel, the National Food Bank, hosted the founders of Bouroume (“We Can”), a virtual food bank in Athens for a two-day visit.  The Greek charity saw Leket’s gleaning program in which 50,000 volunteers pick, rescue and distribute fresh produce to the needy.

Israel to run Human Rights Council elections.  170 countries nominated Israeli Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor to run the elections for the UN Human Rights Committee.  “The central role Israel plays to advance human rights around the world is the real answer to anyone calling for boycotts against Israel,” Prosor said.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Green energy from overlooked sources.  Israel’s Energy Industries uses local natural resources to implement energy solutions for its customers.  Methane from organic waste in Ghana; hot springs for greenhouses in Georgia; solar power for Israel’s Ben Gurion University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

One of the most innovative companies in the world.  Prestigious American magazine, Fast Company has ranked Israel’s Water-Gen number 21 in its list of fifty Most Innovative Companies. Water-Gen has developed a unique patented technology that produces drinking water out of air, plus a mobile water purification solution.

Generating a third of US’s solar power.  The 392-megawatt concentrating solar power (CSP) plant built by Israel’s BrightSource Energy is now delivering renewable energy to the California grid.  The five-square-mile Ivanpah Solar Energy Generating System in the Mojave Desert is the largest plant of its kind in the world.

Iron Beam is hot topic at Singapore Airshow.  Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems publicized its new laser missile shield at Asia's largest aerospace and defense exhibition.  "It's exactly like what you see in Star Wars. You see the lasers go up so quickly like a flash and the target is finished." said Rafael’s Amit Zimmer.

Golden sands.  Israel’s Environmental Protection Minister Peretz has allocated NIS 2 million to keep Israel’s beaches clean.  In addition to allowing for increased cleaning operations, the funds will serve to provide educational activities in schools, public relations campaigns and enforcement.

Dolphins adopt Israeli Mediterranean beach.  Marine biologists and researchers have announced that Achziv’s Northern Israeli coastal beach is now an internationally recognized protected dolphin habitat. The dolphins enjoy Achziv Beach because of its sea cliff, which offers deep waters for the dolphins to feed in.

The ultimate in remote control.  Watch how the gesture technology from Israel’s Pointgrab allows you to run applications on the Lenovo range of computers from up to 2 meters away, and in low lighting environments.

Israel’s active pen.  Intel Corporation will integrate the pen and mini-touch technology of Kfar Saba based N-trig into its Educational Tablet, a touch-enabled device for use in the classroom. 


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Israel’s economy index is up again.  Israel's Composite State of the Economy Index for Jan 2014 increased by 0.3 percent.  Exports of goods and services rose significantly.  The IMF also said that Israel’s economic fundamentals remain strong, with solid GDP growth and low unemployment and inflation.

Jordan is first country to buy Israeli natural gas.  Noble Energy has signed a 15-year agreement in the Jordanian capital of Amman, to sell at least $500 million of gas from the Tamar field to two Jordanian companies.  It is the first export deal for Israeli natural gas. A pipeline will go through the Dead Sea to Jordan.

Connecting Canadians.  (Thanks to Size Doesn’t Matter) Toronto’s Porter Airlines and Israel’s EL AL have signed an agreement.  They will co-ordinate operations at Newark International Airport in New Jersey to connect passengers between Tel Aviv and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and other Canadian destinations.

More passengers, more trains, better reliability.  Israel Railways has reported a new record in the number of passengers. Israeli trains carried 45 million passengers in 2013, 12% more than in 2012.  The growth was due to the opening of new lines plus more new double-decker carriages.  Punctuality rose to 93.3% from 90% in 2012.

The largest Israeli buyout by an Asian company.  Japanese Internet giant Rakuten has just bought Israeli-developed video and voice communications app Viber for $900 million.  Viber allows users to make free phone and video calls within its network, and has over 200 million users all over the world.

An Israeli R&D center in Singapore.  In a reversal of the normal trend, Israel Aerospace Industries and the Singapore government today unveiled the company's Cyber Early Warning R&D Center in Singapore.  The center will employ mainly Singaporeans, but is modeled on IAI's cyber-accessibility center in Israel.

How isolated is Israel?  Good economic summary by Yoram Ettinger.

Israel is a manufacturer of innovation.  (Thanks to algemeiner) Ten of Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett’s former colleagues at Cyota have built companies of their own.  One, Michal Tzur, co-founded open source video platform Kaltura, which has just raised an additional $47 million of capital.

Google buys advanced Israeli security.  IT giant Google has acquired the staff and intellectual property of Israeli start-up SlickLogin.  The Israeli company is developing applications using ultrasound and smartphones, to allow users more easily to login securely.  SlickLogin’s founders served in the IDF elite cyber security unit.

The invisible keyboard for both blind and sighted.  Israel’s Inpris is using crowdsourcing to raise the finance to launch two versions of its invisible keyboard: the UpSense Super Keyboard for single-handed gesture typing, and the UpSense Super Braille Keyboard for a blind person to type with two hands.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

New Israeli national heritage stamps.  (Thanks to Jacob Richman)  The latest beautiful Israeli postage stamps feature the City of David, Atlid detention camp, Independence hall, Acre, craters, ancient synagogues and more.

Explore Israel.  (Thanks to Uri) Try out this exciting interactive video tour of the Jewish State.

A British-Israeli musical miracle.  8-year-old Alma Deutscher plays beautifully piano, violin, improvises, composed an opera and discusses her music in Hebrew and English.  I couldn’t resist watching all 28 minutes.

Deep Purple rocks Tel Aviv.  British band Deep Purple performs at Tel Aviv’s Nokia Arena on Feb 22 and 23.  Deep Purple are considered, along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, to be the top hard rock and heavy metal bands in Britain in the early 1970′s and is ranked by Planet Rock as the fifth most influential band ever.   The group will also appear on the Israeli TV drama series “Atlantica”, about a struggling Jerusalem Rock band.

Israel's first Chief Rabbi inspires today's musicians.  Israel has just held its second annual benefit concert for Beit HaRav Kook, in honor of Israel's first Chief Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook.

Israeli wins BAFTA award.  Israel’s Niv Adiri won a British Academy of Film and Television award for his work in the team responsible for the groundbreaking sound work on the blockbuster “Gravity.”  The team has also been nominated for an Oscar.

Israel to host World basketball tournament.  Israel will host the FIBA 3-on-3 under-18 World Championship basketball tournament in 2015.  The Basketball Association of Israel (IBBA) is one of the most active national federations in the development of 3-on-3 basketball.


THE JEWISH STATE

Arab, Muslim and pro-Israeli.  Algerian born Abdel Bioud contrasts democratic Israel with Arab dictatoriships.  Abdel is the Vice President of communications for McGill Students for Israel.

Easing immigration for French Jews.  Israel’s minister of immigration absorption was in Paris and promised to “erase all bureaucratic hurdles” for new immigrants.  Sofa Landver plans to submit her ideas at a future Israel cabinet meeting.  3,301 French Jews immigrated to Israel in 2013 - the largest figure out of France since 2000.

The oldest Jew in the world.  Rabbi Zechariah Barashi, 114, made Aliya from Kurdistan, Iraq in 1936.  His great great grandchildren are currently serving in the Israel Defense Forces.  He has written four books on the Torah and mysticism.  He says, “I have had the fortune of living in Jerusalem for 75 years. I’m in heaven.”

Israelis top the love tweets.  Israelis expressed their love on Twitter more than any other country in the world in 2013, according to the social media site.  More than 481 million Tweets said “I love you” in 116 languages in 2013, with Israel ranking number one.

Ancient Judean village revealed.  The remnants of a 2300-year-old rural village have been excavated on the outskirts of Jerusalem.  It was discovered in June, when work began on building a pipeline to deliver natural gas from the coast. The Israel Antiquities Authority has been excavating the Second Temple era site ever since.


140216


In the 16th Feb 2014 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Israel’s new desalination facility can produce 624,000 cubic meters of water per day.
·        An Israeli company has re-invented the wheel.
·        An Israeli student won gold at the Global Young Scientists Summit in Singapore.
·        A joint-Israeli owned company is the first foreign firm to go public in China.
·        An Israeli soccer player has scored what is being called the “goal of the year”.
·        15,000 French Jews celebrated “Israel Today and Tomorrow” in Paris.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
Click here for “Israel Cannot Lose” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).  Also on San Diego Jewish World.
·        Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News.

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

It’s white (not gray) matter that counts.  (Thanks to Hazel)  Israel’s BioImage is using diffusion MRI to analyze the brain’s white fatty tissue, called myelin.  It explains why some people excel at math, others have better memories and others can “think outside of the box”.  It could even prevent deterioration due to aging.

Israeli device cures acid reflux.  Israel’s Medigus is launching its flexible endoscope for the treatment of acid reflux.  The simple outpatient procedure can benefit over 16 million people with acid reflux who do not respond to medication.

Prizes for two biotech breakthroughs.  Professor Yair Reisner of the Weizmann Institute won a Rappaport prize for his leukemia treatment using stem cells from incompatible donors.  Dr. Yaakov Nahmias of Jerusalem’s Hebrew University won his award for the grapefruit molecule naringenin that can block viruses.

For that perfect smile.  (Thanks to Nevet – www.broaderview.org) Reuters video of the orthodontic system developed by Israeli Aerodentis that I featured in Dec last year.  Aerodentis straightens the teeth through gentle pulsating force, through a plate worn only at night.

IDF and USAF medics sign agreement.  (Thanks to Herb) The IDF Medical Corps and the American Air Force Medical Department signed a cooperation agreement to share and develop techniques and technologies that will save lives on the battlefield and during humanitarian rescue missions.

