Lands of the Free



Most Americans are aware (hopefully) that Israel is the only free democracy in the Middle East. But the Jewish State’s links with the USA - the world’s largest free democracy - go much deeper than just a sharing of American values.  Here are some examples from recent news.

America’s largest corporations have major development centers in Israel.  Microsoft has even run out of free space at one of its Israeli sites and has taken out a 10-year lease on a huge new building in Haifa.  On the other hand, the social media giant Facebook has only just discovered Israel and freed up at least 100 million dollars to turn Israel’s Onavo into Facebook’s one and only R&D center outside of the USA.

US companies have purchased, merged with or conducted joint ventures with hundreds of Israeli firms.  One joint US-Israeli company, Statasys manufactures 3D printers.  If you are visiting the UK in the near future, why not enjoy the fascinating free exhibition of Stratasys’ 3D models at the London Science Museum?  In a joint venture, Israel’s Elbit and the US company Rockwell Collins have been confirmed by the Pentagon as the sole suppliers of their helmet mounted display systems for America’s free-flying F35 pilots. 

Electronic gadgetry was freely on display at Israel’s offshoot of the massively popular Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show.  “CES Unveiled - Tel Aviv” established Israel’s hi-tech hub as one of only four cities outside of Las Vegas to have staged a CES event.


Huge quantities of free energy will be transformed into electricity for US consumption shortly when Israel’s BrightSource turns on its 377-megawatt solar thermal farm in the California desert.  On a far smaller scale, Israeli start-up Nova Lumos’s pay-as-you-go, mobile-based solar energy system will give you the freedom to generate cheap solar power wherever the sun shines.  Nova Lumos won Ernst & Young’s “The Pitch” and will now receive mentoring from computer giant IBM. 

In the medical arena, Americans and Israelis have a free and open relationship. Researchers at Sheba Medical Center and Weizmann Institute together with North Carolina’s Duke University have identified the genes responsible for two serious neurological disorders in children.  The discovery will hopefully keep future generations free of such severe genetic diseases.  The US Food and Drug Administration has just approved another Israeli device - the robotic laparoscope from Medical Surgery Technologies. This keyhole surgery vision system gives the surgeon much more freedom to operate by replacing a hand-held video camera.

Next, we have two more new Israeli medical innovations to give individuals more freedom.  When ex US Vice-President Dick Cheney was having all his heart problems, a LVAD (Left Ventricle Assist Device) kept him alive until his heart transplant op last year.  But in order to recharge the LVAD’s battery, he had to be wired up.  He would have appreciated the wireless device that Israel’s Leviticus Cardio is developing to deliver energy to operate LVADs.  Leviticus Cardio has just raised finance through a group of American investors.


The second new Israeli device is for diabetics who have to inject themselves with insulin.  Israel’s Insuline has developed InsuPad - a device that frees diabetics to inject at any time - even after meals. The pad warms the body and allows a lower dose of insulin to be absorbed much quicker, thus reducing the number of hypoglycemic incidents. US multinational J&J Lifescan has just signed an agreement to market InsuPad.


Israeli hospitals embody the Jewish State’s democratic principles. Last week doctors at Hadera hospital freed a hatpin from the throat of an Israeli-Arab girl.  The 16-year-old from Baka al-Gharbiya was adjusting her headscarf and had put the 3.5cm hatpin temporarily into her mouth.  Unfortunately, something made her laugh and she swallowed the pin, which lodged in her vocal chords.  Meanwhile, more wounded from civil war-torn Syria received free treatment in Israeli hospitals last week when two seriously injured Syrians were brought to Ziv (Sieff) Medical Center in the central Galilee city of Tzfat.

No free democracy is perfect, but in Israel there are hundreds of organizations whose purpose is to help the less fortunate.  If you visit our tiny country from the USA, for example, you may wish to give 90 minutes of your free time to help Pantry Packers prepare boxes of free food for poor families. 


