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by: Michael Ordman
POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Woman of Courage
One of the seven International Women of Courage 2025 awarded by the US State Department was Israel’s Amit Sousanna. Amit uses her voice to courageously advocate for survivors by using her own lived example to describe the trauma she suffered as a hostage of the October 7th attack.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-former-hostage-amit-soussana-receives-us-state-departments-international-woman-of-courage-award/
https://www.state.gov/2025-international-women-of-courage-award/#amit-soussana
Gadi returns to Turner stadium
This scene was too emotional not to include in this newsletter. Ex-hostage Gadi Moses was welcomed back to Turner stadium, the home of his favorite soccer club Beersheva. Also read his latest interview. https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-released-hostage-gadi-moses-honored-at-soccer-game/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-847026
Shot in the back but recovered
Female IDF soldier Stav Bachar survived Oct 2023 despite Hamas terrorists shooting her in the back, abdomen, and pelvis, and leaving her for dead. If you can access X, see her now.
https://www.jfeed.com/news-israel/s3ckd9
https://x.com/VividProwess/status/1906534415582339547
The most wounded soldier forges on
On Oct 7 2023, Alon Kaminer’s life changed forever when a premature explosion in combat left him clinically dead and with devastating injuries. He lost his leg, right arm, left hand, and an eye. He was clinically dead but he survived, and with unshakable courage and resilience, he fights on.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-the-most-wounded-idf-soldier-forges-on/
Battlefield lessons save civilian lives
Israeli hospitals, such as Laniado in Netanya, have been applying many of the advanced methods developed by the IDF during the war. Whole blood is given to wounded soldiers before evacuation, and this technique is now used in Laniado if patients have insufficient platelets for surgery.
https://laniadosupporters.org.il/laniado-applies-advanced-idf-methods/
Donor’s lungs blew the shofar at his memorial
Last year, Kfir Zar received a double lung transplant from fallen IDF soldier Dor Zimel (see here previously). At the memorial to Dor, Kfir used Dor’s lungs to blow a shofar for him.
https://inspirationfromzion.com/2025/03/31/how-do-we-heal-from-the-trauma-of-this-war/
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/hknxtehzc
$1.3 billion for rebuilding Gaza envelope
Israel’s Knesset has approved a comprehensive recovery plan aimed at rebuilding communities located within 7 km. (4.3 miles) of the Gaza border that were severely impacted by the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023.
https://www.jns.org/knesset-approves-1-3b-recovery-plan-for-gaza-border-communities/
From evacuation to actio
Students from JNF-USA-supported Kiryat Shmona University have returned to clean up the battered city. And young educators from JNF-USA’s network of organizations including MAKOM (see here previously) have relocated to Israel’s North and South to revive the communities.
https://www.jnf.org/jnf-blog/post/blog/be-inspired–jewish-national-fund-usa-is-bringing-young-people-back-to-the-north-and-south
https://www.jnf.org/ways-to-help/support-israel
Volunteering led to romance
Rebecca Starr and Benjamin (Benji) Katz are among countless Diaspora Jews who immediately volunteered to join the war effort in Israel after Oct 7 2023. They met at the NGO Pitchon-Lev, which is providing aid to IDF soldiers and Oct 7 survivors. Rebecca and Benji are to be married in July.
https://www.jns.org/a-love-story-born-from-the-tragic-day-of-oct-7/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Good progress on pancreatic cancer treatment
Israel’s Silexion Therapeutics reported that its SIL-204 pancreatic cancer treatment effectively reduces primary tumor growth and secondary cancer spread. Silexion ‘s first generation LODER treatment already had good results in Phase 2 trials on “simple” cancers.
https://silexion.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/silexion-therapeutics-announces-completion-of1.pdf
New way to treat resistant cancers
Israel’s MitoCarex Bio has developed its MITOLINE™ algorithm and other advanced computational capabilities to identify small molecules that can fight cancer. MitoCarex has just been acquired by Israel’s N2OFF (see here previously) which is also injecting $1 million of investment.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/n2off-inc-enters-agreement-acquire-mitocarex-bio-ltd-expand-cancer-therapeutics-portfolio
How cells respond to treatment
Researchers from Tel Aviv University have developed scNET that tracks gene expression at the single-cell level in response to various therapies. It has exciting implications for research into cancer treatments and their effect on the tumor, pro-cancer supporting cells, and anti-cancer immune cells.
https://www.gov.il/en/pages/novel-ai-based-method-reveals-how-cells-respond-to-drug-treatments-1-apr-2025
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-025-02627-0
What’s happening inside?
