History of Israel's Good News - Oct to Dec 2015

151227 

In the 27th Dec 2015 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         Israeli researchers have developed a new molecule to fight cancer.
·         The Israeli government is to establish the first Arab college in Israel.
·         Israel has opened an office in the United Arab Emirates.
·         Israeli scientists have developed a material that can repair itself.
·         Israel is subsidizing the introduction of natural gas-fueled buses.
·         Comedian Jerry Seinfeld had a hilarious Israeli standup debut.
·         Thanks to ReWalk, a paralyzed bridegroom walked on his wedding day.

·         Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News, IsraelSeen, Ruthfully Yours, Janglo, IsraPundit and United With Israel with extra features on Health, Inclusiveness, Technology and Sport.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You to all who have sent me links to many of these positive news articles.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

New molecule kills cancer cells.  (TY Nevet) Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a molecule known as NT157 which targets metastatic human melanoma and colon cancer.  The molecule has been licensed to Israeli startup TyrNovo for medical trials.

Software to stop that stutter.  Israel’s Novotalk is the only app that includes a therapy aspect for stuttering intervention. Novotalk’s fluency shaping therapy has a 90% success rate. Approximately 1% of the world’s adult population stutters – approximately 70 million people.  
http://novotalk.com/

Don’t let your blood sugar levels spike.   Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have published a study showing the danger to health from eating foods that cause the blood sugar level to rise quickly.  These foods vary for each individual and Weizmann wants more Israelis to join its Personalized Nutrition Project.

Treatment for diabetics in China.  Israel’s Oramed has signed a deal worth $50 million that gives China’s Hefei Life Science & Technology (HLST) the rights to Oramed’s oral insulin capsule ORMD-0801 in China, Hong Kong and Macau.  ORMD-0801 will help treat the large and growing numbers of diabetics in China.

Sleep is key to success of bone marrow transplants.  A clinical study by Professor Asya Rolls of Israel’s Technion has shown that the donor needs to sleep well in the four hours prior to donating their stem cells.  If not, the success of the transplant decreases by 50%.

Non-invasive procedure wins $10,000 prize.  Three students from Israel’s Technion, won the $10,000 first prize at the BizTEC Entrepreneurship Competition held at Microsoft’s Herzliya R&D center.  Their product solves the major problem of collecting urine samples from millions of babies each year.

Keep your hair.  A team of students from Israel’s Technion have developed a treatment for hair loss, without side-effects.  It won them “Best New Application” at the 2015 international iGEM synthetic biology competition in Massachusetts.

Tech for first responders.  The Israel-US Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation has granted $12 million over the next 3 years to Israeli-American projects that develop advanced technologies for first responders.  The “NextGen” collaboration is expected to produce many lifesaving solutions.

Highest birthrate, lowest C-section rate.  The childbirth rate of Israeli women is the highest among the 34 OECD countries, while its rate of cesarean sections is the lowest.  The Israeli birthrate of 3.0 compares to the OECD average of 1.7.  The Israeli cesarean rate is 154.3 per 1,000 births whilst the OECD figure is 258.7.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Turning old buses into hi-tech classrooms.  Israeli non-profit organization Ofanim has retrofitted six old buses into mobile study labs in order to run educational enrichment programs for children in the North and South of Israel.  http://nocamels.com/2015/12/ofanim-buses-high-tech-classrooms/

Enabling charities to “go mobile”.  (TY Rachel) Israeli startup Communer began by developing an app that helps Jewish communities to communicate better with their members. Communer has now evolved into providing a wide and advanced solution for all nonprofits and beyond.

KKL-JNF gives trees to Israeli-Christians.  (TY Hazel) KKL-JNF is again distributing free Christmas trees to Israeli churches, monasteries, convents and embassies and individuals. The general public can also buy trees at a nominal cost.  http://drybonesblog.blogspot.co.il/2015/12/merry-christmas.html

Israel’s first Arab college.  Education Minister and Jewish Home Chairperson Naftali Bennett announced, "For the first time in the annals of the state of Israel we are establishing a general academic college in an Arab town," said Bennett. "This is history for the Arab sector and this is history for the state of Israel."

Israel and Jordan issue tender to save Dead Sea.  Israel and Jordan have jointly published an $800 million tender to build a water-carrying canal from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. The project will rehabilitate the shrinking Dead Sea and supply drinking water to Israeli, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.

Friendship with Albania.  The Prime Ministers of Israel and Albania signed a joint declaration of friendship in honor of 25th years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.  Other documents signed included a medical research cooperation agreement between hospitals.

Bringing Israel to the masses via popular bloggers.  Vibe Israel seeks out the world’s top bloggers – people with the most power online and in social media - and brings them to the Startup Nation, to learn what innovations Israel has created in their field.  The current project focuses on Informal Education.

Snails empower Ghanaian women.  (TY Nevet) The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is sponsoring a project by two Ghanaian students who have been setting up snail farms in rural Ghana.  The project provides employment for Ghanaian women as well as vital protein for local families.

An Israeli office in the UAE.  Israel is to open a diplomatic-level mission to the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi, its first openly established representative office in the United Arab Emirates.  Foreign Ministry Director General Dore Gold visited Abu Dhabi earlier in December, the first time an Israeli government official of his diplomatic rank has publicly made the trip.

Israeli resolution gets UN approval.  An Israeli resolution on utilizing agricultural technology for sustainable development passed at the United Nations with 124 countries voting in favor and 37 (Arab block) abstentions.  Ambassador Danny Danon called it a “victory for Israeli innovation.” 


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Israelis win most European research grants.  (TY Eli) The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded 24 of its 291 early-career starting grants to 24 Israeli researchers - making Israel first place for the number of research grants per capita.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4737045,00.html

Marine research station in Haifa.  Texas A&M University, in collaboration with the University of Haifa, is launching a $6 million marine research center in February, to help mitigate risks associated with offshore oil exploration.   http://www.timesofisrael.com/texas-am-to-open-6-million-research-center-in-israel/

Protecting the Internet of Things.  Israeli start-up Dojo Labs has developed a stylish pebble-like device, to monitor all data sent by anything connected to the Internet – smart TVs, smartphones, smart tablets, smart refrigerators, even smart water faucets – to determine if they have been hijacked by hackers.

Israel is a leader in the Internet of Things.  Innovation Endeavors, the Venture Capital firm of Google chairman Eric Schmidt, has issued its 2015 Israeli Internet of Things (IoT) Landscape.  It concludes that Israeli IoT is booming, especially in Israel’s strength areas of healthcare, life science, ag-tech and cyber security.

Anti-AIDS company wins Tech “Oscar”.  Israel’s Circ MedTech, developers of PrePex, won the Sutter Health award (part of Applied Materials’ Tech Awards - considered “the Oscars of Silicon Valley”) honoring individuals and companies that use new or existing technology to improve health conditions around the world.  The Israeli company is donating the $50,000 cash prize to help fund HIV/AIDS prevention in Africa.

Watch kitchen waste turn into cooking gas.  A new video showing how the HomeBioGas system works.

Saving power for mobile phones.  Israel’s Lucidlogix based in Netanya is the developer of PowerXtend - power-saving technology that extends the battery life of smartphones (see Feb 2014 newsletter). Lucidlogix has recently licensed PowerXtend to Meizu, one of the top ten smartphone brands in China.

Smartphone – heal thyself.  A team of Israel Technion researchers including Professor Hossam Haick (famous for the cancer breath test) has developed a synthetic polymer that mimics human skin and can be integrated into flexible devices so that future smartphones will be able to “heal” any scratches or damage.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Free Trade Agreement with Panama.  As predicted in my Apr 2015 newsletter, Israel and Panama have now signed a Free Trade Agreement to include access to markets, customs, services, investments and intellectual property.  It is the first FTA that Panama has signed with a Middle Eastern country.

Tech deal with Australia’s largest bank.  Israel’s Economy Ministry’s Chief Scientist Avi Hasson has signed an agreement with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia for joint R&D projects.  The bank joins Israel’s Multinational Corporations program, which develops new products and technologies in Israel for global use. 

Increased trade prospects with Australia.  Interesting extract of a session in the Australian parliament.

Record food exports to the US.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s food exports to North America are at a record level. Israel exported $135 million of processed food and beverages in the first half of 2015, a growth of 5% from 2014.  Exports of fresh fruits and vegetables in the same period were $33million, a growth of 13.6% from 2014.

Israel subsidizes natural gas buses.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Transportation Ministry is offering grants of 150,000 shekels (about $39,000) to public transportation companies that purchase natural gas-powered buses for their fleets.  Vehicles powered by natural gas are expected to save energy and reduce air pollution.

Israeli startup wins, then refuses $250,000 prize.  Israeli startup GetGems declined the minimum $250,000 it won in the 43 North startup competition, as it required relocation to Buffalo and a 5% equity donation.  GetGems, a member of Citi’s TLV Innovation Lab, has invented PayKey, enabling secure payments to be made within social networks’ chats, including Facebook’s Messenger, WhatsApp, SnapChat, Twitter etc.

$100 million investment in renewables energy.  Two Israeli companies, Enlight and Migdal have teamed up to invest $100 million in renewable energy projects outside Israel.  Enlight specializes in initiating, developing, and operating projects that generate electricity from solar and wind power in Israel and Europe.

Keeping control of your lab supplies.  Technion graduate Alex Domeshek developed LabSuit to help his wife Helen manage a chemistry lab.  It is now in use in 200 Israeli laboratories.  LabSuit manages the lab’s inventory by connecting to other labs in a “virtual community”, exchanging excess stock to reduce waste.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Open a door to Israel.  Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a new, multi-sensory installation at the Tel Aviv Port.  “Open a Door to Israel” comprises nine giant screens, shaped as doors, which visitors open to learn about Israel’s heritage, music scene, family life, education and innovation.  See it before the exhibit moves to Rome in January, followed by Germany, France, Russia, South Korea, Japan, China and the US.

Playing it by the book.  Thanks to Scott Richman of AJC Live for these two interviews.  The first is with Seth M Siegel, author of “Let There Be Water - Israel's solution for a water-starved world” and the second is with Dr. Alon Gratch, author of "The Israeli Mind - How the Israeli National Character Shapes Our World."

Gas station restaurants.  (TY SDM) Israeli gas stations have had a facelift recently.  Many have added restaurants, serving high-quality food.  Kosher ones include Nero Express (Gan Hatsafon), Minato (Caesarea), Ella Patisserie (Nahal Alexander) and Just Hummus (Katzrin).

50 million downloads of Pirate Kings.  (TY Michelle) The Pirate Kings mobile game from Israel’s Jelly Button Games has generated more than 50 million downloads since 2012, even though it hasn’t been aggressively marketed on a global basis yet.

Seinfeld makes Tel Aviv laugh.  Comedian Jerry Seinfeld kicked off the first of four sold-out performances in Tel Aviv in front of more than 11,000 fans at a packed basketball stadium.  One of his lines was that “Israelis have two answers to any question: “no problem” or “that’s impossible”.

Israeli swimmers win medals at Euro championships in Israel.  Israelis won three medals at the 2015 European Short Course Swimming Championships at the Wingate Institute in Netanya.  Yakov Toumarkin came second in both the 200m backstroke and 100m medley.  Gal Nevo came 3rd in the 400m medley.


THE JEWISH STATE

10,000-year-old beans found in Israel.  Further evidence that the Land of Israel was the birthplace of agriculture.  Researchers at the Weizmann Institute and the Israel Antiquities Authority recently discovered the oldest known domesticated fava beans - about 10,200 years old - in the Galilee.

Rebuilding Jewish life in Tel Aviv.  The Am Yisrael Foundation aims to bring Jewish education and Jewish faith to the center of Tel Aviv.  Together with the North Central Synagogue of Tel Aviv it is dedicating a brand new Sefer Torah in honor of the 72 soldiers killed during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014.

Mayor Barkat to the rescue again.  Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat always seems to be at the right place at the right time. When the wife of Interior Minister Silvan Shalom fainted in Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda market, Barkat was on the scene to revive her.  See the mayor’s previous “superhero” activities here and here.

More Biblical wines are brought back to life.  (TY Michelle) A previous (8 Nov 2015) newsletter featured a wine (Marawi 2014) produced from indigenous Israeli grapes.  You should also look out for Dabouki 2014 and 2015.  And at Ariel University, Eliyashiv Drori has made tiny batches from about 30 different grape varieties.

Israel celebrates “Accessibility Shabbat”.  An “Accessibility Shabbat” was held in communities across Israel on 5 Dec 2015, to highlight the need for greater respect for the handicapped and disabled within the religious community, and in Israeli society in general.  Events were led by the Tzohar Committee on Jewish Ethics.

Paralyzed groom walks down the aisle.  Dudu Shevy was paralyzed in a car accident 12 years ago.  Thanks to Amit Goffer, founder of Israel’s ReWalk, Dudu surprised his family by walking down the aisle to his bride wearing a ReWalk exoskeleton loaned to him for his wedding day.


151220 

In the 20th Dec 2015 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:


·         An Israeli arthritis treatment also reduces high blood pressure.
·         An Israeli breakthrough in insulin-producing cells for diabetics.
·         The UN has designated Israel as the 18th most developed country.
·         You can now order an Israeli biogas system to recycle kitchen waste.
·         Israeli technology is providing WiFi to Ivory Coast.
·         Spanish star Enrique Iglesias performed to a sell-out crowd in Tel Aviv.
·         A Jewish woman is reunited with her Israeli family after 68 years in Syria.

·         Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News, IsraelSeen, Ruthfully Yours, Janglo and United With Israel with extra features on Health, Global impact, Technology and Entertainment.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You Michelle and other readers for sending me links to many of these positive news articles.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Success in trials of arthritis treatment.  Israeli biotech Kitov has announced that its KIT-302 treatment for osteoarthritis successfully reduced arthritic pain in UK trials on 152 patients, without risk of heart problems. In fact KIT-302 is the only treatment for both osteoarthritis and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Functional human liver cells grown in the Lab.  More news of the work of Hebrew University of Jerusalem Professor Yaakov Nahmias (see here, here, here and here).  Now he has been able to use the chemical Oncostatin to double the speed of liver cell production outside the body.  http://new.huji.ac.il/en/article/28143

Japan turns to Israeli tech to treat radiation disease.  Japan’s Fukushima Medical University and Israel’s Pluristem Therapeutics are to develop Pluristem’s PLX-R18 cells to treat acute radiation syndrome (ARS).  Radiation continues to spread following the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster.

