by: Michael Ordman
POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
On a mission
Technion alumna Maya Shnur is a business manager at Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. “When the sirens start and I take my little boy down into the bomb shelter, I say ‘thank you Rafael for saving our lives.’” Maya contributes to Israel’s security and raises the profile of women in the workplace.
https://technionuk.org/news-post/on-a-mission-a-woman-who-protects-her-country-her-family-her-home/
Cowboys don’t run away
There are some 50 cattle ranches in Israel’s Golan Heights, under fire from Hezbollah rockets and drones. One, Merom Golan, has around 1,500 head of cattle. Shay Zerbib owns another ranch; he says, “Someone has to take care of the animals; they need to get fed no matter what,”
https://www.israel21c.org/cowboys-herding-cattle-under-hezbollah-rocket-fire/
Doctors answer the call
Since Oct 7, some 400 doctors and 30 health professionals from the US and other countries have arrived in Israel to assist in treating the large number of injured or to fill in for Israeli medical staff who are called to military duty. Read about five of them here.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/foreign-doctors-answer-the-call-to-help-in-israels-hospitals-and-rehab-centers/
Christian support for the South
The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem visited the south and asked Rafi Babian, security chief of the Sadot Regional Council, what he needed. “Paramedic kits for all 16 communities under my watch, please,” he replied. The life-saving kits have now been delivered.
https://www.icej.org/blog/icej-donates-paramedic-kits-to-sadot-negev-region/
Montana retreat helps heal IDF vets
Healing in Nature (HIN) runs weeklong retreats on an isolated Montana ranch for IDF combat vets traumatized by their Gaza experience. Tel Aviv University psychiatrist Dr Roi Sar-el, uses biofeedback to track soldiers’ vital signs before, during and after the ranch trip.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/weeklong-retreat-in-montana-ranch-aims-to-heal-idf-vets-from-war-traumas/
https://www.hin-group.org/
Underwater protection
The IDF Navy’s Underwater Missions Unit (Yaltam), protects Israel’s maritime borders, performs complex rescue operations, and neutralizes underwater threats. Since Oct 7, its missions included neutralizing and removing vehicles, devices, and weaponry from attempted sea infiltrations.
https://www.jns.org/deep-dive-into-israels-elite-underwater-unit/
How female soldiers saved lives on Oct 7
We read about how female IDF intelligence soldiers were ignored when they warned of Hamas Oct 7 invasion preparations. This video tells of an all-female unit that helped defend beleaguered Israeli communities on that fateful day.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-female-soldiers-play-crucial-role-in-hamas-conflict/
IDF father and daughter reunite in Gaza
Another emotional family reunion on the battlefield.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-father-and-daughter-reunite-on-gaza-battlefield/
Rebuilding the South & North
A historic agreement between the two largest Zionist organizations KKL-JNF and Jewish National Fund-USA has established a joint venture for reconstruction and renewal in Israel’s southern and northern regions. Each organization will contribute $25 million for each rebuilding project.
https://www.jns.org/wire/keren-kayemeth-leisrael-jewish-national-fund-and-jewish-national-fund-usa-lead-rebuilding-efforts-in-israel/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Can we talk?
Researchers at Israel’s Sheba Medical Center have created LIV – a new generative AI-based platform offering personalized patient interactions and effective diagnostics to people with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It reduces bottlenecks from an acute shortage of mental health experts.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/edglfl4h6
https://sheba-global.com/transforming-mental-health-care-with-ai-liv-the-next-step-in-psychiatric-innovation/
Pain relief is also anti-inflammatory
Israel’s PainReform (see here previously) has developed new improved anti-inflammatory properties for its PRF-110 pain relief treatment. These have then been successfully tested in a Phase 3 multi-site US trial of 443 patients undergoing bunionectomy surgery.
https://painreform.com/releases/painreform-announces-positive-safety-profile-for-prf-110-in-phase-3-bunionectomy-study/
Hope for hypothyroidism sufferers
Israeli researchers have discovered that a common pollutant (perchlorate salts – found in pesticides and automobiles) interferes with the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism. They built a detection device that uses a receptor molecule to alert to pollutant’s presence.
