by: Michael Ordman
POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Lifting our spirit
Ziv Shilon lost an arm in Gaza in 2012, but he didn’t lose his spirit. Here, he performs hagbah (lifting the Torah scroll) in the Chabad of Savyon, Nothing stops these heroes – they are now a defining and meaningful part of the fabric of Israeli society. See also Ari Spitz, wounded in Feb 2024.
https://sparksofanation.com/sparks/ziv-shilon-lost-an-arm-but-he-didnt-lose-his-spirit-here-he-performs-hagbah-in-savyon-fortitude-and-faith-fueling-him-forward/
https://zivshilon.com/en/about/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9NaGEct2GG/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388392
A modern day prophet & hero
Another article describing the actions of Rami Davidian (see here previously) who saved hundreds from the Hamas terrorists. The author writes, “Our people are Maccabees and prophets, warriors and angels. There have been many heroes, but Rami Davidian…must be remembered for generations.”
https://www.jns.org/a-modern-day-prophet-and-hero/
Defense innovations from startups
Once you skip the negative section of this article, there are several key initiatives and innovations that will help the IDF in future conflicts. The MAFAT program, Tel Aviv University problem-solving, Unit 81, MAMRAM’s tech commando unit,
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-war-with-low-tech-foe-startups-could-prevent-costly-failings-so-why-dont-they/
Be’eri dairy makes cheese again
The dairy at Kibbutz Be’eri is producing its famous cheeses again, nine months after the devastating Oct 7 attack. Despite losing his business partner, Dagan Peleg bowed to pressure from Israelis craving for Be’eri cheese – especially those from the kibbutz evacuated to Dead Sea hotels.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/beeris-boutique-cheesemakers-carry-on-without-dror-ors-golden-hands/
https://beeridairy.co.il/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Patient “speaks” using the power of thought alone
A historical first. A 37-year-old male neurosurgical epilepsy patient at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov (Sourasky) Medical Center was implanted with depth electrodes. He silently controlled a computer-based vocalizer in a natural way to voluntarily produce 2 vowel sounds.
https://www.jns.org/tau-researchers-allow-patient-to-speak-with-thought-alone/
https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/abstract/9900/a_speech_neuroprosthesis_in_the_frontal_lobe_and.1250.aspx
Non-invasive glucose monitoring
Israel’s HAGAR’s GWave is the world’s first non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring technology that uses radiofrequency (RF) waves to measure glucose levels in the blood. Its latest trial had 97% accuracy compared to blood tests (see here). See other Israeli monitors here.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211123005227/en/HAGAR-GWave-Awarded-FDA-Breakthrough-Device-Designation
How good are your arteries?
Israel’s AccuLine is developing CORA – an accurate, non-invasive, swift, and low-cost test for early detection of coronary artery disease and prevent heart attacks. It detects 2 novel bio-signals in combination with AI-powered signal processing and proprietary augmented waveform display.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sjp00jnzdc
Replacing open-heart surgery
US giant Edwards Lifesciences’ acquisition of Israel’s Innovalve Bio Medical will enable its innovative catheterization system to replace the diseased mitral valves of millions of patients, avoiding open-heart surgery. The system was originally developed at Israel’s Sheba Medical Center.
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/b1fsw8sua
The hub of the brain
Researchers from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have identified the brain’s claustrum as vital for controlling behaviour e.g., responsiveness and impulsivity. It also regulates sleep and the new knowledge can open up new pathways for treating ADHD, schizophrenia, OCD, and addictions.
https://tps.co.il/articles/israeli-findings-on-a-hidden-brain-hub-open-path-for-new-adhd-treatment/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48829-6
One-day retreat to prevent PTSD
Israeli NGO The Protective Partnership has started a free one-day retreat in Herzliya, called the Villa. Led by Dr Ronny Simons, it uses Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to strengthen the brains of IDF soldiers to protect against suffering PTSD.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/intensive-one-day-retreat-program-aims-to-prevent-ptsd-among-idf-reservists/
https://the-villa.co.il/en/main/
https://the-villa.co.il/en/who-we-are/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_movement_desensitization_and_reprocessing
Cancer care for Anglo Israelis
Sharsheret Israel helps English-speaking women in Israel with breast cancer to navigate treatment and support. Based on the US model, Sharsheret Israel is piloting its services including psychosocial support, cancer treatment navigation, education, support groups and more.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-808079
https://sharsheret.org/israel/
Boosting health tech in the North
Israeli NGO Startup Nation Central is helping Tzafon Medical Center (Poriya hospital) near Tiberias become a regional leader in health tech innovation and entrepreneurship. It will also support the new Helmsley Rehabilitation Center at the hospital.
https://www.jns.org/startup-nation-central-partners-with-israeli-hospital-to-boost-health-tech-in-north/
Has your medicine expired?