Finally, here is an idea for US students about to embark on a career.  The IDC (Interdisciplinary Center) in Herzliya is offering the first ever Israel-based law degree course for English speakers.  It costs $10,950 pa - around 15% of the average fees of a US law school. It prepares students for the Israeli bar exam but 5-week courses exist in the USA for those wishing to study for the American bar. 

Israel and America - Free to work together for a better future.

Michael Ordman writes a FREE weekly newsletter containing Good News stories about Israel.
For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com

Going Against the Flow



In this fast-moving world, you don’t get anywhere just by standing still and you achieve little if you simply “go with the flow”.  Israeli entrepreneurs, innovators and those concerned with the welfare of others recognize that to succeed they need to steer their own course and overcome major challenges to arrive at their destination.

In the 1970s Israeli citizens Arieh Warshel and Michael Levitt overcame the challenge of combining physical chemistry with quantum theory when they developed computer models for predicting the flow of chemical processes.  Their work won a share of the 2013 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, an honor that has been awarded previously to four Israelis. Both Professors had strong links to Israel’s Weizmann Institute’s in common with an (unnamed) high-flyer nanotechnology doctoral student whose challenge is to juggle five days a week behind a microscope with one day as a reservist fighter pilot soaring across Israeli skies.


Jewish student David Fintzi found himself up against the flow of electricity when he leaned out of a train window in Romania. He struck an electric cable and 27,000 volts flowed through his body. He was close to death when the Jewish Agency flew him to Jerusalem’s Hadassah hospital, where a medical miracle took place.  David’s was just one of 137,142 emergency cases that Hadassah has handled during the last 12 months.  The total flow of patients reached almost one million, including 10,971 newborn babies.  Meanwhile, Israeli hospitals continue to struggle with the flow of wounded Syrians.  Last week the IDF brought in the 124th victim to the Ziv (Sieff) Medical Center – over 300 having been treated in Israel overall.

A flow of light illuminated World Sight Day with Israel21c’s summary of the 10 top contributions that the “Light to the Nations” has made towards alleviating the challenges of the visually impaired. They include implants, keyboards, a smartphone for the blind, electronic spectacles and cameras.  We should see a tremendous flow of brainwaves at the first-ever International Brain Technology Conference in Tel Aviv. President Shimon Peres will present a check for $1 million to whoever can demonstrate the most exciting neuroscience development in order to win the Global B.R.A.I.N. (Breakthrough Research And Innovation in Neurotechnology) contest.  The finalists have all initiated projects that will ultimately benefit humanity.


Israel is literally overflowing with companies and innovations that have overcome the challenge of the world’s limited water resources.  Israel’s latest water technology breakthroughs will be publicized at Tel Aviv’s internationally acclaimed WATEC 2013 conference later this month.  An example of Israel’s success in water conservation is seen from the 20 percent increased yield of this year’s date crop in the Arava desert region.  The 7,500 tons has been achieved with a corresponding 20 percent reduction in water consumption.  

Brian Sandoval, governor of the US State of Nevada, has already consulted Israel’s national water company, Mekorot, and has just visited Israel’s Negev desert to learn how using Israeli technology could rejuvenate Nevada’s farming industry.  I hope Governor Sandoval meets Yoni and Shoshana Rappeport who are making the Negev desert bloom with Argan trees. They have already planted 1000 trees that will eventually produce fruit from which rich, nutritious Argan oil will flow.  Yoni and Shoshana are now preparing the land for planting another 1000 saplings in the spring.

Drivers frequently have to struggle against the flow of busy city traffic. They are then faced with the problem of parking their car.  Israel’s Anagog helps with this challenge by monitoring mobile phone sensors to detect parking spaces that are about to be vacated – in real time.  Anagog is now working with Finland’s PARX, the owner of Easy Park, which has users in 130 countries.


Staying on the road, when Shai Rishoni was a fast-flowing Israeli cyclist he decided to bring the Italian endurance cycle race Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia to Jerusalem.  Then in 2011 Shai had to struggle with another challenge when he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).  He continued his quest and on 11 Oct 2013 it all happened.  The event also raised funds for ALS research.  I hope Stephen Hawking reads this.