Prize-winning voice technology.  Israel’s VoiceITT (see Mar 2014 newsletter) won the 2015 Medica medical app competition in Dusseldorf with its Talkitt platform that translates the speech of people with communication disabilities.  Medica is the world’s largest medical trade fair, attracting nearly 5,000 exhibitors from 70 nations.

First implantation of groundbreaking heart device.  Israel’s Enopace (see Mar 2013 newsletter) has seen the first operation to implant its new catheter-based neuro-stimulator to treat patients with congestive heart failure.  The procedure was performed by Professor Davor Milicic, head of Cardiology at Zagreb Medical University.

Breakthrough status for Tardive Dyskinesia treatment.  (TY Atid-EDI) The US FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation status to Israel’s Teva for its SD-809 (deutetrabenazine) treatment of patients with tardive dyskinesia, a hyperkinetic movement disorder affecting about 500,000 people in the USA.

Weizmann in joint research for brain therapies.  Israel’s Weizmann Institute has entered into a research agreement with India’s Sun Pharma and Spain’s Health Research Institute of Santiago to develop products for treating neurological diseases such as brain stroke and brain cancer. (See also Apr 2015 newsletter)

Micro-pancreas can cure diabetes.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Betalin has significantly increased the lifetime of pancreatic beta cells transplanted into diabetics in order to produce insulin.  This has been achieved by simultaneously transplanting an Engineered Micro Pancreas (EMP) to sustain the cells. 

$20 million donation to medical research.  Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, is donating $20 million to fund research in personalized medicine.  The Kraft Endowment will allow scientists and physicians to use a patient’s genetic history to understand a disease, then diagnose and develop tailored treatments.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Respite for parents of autistic kids.  Ezer Mizion’s Hakalah Respite Program provides parents of special-needs children the opportunity to celebrate events with their families whilst knowing that their child is well looked after.  http://www.ezermizion.org/blog/impossible-dilemma-solved/

Jerusalem opens a special café.  70% of the employees of Jerusalem café Bistro Harutzim have various special needs. The café, opened by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, is operated under the auspices of SHEKEL, which enables people with disabilities to enjoy a better quality of life and integrate naturally into the community.

Baseball for all.  Fifteen 12-year-olds from the Jewish town of Modi’in and 15 sixth graders from a Christian Orthodox school in the mixed Arab-Jewish city of Ramle met for the third time to play baseball at the Baptist Village field in Petah Tikva.  The program for sixth graders is called Baseball for All.

A great year for the IAC.  In 2015 the Israeli-American Council hosted five Celebrate Israel festivals that reached over 43,000 community members.  It has established regional centers in nine US cities plus three community centers.  Its annual conference attracted 1,300 delegates.

Israel 18th highest on UN human development list.  Israel was ranked 18th out of 188 countries on the 2015 UN Human Development Index (HDI) which analyzes economic strength, education, and health. Israel scored higher than Japan, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, all of eastern European, plus African and Arab countries.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Technology teaches kids to cross the street.  (TY Michelle) An initiative of Ben Gurion University and Holon Institute of Technology equips children with Virtual Reality devices to train them in road safety.  40 minutes of hazard-detection training on 18 simulated Israeli streets gave the kids the same crossing skills as adults. 

One of the hottest startups of 2015.  (TY Michelle) CNBC has included Israel’s Lishtot in its list of 20 of the world's hottest start-ups of 2015.  Lishtot (see Sep 15 newsletter) detects water pollutants from the changes they make to the electromagnetic properties of drinking water.

Fast optical communication for the Internet.  Israel’s ColorChip produces optical chips that transmit Internet data on optical wavelengths, providing faster speeds and carrying more data.  ColorChip has just raised another $25 million of funds.

Transforming Indian cities.  (TY Michelle) Tel Aviv’s municipality has partnered with the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Jaffa to assist in turning the Indian cities of Pune, Nagpur and Nashik in the northwestern state of Maharashtra into “smart cities”.  Israelis will mentor Indian city officials in technological urban transformation.

BioGas for your home.  (TY Michelle) Now you can order a portable digester and turn kitchen waste into cooking gas and fertilizer.  Israel’s HomeBioGas (featured in my newsletter here and here) has launched a crowdfunding project on Indiegogo where you can purchase a system for under $1000. 

Researching biofuels with Canada.  (TY Michelle) The Israel-Canada Workshop on Advanced Biofuels in Rehovot, brought together scientists from both countries looking at ways to convert left-over harvest wheat into liquid fuel.  Also the shrinking paper market means Canada’s forestry industry is looking for a new outlet.

Israelis developing Amazon drone delivery.  (TY Michelle) Amazon plans to launch its Prime Air delivery service in the not-too-distant future.  Your purchase will be delivered by an unmanned air vehicle (UAV / drone), thanks to Israeli technology. 

The world’s first jet-powered, 3D printed UAV.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Stratasys has teamed with Aurora Flight Sciences to deliver, what is believed to be, the largest, fastest, and most complex 3D printed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ever produced. The 150 mph drone was unveiled at the Dubai Airshow.

Make your own reality.  (TY Atid-EDI) With the ENTiTi platform from Israeli startup WakingApp anyone can develop dynamic 3D content for an Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality application.  Content is instantly available online for any mobile device or smart glasses.  WakingApp has just raised $4.3 million of funding.

Smart glasses for cyclists.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Elbit Systems has launched the consumer wearables company Everysight.  Its first product is the Raptor smart glasses for cyclists, which aims to be available in 2016.  The glasses utilize Everysight’s Beam technology that overlays data directly in the wearer’s line of sight.

Buy online clothes in the correct size.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israeli startup MySizeID has developed an algorithm SizeUp that measures your body with the sensors of your smartphone.  MySizeID then works with the retailer to ensure that the clothing sizes match the measurements.  MySizeID has just raised $4 million of funding.

Check your grammar.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Whitesmoke has released "WhiteSmoke Expert" - a new version of its grammar-checking software.  WhiteSmoke has already corrected over two billion grammar errors since 2002. Earlier this year, WhiteSmoke released a mobile app, available on Android and iOS.

So cool inside Google’s cloud.  Google has formed a first of its kind partnership, paying Israel’s CloudEndure to migrate potential Google customers into Google’s Cloud Platform.  CloudEndure has been selected as one of CRN’s 10 Coolest Cloud Startups of 2015.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

How Israeli desalination was funded.  (TY Michelle) Israel’s $0.5 billion Sorek desalination plant is the world’s biggest such facility and was named one of MIT Technology Review’s breakthroughs of 2015. It is the result of government funding of both large-scale infrastructure and the underlying technological innovations.

Japan welcomes Israeli delegation.  (TY Michelle) Trade links between Japan and Israel have been boosted by a new Israel trade office in Osaka.  Also a delegation of Israeli automotive supply companies is meeting executives from Toyota, Honda, Suzuki and Daihatsu.  Plus, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is a big opportunity.

50 years of relations with Singapore.  (TY Michelle) In 1965 when Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew approached several nations asking for advice, only Israel responded positively.  Today, bilateral trade is $2 billion p.a. and the Singapore-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation approves hundreds of joint projects.

Top multinationals meet Israeli startups.  More than 25 of the world’s largest multinational corporations, including Ford, IBM, GE, Tyco, GM, Singtel, PayPal and Yahoo gathered at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange for the Axis Tel Aviv Corporate Edition event, connecting international companies with promising Israeli startups.

WiFi for Ivory Coast.  (TY Atid-EDI) VIPNET, a major ISP in the Ivory Coast, has chosen Israel’s Radwin to completely replace its existing WiMAX network. The new RADWIN 5000 JET Beamforming corporate access network spans the major cities in the Ivory Coast, connecting key institutions including banks, Government offices, mining and gas & oil companies.  http://www.radwin.com/news/press-room/vipnet-deploys-jet

Teva and Takeda partnership.  (TY Michelle) Israel’s Teva and Japan’s Takeda are partnering to market Teva’s generic treatments and off-patent medicines in Japan.  Japan’s aging population requires increased health care and Teva’s generic products can provide this at less cost. 

$50 million to market Israeli oral insulin.  (TY Michelle) China's Hefei has bought the rights to market the oral insulin capsules developed by Israel’s Oramed on completion of Phase III trials.  In a deal worth over $50 million, Hefei gets exclusive rights to market the diabetes treatment in China, Hong Kong and Macau. 


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Israeli will bring mini-world to Times Square.  (TY Michelle) A tiny version of the world is coming to Times Square in 2017.  The exhibition, dubbed "Gulliver's Gate" is owned by Eiran Gazit, an Israeli entrepreneur who commissioned the very popular Mini Israel Park in Israel’s Ayalon Valley.

Enrique is a sell-out.  Spanish pop star Enrique Iglesias’s concert at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on 16 Dec was sold out almost immediately tickets went on sale.  So he is to perform a second time on 22 Dec

Israeli bodybuilder is crowned “Mr Universe”.  23-year-old Dani Kaganovich of Be’er Sheva is the first Israeli to win the Mr. Universe competition - one of the bodybuilding world's biggest titles.  He had previously won the Mr. Universe youth category three years in a row.

Israel to host Euro basketball championships.  Israel will be one of four countries to host the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 tournament. It will be the first time that Israel will be hosting a European basketball championship.  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/204806#.Vmzy0OLn-Ug


THE JEWISH STATE

Jewish great-grandmother returns from Syria.  Rachel Elkayam last saw her family 68 years ago when she left Haifa for Syria with the Arab family that she had married into.  She always wanted to return but it wasn’t until her grandson contacted the Israeli embassy in London that she was able to leave Syria.

An Israeli-Jew on Mars?  Israel’s Barak Stoltz spent Chanukah in the Utah desert, in a few cramped capsules that make up the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS). He lit his menorah, sang some songs, and even tried his hand at making latkes—all while practicing for a manned mission to Mars.

Me too!  Sisters Chen and Irit Cohen registered with on Ezer Mizion’s bone marrow registry.  Then Chen’s DNA matched a cancer patient and her stem cells saved a life. Not long after, Chen’s father received another phone call from Ezer Mizion.  Said the voice on the line. “Your daughter, Irit, has been found to be…”

Orphan invites all of Israel to her wedding.  Bride-to-be Sarah-Tehiya Litman, 21, whose father and brother were murdered by terrorists, has invited the entire nation of Israel. The invitation includes the phrase – "Do not rejoice over me, my enemy, for I have fallen but I have gotten up" (Micah 7:8).



151213 

In the 13th Dec 2015 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         Israeli scientists have discovered the reason why many elderly become deaf.
·         An Israeli system can identify why an individual suffers from insomnia.
·         Watch the IDF rescue wounded Syrians.
·         The UN used Israeli technology to protect the Paris climate conference.
·         Israeli-developed cups make plain water taste like juice-flavored drinks.
·         Israeli insects give hope to farmers in Colombia.
·         An Israeli violinist has received America’s highest civilian honor.
·         A 2800-year-old seal impression of King Hezekiah has been found in Jerusalem.
·         Israel is bringing home the last remnant of Ethiopia’s Jews.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You Michelle and other readers for sending me links to many of these positive news articles.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Missing protein causes hearing loss in elderly.  (TY Nevet) Joint Israeli-US research has discovered that the absence of protein RFX in many elderly people causes hearing loss.  The protein is responsible for maintaining tiny hairs (cilia) in the inner ear.  When these hairs die off, the person becomes deaf.  The team believe their discovery will help develop treatments to restore hearing in patients.  http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Health-and-Science/Breakthrough-find-may-lead-to-restoring-hearing-in-elderly-431761

Self-healing artificial skin.  Israeli researchers at Israel’s Technion have created a new, flexible material that is sensitive to touch and can heal itself automatically if there is damage within 10-30 minutes, according to research published in the Advanced Materials journal.

Protein link to aggression. Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute investigating the protein tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) found in the brains of humans and animals, have discovered that low TH levels increase aggression in males.  High TH levels reduce aggression in males but increase motherly instincts in females. 

US approves leukemia treatment.  The US FDA has approved BENDEKA, (bendamustine hydrochloride) injection from Israel’s Teva for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and for indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).  BENDEKA is expected to be commercially available by 1st Quarter 2016.

Smart enzymes.  Israel’s SmartZyme is developing new proteins and enzymes for medical and industrial uses.  One enzyme has improved bio-electrochemical glucose catalysis, to be used on glucose test strips for the Self Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG) market. SmartZyme has just received $4 million of funding.

Infrared imaging checks quality of sealed treatments.  Israel’s DIR Technologies has invented a system that checks every package of medicine using thermal imaging. Operators can then find and fix problems causing faulty seals whenever they occur, without destroying a sample or holding up the production line.

Kids kicking cancer in Israel.  Kids Kicking Cancer, founded by Detroit Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, has now expanded to five Israeli hospitals.  Children who have life-threatening diseases are taught martial arts in order to help them cope with the aftermath of the disease.  The pool of instructors includes both Jews and Arabs.

Identifying your “Sleep DNA”.  Israeli crowdsourcing platform Sleep ASAP (see Jun 2015 newsletter) offers insomniacs a solution to their sleeping problems.  In a recent study, Sleep ASAP analyzed personality traits and sleep habits of 2500 participants. It successfully determined the reason for the insomnia in 99% of cases.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Public transport costs down, child benefit up.  2.5 million Israeli travelers will benefit from expanded public transportation discounts or free travel. They include 2 million children aged between 5 and 18, 280,000 disabled people; the blind and those accompanying them.  Child benefit will increase by up to 34%, backdated to May.

The Ethiopian festival of Sigd.  (TY Sharon) The Sigd holiday, 50 days after Yom Kippur, is now celebrated annually in Jerusalem.  Kessim (leaders of the Ethiopian Jewish community) in traditional garb sat under colorful umbrellas.  Buses brought tens of thousands of Israeli Ethiopians from all over Israel to participate.