The expiry date printed on many medicine bottles is not relevant once you open it – you must record the date it was opened. Israel’s Innocap has a special cap with a simple dial that records the day and month of opening. It also connects to a smartphone which displays information about the medicine.
https://nocamels.com/2024/07/smart-cap-keeps-on-top-of-your-medications-crucial-expiration-date/
https://innocap.info/smart-cap-en/
Almost life-like
The new J5 Digital Anatomy™ 3D Printer from Israel’s Stratasys enables the creation of biomechanically accurate, highly realistic anatomical models for medical purposes. These mimic bone structures, tissues, ligaments, & complex vascular structures, respond like organs, and much more.
https://www.stratasys.com/en/3d-printers/printer-catalog/polyjet/j5-digital-anatomy-printer/
https://www.stratasys.com/en/landing-pages/j5-digitalanatomy-3d-printer/
Sisters!
Take care if you ask to see the “Sister” at the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. Nurses Yamit and Inbal are identical twins. Their older sister Sima (another nurse) looks just like them. They grew up in a house with 10 children – nine girls and one boy. Their parents must have needed a lot of patience, or is it patients?
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/sjdljievr
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Street doctors
Street Medicine Tel Aviv (SMTA) comprises 50 volunteer medics who treat the homeless of Tel Aviv. 95% are citizens with medical insurance but lack ID, a phone to make appointments, or money to buy medicines. SMTA breaks the stigma on twice-weekly rounds, applying antibiotics, bandages, stitches and more.
https://www.jns.org/tel-avivs-street-doctors-try-to-bridge-the-healthcare-divide/
Special class receive their BA degrees
The six Israeli Intellectually Disabled (ID) students that achieved the necessary academic BA qualifications last year (see here previously) have just formally received their Multidisciplinary degrees in a ceremony at Bar-Ilan University.
https://www.jns.org/bar-ilan-u-graduates-dont-let-disabilities-hold-them-back/
Say it, do it
Israel’s Voiceitt (see here previously) has just launched Voiceitt for Chrome. Voice-impaired users can dictate into their browser to convert garbled speech into text for emails, Google Workplace, Google Classroom, and blogs, plus message services like Slack or Discord, and much more.
https://www.voiceitt.com/chrome
Jerusalem Youth Chorus
Jerusalem’s inclusive choir of Israelis and Palestinian Arabs wowed the jury on America’s Got Talent.
Winning the hearts & minds of GenZ
The Israeli non-profit TalkIsrael (see here previously) is training the next generation of social media content creators to develop high-quality content that can shine a more positive view of Israel and life inside the country. TalkIsrael’s content already has had 5 million views.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/bkmjavtdc
Peace delegation from Morocco
Two dozen Moroccan social-media influencers and young professionals from the Muslim delegation in the Holy Land are on a week-long visit to Israel, organized by the Sharaka NGO (see here previously). They are seeing a different view from the “Al Jazeera” narrative they get in Morocco.
https://www.jns.org/a-moroccan-delegation-sees-a-different-israel-in-person/
Welcoming diplomats to Israel
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog received the diplomatic credentials of new ambassadors to Israel from Italy, Japan, and Peru, all wearing the yellow ribbon symbol supporting the kidnapped hostages. The President also warmly greeted the new ambassadors of Kazakhstan and Kenya.
https://www.jns.org/herzog-receives-diplomatic-credentials-from-five-new-envoys/
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Multifunctional sensors for physical AI
Scientists and Israel’s Ben Gurion University have developed 3D-printable electronic composite materials (ISMCs) that can make biological-like sensors. They can have a huge impact in healthcare and robotics and launch the world of physical AI, with even more potential than digital AI.
https://www.bgu.ac.il/en/news-and-articles/new-soft-multifunctional-sensors-mark-a-step-forward-for-physical-ai/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1385894724052483?via%3Dihub
Post-grad course in green energy
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is launching a new master’s program focused on green energy technology. It will incorporate eco-friendly materials, creating green energy production devices, and tackling challenges in energy storage and management.
https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-805909
Sustainable corn production
Israel’s N2Off (NTWO OFF – see here previously) has demonstrated that its innovative bacteria technology, can potentially reduce Nitrous Oxide (N2O) emissions when applied to corn seedlings at comparable levels (by 40-50%) already obtained in wheat cultivation.
https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2024/06/25/2903761/0/en/N2OFFAnnounces-Breakthrough-in-Reducing-N-O-Emissions-with-Innovative-Bacterial-Technology-in-Corn-Cultivation.html
Increasing yields of winter wheat
Israel’s Lavie-Bio (see here previously) has expanded its Yalos microbial inoculant (biological fertilizer) to winter wheat. Yalos improves yields by some 12.5%. Trials in North America continue and Lavie-Bio plans to expand Yalos to crops such as soybean and canola.