Prof Hossam Haick of Israel’s Technion and his team have developed a new method for monitoring molecular processes deep within tissue. Their system uses chemical tomography to analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It can help early cancer detection in many organs of the body.
https://www.technion.ac.il/en/blog/article/breakthrough-in-noninvasive-monitoring-of-molecular-processes-in-deep-tissue/
Real-time blood tests
Israel’s Inspira Technologies (see here previously) announced positive results from the clinical study at Sheba Hospital of its AI-powered HYLA blood sensor. Its real-time blood monitoring enables early diagnosis and personalized care without the need for intermittent blood draws.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inspira-technologies-announces-positive-results-from-clinical-study-of-hyla-blood-sensor-achieving-96-accuracy-302391551.html
Combatting gum disease and more
Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists have discovered how the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis causes periodontitis infection (gum disease). Preventing it binding to protein CD47 prevents periodontitis, and its correlation with cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.
https://www.afhu.org/2025/02/24/new-approach-to-suppress-oral-bacteria-that-cause-periodontal-and-other-disease-symptoms-discovered-by-hu-researchers/
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2405534121
US approves rotator cuff repair system
Israel’s Arcuro Medical (see here previously) has received US FDA clearance for its SuperBall-RC system for use in rotator cuff (shoulder) repair procedures. Arcuro’s SuperBall technology platform has now successfully been used in over 5,000 meniscus (knee) repairs.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arcuro-medical-announces-fda-510k-clearance-for-the-superball-rc-for-rotator-cuff-indications-302387137.html
From cultivated meat to muscle therapy
Israel’s Profuse (see here previously) which specializes in the laboratory cultivation of muscle tissue for non-animal meat, has launched a new technology and program for preventing and restoring muscle lost by the growing use of weight-loss treatments, aging, and cancer.
https://startupsmagazine.co.uk/article-profuse-launches-drug-discovery-platform-prevention-muscle-loss
https://profuse-tech.com/drug-discovery/
Combining complementary and conventional medicine
Israel’s Treat Me (see here) has developed an AI-driven platform that allows practitioners to create tailor-made treatment plans that bridge Western medicine, complementary therapies (e.g. Chinese medicine, naturopathy, reflexology) and cutting-edge research.
https://www.israel21c.org/mom-turns-medical-nightmare-into-an-integrative-care-dream/
Rehabilitation conference
Israel hosted the “Lifetime Partnership” International Rehabilitation Conference in Tel Aviv. It attracted medical and rehabilitation experts from militaries, defense ministries, and health departments in England, Thailand, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Brazil and Canada.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-hosts-first-ever-international-rehabilitation-conference-in-wake-of-oct-7/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
President hosts two autistic children
On World Autism Awareness Day, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog welcomed Alex an IDF reservist, his wife Julieta and his two autistic children Peer and Priel to his official residence in Jerusalem. The family was evacuated from Sderot and had to change special education programs.
https://www.jns.org/for-world-autism-awareness-day-herzog-hosts-idf-soldiers-family/
Caring for everyone
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews supports Israeli Holocaust survivors, funded an MRI machine for Yoseftal Medical Center in Eilat, and an armored ICU mobile vehicle for Judea and Samaria. It also provides food cards to Muslim IDF soldiers during Ramadan.
https://www.ifcj.org/who-we-are/programs/alleviating-poverty
https://www.ifcj.org/news/fellowship-blog/project-spotlight-mri-machine-for-yoseftal-medical-center
https://www.ifcj.org/news/fellowship-blog/project-spotlight-armored-icu-mobile-vehicles
As an Arab I’m so lucky to be born In Israel
Nice little video by Mansor Ashkar which sums it all up.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH3GZfWIWCd/?igsh=MWk0YWtkdGE4bmhweg%3D%3D
A new road for Palestinian Arabs
A new road is to be built in eastern Jerusalem to allow Palestinian Arabs to travel, without checkpoints, from az-Za’ayyem east of the Hebrew University’s campus on Mount Scopus, to the al-Eizariya village west of Ma’ale Adumim. The so-called Living Space Road will cost NIS 345 million.