Glide awarded for work with hearing-impaired.  US national advocacy group for the deaf and hard of hearing, TDI (Telecommunications for the Deaf and hard of Hearing) has awarded the Andrew Saks Engineering Award to Israeli startup Glide for making its video messaging app accessible to the hearing-impaired.  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/204576#.Vmbzf-Ln-Vc

New bridge to connect Israel and Jordan.  A new bridge is to be built across the Jordan River to connect Israel and Jordan.  The bridge is a key part of the Jordan Gateway project - a joint industrial and business area spanning the river that is a natural border between the two countries.

3,000 come to honor fallen Druze hero.  3,000 people, from all over Israel, attended the memorial of Druze policeman Zidan Saif, killed whilst responding to a terrorist attack at a Jerusalem synagogue one year ago.

IDF’s dramatic rescue of wounded Syrians.  The UK Daily Mail has published video footage of an IDF mission to evacuate seriously wounded Syrian Sunni rebels and treat them in Israel.  The mission also returned treated patients to Syria.  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/204631#.Vmf2OOLn-Vc

Water for Ethiopian kids.  Israel’s Technion Institute chapter of Engineers Without Borders has built a safe drinking supply water system in a village school at Meskele Cristos, in northern Ethiopia. The system collects and stores rainwater from rooftops during the rainy season giving fresh water to over 600 schoolchildren.

Israeli-trained medics treat Paris trauma victims.  15 French clinicians, trained by Israeli experts, provided psycho-trauma treatment to victims of the Nov 13 Paris terror attacks.  The Israel Trauma Coalition trained 80 French mental-health professionals following the terror attack on a Paris kosher supermarket last January.

6 million seeds for Indian farmers.  (TY Michelle) The Indo-Israel vegetable center of excellence in Haryana state, India has boosted the annual number of seedlings grown by state farmers from half a million in 2011 to six million in 2015.  Farmers from Punjab, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh are also using the facility.

World Bank brings Brazil delegation to Israel.  A delegation of 4 World Bank representatives and 20 from nine Brazilian states came to Israel in November to view water and agriculture technologies that can be implemented in the extensive World Bank and other projects planned in Brazil.

UN Euro conference protected by Israeli technology.  The Skystar 180 tactical aerostat surveillance balloon system developed by Israel’s RT Ita Systems was used to protect world leaders at the recent United Nations climate summit in Paris.  And a nice cartoon by Dry Bones to illustrate the significance.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Millions use Israeli app after Paris attacks.  During the 24 hours after the Paris terror attacks, 4.1 million people checked in with friends and relatives using Facebook Safety Check, a technology developed by Facebook Israel’s research and development department. The app then sent messages to 360 million people to inform them that their loved ones were safe. 

Germany and Israel sign space agreement. (TY NoCamels) Representatives of the German and Israel Space Agencies signed an agreement in Tel Aviv for cooperation on technological R&D to benefit mankind.  Among the topics will be space missions, observations of Earth, communications, navigation and deep space.

Research with the UK to double.  (TY Michelle) The Israeli Ministry of Science, Technology and Space will partner with the UK Government’s Science and Innovation Network on a new set of Researcher Exchange Programs, doubling the number of research scientists for the next four years.

TA University and China.  Tel Aviv University has forged links with over 30 leading universities and major Chinese cities - the latest with Nanjing and Yunnan.  TAU also signed a memorandum of understanding with Peking University to establish a joint agricultural research institute in Weifang, China. Research will focus on climate, improving crop yield, and creating food strains with enhanced nutritional properties.

4 Israelis in MIT’s top 35 innovators under 35.  Four Israelis are among 35 honored this year by MIT with its annual list of young researchers who have had a huge impact on the world – and are expected to go on to do much more. They are Dr Gilad Evrony (brain cells), Professor Cigall Kadoch (neuro-technology devices), Dr Rikky Muller (cancer research) and Ben Rubin (Meerkat video app).

A whole new tire design.  Israeli start-up Galileo Wheel has invented a new design of tires for agricultural vehicles.  It provides better control, a wider footprint, more stability, and the ability to transform between tire and track mode, depending on what terrain the vehicle is riding on.

Detecting the smallest of leaks.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Aquarius Spectrum (see Oct 2013 newsletter) can detect water leaks from holes only 1.5mm diameter.  The startup has just received $2.2 million of funding.

Juice-flavored water cups.  Israeli startup The Right Cup has developed a fruit-scented cup that tricks the brain into thinking it is drinking juice instead of plain water.  CEO Isaac Lavi created the product after contracting diabetes and forced to avoid sugary drinks. He has raised $90,000 more than his $50,000 target.

A much better tour.  Israeli start-up Manage Your Trip collects, collates and analyzes data to determine the pluses and minuses of a tour, a guide, a venue, a restaurant, a bus company, and many other factors.  The system is geared not only to provide tourists with a better experience – but tour organizers with bigger profits.

Get a better job, faster.  Israeli startup Highr recently completed Microsoft’s accelerator program (see July newsletter) and is now matching qualified people to technical job vacancies with a success rate of 78%. 

Protecting mobile apps.  (TY Michelle) Israeli startup AppDome protects any mobile application.  It allows users to download a secure version of an app within minutes and distribute it via the App Store or Google Play.  AppDome was named 2015 Gartner Cool Vendor in Mobile Security and has just raised $13 million of funding.

3D printing in metal.  Israeli startup Xjet has developed technology to print 3D objects made of metal (current 3D printing is based on plastic).  It could revolutionize the production of custom-made metal objects, which currently require an expensive mold to take liquid metal that then solidifies. 


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Economy strengthens as exports surge.  Israel’s economy grew by an annualized 2.5 percent in the third quarter of 2015.  Private spending (Israel’s main growth driver) rose 2.4% and exports grew by 4.4%.   

Lower water charges.  (TY Atid-EDI) Water charges will fall by 3% in Israel from Jan 1.  Charges have been cut by a cumulative 20% in the past three years. The current cut is thanks to a 16% annual fall in the price of electricity - the main cost in water desalination that produces much of the water consumed in Israel.

No VAT on public transportation.  The Israeli cabinet has approved the exempting of public transportation from VAT.  From Jan 1 2016, the cost of public transportation for all Israelis will fall by 17%.

600 million mites to Colombia.  Bio-Bee, of Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu is providing up to 600 million predatory mites to Colombian farmers. The mites naturally eliminate harmful species of mites decimating Columbia, allowing farmers to reduce the use of pesticides and meet ecological requirements for overseas exports.

44% more Indian tourists.  The number of tourists to Israel in October from India increased by 44% over the same month last year.  Overall, Oct 2015 saw a 5% increase in tourists compared with Oct 2014

Tel Aviv’s first tech IPO in 2015.  Israeli security startup Safe-T has launched on the Tel Aviv stock exchange (TASE) - the first tech company to do so in 2015.  Safe-T expects to raise $5.6 million from the IPO.

A better rate for your currency?  Foreign exchange platform CurrencyTransfer has announced that it will be extending its services to holders of Israeli shekels. The UK firm has just opened new offices in Tel Aviv and offers rates within 0.5% of market rates with no fees or charges. Banks vary between 2-5% of market rates.

Israeli-US clean-energy.  (TY Michelle) Six joint US-Israeli projects received a total of $5.1 million from the 2015 Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Energy program.  Israeli companies involved are 3GSolar, Ayyeka, Haogenplast, Pentalum, Solaris-Synergy and Yissum. See video of US Secretary of Energy.

The 4th best airport in the world.  Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport was ranked as the world’s fourth best international airport in a survey conducted by Condé Nast Traveler readers.  With a rating of 7/10, Ben Gurion Airport was praised for easy access from downtown Tel Aviv, and as “one of the world’s most secure airports.

Invest in the Startup Nation.  (TY Atid-EDI) Now you can purchase, on NASDAQ, units of the ITEQ ETF, a new Exchange Traded Fund that exclusively hold shares of public Israeli and Israel-linked technology companies by tracking the TASE-BlueStar Israel Global Technology Index (TA-BIGITech).

Amazon selects Payoneer for Cross-Border Payment Options.  (TY Nevet) Internet giant Amazon has chosen Israeli-developed Payoneer to expand cross-border payment options to sellers from 24 countries.

Low-salt vegetable mix launched.  Israel’s Salt of the Earth has launched Umamix (see Aug 2015 newsletter), its new sodium reduction ingredient for hamburgers and processed meat at Fi Europe, Paris.  Umamix is derived from tomato, shiitake mushroom, kombu seaweed and pure Red Sea salt.

Frutarom’s 11th & 12th acquisitions of the year.  Israeli flavors and specialty fine ingredients company Frutarom Industries has acquired 75% of Polish savory flavor solutions company AMCO Sp for $20.7 million. Frutarom then purchased China’s flavor developer Inventive for $17 million. 

Lipogen builds new R&D center.  Israeli biotech Lipogen is building a new phospholipids Research & Development center in Haifa in response to a 50% jump in sales of brain and stress health solutions in 2015.

UK utility buys Israeli sensor company.  (TY Michelle) Energy company Direct Energy (a subsidiary of UK’s Centrica) has paid $60 million for Israeli startup Panoramic Power, which uses sensors and software to monitor the energy use of businesses.  http://fortune.com/2015/11/12/utility-buys-sensor-startup/

Citi spotlights Tel Aviv.  (TY Michelle) Financial giant Citi has hailed the success of its Israel Innovation Lab - an accelerator program which since 2013 has helped 43 Israeli startups.  The lab was responsible for developing the mobile version of Citi Velocity – the bank’s trading platform for institutional clients.

Trendit to launch on LSE.  (TY Michelle) Israeli startup Trendit grabs data from mobile phone signals to build real-time information about pedestrian traffic.  The information will become increasingly useful to service developers in “Smart” cities.  Trendit wants to raise £3m from listing on the London Stock Exchange.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

The Israel museum at night.  On one night of the year Jerusalem’s Israel Museum stays open until 3am.

Itzhak Perlman receives US Medal of Freedom.  The famous violinist, 70-year-old Itzhak Perlman, is the fourth Israeli to be awarded the US Medal of Freedom - America's highest civilian honor. The White House statement praised Perlman’s teaching of young musicians and his work on behalf of persons with disabilities.

Kol Cambridge Hanukkah special.  DJ Antithesis celebrates the miracle of Hanukkah with the miracle of some fantastic Israeli music.  http://tlv1.fm/music/kol-cambridge/2015/12/03/kol-cambridge-hanukkah-special/

FIDF gala raises $31 million. Friends of the IDF raised over $31 million at their annual gala in Los Angeles.  Over 1200 guests were entertained by celebrities including the Beach Boys, Jason Alexander, Antonio Banderas, David Foster and Gene Simmons.

Elton John is coming to Israel.  Superstar Elton John has announced that he is returning to Israel in May 2016 to perform a concert in Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park.

Sean Paul to perform in Israel.  Grammy award-winning rapper Sean Paul is to perform in Israel on 23 Jan 2016 at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv.  He performed previously in Israel in 2007.


THE JEWISH STATE

King Hezekiah’s seal impression dug up in Jerusalem.  During recent excavations next to the Old City of Jerusalem, archaeologists discovered a unique seal impression (bulla) bearing the name of the 8th century BCE biblical King Hezekiah.  The inscription reads: "Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz, King of Judah."

1300-year-old olive press found at Shilo.  An ancient olive press was unearthed at the Shilo archaeological park in the Binyamin region of Judea and Samaria. It is proof that aside from being the capital of ancient Israel for 369 years and housing the Ark of the Covenant, Shilo was also the region’s main manufacturer of olive oil.

Students unearth Hasmonean coins.  A team of students from the Handasaim Herzliya High School found three coins from the Hasmonean dynasty era while on an archeological dig in the ruins at Adulam Park near Bet Shemesh.  The coins were minted during the rule of King Alexander Jannaeus in the first century BCE.

PM lights chanukiah made from Hamas rockets.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a special request to grassroots pro-Israel organization United With Israel.  He asked for one of UWI’s chanukiahs made from the metal remnants of Hamas rockets.  The PM then lit the chanukiah at an IDF Chanukah ceremony.

Christian leader supports Jewish State.  Father Gabriel Nadaf, spiritual leader of the Aramaean Christian community in Israel, toured Samaria and met senior rabbis near Shechem. He stated that the Land of Israel, including Samaria, belongs to the Jewish people forever, based on the Bible.  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/204587#.VmcR9-Ln-Vc

My tzitzit saved my life.  Yair Ben Ezra had no clean tzitzit (fringed garment) to wear and was reluctant to put on the new one that he bought for his sister’s wedding the next day.  In the end he put on the new tzitzit, which was lucky, for a terrorist stabbed him five times and medics used the tzitzit as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

Brazilian Jews moving to Israel in record numbers.  Immigration to Israel, or aliyah, from Brazil has more than doubled in the past four years, from 191 in 2011 to over 400 so far this year.  Recession and violence in Brazil are key reasons.  But so is the better quality of Israeli life in educational, social and religious fields.

Bring them home.  The Israeli government approved unanimously a decision to allow the Falash Mura who are still in transit camps in Ethiopia to be flown to Israel.  Israeli-Ethiopian MK Avraham Negusa said, “This is a great day for the Jewish people. For thousands of years, Ethiopian Jewry prayed to return to Israel and waited for nearly a decade torn from their families. Today their prayers were answered.”



151115 

In the 15th Nov 2015 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         A new Israeli treatment brings hope to relapsed leukemia sufferers.
·         An Israeli medical device could help up to 2 million dialysis patients.
·         A delegation of Druze Arabs is promoting Israel in the US.
·         Israeli smart sensors are to be installed on London refuge trucks.
·         Ryanair begins flights to Israel.
·         A new investment fund for Israeli agricultural innovations is launched.
·         An amazing discovery saves an Israeli stabbing victim.

·         Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News, IsraelSeen, Ruthfully Yours, Janglo and United With Israel with extra features on health, global impact, technology, and entertainment.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You Michelle and other readers for sending me links to many of these positive news articles.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Success in Leukemia treatment trials.  Israel’s BiolineRx has reported positive results from Phase II trials of its BL-8040 treatment in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (r/r AML).  It had a triple positive effect on the leukemic cells only two days after a single cycle of therapy.

Genetic mutation explains how ovaries develop.  Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have uncovered a key gene responsible for ovary development.  Four members of the same family had mutated Nup107 genes causing infertility.  The discovery has widespread implications for research in cell biology.