Israeli technology for Australian diabetics.  Israel’s LabStyle Innovations is distributing its Dario™ blood glucose-monitoring device in Australia via uHealth Australia. Dario™ is designed to make life simpler for the 1.2 million Australians officially diagnosed with diabetes.

Janglo saves a life.  Thanks to an urgent request on Israel’s favorite group information board, a kidney donor was found for a desperately ill mother of five in Ashdod.  Doctors at Israel’s Beilinson Medical Center performed the transplant in January.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Preparing ex-IDF personnel for employment.  The Knesset (Israel’s parliament) unanimously passed a law to use a higher-education fund to prepare discharged soldiers for the Israeli market, focusing on engineering, science and technology.

No politics – just humanitarianism.  At an Israeli hospital near the Golan Heights, a 9-year-old Syrian boy who lost his legs is among those getting the medical care they need.  He has been here for a month, ever since a Syrian government warplane dropped a bomb that killed two of his cousins and blew apart his lower limbs.

Israeli wins global young scientist gold medal.  Hebrew University of Jerusalem doctoral student Yossi Kabessa won the Singapore Challenge gold medallion and $100,000 at the Global Young Scientists Summit in Singapore. He designed a system to detect dangerous materials in large water supply systems.

Helping Jamaica’s economic recovery. (Thanks to Size Doesn’t Matter) The Israeli Government and private companies are supporting Jamaica’s efforts to turn the island into a global logistics hub.  The new venture will be a massive boost for enterprises that wish to invest in, or grow their existing operations in Jamaica.

Israel joins UN human rights group.  Israel took up its new position in the Western States UN human rights sub-group that includes the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.  Its first role is to help the world to address social, humanitarian affairs and human rights issues that affect people all over the world.

Israel links to UN Pacific Alliance.  Israel was awarded observer status to the United Nation’s Pacific Alliance group.  As an observer state, Israel will be invited to take part in the staff work of the Pacific alliance and attend its conferences, which will facilitate the advancement of cooperation with its member states.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Sorek goes live.  As Israel prays for the end of its current drought, the new Sorek large-scale desalination plant has completed testing and is now fully operational.  Its reverse osmosis membranes can produce 624,000 cubic meters of water a day - two-thirds of the combined output of the existing Ashkelon and Hadera facilities.

Israel is creating a water surplus using desalination.  The above, plus this article explains why, despite current drought conditions throughout the Middle East, Israel is currently supplying ample water to all of its citizens – and (in future) possibly most of its immediate neighbors.

An end to all computer viruses?  Israeli startup Cyactive says it not only stops computer viruses already “in the wild” from causing damage, but also can beat most of them even before they are invented.  Cyactive detects the core of any virus, because 98% of the code inside a new virus is copied from existing viruses.

Find your ring size.  How do you order a ring for someone when you don’t know his or her ring size?  The handy Israeli app Findmyringsize will tell you.  Take an existing ring and hold it over the images on your smartphone or re-sized computer screen.  Simple to use and you could make someone very happy.

What makes Israel a Start-up Nation?  (Thanks to BBCWatch)  There was rare praise from the BBC, when its technology correspondent paid a visit to Israel. The report includes filmed items shown on BBC TV news. 

See the desert bloom.  At the Vidor Family Visitors’ Center in Israel’s Arava, visitors receive an interactive learning experience about desertification, flora and fauna, and the development of communities and agriculture in the region. The Arava was originally a desert but is now the jewel in the crown of Israeli agriculture.

It’s bigger on the inside.  Raanan Stern has turned space management into an art form with this tiny artist studio in the heart of Tel Aviv. The modular design allows the artist to shift furniture around, open drawers or even remove them, depending on the activity.  A folding bed is built into the back of the study door.

Israeli start-up reinvents the wheel.  A comfortable ride is guaranteed, now that Tel Aviv’s SoftWheel has put “selective suspension” inside the wheel.  When a wheelchair, bicycle or aircraft encounters an obstacle, he wheel’s hub extends or shrinks symmetrically as needed, dramatically reducing the shock transmitted.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Foreign investors flock to Israel.  Overseas investment in the Israeli Stock Exchange tripled in 2013 from $410 million in 2012 to $1.5 billion.  Bio-techs, banks and communications companies were the most popular.

Israelis to provide Arabic web content.  The UK-Israel Tech Hub has organized the Go Global Program for Digital Arabic Content Entrepreneurs. The Hub hopes to spark business ties between the Israeli companies and firms that can bring that technology to the Arabic-speaking world.

Recovering 27% of abandoned purchases.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) When an on-line customer abandoned his / her shopping cart in the past, that business was lost.  Now, Jerusalem-based Abandonaid recovers 27% of abandoned business by persuading the customer to re-communicate.  For almost every language and currency.

What is Israel worth to the EU? Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar presented a report on January 30 arguing that Israel is strategically vital for a secure, prosperous and influential Europe.  Key areas include intelligence on terrorism threats, natural gas and 11% of European Research Council projects.

Close-knit security.  Israeli-founded cyber-security company Imperva has bought two Israeli security start-ups Incapsula and Skyfence.  Imperva aims to sell firewall services to customers running apps over the cloud.

The first foreign company to list in China.  Wafer Level Chip Scale Package (WLCSP), a portfolio company of Israel's Infinity group, became the first foreign co-founded company to go public in China when it debuted on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Jan tourism at new record level.  Tourist entries (those who stay more than one night) into Israel were up 19 percent to 200,000 in January as compared with a year earlier, breaking a new record. 

El Al goes UP in the world.  The first “Up” flight has officially landed in Israel. “Up” is El Al airline’s new aviation brand offering low fare flights to destinations including Berlin, Budapest, Kiev, Prague and Larnaca.

Two top hotels.  Two Israeli hotels have made it into Travel + Leisure magazine's 2014 It List, which introduces the 70 most promising new hotels in the world: The Ritz-Carlton in Herzliya and Alma Hotel & Lounge in Tel Aviv.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

So French So Tasty.  Nineteen celebrated French chefs have arrived in Israel to launch the second annual “So French So Tasty week”. The chefs will cook in the kitchens of Israel's most popular restaurants.  In addition, the chefs will hold cooking workshops for the public, cooking competitions, and winery tours.

Pete Doherty comes to Israel.  Pete Doherty, controversial British icon of the 2000s, will perform at Tel Aviv's Barby Club on April 30.  Doherty, the founder, lead singer and chief writer of the Libertines and Babyshambles bands, will perform songs from his solo career alongside hits of his different bands.

The Israeli academy of Irish dance.  Yair Werdyger describes how he founded Irish Dance – Israel in 2002, after completing his Israeli army service. The academy now has 250 students.

Sunshine across Israel.  Rap artist Matisyahu’s latest video “Sunshine” has gone viral.

What a goal!  The sports world is heralding the incredible goal that Israeli soccer player Barak Yitzhaki scored for Maccabi Tel Aviv against Maccabi Haifa recently.  He performed the famous bicycle kick to perfection.

Follow the Winter Olympics with Israeli app.  The UK Telegraph's top five apps for following the 2014 Sochi Winter Games includes the Israeli app One Hour Translation.  Tweet @OHT with an image or phrase to be translated and the company will reply instantly with a translation from a professional translator.


THE JEWISH STATE

France celebrates the Jewish State.  Around 15,000 people attended “Israel Today and Tomorrow” at the Brongniart Palace in Paris.  The event featured exhibitions on Zionism, agriculture, high tech, culture, art, medicine, natural resources, tourism, history and a concert by Israeli singer David Broza.

Cheaper to be healthier in Israel.  A study carried out by the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture found that the cost of fruits and vegetables in Israel are lower - sometimes significantly lower - compared to prices of fruits and vegetables in the United States and Western European countries including France, Germany and Britain.

Twin Twins.  Two different women named Hannah Cohen both gave birth to twins in the same hospital on the same day at Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak. The maternity ward staff admitted the two expectant mothers to different floors of the hospital in order to avoid mixing up the babies. In the end, they didn’t really need to go to all that trouble.  One mother gave birth to two boys and the other to two girls.

New Israeli museum to honor Jewish WW2 soldiers.  Israel is establishing a museum within the Armored Corps Memorial at Latrun to honor the memories of all Jewish soldiers who fought and died in the Second World War.

Israeli program leads to romance.  Jews don’t need Valentines Day to bring them together.  The Jewish State has a far stronger influence.  These couples met on programs with Alexander Muss High School in Israel.


140209


In the 9th Feb 2014 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Israeli HIV research has led to a breakthrough in treatments for autoimmune diseases.
·        Israel is helping the Philippines rebuild its agriculture after Typhoon Haiyan.
·        An Israeli app uses local information from fellow farmers to help them manage their crops.
·        2013 was a record year for international tourists to Israel.
·        An Israeli kibbutz firm has won the contract to fit water filters into new US Navy ships.
·        An Israeli movie was a winner at the International Sundance film festival.
·        Two religious students amazed Israeli doctors by reviving a terminally ill patient.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary.  Click here for “Israel is Their Only Hope” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).  Also on San Diego Jewish World and on United with Israel.
·        Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News.

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Killer HIV virus can save lives.  Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have identified how the HIV virus suppresses the T-cell immune response.  It has helped them develop a peptide (small protein) that reduces the severity of Multiple Sclerosis - a disease characterized by an undesirable autoimmune T-cell response.

Transplants for 4 children on 1st Jan.  While most of the world was bringing in the civil New Year, doctors at Schneider Children’s Medical Center were giving new life to 4 children.  10-year-old Miran received a new heart and lungs; a four-year-old was given a new liver and two girls (5 and 11) received a kidney each.

