POSITIVE NEWS DURING A WAR

IDF heroes speak to the world

The Jewish Agency for Israel organized a group of 90 IDF soldiers that fought on the southern and northern fronts to participate in Israel’s Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron) and Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut) ceremonies across the globe so they could share details of their experiences.
https://www.jns.org/wire/jewish-agency-shares-stories-of-israeli-soldiers-heroism-worldwide/

We will dance again

American singer and influencer Montana Tucker attended the ‘NOVA’ dance tribute at Kibbutz Re’im in memory of the Oct 7 victims. She said, “Israel will dance again.” And in Tel Aviv’s hostage square, “I’ve sung Hatikvah many times but never in Israel. It is so special and powerful to be singing it here.”
https://www.thejc.com/news/showbiz/montana-tucker-its-us-against-the-world-and-we-will-prevail-pbzuvdk3

Latest JNF volunteering opportunities

This site lists the dates of upcoming JNF missions to support Israeli evacuees, pick crops, repair kibbutz buildings, and meet soldiers, survivors, and influential figures.
https://www.jnf.org/travel/tours/index/volunteer-in-israel-missions

ISRAEL’S  MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Saving hundreds of lives in Ireland

Dublin’s Mater Hospital has implemented the AI X-ray analysis software from Israel’s Aidoc (see here previously). It has already saved hundreds of lives.  No surprise that the Irish National broadcaster RTE didn’t mention that Aidoc is Israeli!
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2023/1213/1421765-mater-hospital-ai/
https://www.aidoc.com/about/news/mater-hospital-ai-deployment/

Alpha DaRT treats its first liver cancer patient

The Alpha DaRT innovative alpha-radiation cancer therapy from Israel’s Alpha Tau (see here previously) has been used to treat a liver cancer patient in a Canadian clinical trial. The trial will include up to 10 patients with liver metastases (secondary cancer) from colorectal cancer.
https://www.ourcrowd.com/startup-news/alpha-tau-announces-alpha-dart-treatment-of-first-patient-with-liver-metastases-of-colorectal-cancer

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05829291

Electronic cure for infections

Israel’s Inspira Technologies and Israel’s Ennocure MedTech jointly developed innovative bio-electronic physical stimulation technology (see here previously). Lab blood test showed the treatment cut bacterial growth by 75% in 4 hours and by 100% within 24 hours.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/inspira-ennocure-vitro-study-results-122400051.html

Causing brain cancer cells to burn out

Prof Barak Rotblat of Israel’s Ben-Gurion University is making brain cancer cells self-destruct by increasing their growth rate while shutting down their glucose energy source. He is working with BGN Technologies to block 4EBP1, a protein that regulates cancer to survive glucose starvation.
https://www.bgu.ac.il/en/news-and-articles/rotblat-glucose-starvation/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48386-y

Helping recovery from strokes

Israel’s BrainQ (see here previously) reported promising results from a 15-center clinical trial that uses an AI-powered electromagnetic field therapy to help reduce disabilities in people after suffering a severe ischemic stroke.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/startups-tech/startup-brain-qs-trials-show-promising-results-stroke-patients

US approval for spinal fusion

Israel’s Zygofix (see here previously) has received US-FDA approval for its zLOCK Lumbar Facet Fixation System.  Zygofix’s already has European CE certification for its adaptable implant, and says it is now positioned to revolutionize spinal fusion surgery.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zygofix-receives-fda-clearance-for-its-zlock-lumbar-facet-fixation-system-302136657.html

Remote diagnostics at 2,500+ US schools

Israel’s TytoCare (see here previously) now provides remote care support at clinics in more than 2,500 schools in 31 US states. Recent arrangements include schools in Guilford County, N.C., Title-1 schools across Virginia, and schools in Edmonson County, Kentucky.
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/05/14/2881531/0/en/TytoCare-Partners-with-Five-New-Health-Systems-to-Expand-School-Health-Initiative-to-100-Additional-Schools-Nationwide.html

BioMed 2024

BioMed Israel (May 21-23) is the largest and leading meeting venue between Israeli healthcare professionals where more than 100 Israeli life science companies, both promising startups and more established companies, present and exhibit their innovative products and technologies.
https://kenes-exhibitions.com/biomed/

ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Women defending Israel

See here, here, and here for previous female Israeli aerospace and defense systems experts. Now meet Inbal Kreiss – head of innovation at the Systems, Missiles, and Space Division of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI). She managed the design of the Arrow 2 & 3 missile defense systems.
https://ats.org/our-impact/inbal-kreiss-i-spent-my-entire-career-breathing-living-and-dreaming-space/

Treatments for AML (Another item for my “boycott Israel” blog.)