Israel’s economy has its ebbs and flows, but last week there were at least four pieces of positive news:
-         A net inflow of foreign currency resulted in an all-time record for the Bank of Israel’s reserves.
-         Oil flows from Israel’s Meged 5 well have led to a 60 percent increase in estimated deposits.
-         Increased flows of Canadian tourists to Israel are expected following a new aviation agreement.
-         Funding for Israeli start-ups continues to flow thanks to the US Israel Business Council’s latest New York City road show.

Finally, Private Or Meidan went against the flow in an Abrahamic kind of way when she left her Ugandan birthplace to follow her Israeli stepfather to Israel in 2011.  She is joining the IDF’s Nativ program to convert to Judaism and operates the Iron Dome missile defense system to save the lives of all citizens of Israel.

Israel’s positive news continues to flow.  Our challenge is to get it to the right destination.

Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing Good News stories about Israel.
For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com

Israelis are Full of Energy



This week there was a milestone announcement that some may have missed.  Half of Israel’s electricity now comes from natural gas - mainly from the new Tamar offshore gas field.  As if to mark the occasion, last week was ablaze with news of energetic Israelis and their innovations and achievements. 

Coinciding with the landmark natural gas highlight, Israel Corporation subsidiary IC Green Energy inaugurated a facility in New Jersey to produce gasoline from natural gas.  The plant can produce up to 100,000 gallons (440,000 liters) of gasoline a year.  Automobiles will be able to use the lower cost, less emissions fuel without any modifications.


Staying in the US, Ebay has brought in Israel’s Ormat Technologies to build a 5MW Recoverable Energy Generator (REG) for its Utah data center. REGs turn waste energy from industrial processes into usable electrical power.  Ormat already recovers 160 megawatts in the USA and 595 MW worldwide.

Turning to individuals, Israel’s Miss Israel beauty queen, 22-year-old Ethiopian-born Yityish Aynaw, certainly energized the citizens of Los Angeles, where she was a guest of Christian preacher Ronald V. Myers. Rev Myers said that everyone should know what Israel did to rescue Ethiopian Jews.  Over in Amsterdam, a 19-year-old Israeli, Shahar Shenhar, used the “magical” energy of his playing cards to become 2013 world champion at Magic: The Gathering.  MtG is as popular as chess among young intellectuals.

When there is too much energy, Israel’s fire scouts are on hand to help put out the flames.  About 1,500 Israeli teens (often from problem homes) learn to operate fire trucks, ladders and hoses, plus rescue techniques and types of fires.  Their skills have saved lives directly, including two 18-month-old babies rescued from a burning apartment.  Energetic kids also need safeguarding, so you may wish to consider the Israeli Foxiwatch to keep a watch on them.  The Foxiwatch has GPS, a mobile phone and an emergency contact button. 


For those who need more sophisticated monitoring of their energy levels and other physiological readings, Israel’s Elfi Tech monitors your pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, blood flow and much more, non-invasively at any time with the help of a sensor smaller than a dime.  It has just been selected as a finalist of the Nokia Sensing XChallenge.


Food and water are the basic components of energy for mankind. Agriculture in the Balkans received a boost when Israel’s Makhteshim Agan Industries purchased Magan Agrochemicals Serbia.  The Israeli company supplies solutions to farmers that combat disease and increase yields.  Over in Asia, “Israeli water week” brought over Israel’s Netafim, Amiad, Bermad and Odis to Vietnam to forge cooperation and demonstrate their advanced water technologies.

One of the functions of proteins in the body is to break down food to produce energy.  However, there was far more on the menu of the ninth Jakub K. Parnas Conference at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The conference, entitled “Proteins - from Birth to Death” fueled the interest of 160 leading biomedical scientists from Israel, Europe and the US.  One protein - Collagen - is the most abundant protein in mammals, keeping the body moving by repairing damaged muscles and wounds. Israel’s Collplant synthesizes Collagen and has received a 10% injection of foreign funds to help propel Collplant’s products around China.  Nearby, a Japanese investment in Israel’s Argo Medical will increase the speed of production of its unique ReWalk exoskeleton and enable more paraplegics to walk.