Why cancer resists treatment.  Researchers at Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Center have discovered why most patients with estrogen receptor–positive metastatic breast cancer, who initially respond to endocrine treatments like tamoxifen, will eventually develop resistance to them.  The finding can help develop new treatments.

How ultrasound affects brain cells.  Scientists at Israel’s Technion Institute have used ultrasound to generate electric charges in the cell membranes of the brain and stimulate nerve activity.  It has tremendous potential, from treatments for epilepsy, to giving sight to the blind.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Child-centered education.  Thanks to Stuart Palmer who has sent me details about the Haifa Center for Children with Learning Disabilities.  http://www.haifacenter.org/en_default.asp    http://www.haifacenter.org/en_movie.asp   

Arab, female and an IDF commander.  Mona Lisa Abdo is Arab, Christian, Israeli and a brave defender of all citizens of the Jewish State. She wasn’t required to enlist in the Israeli Defense Forces, but her determination to protect Israel motivated her to volunteer.  She has just completed 3 years service.

Co-existence through football.  Jewish and Arab children in Israel will come together for a new initiative supported by the British Embassy.  It will provide year-round football-based activities for Jewish and Arab children aged 10-12.  More than 180 children participated in the launch tournament.

Syria’s Israeli guardian angel.  Please read this latest article about Anat (not her real name) and il4syrians.org – the Israeli organization providing relief to thousands of Syrian refugees.   The 200 volunteers include former Israeli commandos, doctors, social workers, nurses, and Arabic-speaking trauma specialists. 

New Eilat ocean studies center.  Israel’s Ben Gurion University and Canada’s Dalhousie University are to jointly build an Internationally recognized Ocean studies center in Eilat.  The center will focus on marine biology, oceanography, under sea geology, endangered species, marine security and marine management.

Agro-tech help for Philippines.  Staff from Israel’s Tahal Group arrived in Davao del Sur, Philippines to identify areas of the province that need technology assistance. Agricultural developers from Tahal’s Larisa Shlafer Water Treatment subsidiary met organic farmers and checked over the hydroelectric power plant.

Back to Africa.  Building business relationships with Africa is a win-win, both for Israeli start-ups and for the Africans who will benefit from technology. The Pears Challenge encourages Israeli start-ups to connect with the needs of Africans, developing solutions in agriculture, health, water, ICT, education, and renewable energy.

Israeli education system goes global.  70 schools in the US, plus others in Australia, Austria, India, Poland and Singapore are now using the Israel-developed CIJE Excellence 2000 program. Mind-bending math problems and international competitions, puzzles and challenges build a school-wide culture of excellence.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Innovation Israel.  Hope you “like” this great facebook site. Innovation Israel is the largest startup community in Israel with over 5,000 entrepreneurs, developers and investors.  (See the Israeli bike path lit by solar studs.)

50% more usage.  The power-extending products from Israel’s Lucidlogix Solutions can now extend battery life of smartphones and tablets by 50 percent.  GameXtend, WebXtend and NavXtend are targeted at Android device manufacturers who want to reduce the power drain from high-performance hardware and software.

Building India’s National R&D Solar Center.  Israel’s Ener-t beat out billion-dollar companies to win the contract for the National Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Center in Rajasthan, India.  Ener-t uses ultra efficient next generation CSP Parabolic Trough technology and is already building a 50 MW power plant in Rajasthan.

The “Waze” of agriculture.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Israel’s ScanTask has developed AgriTask, to help farmers make decisions on planting, harvesting and the use of pesticides.  Its algorithms utilize weather reports, GIS data, information about agriculture from local governments and crowdsourcing data from individual farms.

Tel Aviv incubator develops Google Glass apps.  Israeli lawyer Alexandra Gambrian is running a hi-tech incubator in Tel Aviv for eight developers, building applications that use Google Glass. Google’s new glasses are in trial mode and include a small screen, speaker and touch surface for an enhanced user experience.

Dialysis for Cities.  (Thanks to Israel21c) At Tel Aviv’s recent WATEC water technology conference, the JNF showcased its expertise and exportable knowledge in water for countries experiencing similar conditions as Israel.  Rain flows, water stress, and how to make non-arable land better suited for agriculture. http://israel21c.org/environment/planting-water-in-israel/

Seven startups in 3 days.  35 students from 15 different faculties participated in a 3-day workshop at Israel’s Technion to generate an innovative business start-up.  Seven new start-ups were developed, of which two advanced to compete in Israel’s Biztec Entrepreneurship Challenge competition.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Israeli tourism growth – the bright spot in the region. Israel attracted an all-time record of nearly 3.6 million international visitors in 2013, up 2% from 2012.  Tourism in the rest of the East Mediterranean was gloomier.  Rarely publicized cooperation between Israeli and PA tourism officials facilitated easy access to Christian sites.

Mediterranean tourism fair to bring thousands to Israel.  The 2014 International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) will feature "exhibitors representing just about every aspect of Israel’s tourism market. 

Israel’s currency reserves at another all-time record.  The value of the Bank of Israel’s deposits of foreign currency rose in January by $1.4 billion to a new record $83.1 billion.

What is China doing in Israel?  This brief summary shows how the Chinese discovered the start- up nation Israel and started to invest billions of dollars in Israeli technology.  From agro-tech, medical, chemicals, tourism, solar energy and education to the massive project to turn Eilat into an alternative to the Suez Canal.

Israel’s top exporter of the year.  In a ceremony in Tel Aviv Israel’s Economics Minister Naftali Bennett presented Ormat Technologies with Israel’s award for top exporter for 2013.  Ormat’s environmental-friendly Energy Converter power generation unit converts geothermal heat into electricity.

Israel: The Innovative Nation.  Israel will become an enhanced innovation nation with the establishment of a national cyber-park in Beer Sheva, in the Negev, that will be called Cyber Spark.  The new initiative brings together multinational companies, investors, start-up companies, academic research, and even a high school.

US Navy ships to have Israeli water filters.  (Thanks to Nevet – www.broaderview.org The US Navy will buy $2 million of water filters from Israel’s Amiad.  The filters will be installed in all new ships built at the Navy’s Virginia shipyards including the massive new USS John F Kennedy aircraft carrier currently being assembled.

ClickSoftware gets you back in business.  Israel’s ClickSoftware gives companies the ability to schedule employees to handle crises as well as normal activities.  It is winning contracts for dealing with storms and “unscheduled” emergencies, like major fires, earthquakes, gas leaks, forest fires, and burst water mains.

Your start-up MBA.  The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar Ilan University and Israel’s Technion Institute have joined the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya in offering budding English-speaking entrepreneurs the opportunity to acquire their MBA skills in the Start-up Nation.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Da Vinci is alive in Tel Aviv.  Leonardo Da Vinci's genius comes to life throughout February with “Da Vinci – Alive” - a multi-sensory traveling exhibition at Maxidome, Exhibition Grounds, Tel Aviv.  Visitors will get a unique hands-on understanding of the scientific principles behind Leonardo's incredible works.

Shalom, Mirembe! (Thanks to 12 Tribe Films) The Abayudaya Jewish Community of Uganda and Israeli artist Irene Orleansky partnered to create "Shalom, Mirembe!" as part of a music collection from Israelites and Jews of Africa and Asia.

Israeli film wins Sundance film award.  Tel Aviv University student Yuval Hameiri won the Short Film Jury Award: Non-Fiction category at the Sundance Film Festival, one of the world’s largest cinematic competitions for independent filmmakers. "I Think This Is the Closest To How the Footage Looked," beat 8,161 entries.

“Friends” star in adaptation of Israeli sitcom.  (Thanks to Israel21c) David Schwimmer is set to take the lead role in the new ABC comedy, “Irreversible”. The series is based on Bilti Hafich - an Israeli show about how life changes when a baby joins the lives of an eccentric and self-centered couple.

Israeli missile tracking technology gives NBA statistics.  (Thanks to Nevet - www.BroaderView.org ) The US National Basketball Association uses the SportVU system to track every dribble, pass, and off-ball movement 72,000 times a contest.  Israeli scientist Miky Tamir, whose background is in missile tracking and advanced optical recognition, created SportVU in 2005.  He sold the system to Stats in 2008.


THE JEWISH STATE

 More help from our friends.  The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), a Christian Zionist organization based in Jerusalem, has sponsored the immigration of another wave of members of India’s Bnei Menashe “lost tribe” to Israel, reuniting them with their families and ancestral homeland.

Preserving our history from earthquakes.  Israeli officials are to install seismic monitoring systems to help protect the Jewish State’s most important ancient treasures from earthquakes.  Previously, the focus has been to retrofit existing schools, hospitals and apartment buildings, but now key historical sites are to be surveyed.

Returning home to Jerusalem.  A new 7 min documentary featuring Jewish families who lived in Jerusalem’s Old City for generations, but were evicted by the Arab Legion in 1948 after the State of Israel was declared. They returned home 19 years later in 1967 after Israeli forces liberated the Old City during the Six Day War.

“Allah gave the land of Israel to the Jews.”  Jordanian Muslim scholar Sheikh Ahmad Adwan said on his Facebook page that Allah has assigned the Holy Land to the Children of Israel until the Day of Judgment (Koran, Sura 5 – “The Sura of the Table”, Verse 21), and “We made the Children of Israel the inheritors (of the land)” (Koran, Sura 26 – “The Sura of the Poets”, Verse 59).  His comments were published in the Arab media.

12 survivors celebrate coming of age.  Twelve Holocaust survivors, five men and seven women, celebrated a joint bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah ceremony in Haifa, which they were unable to mark during their youth.  “At the age of 13 I was in Auschwitz," one of them said. "There wasn't really anyone to talk to about celebrations."