US can now access Israeli stem cell research.  (TY Atid-EDI) For over 30 years Israel’s Biological Industries has been providing cell culture media development, molecular and diagnostics tools, and stem cell research products in more than 50 countries. It now has set-up its first USA division in Cromwell Connecticut.

US approval for unique Israeli dialysis device.  The US FDA has approved the Chameleon from Israel’s AV Medical Technologies.  Chameleon is the world’s first and only angioplasty balloon catheter that allows for simultaneous balloon inflation and intravascular injection of fluids while maintaining guidewire access.  Over two million angioplasty balloon catheters are used annually worldwide to maintain dialysis access.

Prize for discovering link from brain to immune system.  On the anniversary of Chaim Weizmann’s death, KKL-JNF awarded the Blumberg Outstanding Medical Research Scientist Prize to Weizmann Professor Michal Schwartz for her groundbreaking research into the connection between the brain and the immune system. 


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Israeli doctors saving Palestinian Arab babies.  (TY UWI) A video to accompany my August’s newsletter article from Israel21c about Hadassah Hospital’s “Heart for Peace” that has saved the lives of over 600 Palestinian Arab children.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ7ekZ0fAHg

Druze Arabs promote Israel in US.  A delegation of young Druze leaders from medicine, law enforcement and the IDF is visiting Boston, Los Angeles and New York, to spread awareness of their community’s unique place in Israel’s multicultural society. There are 104,000 Druze in Israel.  86% serve in the IDF.

Israel has saved the lives of many US servicemen.  US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter praised the Israeli solution to improvised explosive devices (IEDs). “The Israelis were really quite ingenious in this area and we got a lot from them. There’s no question that lives were saved as a consequence of their (help)”.

Israeli elephant donates money for Thai elephants.  The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo donated $1,500 for an elephant hospital in Lampang. The check was delivered to the Thai Ambassador to Israel by a Biblical Zoo elephant named Tamar, who presented it to the Ambassador in her trunk.

Training Latin American water experts.  24 water experts from 10 Latin America countries took part in a water resources management course run by Israel’s Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation and MASHAV.  http://www.israel21c.org/latin-americans-turn-to-israel-for-water-rehabilitation/

The best veggie food in the world.  (TY Nevet) Tel Aviv has the world’s best vegetarian restaurants, according to Conde Nast Traveler magazine.  It recommends several, including a Georgian vegan restaurant and an Ethiopian vegan cafe.  Israel has some 300,000 vegans, the highest per capita anywhere in the world.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1 gigabit Internet speed.  (TY Michelle) Israeli chip design startup Sckipio is working with Intel to deliver 1 gigabit per second Internet access across existing copper phone lines.

Experience flying on a paper airplane.  I featured Israeli startup PowerUp’s remote controlled paper airplane previously in Jun 2014.  Following its success, PowerUp has now installed a live streaming camera on the plane so you can experience being on-board the plane.  PowerUp will be crowdfunding on KickStarter soon.

Pollution emissions down significantly.  Israel’s Pollution register of 500 companies shows that pollution has decreased between 18% - 53% since 2012.  Key factors include the use of better technology, reduced discharges and vapor recovery systems. 

Catching the Rain in Kenya.  Israel’s Ambassador to Kenya launched the first of 45 “Catch the Rain” Projects in Kenya’s Kisii County.  Each includes a 30,000-liter rainwater harvesting kit, a fish pond, a greenhouse and drip irrigation units. Israeli-run Amiran Kenya supplied much of the equipment for the project.

Revolutionizing the delivery business.  Israeli start-up Wave is bringing the digital revolution to the merchandise shipping industry.  It is using innovative technology to share the “bill of lading” securely between all interested parties. The idea has many other applications, and even the United Nations is interested.

Israel’s largest solar field.  Israel has inaugurated its largest photovoltaic energy field with a capacity of 55 megawatts.  Built by Enlight Renewable Energy the field covers 800 dunam (200 acres) in the Western Negev, and contains 180,000 solar collectors.

A disposable smartphone charger.  Israeli startup mobeego is launching its mobeego disposable charger, which can provide up to 4 hours of charge to any smartphone battery.  The charging unit weighs 24gms and will be on sale for $2.50 each at kiosks, stations, airports, stores, sports and entertainment venues.

Open the bottle to make a wish.  (TY Michelle) Coca-Cola Israel worked with Gefen Team and Qdigital, to produce special bottles that, on opening, sends a Wi-Fi signal to a mini drone (unmanned plane) that then flies to 1,000 feet and releases a firework, to resemble a shooting star.  It just shows what technology can do.

Israeli eyes for London trucks.  (TY Michelle) London Mayor Boris Johnson revealed during his Israel visit that London is purchasing 200 multi-vision smart sensors from Israel’s Mobileye.  They will give drivers of London’s refuge trucks “a third eye” to help them avoid collisions with cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.

Testing mobile apps.  (TY NoCamels) Over 1500 customers, including about 50% of the Fortune 100 companies, use Israel’s Perfecto Mobile to test their mobile apps.  Perfecto has just raised another $35 million of funding.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdHe4ZehtEI


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Fortune changes at irrigation company.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Rivulis Irrigation was losing $50 million a year when in 2014 it was acquired by Venture Capitalists FIMI for $60 million.  New management and partnering India’s Dhanna Engineering now values Rivulis at $170 million.

Starting up with the right team.  The most successful businesses are run by the best teams.  So Israel’s Maverick Ventures organized the Co-Founders Speed Dating and Pitching Event in Tel Aviv to allow entrepreneurs, programmers and marketing experts to build teams that could launch the next Waze.

Digital marketer opens Israeli innovation lab.  Israeli-founded Origami Logic is based in Silicon Valley, California, but global expansion means it needs to open a tech innovation lab in Israel.  Origami produces digital marketing analysis for companies such as Visa, Cisco, Intel and Pernod Ricard.

Taking the drudge out of sales work.  Israel’s Pepperi successfully markets its cloud-based sales software suite in 60 countries to 1000 businesses such as cards and gifts maker Hallmark.  Pepperi handles the filing, typing, order tracking etc., allowing the sales person simply to sell.

Gett launches courier service.  Israel’s Gett (formally Gett Taxis) is launching a courier service that will pick up a parcel within ten minutes of a call and deliver it for a charge of NIS 25-55 depending on area. The service will initially operate in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Givatayim.

RyanAir starts flights to Eilat.  Low cost airline Ryanair has begun its new service from Israel’s Ovda Airport, near Eilat, to Budapest, Krakow and Kaunas (Kovno) for as low as €10 one way.  Passengers also receive a gift basket that includes Ahava hand cream and chocolate.

More Aeroflot flights.  Russia’s Aeroflot airline is adding more flights on its routes from Moscow and St Petersburgh to Tel Aviv.  Aeroflot only began services to Israel five years ago and soon will be operating 37 flights a week.  The change reflects increased trade between Russia and Israel’s Russian immigrants.

A Chinese Zionist venture capitalist.  (TY Michelle) Benjamin Peng attended the Go4Israel conference in Tel Aviv wearing a kippah (scull-cap).  Three years ago he founded Chinese investment firm Yafo Capital ("Yafo" is the Hebrew name of the city of Jaffa) along with two Chinese partners. He even proposed to his girlfriend at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4721181,00.html

Boris sells London to Israeli start-ups.  (TY Michelle) London Mayor Boris Johnson came to Israel to get more Israeli technology companies to expand to London and IPO on its stock markets. London has 141 Israeli tech firms of which 16 are listed on the London Stock Exchange, with a combined market value of £3.7 billion.

Michigan’s common bond with Israel.  (TY Michelle) A delegation of 20 CEOs from the US State of Michigan came to Israel to see what makes the entrepreneurial ethos of “Start-Up Nation” tick. They were most surprised to learn from Israel about inner-city security and the automotive industry.

Encouraging customers to respond.  (TY Michelle) Israel’s Apester encourages business customers to respond to polls, quizzes and other types of interactive content.

New fund for Agriculture innovation.  (TY Atid-EDI) Yissum Research – the technology-transfer company of the Hebrew University, has set up Agrinnovation, an investment fund focused on agricultural inventions.  One of its first projects is an innovative protective coating for extending the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Deer returned to Carmel forest.  (TY Janglo) Fallow deer have just been released into the wild of the Carmel Park.  It is an encouraging sign of the restoration of the forest, nearly five years after the largest fire in Israeli history swept through the area, destroying much of the natural habitat.

One of the most hipster neighborhoods.  (TY SDM) Gan Hahashmal ('Electric Garden' in Hebrew) is home to a growing community of young indie fashion designers and other artist types in southern Tel Aviv. The quarter is spread over the streets Allenby, Yehuda Halevy, Barzilay and Hahashmal and offers a host of boutiques, restaurants, cafes and creative spaces.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/11667790/The-worlds-most-hipster-neighbourhoods.html?frame=3342854

Jerusalem’s giant interactive flowers.  (TY SDM) Israeli design group HQ Architects has brought Jerusalem’s city center to life with fantastical flower sculptures that blossom and move, as people walk by. 

Foreigner to perform in Caesarea.  (TY Janglo) British-American hard rock band Foreigner will perform at the Caesarea Amphitheater on June 14 (the same night as the Simply Red concert) and June 15.  Foreigner’s hits include “Cold as Ice”, “Waiting for a Girl Like You” and “I Want to Know What Love Is”.

Two Israeli concerts for Chris Cornell.  (TY SDM) Chris Cornell will be giving two concerts in Israel in May 2016 – in Tel Aviv and Caesarea.  He was lead vocalist both Soundgarden and Audioslave and was ranked 4th in “Heavy Metal’s All-Time Top 100 Vocalists”.  He played the theme tune on the James Bond remake of Casino Royale. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnzgdBAKyJo

“Together against the Odds” (TY Grant) A chance to see this two-person comedy musical about falling in love, converting and making Aliya.  In Zichron Yaakov on 17 Nov and Ra’anana on 23 Nov.  See the youtube.


THE JEWISH STATE

Terrorist stabbing saves Jewish man’s life.  In Rishon LeTzion an Arab terrorist stabbed kashrut supervisor Daniel Cohen in the shoulder, chest and stomach.  Amazingly, no vital organs were damaged.  Surgeons then discovered and removed a dangerous tumor in his colon.  If Daniel had not been stabbed, he could have died.

Israel Forever.  (TY Jamie) Great site for positive Israel information, including these inspirational messages.

What were Friday night meals like, before Judaism?  (TY SDM) Researchers at Tel Aviv University analyzing prehistoric human teeth found in Qesem cave, in central Israel, say the signs of wear and tear reveal much about the diet and table manners of our ancestors, down to the very gestures they used when they gathered around the fire to share food.  http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/archaeology/.premium-1.685189

Great Zionism history videos.  Please register (for free) to watch these excellent 5-minute movies about the history of the Jewish State.  To get a preview, the latest one can be watched without registering. 

Life continues.  Israeli Moran Zur’s father passed away in 2002 and missed Moran’s wedding.  It gave Moran the idea for giving absent relatives the ability to leave video messages to their loved ones.  In 2012, Moran’s wife was diagnosed with advanced brain cancer, prompting Moran to develop SafeBeyond.




151108

In the 8th Nov 2015 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         An Israeli method for early-detection of secondary cancer can save many lives.
·         Israeli doctors are in Romania, treating victims of a huge nightclub fire.
·         The joint China-Israel “water city” project has been launched.
·         Israel has both the best hotel and the best bar in the Middle East.
·         Simply Red are to perform in Tel Aviv.
·         A fortress from 2nd Temple times has been excavated in Jerusalem.

·         Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News (plus medical and tech), IsraelSeen, Ruthfully Yours, Janglo, IsraPundit and United With Israel with extra features on health, inclusiveness, technology and Jewish State.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You Michelle and other readers for sending me links to many of these positive news articles.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Early warning for secondary cancer.  (TY NoCamels) Israel Technion’s Assistant Professor Dr. Daphne Weihs has developed a unique biomechanical method for the early detection of metastatic (secondary) cancer - a cancer that has already spread.  It can also identify where the cancer has spread to and enable early treatment.

New imaging method for gallbladder removal.  BioDesign students at Hadassah Medical Center / Hebrew University of Jerusalem, led by Arab surgeon Dr. Muhammad Adileh, have developed “CholeVision” - a fiber-optic illumination system to reduce injuries caused during laparoscopic (keyhole) procedures to remove gallbladders.

Successful trial of foot ulcer treatment.  (TY Atid-EDI) Biotech Izun successfully completed a Phase II trial of its Israeli-developed IZN-6D4 to treat diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) in 82 patients at seven centers in Israel.  DFU is responsible for 84% of diabetes-related lower-leg amputations.  http://izunpharma.com/izun-pharmaceuticals-announces-positive-results-phase-2-randomized-trial-diabetic-foot-ulcers/

How proteins grow.  (TY Michelle) A team of Israeli and US researchers has mapped out the fundamental dynamic that explains the production and distribution of proteins in a cell.  http://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2015/10/29/researchers-find-universality-in-protein-locality.html

The world’s 6th healthiest country.  Israel is the sixth-healthiest country in the world and is the only Middle Eastern country in the top 10, according to recent world health rankings by media outlet Bloomberg.  Singapore was first, followed by Italy, Australia, Switzerland and Japan. The UK is 21st and the US 33rd.

25% of blood donations are from IDF soldiers.  A total of 68,500 units of blood - 25 percent of the total donated to Magen David Adom last year - were given by soldiers. Whilst handing out certificates, MDA blood services director Eilat Shinar said “You officers and soldiers are an example for pure and significant giving”.

FDA approves focused ultrasound treatment.  (TY Atid-EDI) The US FDA has approved the next generation Exablate system from Israel’s InSightec to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids.  Exablate uses focused ultrasound plus MRI, which is used to guide the ultrasound waves to the specific target tissue.  Also (TY UWI) a video of Israeli doctors using InSightec’s Exablate Neuro ultrasound to cure Essential Tremor.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Teaching top math skills to deprived kids.  Israel’s Tovanot B’Chinuch program enrolls volunteers from hi-tech, the IDF, and business to help kids learn math and develop study habits.  The program focuses on children from poorer families, even providing sandwiches to ensure they have sufficient nutrition to concentrate.

Abbas’s brother-in-law gets life-saving heart surgery in Israel.  Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’s brother-in-law underwent life-saving heart surgery at the Assuta Medical Center in northern Tel Aviv’s Ramat Hachayal neighborhood. The surgery was successful and he was said to be recovering in intensive care.