https://www.jns.org/israel-to-build-new-road-for-palestinians-near-jerusalem/
Israel joins Qatar & UAE in air force drill
The Israeli Air Force took part in Greece’s annual multinational Iniochos 25 air drill. This year Qatar (widely thought to back Hamas) also participated with F15s. The UAE flew Mirage 2000 aircraft. Israel flew its Oron advanced intelligence-gathering jet,.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1w75f0061g
Searching for survivors in Bangkok rubble
A team of IDF engineering and civil affairs officers has started sharing technological expertise with Thai authorities in their mission to rescue survivors of the earthquake that rocked Thailand and Myanmar. The IDF has equipment that can help locate 81 workers trapped under rubble.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-rescue-mission-lands-in-earthquake-struck-bangkok/
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-israeli-search-and-rescue-teams-land-in-thailand-to-aid-in-disaster-relief/
One hundred years of the Hebrew U
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem marked its 100th anniversary by celebrating a century of groundbreaking research, academic excellence, and visionary leadership that helped shape the intellectual and scientific foundations of the State of Israel.
https://israfan.com/p/hebrew-university-jerusalem-centennial
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Aloe vera for enhancing cultured meat
Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Reichman University have proposed to use aloe vera to improve the sensory experience of eating plant-based meat substitutes. The process holds great potential for sustainable food production.
https://www.afhu.org/2025/03/21/aloe-vera-revealed-to-be-secret-ingredient-for-enhancing-cultured-meat-by-breakthrough-hebrew-university-study/
Major discovery impacts air quality and medicine
A team in Sweden led by Hebrew University scientists have discovered a chemical process in nature that creates hydroxyl (OH) radicals at low temperatures. It has major implications for pollution control and human health (aging, cancer and immune response).
https://unitedwithisrael.org/israeli-study-reveals-hidden-chemistry-that-could-impact-pollution-control-and-space-science/
Saving the planet from plastic
Israel’s PlasticBack is working with a USA-based recycling company to scale-up its technology, which converts hard-to-recycle plastics into valuable byproducts. It aims to to upcycle 100,000 tons of plastic waste by 2030, setting a new benchmark for sustainable plastic recycling.
https://europeanfriends.huji.ac.il/news/plastic-back-turns-plastic-waste-valuable-resources-new-us-partnership
https://www.plastic-back.com/
A miniature nuclear reactor
Israel’s Megatron N.R.G. is developing a nuclear fusion energy reactor no bigger than a desktop computer. It says it has achieved ongoing fusion events in the lab by using micro-entities called stable plasmoids – tangled bundles of super-hot charged gas (plasma) held together by magnetic fields.
https://www.israel21c.org/building-a-nuclear-reactor-the-size-of-a-desktop-computer/
Multiple green energy projects
Israel’s Enlight Renewable Energy is to build a $1.1 billion 100MW per hour solar-power plant and data center in Ashalim, southern Israel. It has also signed contracts for NTA (Tel Aviv Metro), Big, SodaStream, Applied Materials, Amdocs and others, who will buy green electricity from Enlight.
https://renewablesnow.com/news/enlight-to-invest-usd-1-1bn-in-solar-backed-data-centre-in-israel-1273053/
Turning Haifa green
Haifa bay’s heavy industry is to be replaced with green spaces, housing and commercial areas. The key event will be the closure of the Bazan oil refineries, which is now scheduled for 2030. Haifa will remain home to the country’s largest cargo port, two smaller seaports, and a small airport.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-haifa-goes-green-oil-refinery-closure-delayed-but-crude-oil-tanks-set-for-removal/
Even more lifting power
Israel’s Heven Drones (see here previously) has increased the size of the loads they can carry. The hydrogen-powered Raider drones can carry up to 50 pounds and fly for up to 12 hours.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-heven-drones-says-its-hydrogen-fueled-flying-robots-are-a-military-game-changer/
A quality code-generator
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being widely used to create computer code, but the code generated is often over-complex, full of bugs and security flawed. Israel’s Qodo (see here) sets a new standard for efficiency in code understanding, enabling AI systems to work with code at any scale.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qodo-achieves-best-code-embedding-performance-with-small-1-5-billion-parameter-model-302387275.html
Storing data as DNA
Researchers at Israel’s Technion Institute have developed DNAformer – a technology for encoding, retrieving, and rapidly reading data stored in DNA molecules. DNA takes up 100 million times less space, lasts hundreds of millennia, saves energy and emissions, and is thousands of times faster to process.