https://ats.org/ats-news/new-sensor-detects-chemicals-that-impair-thyroid-gland/
https://phys.org/news/2024-01-sensor-chemicals-impair-thyroid-gland.html
https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/chem.202302968
Positive thoughts can heal the heart
At least it can in heart-diseased mice. Scientists at Israel’s Technion Institute induced positive emotion and motivation, resulting in an immune response that helped heal cardiac scarring, increased blood vessel formation, and improved cardiac performance. So pass on my positive news!
https://technionuk.org/news-post/can-good-thoughts-heal-the-heart/
Predicting and preventing brain diseases
Researchers at Israel’s Technion Institute have developed a model to predict problems involving proteins that can lead to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other brain diseases. This model could serve as a basis for designing new proteins that can treat these diseases.
https://www.technion.ac.il/en/2024/08/new-hope-for-alzheimers-and-parkinsons-patients/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-46881-w
Shape-shifting pill gets US approval
Israel’s Epitomee (see here previously) has received US-FDA marketing approval for its pill that expands in the stomach, making it feel full and discourage overeating.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/qmnwnpw1b
Life-saving deliveries
Israel’s Magen David Adom is training some 1,000 Wolt delivery drivers in CPR, treating injuries, how to stop bleeding, etc., and giving them life-saving first aid tools. Wolt drivers often encounter emergencies all over Israel, in which first aid training could be vital.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-820579
Even smarter
Israel’s Sheba Medical Center was ranked 10th in Newsweek’s latest list of the world’s smartest hospitals, having risen from 13th (see here previously). Sheba’s standout categories were Robotics and Telemedicine.
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/health-and-medicine/sheba-medical-center-ranked-10th-smartest-hospital-worldwide/2024/09/18/
https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/worlds-best-smart-hospitals-2025
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
18,000 volunteers
MAKOM is Israel’s largest national organization that unites Jews, Muslims, Druze, Right, Left, secular, and religious to work together to promote society as a whole. Its 18,000 volunteers work together in education, arts, social services, and more, empowering and revitalizing Negev and Galilee communities.
https://makompioneers.org.il/content/1
https://www.jnf.org/menu-3/news-media/robinson-reports/robinson-report-august-2024
Israel’s inclusive medical system
Professor Stephen Malnick has just retired as Director of Internal Medicine at Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot. He and his multi-ethnic team treat Muslims, Druze, Jews, Christians, Bedouin, Bahai, Hindu, Buddhist and all who live and work alongside each other in Israel.
https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Stephen-Malnick-2031104437
Critical US military tech support
Datapath, the wholly owned US-based subsidiary of Israel’s Gilat Satellite Networks (see here previously) has received additional contracts from the US Department of Defense worth $5 million. The main work is to perform technical upgrades to critical US military communications systems.
https://www.gilat.com/pressreleases/gilat-satellite-networks-awarded-over-5m-in-support-of-the-us-department-of-defense/
Global admiration
Much worldwide acclaim for the unspecified purveyors of the largest successful synchronized attack on a terrorist organization. No further comment but some interesting articles here.
https://worldisraelnews.com/report-19-iranian-soldiers-killed-150-injured-in-pager-bombings/
https://substack.com/@melaniephillips/p-149072823
https://x.com/TimesRadio/status/1836357147774402664
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/09/18/israel-hezbollah-exploding-beepers-devices-war-hamas/
IDF rescues deer from barbed wire
IDF soldiers from the Golani brigade maybe under fire from Hezbollah rockets, but they don’t ignore an animal in distress. Here they can be seen releasing a wild deer that had been caught in a barbed wire fence.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-idf-troops-rescue-wounded-deer/
What have the Jews done for us?