Jordanian plane makes emergency landing in Tel Aviv.  A Royal Jordanian Airbus 320 from Dubai in the UAE to Amman made an emergency landing at Ben-Gurion Airport due to poor weather and low fuel.  The UAE has no diplomatic relations with Israel.  Airport staff gave passengers snacks while they waited to take off.

Israeli medics help Romania treat fire victims.  Specialist Israeli doctors are in Romania to help treat some of the 140 victims of burns sustained in a Bucharest nightclub fire that killed at least 27 others.  The Israeli team brought a product called NexoBrid, which replaces surgery in severe burn cases.

Tel Aviv and Berlin sign game-changing agreement.  (TY SDM) The cities of Tel Aviv and Berlin have launched a startup exchange program.  They will be offering free co-working spaces, advice on visas, regulations and legal issues as well as one-on-one mentoring assistance for interested startups.

Israe21c launches in Spanish.  ISRAEL21c has launched its new Spanish-language site, ISRAEL21c Español.  Some 400 million people speak Spanish, and it’s important that they also hear about Israel’s extraordinary accomplishments.  Please pass this site onto any Spanish-speaking friends, relatives and colleagues.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

New lightweight satellites.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel Aerospace Industries has built a new communications satellite, weighing only 1.5-2 tons - less than half a regular communications satellite. AMOS E will provide communications services including TV broadcasts and broadband Internet. IAI is also building 400kg EROS C.

Catching fraudulent behavior.  Another article about Israel’s BioCatch (featured here) which can detect someone trying to hack into your on-line bank account even when they use the right password.

An app to learn to play piano.  (TY SDM) Here is another innovative app from Israel’s JoyTunes.  Place your iPhone or iPad on the piano and the Simply Piano app will teach you how to play it. It’s like going to a music teacher.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4714688,00.html

Israel’s first hi-tech kindergarten.  Israel’s first Science Kindergarten opened in Beersheba, equipped with advanced computer equipment, Lego sets to develop motor skills, robotics activities, and activities to stimulate interest in space matters.  Skills that the 5-year-olds will learn include physics, astronomy, and math.

Nano Bible donated to Smithsonian.  (TY Michelle) Peretz Lavie, President of Israel’s Technion, has presented the world’s smallest Bible to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.  Technion scientists engraved the Nano Bible’s 1.2 million letters on a gold-plated silicon chip the size of a sugar grain.

China-Israel water city project begins.  Israel and China have signed an agreement with China’s Greatwall Enterprise Institute (GEI) for the $200,000 planning phase of the Shouguang, China Water City project.  GEI will consult with Israeli partners Tefen and work involving Israeli water companies could commence mid-2016.

R&D agreement with Colorado. Israel has signed a deal with the US state of Colorado to further increase R&D cooperation. Under the agreement, start-ups and veteran firms will receive funding from either or both governments for research and development projects in areas including energy, agriculture and cybersecurity.

Seeing is believing.  (TY Michelle)  This reporter from The Hindu visited Israel and saw Oranges and Jojoba plants growing straight out of desert sand.

Israel: The Water Exporters.  (TY Nevet) Recent video of how India can learn from Israeli water recycling and desalination expertise.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoX6Bm18dBU

If Israel can do it, why can’t California?  (TY Michelle) California is still facing a huge water crisis. The NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit conducted a 3-month investigation on Israel, a country that faced its own water crisis about a decade ago. Now Israel has more fresh water than it can use.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Israel’s budget deficit lowers again.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s aggregate budget deficit in the past 12 months (October 2014-September 2015) amounted to 2% of GDP.  The deficit from Jan to Sep 2015 was NIS 3.8 billion compared to NIS 10.9 billion in the same period of 2014.

Israel’s impressive economy.  (TY Michelle) I just had to include this link to a very positive review of Israel’s economy.  http://www.insidesources.com/israels-impressive-economy/

An Israeli rival to iTunes and Google Play Music.  Israel’s TriPlay has acquired eMusic - one of the first digital music services - and its 25 catalog of songs.  eMusic can be accessed on over 14 platforms via the web and apps.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/itunes-google-play-music-face-a-surprise-rival-an-israeli-start-up/

The best bar in the Middle East (again).  (TY Atid-EDI) The Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar, on Tel Aviv’s HaYarkon Street won the title of best bar in the Mideast and Africa for the second year running, beating out Zuma in Dubai.  Also, Tel Aviv’s Tasting Room won the Middle East & Africa Bar category at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4709337,00.html

The best hotel in the Middle East.  Jerusalem’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel took the top spot in the Middle East and seventh place worldwide in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. 

Tel Aviv fashion week successful.  (TY SDM and Michelle) Over 1200 people attended each of the eight fashion shows on every day of Tel Aviv fashion week.  Even shows by relatively unknown young Israeli designers were fully booked.  There was also publicity for Israeli fashion tech startups such as Julbox, WiShi, Donde and Nettelo.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4715357,00.html

MassChallenge to set up in Jerusalem. MassChallenge, the world’s largest start-up accelerator, is setting up shop in Jerusalem – the only other foreign location other than London chosen for the honor.  “Israel is an outstanding and growing hub for entrepreneurship,” said MassChallenge founder and CEO John Harthorne.

Invest in a drone.  Israeli startup Pixtier offers an opportunity for owners of drones (UAVs) to upload 2D photographs taken, to the Cloud where Pixtier’s software will turn them into 3D maps.  These are then available to real estate agents, city planners, researchers, etc. who pay a fee that Pixtier share with drone owners.

“Silicon Valley in the Sky”.  (TY Michelle) El Al’s “Cockpit” startup incubator has just been voted “Best Achievement in Passenger Experience 2015” by the Airline Passengers Experience Association (APEX). Some of the ideas and partnerships generated by the program include the SmartCover blanket and Shopnfly.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Israel hosts “pianist of the century”.  At 28, Russian-German pianist Igor Levit has been described as “the pianist of the century”.  He won BBC Music Magazine and Royal Philharmonic Society awards in 2014.  He has just been in Israel for five concerts in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem with the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra.

Israel visit helped make Helen Mirren. Academy Award, Tony Award and Emmy Award-winning actress Helen Mirren was honored with the Career Achievement Award at the 29th Israel Film Festival.  She said her time working at an Israeli kibbutz shortly after the 1967 Six Day War helped make her the actress she is.

Israeli animation at its best.  Israeli animators, comics, artists and cartoonists gathered recently at the 15th annual Animix Festival in Tel Aviv.  Israeli animation and artwork is popular all around the world.

Israel’s first street-art gallery.  (TY SDM) Israel has opened the Street Art Gallery in the heart of Tel Aviv’s Florentine back-alley graffiti scene.  Its first exhibition entitled “Temporary Crew” showcased 13 artists with names such as Know Hope, Wonky and Signor Gi.  The gallery plans to offer street art tours of the area.

Jerusalem street party.  A reminder of the cosmopolitan nature of Israel’s capital city.  This video was recorded just a few weeks ago.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqRzXXzTpTU

Simply Red are coming to Tel Aviv.  Simply Red last performed in Israel in 1992 in front of 50,000 fans. They are returning on Jun 14 2016 to perform at the Menora Mivtachim (formerly Nokia) Arena in Tel Aviv as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations.

Rare songbird arrives in Israel.  50 years after their last autumn appearance in Israel, a flock of 30-40 blue-cheeked bee-eaters, including fledglings, flew over a group of ornithologists at the Yerucham Lake Park in the Negev.  The bird experts played recordings of bee-eaters to attract the birds and managed to ring six of them.

Israeli amputee runs NYC marathon.  Israel’s Adi Deutch lost his leg from a Lebanon landmine blast in 1979.  In 2012 the US Friends of the IDF enrolled Adi in the Strides program and gave him an athletic prosthetic leg. Adi now runs triathlons, cycles, plays soccer, volleyball and just ran the New York Marathon.


THE JEWISH STATE

6000 “Likes” for Good News blog.  Thanks to United With Israel for publishing my blog “What is Going On Between Arabs and Israelis?”  It has received almost 6000 “Likes” on their site.

2200-year-old fortress found in Jerusalem.  Israeli archeologists have discovered the site of the Acra, an ancient Greek citadel, built by Seleucid Emperor Antiochus IV Epiphanes (215-164 BC) to control Jerusalem and the Jewish temple there during the Syrian-Greek rule over the Jews of Israel.  The Acra is mentioned in both the Jewish Book of the Maccabees and by 1st Century AD historian Flavius Josephus.  The site will open to the public prior to the Jewish festival of Chanukah, which celebrates the Jewish victory over Antiochus.

Her father slain, but policewoman saves terrorist.  (TY Hazel) Arabs murdered Israeli policewoman Maya Stolero’s father, Alexander Levlovitz, just over a month ago. But it didn’t stop Stolero giving medical help to a Palestinian Arab who had attempted to stab an Israeli border policeman and was shot while being apprehended. 

IDF used plasma to save terrorist.  Israeli army medics used revolutionary (and expensive) battlefield plasma to save the life of a Palestinian Arab who had just stabbed a border policeman.  The Arab had been shot, was suffering from multiple system failure and had already lost a lot of blood.

Totally Israeli wine.  Researchers from Israel’s Ariel University have created a white wine made from grapes indigenous to Israel.  They located a living sample of the Hamdani / Marawi grape species.  Israel’s Recanati Winery in Emek Hefer then grew the grapes, and has now produced nearly 2,500 bottles of Marawi 2014. The wine was presented at the International Milan EXPO on October 18.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/experts-create-an-utterly-israeli-wine/  http://winesisrael.com/en/2989/meet-marawi/ 

Egypt voted for Israel for the first time ever.  (TY Michelle) In last week’s newsletter, I forgot to mention last week that Egypt voted for Israel to join the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.  It was the first time that Egypt has voted in favor of Israel at the UN since the Jewish State was founded.



151101


In the 1st Nov 2015 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         An Israeli cancer treatment causes tumors to self-destruct.
·         Israel was elected to the membership of a UN Space Committee.
·         Ethiopia is to install an Israeli solar power plant.
·         An innovative all-terrain Israeli suitcase is successfully funded.
·         A delegation of 50 Australian entrepreneurs is currently visiting Israel.
·         Two Israelis won medals at a judo competition in Abu Dhabi.
·         Thousands flock to pro-Israel rallies in New York, Rome, Paris, Madrid and Kiev.

·         Last week’s Israel Good News “special” article.  Click here for “What is going on between Arabs and Israelis?” (fast-loading version, no adverts).  Also published on the Jerusalem Post, IsraelSeen, San Diego Jewish World and United With Israel websites.

·         Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News, IsraelSeen, Janglo, IsraPundit and United With Israel with extra features on Health, Global impact and Technology.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You Michelle and other readers for sending me links to many of these positive news articles.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Fooling cancer cells.  Israel’s BioSight has developed the amino acid astrabine which acts as a “Trojan Horse” chemotherapy treatment that kills leukemia cells without harming healthy tissue.  Astrabine closely resembles a protein called aspargine that leukemia cells depend on and the cancer cells are fooled into self-destruction.

Muscular dystrophy treatment success.  Israel’s BioBlast announced promising interim results from its Phase II study of its Cabaletta treatment for oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD). Due to the success BioBlast seeks to fast track a Phase III study in 2016, leading to a 2017 launch date.

Elephant clue to cancer treatment.  A US study says elephants have low rates of cancer because they have 20 copies of the P53 tumor-suppressing gene, whereas humans have only two.  Now Professor Avi Schroeder from Israel’s Technion is to use nanotechnology to send the P53 gene to fight tumors in the human body.

The source of major depression.  Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that abnormalities in the immune (“microglia”) cells of the brain could be a key cause of depression.  The theory opens the door to development of a new generation of anti-depressant medications.

A groundbreaking partnership in nanomedicine.  Ohio USA’s Cleveland Clinic and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem are to develop a virtual global center that will harness the power of nanoscience and nanotechnology to deliver therapies for cardiovascular disease, neurological disease and cancer.

Cancer removal technology in action.  (TY Michelle) Texas surgeon Dr. Nancy Marquez describes using Israel’s MarginProbe to ensure that all cancerous cells have been removed during surgery to remove tumors.

Negev’s desert’s health innovation engine.  Ben-Gurion University’s Negev Center for Digital Innovation is partnering AllScripts Healthcare of the US to create the CDI-Allscripts Lab.  The lab aims to become Israel’s center for developing apps for electronic health records, networking, information-sharing, and compliance.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Ethiopian becomes Israeli commander.  Mekonen Abeba immigrated to Israel from an Ethiopian village after the death of his father. He then overcame many challenges to become a paratrooper and then an officer in the IDF.  Please help complete the inspiring film “Mekonen: The Journey of an Ethiopian Jew”.

Increase in Arabs at Israeli universities.  (TY Hazel) This year, Arabs comprise 14.4% of bachelor’s degree students in Israel, up from 9.8% in 1999-2000. Arab master's students increased from 3.6% to 10.5% and Arab Ph.D. students increased from 2.8% to 5.9%. Female Arab students increased from 61.7% to 67.2%.

Israeli doctors heal attackers and victims.  The Washington Post works very hard to make this into a bad news story.  Still worth reading though, so long as you unpick all the anti-Israel bias.

Hadassah treats both attacker and target.  This is what the Washington Post reporter should have written.

Riding around with armed Arabs.  Don’t worry – this is an article about Arabs who are serving in the IDF.

A co-existence discount.  The restaurant Hummus Bar at the M Mall in Kfar Vitkin near Netanya is offering a free refill of each plate of the chickpea paste at tables seating Jews and Arabs together.  The restaurant is kosher, meaning that observant Jews and Muslims can also take advantage of the offer.

Israel joins UN space committee.  Israel has been accepted as a full member of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).  117 committee members voted in favor of Israel. Qatar abstained and only Namibia voted against.

Medicine for migrants.  Israel has sent 1.5 tons of medical aid to Greece to help the flood of migrants landing on the Greek Islands.  The medicines were sent by air to the Greek Ministry of Health, which will disburse them at the various refugee aid centers.  Israeli NGO IsraAid is also providing medical assistance to the refugees.