https://lavie-bio.com/press/lavie-bio-announces-commercial-expansion-of-yalos-to-winter-wheat/
https://lavie-bio.com/yalos/
A healthier fry-up
Israel’s Beyond Oil is a unique powder that absorbs harmful components from fried oil so it can be reused while preserving its quality. It won the FoodTech Company of the Year award at the 2024 Israeli Restaurateurs Conference and is now being used in Israel by two global fast-food chain brands.
https://www.israel21c.org/new-powder-removes-cancer-causing-compounds-from-fried-food/
https://www.beyondoil.co/
Startups for space accelerator
Five Israeli startups were selected, from 50 candidates, to join the EXPAND space program, part of the Creation-Space accelerator (see here previously). These are Tedence Space (electro-magnets), OASIX (heat pump), Omnidrill (robots), Inhayle (hydroxyl disinfectants), and NOVAlert (sensors).
https://www.jns.org/wire/israeli-startups-compete-to-join-nasa-space-exploration-program/
https://finder.startupnationcentral.org/company_page/oasix-energy
https://oasix.energy/
https://liortevet6.wixsite.com/omnidrill
Making sense of the data
Israel’s Kaleidoo (part of Israel’s Bynet Data Communications (see here previously) has created the Kal Sense platform. It converts a company’s video, voice, and text communications into AI-ready data that can be analyzed to answer questions posed by company executives.
https://nocamels.com/2024/07/ai-platform-lets-organizations-dive-deep-into-their-own-data/
https://www.kaleidoo.ai/
Gaming for education
Israel’s Arcademy has finished a successful trial of its Minecraft educational gaming platform at nine Israeli schools. Students actively engaged in lessons, and improved problem-solving, multitasking, and creativity skills. Arcademy will launch in schools across Israel and the US next year,
https://www.israel21c.org/israeli-startup-to-bring-minecraft-education-to-us/
Moovit moves up to intercity
Israeli public transport app Moovit (see here previously), which helps travelers navigate local journeys in more than 100 countries, has launched a new platform for longer, intercity trips.
https://nocamels.com/2024/07/moovit-launches-global-public-transport-planner-for-intercity-trips/
Israeli tech hacks Crooks’ phone
The Washington Post reported that the FBI used technology from Israel’s Cellebrite (see here previously) to unlock the cellphone of would-be assassin Thomas Crooks. Cellebrite is used by over 2,500 North American agencies, 20 of the largest US city police departments, and 25 in the EU.
https://worldisraelnews.com/fbi-used-israeli-tech-to-crack-phone-of-trumps-would-be-assassin/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
$142 million of EU funding
ine Israeli startups have secured a total of $142 million in funding from the EU Horizon (EIC Accelerator) program. They include MediWound (EscharEx), JaxBio, Nurami, LightSolver, Quantum Transistors, RAAAM Memory, Reophotonics (ioTech), SpacePharma, and Impact Biotech.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/nine-israeli-startups-secure-142-million-in-funding-from-eu-horizon-program/
https://www.mediwound.com/products/escharex/ https://jaxbio.com/ https://quantumtransistors.com/
https://i-o-tech.com/
Microsoft’s partner of the year
Israel’s 2bcloud has won the 2024 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award for Israel, which recognizes companies that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft Cloud applications, services, devices and AI innovation in 2024. 2bcloud is also an Amazon AWS partner.
https://2bcloud.io/2bcloud-recognized-as-winner-of-2024-microsoft-partner-of-the-year-award/
https://2bcloud.io/
A top fintech company
Israel’s Okoora (see here previously) has been selected for CNBC/Statista’s 2024 list of the world’s leading fintech companies. The list recognizes companies that have significantly contributed to the transformation and innovation of the financial services industry through technology.
https://www.jpost.com/brandblend/okoora-makes-top-250-fintech-list-for-2024-by-cnbcstatista-810132
A one-stop shop for solar sites
Israel’s GiraSol Renewable Energy builds and maintains solar energy systems using the best global technology to check for performance issues. GiraSol’s clients include Israel’s Energix and France’s EDF, which operates large solar farms in Israel.
https://nocamels.com/2024/07/startup-transforming-israels-solar-ecosystem-into-a-global-affair/
Boots UK sells Israeli pregnancy tests
The UK chemist chain Boots is now selling Salistick, the world’s first saliva-based pregnancy test, from Israel’s Salignostics (see here previously).