Shabbat songs revive “no-hope” patient.  On Shabbat morning, two religious students visited Netanya’s Laniado Hospital to distribute sweets and wish everyone a “speedy recovery.”  They sang to a dying 60-year-old woman and by Monday she had revived, amazing the medical staff. “Thanks to them I am alive,” she said.



140202


In the 2nd Feb 2014 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Israeli scientists have patented the low-level laser treatment of heart aneurysms.
·        A young Syrian Muslim Kurdish refugee in Iraq is rushed to Israel for heart treatment.
·        Russian transportation officers will receive Israeli counter-terrorism training.
·        An Israeli company launches the world’s first 3D color printer.
·        Israel is saving the Internet from security attacks.
·        Israeli pilots break world record for the lowest formation flight.
·        Half of Israel’s parliament visited Auschwitz on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

·        Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News.

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.

ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Laser heals heart aneurysms.  Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the 13th biggest killer in the West, with over 200,000 new cases diagnosed in the US each year.  Drs. Gertz and Gavish of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that low-level laser (LLL) reduces AAA inflammation and promotes wound healing.

Breakthrough in research for Gaucher’s disease.  Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have found a pathway to a possible cure for the two currently untreatable forms of Gaucher’s disease.  The removal of protein RIP3 can extend the life of sufferers.

Reducing diabetics’ risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.  High blood sugar levels in diabetics produce more enzymes called MAPK kinases, leading to early brain cell death.  Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers have developed a peptide TXM-CB3 that in laboratory tests prevents the MAPK kinases from activating.

The study of Optogenetics.  Weizmann scientist Dr Ofer Yizhar explains optogenetics – a neuroscience that examines light-specific activation or suppression of neurons in the brain.  It could help us understand memory problems, schizophrenia and autism.

Success in oral insulin study.  Israeli bio-tech Oramed has announced that its Phase 2a clinical trial for its
ORMD-0801 oral insulin capsule for the treatment of type 2 diabetes met all primary and secondary endpoints.  The Phase 2b study will be carried out later this year, and Oramed plans a Phase 2a study for Type 1 diabetes.

MS patients need fewer injections.  The US FDA has approved the 40-ml dose of Multiple Sclerosis medication Copaxone from Israel’s Teva.  The new higher dosage allows MS patients to reduce the number of injections from a daily frequency to just three times a week.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

More women on Israeli judicial panel.  To ensure more gender equality in the Israeli justice system, a new law has been passed that requires 4 out of 9 judicial appointments committee members must be women.  The new law was passed unanimously in the Knesset (Israel’s parliament).

No water and no electricity – huh?  The good news for Ahmed Tibi (an Arab member of Israel’s parliament) is that his Bedouin colleague definitely has got water and electricity in his village.  Please see this video.

SodaStream Arab workers – “don’t boycott us”.  Palestinian Arab workers at Israel’s SodaStream factory in Judea say they would be the losers of a successful consumer boycott of the fizzy-drink maker.  They back actress Scarlett Johansson’s endorsement of the company.

Israel is her only hope.  A Muslim Kurdish child with a hole in the heart flees a war between the Syrian Alawite regime and Sunni jihadist groups.  The Christian organization Shevet Achim brings her from the autonomous Kurdish region of Iran-dominated Iraq to Israeli doctors at Wolfson hospital in Holon, Israel.

The IDF field hospital that saves Syrian lives.  Here is an inside look at the field hospital set-up last year by the Israel Defense Forces, to treat wounded Syrian civilians near Israel’s northern border. IDF soldiers have continued to apply a core Jewish value: “Whoever saves one life, saves the entire world.”

2,600 years of friendship.  Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili, visited Israel to increase economic cooperation between the two countries.  He said “the bond between the Georgian and Jewish people goes back 2,600 years, when the Jewish people first came to Georgia after the destruction of the First Temple.”

Koreans learn from Start-up Nation.  15 young Korean entrepreneurs plus diplomats met with Israeli students, hi-tech and start-up veterans at the Korea-Israel Entrepreneurship Forum (KIEF) at Tel Aviv University. The KIEF program builds economic partnerships and business ties between the two countries.

Israel trains Russians in counter-terrorism.  (Thanks to Hazel) Officers from Russia’s transportation security department will travel to Israel for training in transport hub security.  Islamist militant groups have frequently attacked officials, police and civilians by in and around Russia’s North Caucasus regions.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Growing vegetables in extreme cold.  Israel’s Energy Industry Ltd. has developed a system that injects hot water into fine tubes to distribute heat over wide surfaces for large greenhouses.  It has been sold to the government of Georgia where temperatures drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius.

Take the pressure off your water pipes.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Israel’s LeaksStop has developed a unit that reduces water pressure when your taps (faucets) are not in use.  No more post-holiday floods or high water bills due to leaky pipes.  It sends you an SMS message if anything is wrong.

Israel to launch civilian satellite.  (Thanks to Herb) Israel will launch its first purely civilian satellite into orbit from French Guiana in Dec 2015. The Venus Vegetation and Environment Monitoring New Microsatellite program was the joint project of the Israel Space Agency and French CNES space agency.  Israel Aerospace Industries is building the hull of the satellite and Israel’s Elbit is building the camera.

Israeli technology secures Mombassa.  Here is a video about the recent deployment of a security system, by Israel’s Magal, in Mombassa, Kenya’s seaport.  It’s probably too late, but Forbes’ writer Zack Miller hopes Israeli technology will protect the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKViAec9Adk   http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackmiller/2014/01/29/7-israeli-security-companies-who-could-help-putin-protect-the-sochi-olympics/

World’s first 3D color printer.  US-Israeli Stratasys Inc has launched the world's first 3D color printer - the Objet500 Connex3 Color Multi-material 3D Printer. The company calls the product "a game-changer for product design, engineering and manufacturing processes."

Jerusalem’s water is the best.  Thanks to Israeli clean-tech Hagihon, Jerusalem’s Water and Wastewater Utility was one of the top 5 cities cited in the recent EU report “EIP Water, City Blueprints of 25 Cities and Regions, Interim Report.”  Jerusalem top-scored in planning, drinking water quality, and water efficiency.

A robotic revolution.  This 17-minute video of Israel’s IDC Professor Guy Hoffman had over 1.2 million views in four days.  YouTube ranked the lecture “The Interaction between Artificial Intelligence, Robots, and Art” as one of the three most viewed videos in the world.

Nano batteries for the car of the future.  Professor Doron Aurbach of Bar Ilan University’s Nano Cleantech Center is leading the development of lighter, longer-lasting batteries.  With partners GM, BASF and local Israeli tech firms, they are using lightweight nano-materials and replacing lithium with cheaper magnesium.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Invest in the Innovation Nation.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in selling mode at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.  “We produce more conceptual products per capita than any other nation in the world.  “We have no choice – to survive we had to innovate.”  http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-lauds-israeli-tech-and-computerized-cows/

Israel is leading West’s cyber-security fight. The PM then spoke at Israel’s first-ever cyber-technology show, Cybertech 2014.  “Hackers are killing the Internet, and Israel is one of the few players that can save it” he said.  Bloomberg has also picked up on this fact, noting that Israel now has over 200 computer security companies.

Lockheed Martin and EMC to set-up cyber center.  Two US giants, Lockheed Martin and EMC are teaming up to establish a joint cyber security center, employing local workers in Beersheva. It is Lockheed Martin’s first Israeli venture and supports its tender to build the IDF campus in the Negev. EMC also has a center in Herzliya.

IBM also to set-up cyber center.  IBM Corporation is to invest several million dollars establishing a cyber center of excellence in Beersheva, in collaboration with Ben Gurion University.

India and Israel set-up fund for joint ventures.  India and Israel have agreed to set up a $40 million fund to support joint technological ventures for consolidating and strengthening economic ties.  Both countries will contribute $20 million each to the fund over a period of five years.

 “A great way to show off your fantastic country.”  (Thanks to 12 Tribe films) Back in November I reported about the Israeli competition that brought young heads of start-ups in 12 European, Asian and South American countries to Israel.  Here is what they thought of the Start-up Nation.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Israel’s Space Week.  A cosmic exhibition has brought stunning space photography to the Israeli public.  Tel Aviv port is exhibiting photographs taken by an astronaut, the general public and students from Israel’s Bezalel Academy of Art.  It is also commemorating the 11th anniversary of the death of Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon.

Israeli’s song is a hit – in Yemen.  Zion Golan's song "Sana’a al-Yemen" is frequently heard blaring from stereos and minibus speakers in Sana’a - the capital city of Yemen.  Maybe one day the Arab country will allow the Israeli with Yemenite roots to visit the country!

SodaStream’s uncensored advert.  The Super Bowl organizers banned Scarlett Johansson’s original advert for Israel’s SodaStream as it mentioned two competitor drinks manufacturers.  But you can watch it here.

Five go to Sochi.  Israel is sending five athletes to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.  Best prospects are Vladislav Bykanov in the short-track speed skating and Alexei Bychenko, in the men’s figure skating.

How low can you get?  12 Israeli pilots flying six aircraft 422 meters below sea level have set a new Guinness World Record for a low formation flight.  The record setting flight is unlikely ever to be broken, due to the unusually difficult conditions that go along with flying at low altitudes over the Dead Sea.


THE JEWISH STATE

“The 10th most powerful country in the world”  (Thanks to Uri) I was initially concerned, but India’s National Power Index (NPI) 2012 states “Though a small nation in terms of area and population, Israel ranks highly on technological and scientific progress” “… also ranks a high fifteen on the UN Development index, reflecting the high quality of life this small but prosperous state has been able to provide to its people.”