Israel honored at Chinese innovation forum.  Israel is the 2015 country of honor at the Pujiang Innovation Forum, China’s leading economic symposium, in Shanghai.  Approximately 1,500 international economic and marketing leaders attend the annual symposium. Israeli Interior Minister Silvan Shalom is the guest of honor.

Helping Nigeria to diversify from oil.  The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) is working with Israeli businessmen to diversify its oil-based economy and improve trade relations between the two countries.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Solar power for Ethiopia.  Israel’s Aora Solar is to install a “Tulip” solar energy field in Ethiopia - helping the African country to achieve its aim of being carbon-neutral by 2025.  The modular system collects reflected sunlight on a solar concentrator tower shaped like a yellow tulip that generates electricity for day or night use.

Israel’s clean-tech competition entries.  At the 2015 Cleantech Open Global Ideas Competition in Silicon Valley, Aseptoray’s pasteurization system saves 73 percent in energy costs, killing even heat-resistant bacteria; Chakratec‘s low-cost, eco-friendly kinetic battery stores electricity from solar fields, wind farms etc.

Ilan Ramon fund inspires Israeli space pioneers.  The Ilan Ramon Scholarship fund, honoring Israel’s first astronaut, has allowed dozens of post-graduate Israelis to attend International Space University’s Space Studies Program (SSP) - an intensive nine week program for pioneers in the burgeoning space business.

Cybersecurity agreement with New York.  The New York Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Jerusalem’s Hagihon water provider have signed an agreement to develop new cybersecurity defenses for their water systems.  It will also help Israeli cybersecurity firms to deploy their technology in the United States.

Mapping genomes to breed better crops.  Agrochemical giant Syngenta has deployed Israel’s NRGene to map the genomes of 12 diverse crops to help develop hardier, higher yield varieties of seed.  NRGene’s proprietary algorithms have also been used independently to map varieties of wheat, maize, soybean and trout.

Aquanos “cleans up” at Cleanvest.  Israeli wastewater startup Aquanos won the trophy at this year’s Cleanvest Summit in front of around 150 participants including international investors.  Aquanos uses algae to produce clean water, biogas fuel and agriculturally-useful bi-products.

Annotate the Internet.  The new Israeli “Peanut” browser allows Android mobile users to make notes and comments on web pages, sharing them with other Peanut users.  Peanut already has thousands of users in Israel and is becoming rapidly more popular.

A 3D printer for dental labs.  Israeli 3D printing company Stratasys has launched the Objet500 Dental Selection 3D Printer for larger dental and orthodontic labs that require volume production of highly precise, life-like models.  It can create a variety of dental-specific palettes in a single run.

The all-terrain suitcase.  Remember Israel’s FUGU luggage that transforms from hand-luggage size to a full-size case?  Well another Israeli startup has invented the G-RO suitcase, which can traverse every kind of terrain as well as charging phones and computers.  It has raised nearly $1 million ($125,000 goal) on Kickstarter.

Sky taxis for Tel Aviv.  (TY Michelle) Israelis are eagerly awaiting the world launch of the electromagnetic levitating taxis built by US skyTran together with Israel Aerospace Industries.  The pilot is now targeted for early 2016.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/skytran-demo-not-quite-ready-for-prime-time/

Israel hosts global teen startup contest.  The Israeli Pavilion at Milan Expo will host the finals of the first international competition for start-ups dedicated to children and adolescents under the age of seventeen.  The finalists include Muslim students from the Israel-Arab village of Iblin.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Unemployment falls again.  The unemployment rate in Israel fell from 5.2% in August to only 5.1% in September.  http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-unemployment-in-israel-falls-01-1001077349

Water costs less.  Israeli water charges will fall by 3% in Israel from 1st Jan. The latest cut is due to a 16% fall over the past year in the price of the electricity used to desalinate drinking water. Water in 2016 will be 20% cheaper than three years ago.  http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-water-charges-in-israel-to-fall-3-1001075848

Impact Investing.  Chemi Peres (son of ex-President Shimon) is an advisor for Impact First Investments (IFI).  IFI supports ethical investments into world-benefiting Israeli innovations.  They include Catalyst AgTech’s B12 which stops damage from pesticides; also the bed sensors from EarlySense that monitor patients and the elderly.

Ahead of the game.  (TY Michelle) Israel’s 200 game companies are expected to generate $1 billion in mobile and social gaming revenue in 2015, up 25 percent from 2014.  It explains why the Casual Connect game show was held in Israel for the first time, with over 1,800 registered attendees - twice as many as originally expected.

Inspiring Australian startups.  (TY Michelle) Australia’s assistant minister for innovation, Wyatt Roy, is leading a group of around 50 entrepreneurs, industry representatives and government envoys on a week-long expedition of the startup nation.  He will meet Israel’s Chief Scientist and visit startup incubators.

Global demand for Israeli health tech.  (TY Michelle) Multinationals have recently been investing heavily in Israeli life science companies.  They include Boston Scientific into MValve (heart valves), Novatis into Gamida Cell (stem cell therapies) and eHealthVentures into Intendu (brain dysfunction treatment).

Deutsche Telekom’s Israeli partners.  (TY Michelle) Deutsche Telekom may only have five employees based in Tel Aviv, but they have already initiated partnerships with Israel’s Magisto (video clips) and KIDOZ (child-friendly mobile device interface).  The company has also invested in Israeli cybersecurity company MorphiSec.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Israel Museum shares 50 years.  (TY Sharon) During the 50th year of Jerusalem’s Israel Museum it is also recognizing 50 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany.  Its “Twilight Over Berlin” exhibit is a collection of 50 artworks that were considered “degenerate art” and banned by the Nazis.

The show must go on.  This week’s Kol Cambridge playlist from DJ Antithesis on Tel Aviv’s Radio TLV1 contains some stimulating Israeli music. It includes new releases from Lior Narkis, Moshik Afia, The Revivo Project, Idan Raichel, and Zion Golan.

“Almighty” visits Western Wall.  Actor Morgan Freeman, who had the “supreme” role in the movie “Bruce Almighty” visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem and met with the Kotel Rabbi, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz.  Also, actor Sean Penn is arriving in November as the guest of the Israeli humanitarian aid organization IsraAID.

Eilat hosts European beach tennis championships.  Contestants and spectators enjoyed uninterrupted sunshine during the first-ever European Beach Tennis Championships to be held in Eilat.  15 international teams competed.  The video shows the Dutch team enjoying the tournament, venue and nightlife.

Israel wins two Judo medals in Abu Dhabi.  At the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, Israelis Yarden Gerbi and Sagi Muki won bronze medals.  They were the first Israelis to be allowed to compete in the competition, but had to appear under the World Judo Federation flag as the Arab country banned the display of the Israeli flag.


THE JEWISH STATE

1500-year-old winery discovered.  The rainstorm last month was responsible for exposing remains of an enormous press near the Eyal interchange on Route 6. Numerous wine presses have been exposed in Israel’s Sharon region, where the wine industry once thrived and the first roots of modern Israeli wine were planted. 

6 Years in Jerusalem: Then, Now, Next.  (TY Sharon) Six years ago, Sharon used her camera to show that Jerusalemites were not cowering behind closed doors in fear, like the media was suggesting.  That was her very first post on her website “The Real Jerusalem Streets”.  And now, she repeats the exercise.

Thousands stand with Israel.  Thousands of people in New York took part in a massive pro-Israel rally in Times Square.  Rome, Paris, Madrid and Kiev had similar rallies, where senior members of the ruling political parties joined in the call of support for the Jewish state. 

Descendants of forced converts support Israel.  Many Spanish and Portuguese Jews were forcibly converted to Christianity in the late 16th century.  Their descendants have been holding marches and rallies of solidarity with Israel in Recife, Brazil and El Paso, Texas.

Ex-Kuwaiti Muslim is advocate for Israel.  Mumtaz Halawa’s journey from Kuwaiti Muslim to Israeli Jew featured in my Jan 2015 newsletter.  Together with StandWithUs, Mumtaz (now Mark) has since developed an Arabic-language YouTube video series. It aims to dispel spurious anti-Semitic notions among the Arabs in the Middle East and start conversations about a free and democratic Israel.  Also on facebook.



151025


In the 25th Oct 2015 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         An Israeli cancer detector has won a global medical competition.
·         An Israeli smartphone app can help reduce your blood pressure.
·         The first ever visit to Israel by an Indian Head of State.
·         NASA signs agreement to increase space ties with Israel.
·         New flights will connect Silicon Valley to the Startup Nation.
·         US star Jerry Seinfeld is to perform in Israel.
·         Israeli yachtsmen saved 11 Syrian and Iraqi migrants from drowning.

·         Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News, IsraelSeen, Janglo, and United With Israel with extra features on health, global impact and technology.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You Michelle and other readers for sending me links to many of these positive news articles.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Patent for prostate cancer treatment.  Israel’s Rosetta Genomics has received a US patent for the treatment of prostate cancer through the administration of anti-hsa-miR-210. High levels of hsa-miR-210 indicate the presence of prostate cancer and treatments to reduce it may cure the disease.

Red wine improves good cholesterol of diabetics.  A two-year controlled study of 224 type-2 diabetics by Ben-Gurion University scientists has revealed that a daily 5-ounce glass of red wine with dinner increased “good” cholesterol (HDL) by 10 per cent and significantly decreased the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL.

Cancer detector wins global innovation contest.  Israel’s MobileODT, which uses mobile phones to detect cancer and other diseases, is the winner of the 2015 MedTech Innovator competition in San Diego. The Israeli startup beat 300 international med-tech startups to win $200,000.  Israel’s MedAware was also a runner-up.

Boost for blood clot protection device.  Top US cardiologist Dr. James Jenkins performed his first catheterization procedure using the WIRION system from Israel’s Allium Medical.  WIRION protects against blood clots and emboli produced during catheterization procedures for opening blocked blood vessels.

First robotic surgery systems for New York City.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Mazor Robotics has just sold two of its innovative Renaissance systems for the first time to hospitals in the New York Metropolitan area.  One of the hospitals is one of the largest hospitals in the US.  The Renaissance systems treat either brain or spine.

An artificial lung to study pollution.  Scientists at Israel’s Technion have made a life-sized, artificial human lung. It is the first diagnostic tool for understanding in real time how particles behave in the deepest part of the human lungs. It will help research into airborne pollution, and into treatments for the respiratory system.

An app to prevent heart attacks.  (TY Michelle) Analysis of 4000 users of Israel’s Hello Heart iPhone, Apple Watch and Android phone app reveals that, after six weeks use, 25% had reduced their blood pressure by 10 points or more, with an average drop of 24 points.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLqtH1yMEG0

New hospital for SACH.  Israeli humanitarian organization “Save a Child’s Heart” (SACH) has laid the cornerstone of its new International Pediatric Cardiac Center at the Wolfson Medical Center. The $35 million IPCC will allow SACH surgeons to continue life-saving heart operations, currently running at 250 per year.

US-Israel legislation to help cure brain diseases.  The United States-Israel Global Neuroscience Partnership Act has just been announced, to fund joint US-Israeli research and technology into treatments for brain diseases.  Lead sponsor, US Congressmen Chaka Fattah, said that Israel is way ahead of everyone else in neuroscience.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

More female speakers.  Hana Rado, Tel Aviv COO of global ad agency McCann, has developed a database called “Persona” of 700 women who are qualified to speak on conference panels.  Rado has also launched a national campaign to increase the representation of women speakers to 50%.

Learn sign-language on-line.  The Institute for the Advancement of Deaf Persons in Israel has launched the first online sign language 3000-word lexicon. Users enter a word in Hebrew, English, Arabic, or Russian, and immediately, a 5-second video clip opens in which a presenter demonstrates the word in Israeli Sign Language.

Israel reported VW testing problem to EU in 2013.  Israel's Environment Ministry told European regulators two years ago that local testers had been unable to test Volkswagen diesel vehicles at higher speeds because of a component placed in engines by the company.  The EU committee said then that no changes were needed.

First ever visit by Indian President.  Indian President Pranab Mukherjee addressed the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) during his historic 3-day trip.  Talks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu focused on bilateral ties in security, technology, innovation, and agriculture.  The Hebrew University of Jerusalem also awarded President Mukherjee an honorary doctorate.  http://new.huji.ac.il/en/article/27941

10 agreements signed with India.  (TY Michelle) During President Mukherjee's state visit to Israel, India and Israel signed ten Memoranda of Understanding. They covered fairer taxation, cultural exchange and stronger university ties.  http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/india-israel-signed-10-mous-to-enhance-bilateral-cooperation-1444992359-1

Buzz Aldrin touches down in Israel.  As promised, (see Aug newsletter) the second man to ever walk on the moon, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, 85, talked to an enthusiastic audience at the International Astronautical Conference in Jerusalem.  Buzz recounted his personal history and technical issues in space.

Jews and Arabs rescue injured pelican.  Amir, Sunny and Muhammad Riad Hamed from the Arab-Israeli village of Muqeible found a pelican with a broken wing and other injuries in their yard.  They contacted the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and the bird is now receiving treatment at its wildlife hospital.

Arab and Israeli neuroscientists work together.  Ahmed El Hady is a 31-year-old Egyptian postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University’s Neuroscience Institute. His decision to co-chair the NeuroBridges 2015 Conference - a scientific meeting of the minds between Arabs and Israelis - was a no-brainer.

Gulf States want Iron Dome.  UK TV station Sky News reports that the Gulf Cooperation Council, made up of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman, wishes to buy Israel’s Iron Dome system for its six members.  The purchase will be through Raytheon, the US partner of Israeli developer Rafael.

40 mayors converge on Jerusalem.  (TY Michelle) Mayors from nearly 40 cities around the world have converged on Jerusalem for the 30th annual Mayors Conference.  The delegation will get a taste of the "Start-Up Nation" when they meet with Jewish and Arab leaders of successful Israeli tech hubs.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Why females are more motherly and males more aggressive.  Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have discovered the triggers in the brain that influences motherly instincts and aggressiveness.  Nurturing and hostility are instinctively gender-based behaviors controlled by cells, proteins and neurons in the hypothalamus.

Robots for China.  As anticipated in a previous (Feb 2013) newsletter, China is working with Israel to develop smarter and better robots. It has just established a Sino-Israeli Robotics Institute at its $2 billion industrial park in the Guangzhou region of China. 