https://www.technion.ac.il/en/blog/article/dnaformer-where-nature-meets-ai/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s42256-025-01003-z
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Huge income from natural gas
Israel earned record revenues of NIS 2.37 billion from royalties on natural gas and minerals in 2024 – 8.2% more than in 2023. Israel has earned nearly NIS 30 billion from royalties and taxes on profits. The Sovereign Wealth Fund (or Citizens’ Fund) is worth nearly $2 billion.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-state-royalties-on-natural-resources-reach-new-peak-1001503817
https://worldisraelnews.com/israels-sovereign-wealth-fund-grows-to-2-billion-despite-war/
AI translating all TASE reports into English
The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) has commissioned Israel’s TipRanks, to develop a AI-based system to translate listed company reports into English. It is part of the initiative to increase global investors’ exposure to the 487 TASE-listed companies.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ai-powered-english-translation-to-enhance-global-accessibility-of-tase-listed-company-reports-302391368.html
Delta resumes flights to Israel
Delta Air Lines has restarted daily flights from New York’s JFK airport to Tel Aviv, adding 2,000 weekly seats on the popular New York route. The move comes two weeks after chief rival United Airlines resumed its service to Tel Aviv, and ahead of the busy Passover and Easter travel season.
https://www.jns.org/delta-resumes-flights-to-israel/
More flights to Bucharest
Israeli airline El Al has signed a codeshare agreement with Romanian state-owned TAROM Airlines. The number of weekly flights on the Tel Aviv to Bucharest route will increase to 18, and the first flight under the new agreement was scheduled to begin on Apr 1.
https://www.jpost.com/consumerism/article-846698
New El Al route to Albania
El Al is launching direct, nonstop flights, 3 times a week, between Tel Aviv and Tirana, Albania, through its low-cost subsidiary, Sundor. Albania only has 60 Jewish citizens, but is building two Jewish museums, in Tirana and Vlora. Other sites include a Holocaust museum and Shimon Peres Square.
https://www.jta.org/2025/03/28/global/once-isolated-albania-hopes-for-israeli-tourist-boom-with-launch-of-el-al-direct-flights
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/rjsxvrou1e
Lemonade’s $1 billon of fizz
Israel’s Lemonade, the AI-powered digital insurance firm (see here previously) has passed $1 billion of In Force Premium (IFP). It marks a significant milestone for the company, achieved just 8.5 years after selling its first policy.
https://www.reinsurancene.ws/lemonade-passes-1bn-in-premiums/
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 6th Apr 25:
Israel’s Nyax has acquired Brazil’s UPPay for $5 million. Israel’s N2OFF is acquiring Israel’s Mitocarex Bio from Israel’s SciSparc and others.
Startup investment – to 6th Apr 25:
Grain raised $50 million; Unframe raised $50 million; Hi Auto raised $15 million; Linguana raised $8.5 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Site of Armageddon confirmed
Archaeologists have dated Egyptian pottery found at Megiddo in Northern Israel to the time of the Biblical battle where Egypt defeated the Judean King Josiah in 609 BCE. The battle was so vital that it was prophesized to become the site of Armageddon – the final battle at the end of days.
https://israfan.com/p/armageddon-battle-site-confirmed-megiddo
Pre-schooler finds 3,800 year-old amulet
3-year-old Ziv Nitzan was hiking with her family at Tel Azeka near Beit Shemesh in central Israel, when she unearthed a Canaanite scarab amulet dating back 3,800 years. Tel Azeka is where David fought Goliath, as described in the Book of Samuel I (17:1).
https://www.timesofisrael.com/three-year-old-girl-finds-canaanite-seal-where-bible-says-david-battled-goliath/
Jerusalem Museum of Tolerance opens
The newly opened Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem resembles a bridge or a dove with outstretched wings, representing unity, dignity and respect among Jews and people of all faiths. The two temporary exhibitions are (a) on Oct 7 2023, and (b) “Documenting Israel: 75 Years of Vision.”