“No greater ally on Earth than Israel”.  Newly elected New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio made his first official comments on the Jewish state since taking the helm.  “Part of my job description is to be a defender of Israel” he said, “There’s no greater ally on Earth, and that’s something we should say proudly.”  Texas Congressman Steve Stockman made a similar statement on his return from visiting Egypt, Israel and Russia.

Torah scroll dedicated at Iron Dome base.  The International Young Israel Movement (IYIM) has dedicated a Torah scroll to the IDF's Iron Dome unit recently deployed in Haifa.  IYIM’s project repairs scrolls that have fallen into disrepair. It has presented over 200 Torah scrolls to IDF bases and units in the last 18 years.

Half of the Knesset visits Auschwitz.  58 of the 120 members of Israel’s Parliament marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day at Auschwitz for the 69th anniversary of the camp’s liberation.  They marched to the Birkenau death complex in formation, flanked by the Knesset guard and flying Israeli flags. Amid the snow-filled crematoria, they stopped to sing the Israeli national anthem before breaking into groups to pray or reflect.


140126


In the 26th Jan 2014 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        A new Israeli vaccine protects against all known pandemic flu strains.
·        The humanity of Israel’s army was praised on an Al Jazeera TV program.
·        Israel signed a security agreement with the Islamic state of Kazakhstan.
·        Israel is unveiling a laser beam system to defend against short-range rockets.
·        German giant Software AG publicizes its Israeli R&D center.
·        Israel gave X-Factor winner Filipino Rose Fostanes a permit to become a professional singer.
·        Visiting Canadian Premier Stephen Harper gave his unconditional support to the Jewish State.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary.
Click here for “Right down to the wire” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).
·        Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News.

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Tests success for Israeli universal flu vaccine.  Israeli biotech BiondVax announced that tests prove its universal flu vaccine matches all six pandemic strains in the world today.  They include bird flu strains H5N1 and H7N9, which have spread to humans and killed hundreds of people.

392 people saved by organ donors in 2013.  Last year 90,000 Israelis signed new ADI donor cards, bringing the total of registered holders to 787,087. 109 of those who received organs were advanced in the queue because they carried the card.  In addition, 769 people received cornea transplants giving them the gift of sight.

Genes that cause aging.  Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a computer algorithm that identifies genes involved in the aging process.  The findings could lead to the development of medication that transforms cells from a diseased state into a healthy one.

What causes Schizophrenia?  Scientists at Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Universities have found that an important cell-maintenance process called “autophagy” is reduced in the brains of schizophrenic patients due to low levels of the protein beclin 1.  Medication to boost beclin 1 levels could offer a new way to treat schizophrenia.

Israeli stem cells treat muscle injury.  Israel’s Pluristem announced that patients treated with PLX-PAD stem cells had a greater improved change of maximal voluntary muscle contraction force than the placebo group. The Phase I/II clinical trial shows that PLX cells can help repair orthopedic injuries including muscles and tendons.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Take the “Israel-Apartheid” test.  Use Seth Segal’s academic tool to examine the intellectual integrity of the apartheid allegation.

Wounded Syrians treated in Israel.  A Syrian couple, from the embattled town of Daraa, arrived at Poriya Hospital in Tiberias with gunshot wounds in their legs.  Two months ago, their two-week-old daughter died tragically because Syrian troops wouldn’t allow them to cross a checkpoint.  Days later, at the same hospital, surgeons had to amputate the leg of a 19-year-old Syrian who had already lost his other leg in the civil war.

Al-Jazeera praises IDF.  In a debate on the Al-Jazeera’s Arabic service, the presenter and a guest question an Assad supporter as to why the Syrian army, Hezbollah and other Islamic military groups cannot be more humane like the Israeli and French armies.  Please inform the UK’s Guardian, Independent and the BBC.

Nairobi poor to get on-line.  The makers of the $7 Israeli-developed Keepod “thumb drive” have launched the first project in their program to “enable" some of the world’s 5 billion people who don’t have access to a computer.  Via Crowdsourcing, you can help give 1500 of Nairobi’s slum dwellers a new chance in life.

Welcoming Canada’s PM.  Canadian Premier Stephen Harper has arrived in Israel. Though Canada has always been a friend of Israel, under Harper’s rule there has been a significant strengthening in support for the Jewish state which some have called the most dramatic shift in the history of postwar Canadian foreign policy.

Africa hopes Israel makes malaria breakthrough.  (Thanks to Nevet - www.BroaderView.org)  There is much interest in the research being conducted at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem into solutions to the malaria parasite.  The deadly disease is responsible for more than one million deaths each year.

Israel signs security accord with Kazakhstan.  (Thanks to Herb) Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon and his Kazakh counterpart, Adilbek Dzhaksbekov have signed a security cooperation accord formalizing military and defense industrial ties between the two nations.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A millionth the size of an ant.  Dr. Yuval Golan of Ben Gurion University explains a nano-particle and the exciting possibilities in the world of nano-technology. They include storage systems, contact lens sensors for diabetics, protective clothing, water purification, renewable energy and ultra-fast computers.

Google’s new notebook has Israeli fast chips.  Israel’s Altair Semiconductor has won a deal to install its 4G communications chipset in the new Chromebooks produced by the in partnership of Google and HP.  The 4G chip accesses the Internet at ten times the speed of 3G chips.

Strike out.  (Thanks to Nevet - www.BroaderView.org) The Economist (not known to be Israel-friendly) has praised Yossi Leshem of Tel Aviv University. Yossi’s research led to a radar system that detects possible aircraft collisions with flocks of birds. It has helped the Israeli Air Force reduce bird strikes by two-thirds.

Iron Beam – a light to the nations.  Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will unveil its Iron Beam laser air-defense system at next month's Singapore Air Show. Iron Beam is a high-energy laser based system against rockets, mortar, and airborne target attacks. It complements Iron Dome by intercepting very short-range rockets.

A collapsible camping grill.  Israeli Roee Magdassi (a student at the Bezalel Design Academy in Jerusalem) has designed the Stakes camping grill that folds up to the size of a paper towel when not in use.  His IDF service inspired him to make a lightweight alternative to the ones he had to carry in his army backpack.

Boost your Wi-Fi signal.  Israel’s Wi-Fi chip manufacturer Celeno is to deliver its unique “implicit beamforming” technology into the hardware of global company broadband company Ubee.  The effect will be to extend the coverage and boost the Wi-Fi signal to any device, whether laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Cheap electronic circuits.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Yissum, the Research and Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has developed low-cost oxidation-resistant copper nano-inks.  They can replace expensive silver inks that make up circuits in RFID-tags, solar cells, sensors and electrodes for displays.

Two insulators meet in the lab.  Something weird happens if you place two electrical insulators together. The bit in the middle conducts electricity.  Scientists couldn’t investigate further until Dr Shahal Ilani built a nanotube-based sensor that could see below the surface.  It has opened up a whole new field in physics.

April launch for students’ satellite.  Forty students at Herzliya High School have built a low-cost micro-satellite to be launched by Russia in April.  The 10cm cube will circle the Earth every 90 minutes and form part of a network of international satellites designed to provide a cell phone lifeline to travelers in remote areas. 

Israel snaps up the photo app market.  There are almost 13,000 photo apps on iTunes and Google Play. Almost the entire top ten originate from Israel.  The reason is probably due to the fact those apps are the hottest trend in the smartphone market right now.  And Israelis are the biggest users of smartphone apps in the world.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Software AG needs Israel’s creativity.  Software AG acquired Sabratec in 2005. In 2007, the company bought SPL and Jacada.  Together, the Israelis’ free and open start-up culture combines with the German company’s well-organized and methodical culture to make Software AG’s Israeli R&D center into a very effective unit.

Haifa prepares for China tourism boost.  (Thanks to Stuart Palmer) Haifa’s Mayor Yona Yahav has signed an agreement with tourism officials from 3 major Chinese cities.  200,000 workers from Shanghai, Sanjin, and Chengdu will be offered low-cost vacation packages to Haifa.

What would you like to watch next?  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Tel Aviv-based Jinni has teamed up with California’s Ooyala to deliver a “new level of video personalization”.  TV providers can deliver personalized channels, recommending films and TV shows suited to your mood. Jinni is also now expanding into Spain.

Angels bearing cash for start-ups. 28 “angel” investors will descend on Herzliya in February to meet Israeli start-ups looking for funding.  Nathan Low, President of the Investment Bank Sunrise Financial Group, has organized the event.  Low has made 60 angel investments in Israel and has also set up the Ziontech fund.

Starting up? Try the pub.  Hillel Fuld regularly helps start-ups over lunch at Jems in Petah Tikva by dining, listening, coaching and connecting the dots with those who want to share their plans and receive his advice.  Hillel also mentors and lectures at the IDC, plus at accelerators such as Google, Microsoft, and The Junction.

Larry King to promote Israeli high tech.  Former CNN host Larry King and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology are establishing the Israel Silicon Valley Chambers of Commerce.  King and Technion President Professor Peretz Lavie will serve as the presidents of the ISVCC.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Rose the singer.  Israel’s Ministry of Interior has confirmed that Rose Fostanes, winner of Israel’s X-Factor, has been given granted a full work permit for artists that will enable her to sing for her livelihood.  Rose was previously only allowed to work as a Filipino caregiver but now can pursue her singing career in Israel.

More great Israeli music.  Thursday’s Kol Cambridge playlist from DJ Antithesis on Tel Aviv’s Radio TLV1 featured new releases from Daklon, Shlomi Shaban, Alma Zohar, Eti Ankari, Gad Elbaz and Yaakov Shwekey & Shlomi Shabat in a fantastic duet.