Israel’s lunar module.  Israel’s SpaceIL unveiled its prototype lunar lander at a ceremony in Jerusalem.  The 50 guests included Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Science and Technology minister Ofir Akunis, plus Chanda Gonzales and Bob Weiss, who head up the $20 million Google Lunar XPrize competition.

NASA and Israel sign space cooperation agreement.  (TY Michelle) NASA and the Israel Space Agency have signed an agreement to expand cooperation in civil space activities.  NASA administrator Charles Bolden said the agreement would enable the US space agency to tap Israeli innovation and technology.

Israel-California Green-Tech Partnership.  170 Israeli and Californian business executives, investors and policymakers gathered at Google Israel’s Tel Aviv headquarters to launch the Israel-California Green-Tech Partnership, a new initiative using Israeli and American expertise to combat California’s drought crisis.

A geothermal partnership.  Israeli geothermal energy developer Ormat Technologies is teaming up with Toshiba Power Systems to build geothermal power plants.  Ormat’s generators combined with Toshiba’s steam turbines will help launch many new ventures, beginning with the Menengai geothermal project in Kenya.

The best place to surf.  Roni Eshel, winner of the 2011 Israeli Women’s Surfing Championships, has designed goFlow – a crowdsourcing app to identify the best surfing locations.  Users report beach conditions and the app automatically updates the goFlow server to inform friends or the whole surfing community.

What’s new at WATEC.  Israel’s international water conference and exhibition kicked off by focusing on new technologies from Israeli startups.  These included Emefcy’s unique SABRE (Spiral Aerobic Biofilm Reactor) solution for wastewater treatment and the leak detection innovations from both Aqua-Rimat and Triple+. 

New center for agriculture research.  The Israeli Agriculture Ministry’s Volcani Institute has inaugurated the Center for Arid Area Agriculture for the study of desert agriculture and the impact of desertification. The NIS 13 million center will host 14 teams, researching crop protection, plant pests, irrigation and fertilization.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Growing nicely.  (TY Michelle) Moody's Investors Service reported that Israel's resilient growth model, effective governance and steadily improving debt metrics underpin its A1 government bond rating and stable outlook.  https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-Israels-resilient-growth-and-improving-debt-metrics-underpin-its--PR_336069

Record funds raised by hi-tech firms.  In the nine months to Sep 2015, a total of 506 Israeli high-tech companies raised a phenomenal $3.2 billion. This compares to $2.3 billion raised by 504 Israeli companies over the same period in 2014.

30 years of US-Israeli free trade.  (TY Michelle) The 30th anniversary session of the U.S. - Israel Joint Economic Development Group in Washington also highlighted the 30th anniversary of the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement - the first free trade agreement signed by the United States.

New Tel Aviv to San Francisco flights.  United Airlines is to start a 3-times-a-week service between Tel Aviv and San Francisco.  The new route will strengthen ties between the Startup Nation and Silicon Valley and was praised by the US Ambassador Dan Shapiro.  http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/United-Airlines-to-launch-non-stop-Tel-Aviv-San-Francisco-route-421337

New Chinese fund for Israeli investments.  CreditEase China, one of the biggest microcredit and wealth management firms in the world, has established the CreditEase Israel Innovation Fund (CEIIF), its first Israel-focused venture-capital/private equity fund.  The fund has raised $30 million for investment in Israeli hi-tech.

CyberArk makes US purchase.  CyberArk is another Israeli firm growing by acquisition. Following its NASDAQ launch and purchase of Israel’s CyberIntel, it has now bought up Massachusetts-based Viewfinity for $30 million. Viewfinity will help CyberArk’s Privileged Account Security Solution to prevent cyber-attacks.

Israelis to drill for North Sea oil.  Israel’s Delek Group is to become the biggest shareholder in UK North Sea oil and gas firm Ithaca Energy following a £43million investment.  Ithaca is currently focused on the construction of a new production hub in the Greater Stella area of the central North Sea.

SanDisk sold for $19 billion.  Memory chip maker SanDisk, founded by Israel’s Eli Harari, has been sold to US hard disk manufacturer Western Digital for $19 billion.  In 2014, Harari received the US National Medal of Technology and Innovation for revolutionizing the flash storage industry. SanDisk has 3 Israeli R&D centers.

Microsoft buys another Israeli cybersecurity firm.  Microsoft is buying Israeli cyber security company Secure Islands for $100-150 million. It will be Microsoft's fifth Israeli acquisition this year and its 3rd Israeli cyber security company in the past 12 months.

Marketing intelligence is worth millions.  US firm Gilbarco has bought Israeli marketing intelligence company Odysii Technologies for $30 - 40 million.  Odysii’s Impulse platform informs customers of the retailer’s in-house promotions at the Point of Sale - thus potentially generating more business.

$50 million funding for Cybereason.  (TY Michelle) Japanese telecom conglomerate Softbank has invested $50 million in Israeli cybersecurity startup Cybereason.  The firm’s software gathers usage data across a computer network to discover suspicious activity.  http://fortune.com/2015/10/13/cybereason-softbank-raise/


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Billy Joel’s Israeli backing violinist.  Renowned Israeli violinist Itzhak Perlman has revealed that he is the incognito musician playing on Billy Joel’s album “Storm Front”.  Perlman also makes occasional surprise appearances at Joel’s stage shows.  Joel also supports the Perlman Music Institute.

Israeli orchestra performs at Bundestag.  During October, Beersheba’s Sinfonietta orchestra joins with Germany’s Philharmonic of Nations to play at Germany’s Bundestag Parliament building in a series of concerts to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel.

Jerry Seinfeld to debut in Israel.  Superstar comedian Jerry Seinfeld is to make his first standup performance at Tel Aviv’s Menora Mitvachim on Dec 19.  Seinfeld last visited Israel in 2007 when he was promoting “The Bee Movie.” As a teenager, he did a stint as a kibbutz volunteer.

Israeli medical miracles on US TV.  (TY Michelle) A new documentary is to be shown on PBS stations across the United States beginning early 2016.  “Medical Miracles from Israel” will tell the remarkable story of the medical device industry in Israel today and will list the life-saving tools that Israel has provided the world.

Top 10 finish in Formula SAE.  (TY Nevet)  Ben-Gurion University’s student Formula One racing team, is the first ever Israeli team to place in the top 10 at the Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) competition.  Students worldwide compete in Formula SAE to design and build the best racecar.


THE JEWISH STATE

A conference to heal the world.  (TY Michelle) A sold-out inaugural Wharton Israel Conference in Pennsylvania focused on one small country - Israel - as it pushed for a global effort to make the world a better place. The event featured international speakers who shared how Israelis work to improve the world.

Israelis rescue Syrian migrants.  Israelis aboard an Israeli yacht rescued 11 Syrian and Iraqi migrants whose boat capsized overnight near the Greek island of Kastellorizo.  The yacht, from Ashdod, was on a routine training activity in the area when its occupants noticed boat wreckage.  Please read what else the Israelis did.

What to do with your Etrog.  (TY Janglo) Five suggestions for the citron from Sukkot’s four species are: Havdalah spice, Etrog jam, Mr Etrog Head, Etrog candy bites and Etrog vodka. 


151011

In the 11th Oct 2015 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         An Israeli charity’s bone marrow registry saved 25 lives in one month.
·         An Israeli satellite will bring the Internet to remote parts of Africa.
·         Israel’s moon landing project is “go” for a 2017 launch date.
·         MasterCard and Barclays are running initiatives to develop Israeli startups.
·         At his first-ever Israeli concert Bon Jovi dedicates hit song to Tel Aviv.
·         After prayers for rain in Israel begin, the first rains of the season commence.

·         Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News, IsraelSeen, Ruthfully Yours and United With Israel.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You Michelle and other readers for sending me links to many of these positive news articles.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

25 lifesaving transplants.  In August, Israeli charity Ezer Mizion’s Bone Marrow Donor Registry facilitated 25 lifesaving transplants.  They included stem cell donations by five IDF soldiers that saved the lives of five desperately ill patients.  http://www.ezermizion.org/blog/because-of-you-16/#more-3176

Boost your immune system for better health.  The research of Weizmann Institute’s Professor Michal Schwartz was featured in Good Housekeeping magazine.  The article explains how the brain and the immune system communicate. http://www.weizmann-usa.org/media/2015/09/21/why-boosting-your-immune-system-is-important-for-your-brain's-health  And Weizmann’s Professor Yair Reisner links the immune system to obesity.

Digitizing the brain.  Professor Idan Segev of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is a member of the Blue Brain Project - an international team of scientists that is creating a digital reconstruction of the brain.  It has just completed a first draft computer reconstruction of a piece of the neocortex and simulated its electrical behavior.

Helping women to live longer and healthier.  Israel’s Weizmann Institute is supporting the Revlon “LOVE IS ON” Million Dollar Challenge with early prevention, improved diagnosis, and better treatments of medical problems for women everywhere.  https://www.crowdrise.com/acwis-revlon

Philips’ Israeli center for digital medicine.  I mentioned the new Philips-Teva medical incubator previously in my June newsletter.  Here (TY Michelle) Philips’ CEO states that Israel will become one of its main centers for developing digital medical innovations to improve the health of patients and keep them out of hospital.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Israeli satellite to bring Africa online.  Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has announced that an Israeli-made AMOS-6 satellite will be launched in 2016 to bring the Internet to the poorest parts of the world.  Facebook and Eutelsat will lease the satellite from Israeli global satellite services provider Spacecom.

How Israel is solving the global water crisis.  This must be the most comprehensive analysis of Israeli water technology ever written.  It also includes reference to Seth M Segal’s new book “Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solution for a Water-Starved World.”

Hong Kong delegation visits Israel.  (TY Michelle) Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying is leading a delegation of industry leaders and academics to Israel. They will visit political leaders, innovation and technology enterprises, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Weizmann Institute, Tel Aviv University, the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce and the desalination plant in Sorek.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A bigger force in the cloud.  Israel’s Silicom has bought US-based ADI Engineering for $10 million.  ADI’s high-performance Intel equipment will allow Silicom to expand its products for providers of cloud (over the Internet) and network services.

Rapid Internet performance.  Israel’s Teridion makes Internet access up to 20 times faster, for users of its advanced Global Cloud Network.  Teridion has just raised $20 million to expand in the US and internationally.

Turning polluted water into beer.  Israeli-founded water purification company Desalitech has teamed up with Boston-based Harpoon Brewery to channel the once-famously polluted Charles River into a new beer.  Desalitech is using its patented technology to provide water for Harpoon’s Charles River Pale Ale.

Avoid the queue.  Israeli startup Tapingo has launched a free app that allows students to order food from their favorite places via their smartphones, so that when they arrive they can just pick it up from the counter without having to wait in line.  http://www.cjnews.com/business/israeli-startup-tapingo-most-popular-app-campus

An app to help you dress right.  The Israeli app “Take A Look” allows you to send a “selfie” for the attention of top Israeli fashion designers Liat Ashuri, Doreen Attias, and Gadi Elimelech.  For a $25 fee, one of the three will critique your outfit. They say that they can even give real-time advice whilst still in the store!

Israeli lunar team secures launch.  (TY Michelle) Israel’s SpaceIL is a stage nearer its goal of becoming the first privately funded mission to the Moon and winning the $20 million Google Lunar XPRIZE.  SpaceIL has booked a place on a SpaceX rocket due for launch in the second half of 2017.  16 teams remain from the original 34.  http://www.israel21c.org/spaceil-is-1st-google-lunar-xprize-team-to-book-ride-to-moon/

Ford hackathon for Israeli developers.  US car manufacturer Ford is holding its own hackathon, the Ford AppLink Challenge, for Israel’s tech community to develop new technologies for Ford Sync Systems in the company’s new models. Winners get cash or a new Ford Fiesta.  Toyota and Hyundai ran similar recent events.  Ford is also to install Israel’s HearMeOut in its vehicles. HearMeOut posts audio clips on social networks.

Why Israel leads financial tech innovation.  (TY Michelle) Good analysis of why Israeli financial technology is growing so impressively.  Chief reasons include quality technology, previous successes, international knowhow, multinational R&D, global investment and encouragement for start-ups.

The largest desalination facility in North America.  (TY Michelle) In a few weeks, San Diego will open the Carlsbad desalination plant, piping around 50 million gallons of water a day to households across the San Diego area.  It was designed by Israel’s IDE and one of 400 desalination facilities it has designed in 40 countries.

Israel and its tribe of risk-taking entrepreneurs.  (TY Kay) Luke Johnson, chairman of Risk Capital Partners and the Centre for Entrepreneurs, wrote recently for the UK Sunday Times that Israel is an astonishing country, buzzing with energy and confidence, a magnet for talent and investment - a cauldron of innovation.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Teva spends billions on Mexican biotech.  Israeli bio giant Teva has purchased Mexico’s Representaciones e Investigaciones Médicas, S.A. de C.V. (Rimsa) for $2.3 billion.  Teva expects the deal will yield substantial and achievable synergies and offer a platform for growth in the region.

Mexico buys Israeli super-drone.  The Mexican government has purchased an advanced intelligence-gathering drone made by Israel’s Aeronautics.  The Dominator XP is based on a DA-42 twin star commercial plane, and is designed to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance flight missions.

Mellanox merges with EZchip.  Israeli IT giant Mellanox has bought Israeli microprocessor manufacturer EZchip for around $811 million.  The combined businesses currently have 2,400 employees, and generated combined revenue of $668 million for the year ended Jun 2015.  Both firms are located in Yokneam near Haifa.

The Startup Nation foundation.  A new non-profit organization Start-up Nation Central has been launched to connect companies and countries to the people and technologies in Israel that can solve their most pressing challenges.  Founded by US hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer with Dan Senor, co-author of “Startup Nation”.

MasterCard prize for Israeli innovation.  For the 4th year, MasterCard is offering a $25,000 prize for an Israeli startup to help the international giant improve its electronic payments and financial services.  The winner can also join the MasterCard Start Path global program, the company’s financial technology accelerator.

Barclays launches Tel Aviv start-up accelerator.  Global bank Barclays is opening an accelerator in Tel Aviv for startups in financial-tech and cyber security. Barclays Derek White said “We’re excited about the prospect of tapping into Tel Aviv’s hot-bed of innovation, connecting some of the world’s most active innovators.”