Now that Asma al-Assad, wife of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, do you think she may consider being treated with one of the many Israeli treatments in use or undergoing clinical trials (see here).  Unlikely!
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/390300

Diagnosing diseases in Brazil

Another “boycott Israel” blog candidate.  Israel’s EFA Technologies (see here previously) has started operations in Brazil, following approval by Anvisa (Brazil’s health regulatory authority) of EfA’s leading portable blood lab device, RevDx. Will Brazil’s President use it?
https://efa-technologies.com/efa-enters-brazilian-market-and-secures-us6-5m-in-funding-2/

Protecting US military vehicles

Israel’s Elbit is to supply its Iron Fist Active Protection Systems to the U.S. Army. They will provide 360-degree protection for the army’s Bradley M2A4E1 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, defending them against anti-tank rockets, guided missiles, etc.
https://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/elbit-systems-awarded-37-million-contract-to-supply-iron-fist-aps-for-upgrading-u-s-armys-bradley-ifvs/

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

The path to cyber success

Omer Schneider is the former CEO and co-founder of Israeli cybersecurity company CyberX, which he sold to Microsoft in 2020 for around $170 million. As a boy, he got a computer as a present. He went from Technion graduate to IDF cyber engineer. He is now working on something really big!
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/technion-trailblazers-omer-schneider-on-betting-on-big-ideas/

What is Tech Guard guarding?

The up-to-date info of the progress of the projects of Israeli non-profit Tech Guard (see here previously). It now has some 200 volunteers from Israel’s tech community developing solutions to save lives.  https://www.israeltechguard.org/

Real-time AI video security

It’s not enough to use CCTV cameras to track down criminals, they can also prevent crimes. Israel’s Lumana transforms any security camera into an AI-powered device that can analyze millions of hours of video across locations to identify and warn of potential risks as they occur.
https://www.lumana.ai/

Generating ads with AI

Israel’s AdGPT automates the creation of advertisements for small and medium businesses (SMBs). These ads are optimized for digital platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), Google, Taboola and Outbrain.  (Unfortunately, I couldn’t get it to work for VeryGoodNewsIsrael.)
https://adgpt.com/

Swedish car charged in 10 minutes

Israel’s StoreDot (see here previously) successfully charged a fully drive-able verification Polestar 5 prototype Electric Vehicle, from 10% to 80% in under 10 minutes. The Polestar’s 77kWh battery pack comprised StoreDot’s 300Wh/kg silicon-dominant battery cells.
https://www.store-dot.com/press/storedot-and-polestar-showcase-worlds-first-electric-vehicle-10-minute-charge-with-si-dominant-cells

2.5 billion cubic meters of water

Underneath Kibbutz Shamir in the Upper Galilee is a massive water source – over half as much as in the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). Thanks to the JNF-USA and others, the Shamir Drilling Project is reaching down a huge 1.5km to draw water for drought-threatened crops and fish farms.
https://www.jnf.org/blog/environment/the-shamir-drilling-project-making-water-flow-from-an-ancient-aquifer

Cultivating bluefin tuna

Israel’s Wanda Fish (see here previously) has unveiled toro sashimi made from the cells of bluefin tuna, one of the world’s most expensive fish per pound. Toro sashimi is normally made from the fatty underbelly of the fish, and Wanda says its lab-grown version has the same omega 3-rich nutritional value.
https://nocamels.com/2024/05/startup-unveils-sashimi-made-from-lab-grown-bluefin-tuna/

An artificial island?

The digging of tunnels for the Metro in the Greater Tel Aviv area will involve the removal of 40 million cubic meters of earth. The Ministry of Transport is examining the possibility of using this material to build an artificial island off the coast of Israel.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-planned-metro-excavations-revive-artificial-island-idea-1001476218

Reducing greenhouse gas in greenhouses

Israel’s N2OFF (formerly Nitrousink – see here) has developed bacteria to reduce Nitrous Oxide emissions in agriculture. Its recent study inside greenhouses shows N2O levels reduced by up to 54%. N2O is reportedly 265 times more potent than Carbon dioxide in warming the planet.
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/05/02/2874253/0/en/NTWO-OFF-Ltd-Announces-Positive-Results-in-Reduction-of-N2O-Emissions-in-Open-Greenhouse-Environments.html
https://www.n2off.net/

https://www.n2off.com/

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Foreign currency reserves reach a record high

At the end of March, Israel’s reserves of foreign currency stood at $213.768 billion, nearly $7 billion more that at the end of Feb. They have since slipped back a little but shows that Israel did not, even when at war, need to use its reserves to stabilize the value of the Shekel.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-forex-reserves-hit-record-high-1001475917

Average salaries vs hi-tech salaries

Average Israeli wages in Mar 24 have risen 3.5% to over NIS 14,000 per month compared to Mar 23. Hi-tech salaries over the same period rose 13.2% to almost NIS 34,000.  https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/a12zken3k