AnyRoad Israel.  (Thanks to Janglo) For those seeking off-the-beaten-track tours of the Jewish State, have a look at https://www.anyroad.com/Israel.  For more details of founders Daniel and Jonathan Yaffe, see this link.

Good book & good cause.  200 Anglos attended the book launch for “Like Dreamers” by Yossi Klein Halevi.  The venue was the Jerusalem old train station. Saul Singer, co-author of Start-up Nation, interviewed Halevi.  The event raised money for Jerusalem Village, which supports new immigrants in Jerusalem.

Pamela Anderson’s honeymoon at the Dead Sea.  Just several days after secretly remarrying her ex-husband Rick Salomon, Hollywood star Pamela Anderson chose to celebrate her honeymoon in Israel.


THE JEWISH STATE

Renewed life in ancient Shiloh.  36 years ago seven young families and a handful of yeshiva students came to the site of the Biblical Shiloh to renew Jewish Life in the very first capital city of the Biblical Jewish Nation.
Today well over three hundred families of all ages and backgrounds live in Shiloh.

That’s what I call a great speech!  Please read Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s address to the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) during his historic visit to the Jewish State.


140119


In the 19th Jan 2013 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        An Israeli device improves the success rate of heart valve replacements.
·        Volunteer Israeli doctors treat illegal migrants at Tel Aviv Central Bus Station.
·        Watch Israel’s flying car take to the air.
·        An Israeli computer security company is one of the fastest growing businesses in the world.
·        A Filipino caregiver won Israel’s X-Factor.
·        A record 1600 Taglit-Birthright participants landed in Israel on one day.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
Click here for “When will they ever Learn?” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).
·        Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News.

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

It’s down to the wire.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Trans-Catheter Aortic-Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedures are saving thousands of lives but are extremely difficult to perform.  The Acwire from Israel’s MediValve allows cardiologists to implant these heart valves at exactly the right position.  Acwire has just received European CE mark approval.

No more bedsores.  Complications from pressure ulcers (bedsores) are a big problem for hospital patients, and leads to 60,000 deaths in the US each year.  Hospitals are installing the MAP (Monitor Alert Protect) system from Israel’s Wellsense. A pressure-sensing mat alerts nurses to reposition patients regularly.

Why innocent bacteria become deadly.  Group A Streptococcus (GAS) begins as a mild bacteria infection but can develop into the deadly flesh-eating disease necrotizing fasciitis. Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered how this bacterium metamorphoses, opening the door to future possible treatments.

Positive trials for pancreatic cancer treatment.  Israeli biotech Novocure’s clinical study of its NovoTTF therapy for pancreatic cancer demonstrated a significant decrease in cell count and reduced tumor volume. Its effectiveness was enhanced when combined with chemotherapy.

Airtight hospital safety.  Administering medication is a hazardous task.  Standard syringes risk exposing hospital staff to dangerous chemicals.  The Israeli-manufactured Equashield provides the safe, simple and sterile transfer of meds, preventing contamination and spillage.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Treating sick migrants.  In a queue for a plane I met an Israeli doctor who volunteers at the Tel Aviv Central Bus station’s clinic for illegal migrants MigrantHealth:IL. The clinic also recruits nurses from within the migrant community, who then reduce the burden on the clinic by passing on health advice to sick migrants.

Dogs for People.  (Thanks to Israel21c) “Dogs for People” uses dog-handling courses to build self-esteem in humans. 60 therapy dogs - all rescued from the streets - rehabilitate people at risk and with special needs, in a unique therapeutic program. Some 6,000 Israeli children and youth have so far participated. 

Ariel University gets Czech approval.  Czech ambassador to Israel Tomas Pojar paid a visit to Ariel University in Samaria.  He took a special interest in research done by the University in cooperation with Palestinian villages in the area, as well as in the “hundreds of Arab students studying on the campus.”

Israel starts up developing nations.  For the second year running, 70 young leaders in social change and startups are meeting in Caesarea, Israel, to brainstorm ideas to change the world. ID2 (Israeli Designed International Development) runs from Feb 18-20 and brings young entrepreneurs into contact with expert help. 

Global water competition finalist.  Israeli agri-tech Tal-Ya has reached the last 12 of the Imagine H2O Global Competition.  Tal-Ya’s trays create a “personal greenhouse” for each plant or tree, enabling farmers to prevent weeds, reduce water use by 50% and fertilizer use by 30%, while accelerating plant growth dramatically.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

More about “Digital Israel”.  Israel’s super fast 1 gigabit Internet being developed could change society.  The combination of IEC’s fiber optic cables, Cisco’s data transport and the digitization of Government records will create new opportunities for huge numbers of new enterprises and businesses to open up.

Is your dog healthy?  (Thanks to Israel21c) A new Israeli pet chip monitor company called Oggii has developed a $30 chip and patented algorithms to correlate pet movements with possible problems such as ticks, skin allergies, seizures, arthritis, poor joints, brain damage and even ear infections.

A fertilizer app for crops.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s Haifa Group is a global leading supplier of potassium nitrate for agriculture and industry, specialty plant nutrients and food phosphates. It has just launched a free mobile app (iOS or Android) that helps the grower determine the precise amount of fertilizers needed.

Draw a sketch, and we produce a photo.  (Thanks to Uri) It’s a pity that the UK Daily Telegraph didn’t acknowledge that one of the developers of this clever application, Ariel Shamir, is Israeli and not Chinese.

Israel’s flying car takes off.  The Air Mule from Israel’s Tactical Robotics has just completed its first fully automatic test flights.  The unmanned Vertical Takeoff and Landing craft can be used as an air ambulance.

Get the best connection.  (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Israeli start-up Glove has an app that analyses which network provider gives you the best reception for your mobile phone.  You run the app for three days and then it puts you in touch with the ideal carrier.  It’s useful for anyone buying a new phone or moving to a new area.

Visit NanoIsrael 2014.  Tel Aviv hosts NanoIsrael 2014, the fourth bi-annual conference & exhibition, on 24-25 March 2014.  It features 40 presentations given by Israeli Nano companies.  Over 1,200 nano-technology industry players, engineers and scientists are attending from over 36 countries.  Follow the event on facebook.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Israel’s trade deficit reduced.  Israel's trade deficit fell to NIS 51.7 billion in 2013 from NIS 70.4 billion in 2012.  Imports of goods fell 8 percent and imports of fuel fell 15 percent mainly due to the start of Israel’s natural gas production from the Tamar field.

Top notch security testing.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s Checkmarx was the 2nd fastest growing security company in the 2013 Deloitte EMEA Tech Fast 500, with over 2,200% revenue growth in 5 years.  It is used by four of the world's ten largest software companies and three of the world's four largest IT consulting firms.

Israel is 4th largest buyer of US commercial property.  Israeli companies purchased $1 billion worth of commercial retail property in the US over the last 3 years.  Israel is tied with Switzerland as the fourth largest foreign investor with 6% of the market.  Only Canada and Germany bought more.

Don’t miss an opportunity.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israeli start-up Implisit has raised $3.3 million to expand the marketing of its unique business intelligence system.  Implisit boosts sales by identifying neglected and inaccurate areas of the pipeline. It identifies potential business, directly from employees’ emails and meetings.

TeXchange opens UK to Israeli start-ups.  The UK Israel Tech Hub is running its second annual TeXchange competition to connect up Israeli start-ups with British businesses.  15 winning start-ups will get trips to London’s Tech City, where they can open up the UK market in terms of both customers and partnerships.

Mobile Internet in a Flash.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Two Israeli mobile Internet companies Flash Networks and Mobixell are joining forces to meet the growing demand for mobile data and services.  The new company will support hundreds of deployments, serving over one billion subscribers worldwide.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Filipino caregiver wins Israel’s X-Factor. Rose Fostanes, a 47-year-old Filipina caregiver who arrived in Israel six years ago, became the first winner of the Israeli version of popular singing competition X-Factor.  Now recognized on every street corner and cafe, Fostanes has become a household name in Israel.

Lev shel Zahav.  Rock legend Neil Young (of Crosby Stills Nash and Young fame) is booked to perform at Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park on July 17.  His most successful album “Harvest” includes his classic “Heart of Gold” (Lev shel Zahav in Hebrew).

How does it feel?  Vania Heymann of Israel’s Interlude has made an interactive video masterpiece.  Designed like a TV screen, you can switch channels to watch 16 different scenes of celebrities lip-synching to Bob Dylan singing “Like a Rolling Stone”.  The realistic staged scenes make a statement on US TV society.  It has gone viral and was featured on the Wall St Journal, Rolling Stone magazine, The UK’s Daily Telegraph, etc. etc.


THE JEWISH STATE

Record Taglit-Birthright arrival.  On 30th Dec, a record-breaking 1,600 Taglit-Birthright participants arrived in Israel in a single day.  The 39 groups included from the US, Australia, Argentina, Canada, Germany and Russia.  The free 10-day tour included a mega event in Jerusalem for the 2,500 participants currently in Israel.

Israel to promote Jewish education in Diaspora.  UK Jewry has been pleasantly surprised by Israel’s announcement that it will fund programs to encourage links between the Jewish Diaspora and Israel.  Ideas include summer camps and Birthright-style programs to younger age groups.

King David’s castle to be revealed.  Excavations of an underground cave in southern Jerusalem are uncovering a complete castle and possibly an entire neighborhood from the Judean kings' period. It may be a breakthrough in the perception of the period of King David, his son Solomon and of the entire Judean kingdom

Israeli government celebrates New Year for Trees.  For the first time in the 65 years of Knesset history, 40 members of Israel’s parliament, plus many guests, held an official Tu Bishvat ceremony on the afternoon of Jan 15.  They recited blessings over the seven biblical species of fruit, drank wine, and read Talmudic literature.

