Israeli company MyHeritage Korean sisters after 47 years; McDonald’s Israel installs groundbreaking accessibility; Israeli NGO Molet turns trashed wooden pallets into everyday furniture; and much more!

By Michael Ordman

ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Israeli tech reunites Korean sisters

In 1972, a Korean toddler and her baby sister were abandoned by their parents. Taken to separate orphanages, they were adopted by different families in the US and Belgium. 47 years later, they were reunited, thanks to a DNA test they both independently took with Israeli company MyHeritage.
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Abandoned-at-a-train-station-two-Korean-sisters-reunited-by-Israeli-tech-581723

Improving accessibility at McDonald’s

McDonald’s Israel has installed sensors from Israel’s RightHear (see here) near entrances, restrooms, elevators and stairs in nearly all its 180 Israeli branches. It is the world’s first restaurant chain to offer full access to customers with orientation challenges.
https://www.israel21c.org/israels-righthear-orients-visually-impaired-at-mcdonalds/

Recycling pallets for environment and society

Israeli NGO Molet turns trashed wooden pallets into everyday furniture.  Molet also offers companies “away days” where employees help make furniture which is then donated to institutions in need.

New IKEA accessibility products

IKEA Israel has partnered with Israeli nonprofits Access Israel and Milbat to produce 13 furniture accessibility add-on products (e.g. mega switch, easy handle, gripper) for people with disabilities. Their “ThisAbles Initiative” helps Israelis with disabilities live more independently.
http://israelbetweenthelines.com/2019/03/14/ikea-and-mcdonalds-make-accessible-changes/

Ride-sharing app to help Arab women

Arab women often have difficulty travelling to work from their outlying towns. So, Israel’s Technion Institute has partnered with non-profit Kayan to launch Safarcon (“your travels” in Arabic). The app offers a ride-sharing service aimed at Israeli Arabs, particularly Arab women.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3757959,00.html

Jerusalem hosts female film festival

Female filmmakers and activists from Egypt, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Canada and the US came to Jerusalem for two days of screenings, meetings and conversations. The 49% Festival is named for the percentage of women in the global population.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-hosts-new-female-film-festival/

Black police support Israel

The US National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) has endorsed the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE). GILEE organizes exchanges between US and Israeli law enforcement officers. NOBLE says it has benefited from the exchange for decades.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/black-police-in-southern-us-applaud-exchange-program-with-israel-blast-bds/

Liberian President’s soccer link

Liberian President George Manna Weah, came to Israel with a large delegation of ministers and aides. President Weah is a former soccer star, considered to be among the best of Africa’s players. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said he watched him play for Chelsea in 2000.
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Rivlin-tells-Liberian-president-his-visit-was-a-blessing-because-it-brought-rain-582110

Brazilian President to arrive 31st Mar

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is to visit Israel from March 31 to April 4. Mr Bolsonaro has repeatedly promised to relocate the Brazilian embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “The decision is taken; it’s only a matter of when it will be implemented” he said on TV in Feb.
https://www.jns.org/bolsonaro-sets-dates-for-first-presidential-visit-to-israel/

Israeli tours of alternative Paris

Robert Sarner describes interesting street tours of Paris by two Israelis. They highlight the street art and graffiti, now widely seen as part of a city’s visual identity and cultural expression.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israelis-in-paris-give-gritty-alternative-art-tours-of-the-city-of-love/

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