https://www.israel21c.org/israels-magnificent-new-museum-of-tolerance-is-a-study-in-just-that/
Superhero artist is Wonder Man
Marvel and DC comic book artist Michael Netzer is famous for drawing Batman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, etc. He has lived many lives – US-born to a Druze father and a secret Jewish mother, his journey included a Lebanese village, back to the USA, and Aliyah. An amazing story.
https://www.jns.org/michael-netzer-from-american-superheroes-to-israeli-spirituality/
THE JEWISH STATE
Border Police receive portable synagogue
An Israeli Border Police training base received a portable synagogue with prayer books and a new Torah, ensuring officers have access to worship wherever they serve.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-israeli-police-base-receives-portable-synagogue/
Canadian Jews strengthen Israeli education
With a fund to be administered by the JFC-UIA organization, a total of $20 million will be invested in educational development in northern Israel, with a special focus on the Galilee region. This includes transforming Tel-Hai College into a university.
https://aurora-israel.co.il/en/Canadian-Jewish-community-invests-%2420-million-to-strengthen-education-in-northern-Israel/
3 MDA ambulances donated in memory of Dee family
An anonymous donor, through the Israeli Friends of MDA, has donated three ambulances in memory of Lucy, Maia, and Rina Dee, the wife and daughters of Rabbi Leo Dee who were murdered by terrorists on 7 Apr 2023. They will be used in Efrat, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
https://www.jns.org/three-mda-ambulances-donated-in-memory-of-dee-family/
The Ambassadors of Truth
Jerusalem’s conference “Ambassadors of Truth” was focused on combatting Antisemitism. The speakers were many of the leading international defenders of Israel and although others boycotted the conference, it was still a great success.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/03/30/see-the-faces-of-the-ambassadors-of-truth/
Cleaning the Kotel for Pesach
As every year, the Western Wall in Jerusalem is being cleared out of the tens of thousands of prayers that have been inserted between the stones over the past year. These notes will be buried alongside unwanted or damaged sacred writings according to Jewish customs.
https://www.jns.org/western-wall-prayer-notes-extracted-ahead-of-passover/
Rare Haggadot auctioned in Bnei Brak
The Brand auction house in Bnei Brak is auctioning a Jewish Brigade fighters’ Haggadah, and a Haganah Haggadah, both created for Passover 5708, weeks before Israel’s Declaration of Independence in 1948. Also a 1940 Kibbutz Shefayim Haggadah that refers to the Shoah.
https://www.jns.org/rare-haggadot-up-for-auction-in-bnei-brak/
How to help Israel
Here are some sites where newsletter readers can donate to Israeli organizations that provide vital help to Israelis at this difficult time. Many thanks to those who have already contributed and to those who are helping by donating their own valuable time and resources.
Friends of the IDF (US donors): https://www.fidf.org/
or IDF Soldiers Fund in Israel: https://www.ufis.org.il/en/donation-en/ (select the English speakers’ option)
American Friends of Magen David Adom (US donors): https://afmda.org/
or Magen David Adom (Israel): https://www.mdais.org/en/donation
Zaka (US donors): https://donate.zakatelaviv.org/give/525578/ or (Israeli donors): https://charidy.com/zaka
or (Canadian donors): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/bellevue-foundation/
United Hatzalah: https://israelrescue.org/campaign/israel-at-war-2/ or Canada https://www.uhcanada.org/
Donate a medic bag, save a life https://israelrescue.org/campaign/medicbag/
Leket Food Israel: https://www.leket.org/en/
JNF USA – https://my.jnf.org/gaza-emergency/Donate or Canada https://jnf.ca/
Orthodox Union – https://www.charidy.com/ouisraelcrisis
Schneider Children’s Hospital: https://www.fos.org.il/en/donate (Israelis)
https://system.smartgiving.org.uk/charities/8530/make-donation (UK)
https://chaischneider.org/donate/ (USA)
Rambam Medical Center (Haifa) https://aforam.org/ways-to-give/ (US)
https://www.rambam.org.il/en/support_rambam/donate_now/ (Rest of the World)
Hadassah Hospital Israel: https://www.hadassah.org/
Laniado Hospital (Netanya) https://my.israelgives.org/en/fundme/EmergencyLaniado
Buy Israel Bonds to support the Jewish State.
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/state-of-israel-bonds
USA – https://www.israelbonds.com/
Europe – https://israelbondsintl.com/
Canada – https://www.israelbonds.ca/
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