Back in Israel, more people are back on their feet despite the global economic slowdown.  Israel’s August unemployment rate fell to 6.1%, the lowest in two decades. At the same time, participation in the labor market continues to expand, reaching 64% in August.  Israel’s economy may be stable, but a new chain of cafes is keeping the price of a caffeine fix as low as possible.  In fact, all beverages and food at Israel’s new kosher café chain, Cofix, will be just 5 shekels per item.  Customers for the first new takeaway-only franchise in Tel Aviv were queuing far down the street.

Finally, if you really are suffering from a lack of energy then look forward to the day when you will be able to swap your regular coffee in exchange for Israel’s brand new beverage.  Israeli startup Inno-Bev’s has developed an all-natural drink called “WakeUp”, which has won Best Functional Drink at the Drinktec Beverage Innovation Awards.  WakeUp contains guarana, ginkgo biloba, elderberry and a unique apple sugar with a low glycaemic index that reduces sugar fluctuation. 


Come back next week for another burst of Israel’s positive energy.

Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing Good News stories about Israel.
For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com

One in a Million



Israel is a tiny country - a beacon of light in a vast region of darkness.  Inside the country, every Israeli seems to radiate an opinion on every subject, and it sometimes feels like we have eight million prime ministers.  In reality, however, Israel is a nation of individuals, where everyone has the potential to make a difference. 

Each week, an Israeli makes a discovery or launches an innovation that may benefit millions.  Dr. Tal Dvir and his team at Tel Aviv University have manufactured cardiac tissue from spring-shaped fibers.  The elastic tissue mimics expanding and contracting heart muscle and could be the basis of transplant material for millions of heart operations.  The world’s major pharmaceutical companies certainly value Israeli ingenuity.  AstraZeneca has formed a partnership with scientists at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center to develop new medicines to treat the millions suffering from cancer, respiratory diseases, and diabetes.  Meanwhile Israel’s very own Teva Pharmaceuticals has launched generic alternatives to Adenoscan and Niaspan, which will collectively save millions of dollars for millions of patients.

I have to inform the millions following the standard rules of the majority of diet plans that they have got it wrong.  Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have proved that each individual has a different response to the same foods.  In Weizmann’s Personalized Nutrition Project, local volunteers have their glucose intake and absorption monitored and leave with an individually tailored balanced diet.  Millions of stomachs may also contain undetected infections of the H. pylori bacterium, causing peptic ulcers, gastric inflammation, and occasionally stomach cancer.  Thankfully, the BreathID testing device from Israel’s Exalenz is now in use at 220 US centers, providing results in 10 minutes instead of a three-day wait for blood tests.  Staying with infections, a rap music video produced by Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem has gone “viral”. It features the hospital’s doctors and nurses dancing and singing the virtues of anti-bacterial hand gel.  The Hebrew video, uploaded on September 21, has already been seen over 165,000 times.


Millions of Syrians are suffering in their civil war and Israel certainly never hesitates to give medical assistance to the hundreds brought to its hospitals for treatment.  In just one case, orthopedists, anesthesiologists, plastic surgeons, physiotherapists and operating theater staffers pulled out all the stops to save and restore the shattered leg of an 8-year-old Syrian girl.  Meanwhile, an Arab from East Jerusalem - Haitham Azloni - regarded Haim Attias from Judea’s Mitzpe Yericho as “one in a million” when Haim resuscitated him at the Arab bazaar in the Old City.  Haitham said, “No one came to help me, none of the brothers, no Arabs. Only one Orthodox Jewish man.” 

I doubt if many of the 19 million passengers that use Miami International Airport will be aware that Israel’s NICE Systems is now responsible for managing runway security. In contrast, anti-terrorist forces would certainly appreciate the Miniature Reactive Jammer (MRJ) from Israel’s Elbit Systems.  The device is able to analyze millions of radio frequency messages and disrupt any trigger signal designed to detonate an IED (Improvised Explosive Device). And when Israel’s Ceragon has finished upgrading Idea’s wireless network, 125 million of Idea’s Indian cell-phone customers will appreciate the difference.