Golan Heights oil discovery is “huge”.  I reported previously (see Sep 20 2015) the discovery by Israeli company Afek of oil in the Golan Heights.  Afek Oil and Gas chief geologist Dr. Yuval Bartov now says that the oil strata is 350 meters thick - over ten times the average discovery, and potentially billions of barrels.

Tennessee wooing Israeli business.  (TY Michelle) Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has returned from taking an 18-person delegation to Israel.  He said there already have been second and third connections since the business venture.  Tennessee provides a low-cost location compared to New York, San Francisco and L.A.

How to turn a city into a start-up hub.  (TY Michelle) Hila Oren is CEO of Tel Aviv Global (TAG) a city-run company whose goal is to turn Tel Aviv into a global hot spot for innovation.  Here are some of the key initiatives TAG has implemented to cultivate the ecosystem and encourage innovation to take root.

Another record for Israel’s reserves.  Israel’s foreign currency reserves stood at a record $89.335 billion at the end of September 2015, an increase of $337 million from their level at the end of August.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Bon Jovi dedicates song to Israel.  Jon Bon Jovi kicked off his band’s first-ever performance in Israel by telling 50,000 cheering Israelis “I’ve waited a long time for this!”  He said that his new hit “We Don’t Run”, “should be the fight song for Tel Aviv.”  Its lyrics include “Fire in the sky and thunder on the mountain”.  Bon Jovi finished the 18-song set with “Living on a Prayer”.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzo4T77I8Xo


Israeli wins international philatelic grand prix.  Israelis won 4 Gold medals at the 7th Bi Annual One Frame ‘Sedmo Okno’ Stamp Exhibition in Slovenia. In addition, Jerusalem dentist and Israeli Philatelic Commissioner Les Glassman was awarded the Grand Prix Prize for his Jerusalem Pre – Philatelic Exhibit.


THE JEWISH STATE

The first Sukkathon.  For the first time, entrepreneurs gathered in a Jerusalem sukkah to develop apps related to temporary content.  The developers were hosted by video messaging specialists Glide.  In the spirit of the sukkah – a temporary habitation - so Internet data needs to be cleared away when no longer relevant.

Israeli Jews answer with love.  And I just love this article by Lebanese-born, Canadian Arab Fred Maroun.  He writes “Why do the overwhelming majority of Israelis respond to hate with love?  I believe that Judaism teaches love because love is effective while hate is not.”

Prayers for rain are answered – in buckets!  Jews in Israel said the prayer for rain on Monday lunchtime during the festival of Shemini Atzeret.  The next day, the country receives the heaviest October rainfall in six years. Flash floods, roads closed and flights grounded.  But it brought a welcome smile to most Israelis.


151004

In the 4th Oct 2015 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         The USA will use an Israeli burns treatment in mass-casualty incidents.
·         Five times as many Israelis graduated in 2014 compared to 1990.
·         Israel is helping Kenya with its vital national irrigation project.
·         An Israeli app allows reporting of illegal and dangerous driving.
·         Another leading UK retailer is to use Israeli visualization software.
·         Kayne West performed in front of 25,000 Tel Aviv fans.
·         Tens of thousands visited Jerusalem for the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles)

·         Click here to see the newsletter on Jewish Business News, IsraelSeen, Janglo and United With Israel with extra features on Health and Global Impact.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You Michelle and other readers for sending me links to many of these positive news articles.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

CE Mark for heart valve repair system.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Valtech Cardio has received European approval for its Cardioband implantable mitral reconstruction device.  Trials showed that that Cardioband is a highly effective first-line treatment option for reducing mitral regurgitation (MR) and improving quality of life.

Hope for bipolar depression sufferers.  Israel’s NeuroRx has demonstrated a 50% reduction in symptoms of depression and a 75% reduction in suicidal feelings in a small trial of its Cyclurad treatment in combination with ketamine on treatment-resistant patients with bipolar disorder.

Improving cognitive function.  A successful clinical study confirms previously demonstrated benefits of Neuravena on acute improvement of cognitive function, showing efficacy for an 800 mg dose. Neuravena is a bioactivity tested, patented wild green oat extract, produced and marketed by Israel’s Frutarom. 

US dept buys Israeli burns treatment.  The Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA) – part of the US Department of Health – has awarded a $112 million contract to Israel’s Mediwound.  BARDA will use Mediwound’s NexoBrid product in major incidents, to remove dead tissues from medium to severe burns.  It will also help Mediwound finance its FDA approval for NexoBrid. 

Cancer therapy project wins International award.  A team from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev won the Best Heath and Medicine Project category in the 12th annual Giant Jamboree iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) competition in Boston with their cutting-edge biological cancer therapy called “Boomerang.”  http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-09/aabu-ct092915.php

A digital medicine incubator.  IBM, Medtronic, Pitango and Rambam Medical Center have together won a grant from Israel’s Chief Scientist to open a digital medicine incubator at the Life Sciences Park being built in Haifa.  The incubator will select companies working in big data, predictive analytics, telemedicine, wearable and implantable diagnostic sensors, advanced diagnostics, personalized medicine and more.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

New center for Jewish and Arab hearing impaired children.  The Jerusalem Foundation has opened a home in Abu Tor, for Jewish and Arab children with hearing impairments.  The MICHA (Society for Deaf Children in Israel) center contains 4 pre-school classes and an audiology institute with clinics and advanced technology.

Israel's Bedouin tennis champions.  9-year-old Karin, 12-year-old Samar and 15-year-old Shadi al-Touri train at the Yad Eliyahu Tennis Center in Tel Aviv.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4705141,00.html 

Academic degrees increase 500% since 1990.  (TY Steven) The number of university-level degrees handed out in Israel has multiplied by five over the past 25 years.  At the end of the 2013/2014 school year, 75,100 degrees were awarded to Israelis students.  The increase is particularly high amongst Israeli women and Arabs.

Study Israel in Washington DC.  George Washington University is establishing an Israel Studies program, including an endowed professorship, in the latest example of universities developing closer ties with Israel.

Educational ties with India.  (TY Michelle) Leading Indian educational institutes are strengthening the Indo-Israeli alliance.  In the latest, Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool) of Mumbai signed agreements with Tel Aviv University, Ben Gurion University and the IDC Herzliya.

Zambia re-opens embassy in Israel.  (TY Hazel) Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba re-opened the country's embassy in Israel saying, “We view Israel as a true friend in the Middle East.” Mr Kalaba also said Zambia expects "cooperation and the strengthening of ties" over a wide range of fields, including economic, security, agriculture, and tourism.  http://allafrica.com/stories/201509170187.html

18-country delegation to fight BDS.  A delegation of 22 parliamentarians from 18 different countries is in Israel as part of the Israel Allies Foundation's annual Jerusalem Chairman’s Conference.  They will sign a resolution declaring support for Israel and vowing to take a stance against anti-Israel movements such as BDS.

Supporting Kenyan irrigation project.  (TY Hazel) Israel is giving technical support to Kenya’s six-year Galana / Kulalu irrigation project.  The project will provide water for sustainable farming through development and modernization of irrigation and drainage, to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and generate jobs.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Cutting greenhouse gas emissions.  (TY Atid-EDI) The Israeli cabinet approved plans to slash emissions of greenhouse gases by 25% by 2030.  The NIS 800 million cost would eventually save the economy NIS 100 billion in fuel savings and reduced disease from pollution.

Better microchips.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israeli startup Optimal(plus) analyzes the production processes of semiconductor manufacturers.  By processing “big data” Optimal(plus) can make big cost savings.  Optimal(plus) has just raised $42 million to fund its rapid growth plans.  http://www.optimalplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Optimal+-Raises-42-Million-Growth-Round-Led-By-KKR.pdf

Automating the freight business.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Freightos automates freight sales for some of the world’s largest logistics providers.  It allows companies to give instant quotes to ship goods in any currency.  Freightos has just raised $14 million of funding.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I0eBzeZbwY

Tighter EU regulation requires Israeli encryption technology.  Top international lawyer Dr. Patrick Van Eecke has stated that new stricter European Union regulations on data security in the wake of leaks at Target, Sony and the IRS, requires companies to seek advanced encryption software such as supplied by Israeli cyber-security firms.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/super-strict-eu-data-security-a-boon-for-israel-says-expert/

The brains behind fast-charging batteries.  (TY Michelle) This article complements last week’s technical one about Israel’s StoreDot – developers of fast-charging batteries.  StoreDot employs 20 PhDs - organic chemists. quantum physicists, electrical engineers and device engineers – all working together to build new molecules.

What’s happening at WATEC.  (TY Michelle) Foreign government ministers from dozens of countries will attend Israel’s International water conference WATEC 2015 starting Oct 13.  There are joint sessions with California, China, Europe and the OECD.  The event is preceded by Cleanvest - a full day investors’ summit.

Keeping West Point cadets in shape.  West Point Military Academy and numerous NBA teams in the US are turning to Israeli start-up PhysiMax, which, using 3D cameras, provides cloud-based analytics of how players are performing.  One of the main aims of the system is to prevent injuries from inefficient movement.

Exporting innovation.  (TY Michelle) First it was Microsoft, which rolled out its Israeli accelerator model to seven other locations around the world. In 3 years, Microsoft accelerators have graduated 410 startups.  Now IBM plan to export its Haifa Alphazone Accelerator where startups make use of IBM’s Watson supercomputer.

GE launches Israel accelerator.  US giant General Electric (GE) is to start an accelerator in Israel. It will focus on cloud computing and big data, with an emphasis on industrial Internet. The first group of four software startups will begin in July, and a second cycle in December. GE has already invested in a series of Israeli firms.

App to report bad drivers.  Just the ticket!  The iPhone dash-cam app from Israel’s Nexar records and reports traffic violations and reckless driving.  Israeli drivers, please join the Nexar community to make the roads safer.

Israeli firm to refurbish Santa Barbara de-sal plant.  Israel’s IDE Americas is to refurbish, operate and maintain the recommissioned Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant in Santa Barbara, California. IDE was chosen for its proven experience, modular approach, and ability to meet the city’s short timeframe.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Record trade with the UK.  (TY Michelle)  Exports of Israeli products and services to the UK increased by 3.7% during Jan and July 2015.  Bilateral trade during the same period reached a record £2.4 billion.

John Lewis uses Israeli tech for virtual showroom.  UK’s leading retailer John Lewis is to use the augmented reality software from Israel’s Cimagine to help customers visualize new ways to personalize and design their home.  Cimagine is already in use at UK’s online retail giant Shop Direct.

Google chairman’s 4th Israeli investment.  (TY Michelle) Israel startup Taykey has developed a trend-tracking system that has earned it over $10 million in revenue this year.  One of its main investors is Innovation Endeavors, owned by Google’s Eric Schmidt.  (See here for Schmidt’s other Israeli investments)

No investment necessary.  (TY Michelle) Some Israeli startups have become successful without seeking external funding.  Using their own funds (known as “Bootstrapping”) the entrepreneurs that founded Optimove and Fitness22 have retained control of their businesses and are now enjoying the rewards.

A change in the energy mix.  (TY Michelle) Yuval Steinitz, Israel’s Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water, discusses the current situation of the country’s energy mix and the transformation which is set to occur following the natural gas discoveries in the Leviathan and Tamar gas fields.

Israeli universities produce top entrepreneurs.  Tel Aviv University was 9th in the PitchBook report for undergrad programs that produced the most start-up founders.  TAU was the only non-US university in the top 10.  Israel’s Technion came 20th and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem came 39th.

Teva buys respiratory disease monitoring company.  Israel’s Teva continues its expansion into digital medicine by purchasing US-based Gecko Health Innovations.  Gecko has developed CareTR, a cloud-based solution that simplifies chronic respiratory disease management by connecting patients and caregivers through remote monitoring and real-time adherence tools.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

1500-year-old mosaic unveiled.  (TY Michelle) At Kiryat Gat’s “Factories from Within” festival, Israeli archaeologists will reveal an ancient mosaic discovered during local excavations.  The mosaic depicts scenes of ancient Egypt.  http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Rare-1500-year-old-old-mosaic-discovered-depicting-streets-buildings-of-ancient-Egypt-419384

Hummus beer – whatever next?  Israel’s Meadan Brewery has a particularly niche operation, producing beer that is both gluten-free and made with chickpeas, dates and buckwheat.  Chickpeas are also the main ingredient of hummus and falafel - well-known traditional Middle-Eastern foods.

Kayne West raps Tel Aviv.  US rap star Kanye West (“Yeezy”) kept 25,000 people on their feet for 90 minutes at Ramat Gan Stadium with a long set of power ballads.  It was his second visit to Israel this year.  In April, he and his wife Kim Kardashian baptized their daughter in Jerusalem.

Hollywood stars investing in Israel.  (TY Michelle) Celebrities the world over are looking to get in on the Startup Nation action. From Jay-Z to Ellen Degeneres and Leonardo Dicaprio, here are 10 celebs who know that Israel is the hottest place for innovation.

Eilat to host 2016 world tennis event.  Israel’s hopes of returning to the Fed Cup World Group II tennis playoffs were handed a boost on Saturday after Eilat was announced as the host of next year’s Europe/Africa Zone Group I matches.  Eilat also hosted the tournament between 2011 and 2013.


THE JEWISH STATE

President decorates a sukkah.  President Reuven Rivlin decorates a tabernacle with children at the President’s residence in Jerusalem for the upcoming Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

7000 sq feet sukkah at Tel Aviv port.  Beit Tefilah Israeli and the Tel Aviv Port have opened a giant sukkah (booth), covering more than 7000 square feet on the iconic Tel Aviv Port boardwalk. The sukkah will be open to the public from 9am-10pm daily throughout Sukkot (Tabernacles), with free activities for the entire family.

Jerusalem March is 60 years old.  The Jerusalem March marks the 60th year the event has been held – making it the biggest and oldest parade in Israel.  Marchers came from 35 countries and at least 60,000 people either took part or came to watch.  They included dozens who helped liberate East Jerusalem in 1967.

“They will all come to celebrate Tabernacles in Jerusalem”.  Thousands of evangelical Christians from more than 80 countries descended upon Jerusalem this week to show their support for the Jewish State.

Jewish Indians visit Israel.  (TY Michelle) Interesting video of a group of 22 young Indian Jews who have come to Israel on a Taglit-Birthright tour.