This brief history of Jewish scientific contributions to the world includes (at 8 mins 50 seconds) a glimpse of Israeli achievements.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
English tutor is now both Android & iOS
Israel’s Loora has launched the Android version of its virtual AI English tutor app. Previously (see here) the app was only available on Apple’s iOS. It will make the app available to a much larger audience of non-native English speakers across the globe.
https://www.prnewswire.com/il/news-releases/loora-launches-android-app-to-expand-access-to-its-ai-english-tutor-302216861.html
Translating video into foreign languages
Israel’s D-ID (see here previously) has launched Video Translate. It allows users to upload videos that are then automatically translated into multiple languages, cloning the speaker’s voice and adapting their lip movements. It will redefine how we communicate globally.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/r1z0a00voa
Eilat sponges can purify water
Tel Aviv University researchers have discovered that the Eilat sponge Theonella conica contains the bacterium, Entotheonella sp. This acts as a “detoxifying organ” converting poisons and metal pollutants into harmless minerals. It may lead to new water treatment solutions.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/new-bacteria-in-eilat-sponges-could-transform-water-purification/
Quality over quantity
Israel annually produces some 7,000 new engineering graduates, compared to Iran’s 234,000. However, Ami Moyal, President of Tel Aviv’s Afeka Academic College of Engineering is sure that the Israeli focus on innovation and entrepreneurship gives Israel the advantage.
https://www.jns.org/quality-over-quantity-the-key-to-israels-high-tech-advantage/
Jerusalem’s new bus terminal
The new half-billion-shekels Haarazim transportation hub has opened in Jerusalem on Route 1. It includes 12 bus platforms servicing Bnei Brak, Petah Tikva, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Rehovot, and more. It has 215 rapid electric bus charging stations, and a 200,000 sq. ft “green roof”.
https://www.jerusalem.muni.il/en/newsandarticles/municipalitymessages/arazimterminal-inaugurated/
Advanced helmets for pilots
At the UK’s Farnborough Airshow, Elbit Systems displayed its advanced helmets. The modular X-Sight for helicopter pilots delivers a crisp, clear, and precise AI image. The Zero G represents a significant upgrade to the advanced helmet used by F-35 pilots worldwide.
https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/07/24/the-advanced-radar-system-that-thwarted-75-iranian-drones/
Grasping the future
Israel’s Pickommerce (see here previously) has developed PickoBot – a robot that can pick and place inventory in a warehouse. It uses a computer vision system powered by machine learning that enables the safe and intelligent packaging of objects of different sizes, weights and textures.
https://www.pickommerce.com/
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/skte2l86a
Anything women can do…
Following the life-saving innovations developed by female students at Jerusalem College of Technology’s Hack.Her.IT competition (see here previously), the men had a go at JCT’s 8th annual Great Minds Hackathon. The winner, Campaign Matcher, built an AI web-based fundraising support platform.
https://www.jns.org/wire/international-students-shine-at-jerusalem-college-of-technologys-8th-annual-hackathon/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Average wage jumped 4.7% in June
The average monthly wage in Israel in June was NIS 13,865, up 4.7% in real terms from NIS 12,836 in June 2023. Inflation was 2.9% over the same period. Israeli hi-tech salaries averaged NIS 28,822 (10% of all jobs), while hospitality and catering averaged just NIS 6,192.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-average-wage-in-israel-jumped-in-june-1001485867
1,600 companies provide internships
Since 2011, jInternship has provided Jewish college students and young professionals with the opportunity to spend time in Israel, developing themselves professionally and personally through engaging internship programs while connecting to their Jewish identity.
https://www.jns.org/wire/amid-rising-antisemitism-jewish-students-find-connection-and-growth-via-israeli-internships/
Meta accelerates AI startups
Meta (Facebook, WhatsApp etc.) has launched AI Accelerator TLV for early-stage Israeli B2C AI startups. Its first 10 selections are QRGenetics, Twee, Lucid Dreams, Adge.ai, Vinst, Weavy, Spines, OrCam (Hear), Panjaya, and an unnamed startup which is in stealth mode.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/b1pnl6rpc
https://www.panjaya.ai/ (like D-ID’s latest feature see above) https://www.startuphub.ai/startups/adge/
Innovating for the future
There’s just time to register for this Technion Institute webinar on 25 Sep at 5pm BST (midday EST). You will learn how the Technion’s close ties with industry and its entrepreneurial-focused programs, accelerators, and incubators help transform research into reality.
https://technionuk.org/event/innovating-for-the-future-technions-entrepreneurial-impact/
Investing in saving lives
At London’s Mind the Tech conference Bank Leumi’s CEO Hanan Friedman said, “the main reason why Israelis are experts in solving problems is because we don’t have a choice…it is why we at Leumi decided recently to look for investments in technologies that could save lives in the battlefields.”