A Nobel tradition.  In 1923, Professor Albert Einstein started a Technion-Nobel tradition when he planted a palm tree at the Israel Technion’s original campus. Since 2007, all visiting Nobel laureates are invited to plant a tree in Technion’s Lokey Park.  For Tu Bishvat here is a video of several Nobel Prize winners doing just that.

Basia comes home.  Basia Wieczorek’s grandmother escaped the Warsaw Ghetto and was adopted by Polish family.  When Basia was 5, she told her she was Jewish.  Basia embraced her Jewish identity, culminating in her Masters thesis “Jewish Identity of the Third Generation.”  Basia immigrated to Israel on 13 Jan 2014.


140112

In the 12th Jan 2014 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Surgeons performed Israel’s first small intestine transplant operation
·        Turkey has ordered its first Israeli surgical robot.
·        Israeli doctors performed heart surgery on an Israeli Arab and then delivered her triplets.
·        Israel Technion scientists demonstrated their new aluminum-water fuel cell in action.
·        An Israeli has been advising the United Nations on building sustainable fish farms.
·        The first Qoros Israeli-Chinese car has been delivered.
·        Israel honors two centenarians - a Jewish Zionist and a Christian tourist.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
Click here for “Where was the Apartheid State in 2013?” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).
·        Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News.

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Israel’s first small intestine transplant.  Surgeons at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus in Petah Tikva have performed the first-ever successful transplant in Israel of a small intestine.  The patient was a 39-year-old woman who had been fed through a vein since her own intestine was removed two years ago.  The donor was an 11-year-old Israeli girl whose other organs saved four children.

Medical research in the Galilee.  The Israeli Ministry for the Development of the Negev and the Galilee has allocated NIS 2.5 million for biomedical research to be conducted at hospitals in northern Israel.  President Peres made the announcement at the at the Galilee Forum. Eighteen studies have been approved for the project. 

Rebuilding damaged spines.  (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Israel’s Premia Spine is advancing in “leaps and bounds” with its TOPS spinal implant.  Watch the video to see previously crippled 79-year-old Yoda Schwartz running with his TOPS artificial joint.  Premia Spine is expanding in Europe and launching into Asia.

How the brain sends messages.  Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have deciphered the basic biochemical mechanism that transports essential transmitting chemicals in the brain.  Defective transporters can cause diseases such as Parkinson’s and Huntingdon’s. The discovery opens new research areas into treatment.

Turkish order for Israeli surgery robot.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s Mazor Robotics received its first order for a Renaissance surgical robotic system from Turkey.  Mazor’s Turkish distribution partner Cordamed Biomedical Engineering will install the system at a major hospital in Istanbul.

New treatment for colon cancer.  Israeli bio-med Aposense has successfully completed pre-clinical studies for the ATT-11T molecule for early stage treatment of colon cancer.  ATT-11T works in tandem with Pfizer’s Camptosar (generic name Irinotecan) to improve its effectiveness with fewer side effects.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Cracking the glass ceiling.  Orit Shulman, director of development and partnerships for Kol Israel Haverim, visited San Francisco to promote the Israeli program that supports high school girls in science, technology, engineering and math from 8th grade through to 12th grade.

Technion students raise 20 guide dogs.  The Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind needs people to raise their Labrador puppies.  Technion students love dogs and have the lifestyle that can train guide dogs to behave well in all situations.  So it’s a “win-win” situation.  Until the students have to give back their dogs….

Israeli Arab has triplets after heart surgery.  Zinav Alpiomi had IVF treatment but suffered a heart attack when 30 weeks pregnant. Doctors at Kaplan hospital in Rehovot cleared her clogged arteries and then delivered 3 tiny but healthy baby girls. Her joyful husband Ahmed said, “We thank God and the Kaplan medical staff,”

Israelis donate warm clothes to Syrians.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Human Warmth (Cham Enoshi) is an Israeli student organization collecting and donating warm clothing and bedding to refugees from the Syrian civil war.  These reports feature Amal-Shimshon - a multi-ethnic school near the Syrian border - that is participating.

Jewish doctor’s home visits to PA village.  Dr. Yitz Glick, an orthodox Jew from Efrat in Judea makes weekly personal house calls to Wadi Nis, providing medical treatment free of charge to Palestinian Arab patients.  Dr Glick also founded the Efrat Emergency Medical Center in 2000, which treats Israelis and PA residents.

Arab press publicizes Israeli heart treatment.  Following the news that Israeli doctors fixed the reversed ventricles of Hamoudi - a 4-year-old boy - his father said, "We always heard in the Arab media how children from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank were receiving medical treatment in Israel.”


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Instant electricity from Aluminum and water.  The Israel Technion demonstrates its eco-friendly fuel cell that works immediately you pour water into a container of activated Aluminum powder.  See it powering model boats and cars.  It is 10-15 times more powerful than the equivalent Lithium-ion battery.

Do It Yourself.  The CamMe app from Israel’s PointGrab allows you to control your smartphone camera from a distance of up to 22 feet.  Just raise your hand and make a fist.  The app will then start counting down and take your “selfie” photo.

Making Wikimedia more accessible.  80 IT experts attended an 11-hour “Hackathon” event in Tel Aviv to add value to the free content service that powers Wikipedia.  One app allows mobile phone users to add photos to wiki articles of nearby sites.  Another turns Wikipedia articles into instant Powerpoint presentations.

A whole new ball game.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Israel’s PlaySight has revolutionized tennis training with SmartCourt – a game-changing analysis and feedback system to help tennis players improve their performance.  PlaySight has installed eight systems in the US and plans to bring it to every field sports club around the world.

Nevada geothermal power plant completed.  Israel’s Ormat Industries has finished building the Don Campbell geothermal power plant in Mineral County, Nevada. The 16-megawatt power station is named after the late Ormat employee who identified the geothermal field.

Engineers without borders.  Technion’s Professor Mark Talesnik empowers his students to change the world.  Their first project was to build 62 sustainable biomass reactors for a Nepal village.  They generate methane for energy, recycle waste into fertilizer rather pollute the water, and save using wood to produce harmful smoke.

Sustainable fish farms.  (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Israel’s Moti Cohen builds aquaponic farms that provide people with both fish and plants to eat.  The crops feed off the waste created by the fish, while the fish thrive on the oxygen made by the crops. No waste or fertilizer. Moti has been advising the UN on aquaponics.

What you see is what you get.  (Thanks to Uri) Israelis Shai Avidan and Ariel Shamir have invented “seam-carving” also known as re-targeting.  You can now reduce or enlarge the width of a photo without changing its height or distorting the content.  It helps the easy transfer of images to mobile phone screens, for example.

Israeli students touch the sky.  Two scientific experiments designed by grade 8 to 10 Israeli school students were launched to the International Space Station, where astronauts will perform them in zero gravity.  Holon students are testing the formation of sugar crystals and Mateh Yehuda students are looking to mix oil and water.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

BIRD foundation invests $9 million.  The Bi-national Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation has approved $9 million worth of funding for 11 new joint projects between American and Israeli companies.  They cover electronics, cyber security, life sciences, communications and homeland security.

More reserves.  Over one billion dollars was added to Israel’s foreign currency reserves in December.

Spresh keeps food fresh.  Don’t you hate it when you cut an apple and it turns brown before you get a chance to eat it? Israel’s Aviad Mozes has developed an all-natural spray called “Spresh” that keeps cut fruit and vegetables fresh for hours.  Please support his Kickstarter project and be among the first to get some Spresh.

First Israeli-Chinese car is delivered.  A 28-year old interior decorator from Shanghai took delivery of a brand new Qoros 3 sedan from Qoros Vice President Volker Steinwascher.

The largest on-line translator.  Israel’s One Hour Translations (OHT) has over 15,000 translators in 100 countries. Its clients include Toyota, Coca-Cola, the US Army and IBM.  OHT has just received a $10 million investment from Israel’s Fortissimo Capital to boost its ambitious expansion plans.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

It’s ugly, but is it art?  When opened in 1993, Tel Aviv’s Central Bus Station at 230,000 sq meters was the largest bus station in the world.  A sold-out Tel Aviv Arts Council tour explores the urban maze, with its unique architecture including even an underground bat cave.  Rehabilitation plans include art galleries and theatres.

Jumping Jack Flash!  This time it’s true.  The Rolling Stones may be coming to Tel Aviv in June.  Last year’s Purim spoof by “The Jewish Press” really upset the Boycott Israel movement.  Can you imagine them now!


THE JEWISH STATE

Israel is the second most philanthropic country in the world.  Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reported that in 2012 Israeli households and businesses donated 7.6 billion Shekels to nonprofits. This was an increase of 8.8% on 2011 and amounting to 0.76% of GDP.  The USA came top with 2.1% of GDP.

Samaria wines win French stars.  The annual French wine competition held by 1001degustations.com awarded gold stars to all 8 of the entries from Psagot Boutique Winery in the Binyamin hills.  The Pesagot winery was established in 2003 on the site of vineyards owned by Jews since the Second Temple period.

Brighton is a rock of support.  In and around England’s seaside city of Brighton, the Sussex Friends of Israel are proving that it is possible to use brains to counteract anti-Israel (and anti-Semitic) BDS idiots.

A hero of Zion.  Charlie Newmark tells of his great uncle Max, now 100 years old who infiltrated the Hitler Youth, and immigrated to pre-State Palestine at age 19.  Max joined the British mandate police force to combat the 1936-39 Arab revolt and then fought the Syrian army in the War of Independence.  May he live till 120.