10 more startups to be ignited

The startups joining Intel’s 9th accelerator group are Clarity-Sec, Converge Bio, FalkorDB, Filo Systems, Hiveware, Kai.ai, Noma, Onfire, RAAAM Memory, and Tonic Security.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/h1i00n2efr

https://www.converge-bio.com/ https://hiveware.io/
https://www.falkordb.com/

https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/noma-security/

https://www.onfire.ai/
https://raaam-tech.com/

https://www.tonicsecurity.com/

Electric motor factory in India

Israel’s EVR Motors (see here previously) has become the first Israeli auto company to set up manufacturing in India. The automated facility will supply coils for approximately 20,000 motors per month, with plans to expand to around 100,000 motors to meet global demand for electric vehicles.
https://www.autocarpro.in/news/evr-motors-becomes-first-israeli-auto-company-to-set-up-manufacturing-in-india–120595

Exits, takeovers and mergers – to 26/5/24:

Alicorn Galaxy is acquiring Israel’s Glassbox (to de-list from TASE) for $150 million. Israel’s Argmax acquired Israel’s Ginzi to bolster its AI-powered customer support solution. Israel’s TIGI Solar acquired Austria’s SOLID. Israeli-controlled Delek Group (Ithaca) has bought the UK North Sea assets of Italy’s Eni UK for £940 million. Israel’s Nayax has completed the takeover of Brazil’s VMtecnologia (boycott?). French giant Thales has purchased the Israeli satellite company GetSAT.

Startup investment – to 26/5/24:

Finout raised $26 million; Nectin Therapeutics received $10 million from the Guangzhou-Israel Biotechnology Fund; Superlegal raised $5 million;  RAAAM Memory Technologies raised $4 million.

CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

When prophecies come true

Yisrael Rosenberg worked in high tech in the US until he made Aliyah. He now is an attendant at the Kotel (Western Wall in Jerusalem). His book “Only Good Tidings – Consoling Prophecies from the Bible” (if you can find it) links Biblical prophecies to modern times. Also look for Joel C Rosenberg.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389976

Still pro-Israel

The Jerusalem International Writers Festival, (May 27-30) will feature acclaimed American novelist, John Irving, the author of The World According to Garp. Irving said in a statement released by the festival, “I first came to Israel in April 1981. I was pro-Israel then; I’m no less pro-Israeli now.”
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-799372

Global Hatikvah

Voices from over 70 countries united in song to inspire hope and promote peace through a new rendition of Hatikvah.  Global Hatikvah is a collaborative project with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic, and the Canadian Friends of the Israel Philharmonic.

 

https://globalhatikvah.org/

www.afipo.org

October Rain

Israel’s Eurovision contestant Eden Golan performed October Rain – the original version of the Israeli entry “Hurricane” – for the families of the Gaza hostages.  October Rain was disqualified for references to Hamas, so the lyrics and title was changed to be acceptable to the European authority. We all knew though.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/israels-eurovision-contestant-performs-original-song-for-hostage-families/

Irish success in Israel

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Irish coach Robbie Keane has guided his team to the Israeli Premier League title in his first season at the Israeli soccer club. It was Maccabi Tel Aviv’s first Premier title since 2020. Keane rebutted criticism from anti-Israeli Irish politicians when he originally accepted the job.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/0518/1449988-keane-guides-maccabi-tel-aviv-to-israeli-league-title/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-801751

World record penalty shoot-out

Israel’s SC Dimona and Shimshon Tel Aviv set a world record for the longest-ever penalty shootout with 56 kicks in a semifinal promotion playoff in the third-tier league. Dimona won the shootout 23-22 in a soccer game that lasted over three hours instead of the usual 90 minutes.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-teams-set-soccer-record-with-56-kick-shootout/

Special triathlon winner

In the Special Olympics European Triathlon Open competition held in Slovakia, Israel’s Ron Beck finished first in the CAT C M heat, completing the 750-meter open-water swim, 20-kilometer bike and 5-kilometer run in 1hr 11mins 46secs.
https://www.specialolympics.org/stories/athletes/special-olympics-athletes-compete-in-the-second-challenge-family-triathlon-series

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=977899567257475&set=a.225139202533519

We will dance again

Israeli dancers Liana Odikadze and Alexei Korovchenko won first place in the International Open Latin event at the World DanceSport Federation competition in Tbilisi.
https://www.worlddancesport.org/Event/Competition/International-Open-Tbilisi-24019/Adult-Latin-61540/Ranking

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=979404747106957&set=a.225139202533519

THE JEWISH STATE

Crowdfunding help for needy Israelis

Ten Gav is an Israel based charity matching donors with needy Israeli families.  All requests come from social workers around Israel seeking assistance for their clients.  The need is posted on tengav.org. 100% of any donation goes to the needy person you choose.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/ten-gavs-innovative-giving-model-has-never-been-more-important/

 

https://www.tengav.org/

Ancient menorah carvings found in Arab village

IDF soldiers have discovered Talmudic-era menorahs engraved on the doorway of a home in the (now) Arab village of Kafr Si’ir, near Hebron. The village’s 2,000-year-old fort dates to when the town was Jewish during Talmudic times. Note the shape of the menorah.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/390409

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

And many more charities here:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/where-people-abroad-can-donate-to-israels-hospitals-troops-survivors-and-more/

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/