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/xna8f4vde
40,000 safer delivery vehicles
One of the world’s largest express delivery companies has ordered 40,000 licenses for software from Israel’s Cipia (see here previously). The Cipia system monitors drivers for distraction and drowsiness levels, creating a safer driving experience.
https://cipia.com/news/40k-order-for-leading-express-delivery-fleet/
Exits, mergers & acquisitions – to 22/9/24:
Israel’s Playtika is acquiring Israel’s SuperPlay for at least $700 million.
Startup investment – to 22/9/24:
REE Automotive raised $45 million; Intezer raised $33 million; Payouts.com raised a total of $12.1 million; With (Bewith.io) raised $10 million; Pickommerce raised $3.4 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Taste the cholent and challah in Bnei Brak
Yanky Fachler recommends a Thurs evening visit to Bnei Brak. There you can enjoy some of the best cholent in Israel. For the uninitiated, cholent is a savory slow-cooked stew prepared for Shabbat comprising meat, potatoes and beans. Many guided tours available.
https://bnei-brak.com/english.html
https://www.jpost.com/metro/cholent-crawling-in-bnei-brak-448211
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/the-nosher/the-7-best-food-tours-in-israel/
First culinary institute students
Despite rocket attacks in the North, construction on the Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF (GCI by JNF – see here previously) is advanced. Students are already enrolled in the first year, beginning in November.
https://www.galileeculinaryinstitute.com/
Dudu celebrates 50 years of music
Dudu Fisher celebrates 50 years in music with a nationwide tour in in 14 different Israeli cities from Aug 27 to Nov 28. He says, “People need music in times like this, and the best way to give hope is through personal stories mixed with songs of faith and prayer.”
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-816305
Another MSG sell-out
Some videos of Ishay Ribo’s sell-out concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sep 15th. Plenty more on the Internet – search for “Ishay Ribo live MSG 2024”
Eden Golan wins Sweden’s “People Prize”
At the Eurovision song contest in May, Israel’s Eden Golan received maximum points from the Swedish televoters, but zero from the on-site Swedish jury. The Swedish people subsequently raised $20,000 to help fund some of the rebuilding of Kibbutz Nir Oz, destroyed on Oct 7.
https://vimeo.com/1006193245
THE JEWISH STATE
Visit the tombs of Jesse and Ruth
Israeli volunteers have been restoring the tombs of Jesse and Ruth, the father and great-grandmother of King David, located in Hebron. See Isaiah (ch 11 v10) “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious”.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-restoring-glory-israelis-revive-ancient-tomb-of-king-davids-ancestors-in-hebron/
Israel advocacy in Miami
300+ student leaders attended the 111th annual convention of Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), the world’s leading Jewish college fraternity, in Miami where they learned about advocating for Israel. AEPi presented a check of $125,000 to the Israel Cancer Research Fund and $100,000 to United Hatzalah.
https://www.jns.org/wire/more-than-300-aepi-members-join-to-develop-leadership-skills-learn-israel-advocacy/
Bob Dylan’s producer friend makes Aliyah
Louis Kemp has been friends with Bob Dylan, ever since Bob was simply 11-year-old Robert Zimmerman. Kemp produced Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review concert tour. Kemp also launched Jewish programs for Chabad and Aish. Now at age 82, Kemp has just emigrated to Israel.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/bob-dylans-confidant-emigrates-to-israel-at-82/
Shoah Survivor gives grandson his IDF beret
Itzik, a survivor of the Holocaust, gave a green beret to his grandson at the ceremony for completing his training in the IDF’s Nachal Brigade.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-holocaust-survivor-places-beret-on-grandson-in-emotional-ceremony/
Reason for surge in Aliyah
Israeli minister of Aliyah Ofir Sofer discusses the increase in immigration to Israel following the outbreak of the war. It’s not just anti-Semitism, it’s the wish to show solidarity with Israel, in spite of the war.
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/