Celebrating her 104th birthday at the Dead Sea.  German Christian tourist, Eleonore Kastner, stayed at a Dead Sea hotel for her 104th birthday treat, together with 40 friends and family.  Israel’s Tourism Ministry awarded Eleonore a silver-bound Bible for being an ambassador of goodwill for tourism to Israel.


140105

In the 5th Jan 2014 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        An Israeli has invented a mobile app to help autistic children communicate
·        Israel’s Shaare Zedek hospital delivered a record 20,000 babies last year.
·        Palestinian Arab workers rated Israel’s SodaStream better than any company in the Arab world.
·        Israel is hosting a major International supercomputing conference.
·        An Israeli escape device can save high-rise residents in the event of a fire.
·        Another new route from low cost airline easyJet will connect Tel Aviv to Paris.
·        1500-year-old kosher wine presses have been discovered in Central Israel.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
Click here for “The Israeli Occupation in 2013” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).
·        Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News.

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Shattering the silence of Autism.  Ola Mundo (“Hello World ” in Spanish) transmits instant messages using symbols for people whose speaking or writing ability is severely impaired.  Israel’s Ophir Harel developed the world’s first and only symbolic communication app to help his 10-year-old autistic son.

Your car to the operating theater.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Being wheeled into an operating room is a stressful experience for everyone. The Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel has now decided to try and alleviate that anxiety among its youngest patients by pushing them in pedal cars.

Treating age-related macular degeneration.  Israel’s Cell Cure Neurosciences has been awarded a grant of NIS 6.1 million from the Office of the Chief Scientist.  The grant will help finance the human clinical trials in 2014 of OpRegen, a cell-based therapeutic product for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

Success in treating rheumatoid arthritis.  Israel’s Can-Fite BioPharma has announced positive results in its Phase IIb trial of their CF101 treatment for patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.

75 years of saving lives.  Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center received a $10 million birthday present from US entrepreneur Warren Buffet.

Israeli hospital delivered 20,000 babies in 2013.  20,000 babies were born at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem during 2013 – the highest number ever in any Israeli hospital and almost unsurpassed in the world. 2014 will see more delivery rooms, a huge neonatal intensive care unit and new obstetrics wards.

Implant helps rehabilitation of shoulder injury.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Israel’s OrthoSpace has developed the InSpace Balloon. It alleviates pain for patients recovering from massive injury to the rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize and activate the shoulder.  2000 people in Europe and Israel have used the implant invented by Israeli orthopedic surgeon Dr. Assaf Dekel.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Druze MK praises Israeli equality.  Hamad Amar is a member of Israel’s Druze minority and Deputy Speaker of Knesset.  “I initiated an overhaul, repair and modernization of the sewage and water systems and the electricity grids in predominantly Arab areas in the north of the country, long ignored by others. This is what can happen if one chooses integration and contribution over ostracism and demonization,” he declared.

10 women start-up founders.  (Thanks to Size Doesn’t Matter) Israel is seeing a growing trend of strong female founders charging ahead to start their companies, bringing unique background as Product UX experts, software developers, researchers, marketing professionals, engineers and architects. 

“This is the greatest company”.  Those were the words of one of SodaStream’s Palestinian Arab employees during a UK Zionist Federation visit of the Israeli company’s factory in Judea.  Another employee’s remark was “"you wouldn't get treated like this anywhere in the Arab world".  (Thanks to Stuart Palmer)

Building peace from the ground up.  A positive outlook on how peace between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs might come about.  The new PA city of Rawabi will use Israeli wastewater treatment and grow JNF trees.  Technical innovation plus regional cooperation could bring a win-win outcome.

From Hebron to Holon.  Muath is a four-year-old Palestinian Arab boy from Hebron who was born with congenital heart disease. Two brothers previously died of the disease.  Now Muath is about to undergo critical surgery at Wolfson Medical Center thanks to Israel’s Save A Child’s Heart.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

You know the score.  Israel’s Tonara iPad application displays electronic sheet music for each performer.  The new version can follow any number of notes played simultaneously on any number of different instruments, track the user's current position in the score and turn the page at the right moment.

Just point, to switch on your oven.  PointSwitch, from Israel’s PointGrab is designed to control home appliances via pointing and gestures. The PointSwitch chip can detect gestures up to 15 feet away and under all lighting conditions. PointGrab is working with manufacturers to embed its chips in “smart” appliances.

Israel hosts supercomputing conference.  Tel Aviv is the venue for the PRACE (Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe) Feb 2014 Winter School.  The event begins with a workshop on Israeli innovation in High Performance Computing. Delegates include from Turkey, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.

Israel’s rivers are flowing again.  Ha’aretz reports that the water flowing through Israel’s nature sites has increased tenfold over the past decade, and it’s expected to continue increasing due to new arrangements for supplying water to agriculture and the growing use of desalinated water.

Stay connected to your dog.  A team of Canadians and Israelis has invented the Pawly – an electronic robot that allows dog owners to see, hear, speak to and play with their pet, even when far away.  The team won the $20,000 grand prize in the Google-sponsored Global Startup Battle.

Preventing identity theft.  Israeli start-up MyEasyDocs is a system for checking that important documents (such as a college diploma) are genuine.  Schools and universities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, law firms and organizations such as the United Nations, accept verified digital documents vetted by MyEasyDocs.

Hey, you’re leaking.  Israel’s Antileaks, is a device able to detect leaks in home plumbing systems and save up to 1 billion NIS per year.  Antileaks was built by Gal Oren and Neriah Staru - two Computer Science graduates of Jerusalem College of Technology.

Don’t jump – use Skysaver.  (Thanks to 12Tribe Films) If you live or work 25 floors up or (like me) just 3 floors up, the Israeli-developed Skysaver escape harness will allow you to evacuate safely from a building fire or other emergency.  No pre-installation - just put it on, clip the harness to a support and climb out the window.

Making Wikimedia more accessible.  80 IT experts attended an 11-hour “Hackathon” event in Tel Aviv to add value to the free content service that powers Wikipedia.  One app allows mobile phone users to add photos to wiki articles of nearby sites.  Another turns Wikipedia articles into instant Powerpoint presentations.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Free train service from Sderot.  Some good news for residents of Sderot - the town constantly targeted by Gaza terrorists.  Israel railways has started a new train service between Sderot and Tel Aviv.  The one-hour journey will be free to Sderot residents for 3 months.

Matchmakers bring Dutch and Israelis together.  “Matchmaking @ Netherlands-Israel Cooperation Forum 2013” was attended by Israel’s leading water, agriculture and oil & gas companies, including Delek, Nobel Energy, Amiad and Netafim. The Dutch included Wageningen University, and several Dutch water authorities.

Cutting oil use by 60%.  Israel plans to cut oil use in transportation by 60 percent by 2025 and will tap into its newfound natural gas deposits to make it happen.  It is also investing heavily to help start-ups developing battery and biofuel technologies, and is offering an annual $1 million prize to innovators in the field.

Now it’s “easy” from Paris to Tel Aviv.  There is no stopping UK low cost airline easyJet.  It has announced its 4th new route to Israel in as many weeks.  This summer you will be able to fly between Tel Aviv and Paris Charles de Gaulle on six flights per week.

Now we can all be entrepreneurs.  The new Adelson School of Entrepreneurship at the IDC Herzliya is set to change the status quo by providing pupils with the knowledge and tools to realize their entrepreneurial ideas and ambitions.  At the opening, Sheldon Adelson shared his views on how to become a successful entrepreneur.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Blogging about Art in Israel.  The Kinetis nonprofit educational organization hosted five international art bloggers with millions of avid readers, to help get the message out that Israel is made up of multiple layers that the world doesn’t always know about. The bloggers visited the country’s museums and met its top artists. 

The Pixies will play Tel Aviv.  American post-punk group the Pixies will perform at Bloomfield Stadium on June 17 2014.  It makes amends for canceling their tour in 2010 following the Mavi Marmara incident.

Israeli in top iTunes list.  Idan Raichel’s latest album, 'Quarter to Six,' is included among Apple online store's Best World Albums of 2013.  The Israeli musician, known for his Idan Raichel Project, previously went to the top of the iTunes World music sales chart in 2012 with his “The Tel Aviv Session” album.

Turn up the volume.  “Tel Aviv Volume” on Jan 15 - 18 is Israel’s first electronic music conference and festival. Daytime panels, lectures & workshops by leading local & international industry figures are supplemented by evenings featuring best artist lineups and bookings across all electronic sub genres.


THE JEWISH STATE

Israel – the Tiny Dynamo.  Marcella Rosen - author of “Tiny Dynamo, How One of the Smallest Countries Is Producing Some of Our Most Important Inventions” – was interviewed recently on CBS TV.

Israel displays Jewish heritage from Afghanistan.  Israel’s National Library is to debut ancient texts found in an Afghanistan genizah, or storage area for old Jewish texts. Some texts date back to 100CE and include writings from post-Talmudic Jewish leader Rabbi Saadiah Gaon.

Do you want to make an impact?  Why not study in English for an MA in Diplomacy at the IDC in Herzliya?

Wine from the Talmud.  Archaeologists conducting digs at a site in the city of Elad in central Israel, have discovered several ancient wine and olive presses that date back to the Talmudic period, some 1500 years ago.

Aliyah goes “up” in 2013.  (Thanks to Algemeiner) Aliyah (the Hebrew word for “ascending” and referring to immigration to Israel) increased in 2013. 19,200 “Olim” arrived in Israel in 2013, compared to 18,940 who arrived in 2012.  Much of the increase was due to a 63% rise in immigration from France.