https://www.abingdonhealth.com/news/boots-launches-the-salivia-pregnancy-self-test/
https://www.boots.com/boots-saliva-pregnancy-test-2-pack-10340838
Pain monitoring in Japan
Israel’s Medasense (see here previously) is partnering with Nihon Kohden for the exclusive distribution of its revolutionary PMD-200 real-time non-invasive pain monitoring device in Japan. https://medasense.com/medasense-announces-a-strategic-agreement-with-global-medical-company-nihon-kohden-corporation/
Israel’s most promising startup
40% of Americans used to travel within the USA with no travel insurance. When Covid struck everyone wanted insurance. Israel’s Faye launched its product and in 2023 was named Wall Street Journal’s travel insurance product of the year. Now Faye is Israel’s most promising startup of 2024.
https://www.israel21c.org/the-company-thats-redefining-us-travel-insurance/
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rj4rxodx0
1,000 pay for GenAI
Israel’s Upword (see here previously) attracted 30,000 users for its Beta version, with 1,000 paying for its advanced GenAI capabilities. Upword is designed to mimic the traditional research methods required by professionals, researchers and academics and has now launched its full version.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/r1xj9cdua
Exits, takeovers & mergers – to 21/7/24:
Holding our breath for Google’s expected $23 billion takeover of Israel’s Wiz. Meanwhile, Edwards Lifesciences has acquired Israel’s Innovalve for $300 million. US-based Tricentis has acquired Israel’s SeaLights for around $150 million.
Startup investment – to 21/7/24:
CTERA raised $80 million; CytoReason raised $80 million; OCON Therapeutics raised $10 million; HAGAR raised $5 million (total $25 million); Acculine raised $4.2 million; Upword raised $3 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Jerusalem is an on-going project
Great photos of many of the completed and nearly complete cultural sites in Israel’s capital, alongside how they looked during construction. Yad Vashem, Tower of David, National Campus for Archaeology, and more. Jerusalem is constantly changing and growing.
https://rjstreets.com/2024/07/14/in-jerusalem-preserving-and-presenting-the-past-in-new-ways/
“Your Honor” tops the streaming charts
In early June the Nielsen rating agency ranked “Your Honor”, with 1.5 billion viewing minutes, as the most-watched series on various streaming services in the US. The drama series was adapted from Israel’s “Kvodo” that first aired in Israel in the spring of 2017.
https://www.jns.org/your-honor-israeli-drama-adaptation-tops-us-streaming-charts/
A bridge not too far
Israel’s bridge team of Adi Asulin, Ilan Bareket, Ronnie Benin-Barr, Ron Pachtman, Nathalie Saada, Yaniv Zack are the European Mixed Team Champions.
http://www.eurobridge.org/2024/07/04/56th-european-team-championships-the-winners/
THE JEWISH STATE
83-year-old survivor finds his cousin
Shalom Korai was rescued from the Warsaw Ghetto at the age of 3 and brought to Israel, never knowing his real name. Now a DNA test has reunited him with his cousin Ann Meddin Hellman in Charleston South Carolina. (First printed in normally anti-Israel UK Guardian).
https://www.timesofisrael.com/holocaust-survivor-who-never-met-any-family-finds-cousins-through-dna-testing/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/27/i-knew-nothing-the-warsaw-ghetto-boy-who-found-his-family-at-83-holocaust-survivor
180 Nova survivors at Haredi Shabbaton
180 secular Nova survivors joined a Shabbaton in Jerusalem run by the haredi Kesher Yehudi (“Jewish Link”) whose founder Tzili Schneider said, “The media says we’re separate. We’re not. We’re one people.”
https://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=173308
https://www.jns.org/180-nova-survivors-join-shabbaton-in-jerusalem-with-haredim/
Excavating Zanoah
(Original source MailOnline) Israeli archaeologists have published their findings from excavating Moshav Zanoah in Central Israel. It contains many artifacts including an inscription “of the King”, thought to be King Hezekiah (c 700 BCE). Zanoah is mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah (ch.3 v.13)
https://www.unilad.com/news/world-news/archeology-discovery-pottery-at-zanoah-potential-significance-bible-652796-20240713
Roman ring found on Mount Carmel
13-year-old Yair, hiking on Mount Carmel, uncovered an 1,800-year-old ring engraved with a goddess of war from ancient Roman and Greek mythology. It was found near the ancient Kdumim quarry site that lies below the Mishmar HaCarmel Farm.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-boy-finds-1800-year-old-ring-on-mount-carmel/
Baby names
Atid-EDI) Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reported the most common Jewish baby girl names in 2023 were Avigayil (1,278), Ayala (1,171), Tamar (1,113), Sara, Maya, Noa, Yael, Esther, Libi and Chana. For boys, David (1,760), Lavi (1,415), Yosef (1,324), Rafael, Ariel, Ori, Ari, Moshe, Noam & Yehuda.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392430
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/
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/