For two millennia, many millions of Jews have longed to be able to celebrate this time of year in the Promised Land.  This may explain the emotional scenes at Jerusalem’s Sukkot (Tabernacles) parade and Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law) parties.  To reinforce the celebrations, archaeologists such as Dr Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have unearthed many links between today’s religious events and Biblical history.


After the celebrations, we have to clean up.  Israeli children are educated that our land must be maintained for the benefit of the millions who will inherit it from us.  So it was gratifying to see that over a quarter of a million volunteers from 250 localities removed litter across the country on International Cleanup Day.  The Ministry of Environmental Protection also announced plans to end the use of the millions of disposable plastic bags at supermarkets and other shops. 

Finally, the Jewish focus on the individual is emphasized in the following item.  Rabbi Shaul Inbari was born with severe cerebral palsy and like millions of disabled individuals he dreaded life in an empty house.  Rabbi Inbari believed that everyone deserves happiness and took action by founding Israel’s Inbar organization. Inbar holds events for singles with varying disabilities that are seeking a soul mate.  Last year, Rabbi Inbari married Neta, whom he had met at Inbar.


Definitely one in a million!

Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing Good News stories about Israel.
For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com

History of Israel's Good News July to Sep 2013


Israel Good News Archive – 28th July to 29th Sep 2013
130929


In the 29th Sep 2013 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Israeli scientists have made elastic transplant tissue for repairing damaged hearts.
·        Israeli surgeons performed an intricate operation to save leg of 8-year-old Syrian girl.
·        A Nazareth-based company has launched a 5cm cube computer.
·        An Israeli cellular modernization upgrade will benefit 125 million phone users in India.
·        Israel is to stop providing free throwaway plastic carrier bags.
·        Huge parades and celebrations in Israel to mark the end of the festive season.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
Click here for “The future is in Israeli hands” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Putting the spring back in broken hearts.  Tel Aviv University scientists have manufactured cardiac tissue from spring-shaped fibers.  The elastic tissue mimics the expanding and contracting heart and is more suitable for transplants than tissue made from straight fibers.

A diet just for you.  Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science has launched The Personalized Nutrition Project.  Over the course of ten days, local volunteers will have their glucose intake and absorption monitored.  Using the data, scientists profile each individual’s response to foods and tailor a personal nutritionally balanced diet.

AstraZeneca to work with Hadassah hospital.  AstraZeneca and Hadasit, the commercial arm and technology transfer company of Israel’s Hadassah University Hospitals have agreed to identify, evaluate, and jointly develop new treatments for several diseases, primarily focused on cancer, respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

Teva launches two generic treatments.  Doctors can now prescribe cheaper alternatives for heart patients using Adenoscan and sufferers of primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia previously using Niaspan.

Bacteria test update.  Back in June 2011 I reported on BreathID from Israel’s Exalenz, which tests for H. pylori. The bacterium causes peptic ulcers and gastric inflammation, and is associated with stomach cancer.  Today, BreathID is used in 220 US centers, producing results in 10 minutes instead of 3 days for blood tests.

The Israeli hospital that treats all wild animals.  The Ramat Gan Wildlife hospital treats over 2000 animals every year, including snakes, weasels, deer, hyenas, crows, pigeons or baby hedgehogs. On one day 170 wild creatures were having treatment.  Many injured birds arrive, as Israel is on a major migratory route. http://www.timesofisrael.com/out-of-africa-to-an-israeli-wildlife-hospital/

Rapping the message for hospital hygiene.  A rap music video produced by Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem has gone “viral”. It features the hospital’s doctors and nurses dancing and singing the virtues of anti-bacterial hand gel.  The Hebrew video, uploaded on September 21, has already been seen over 128,000 times.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Orthodox “settler” meets the East Jerusalem Arab he saved.  (Thanks to Geoff)  I just found this item from August.  Haim Attias from Judea’s Mitzpe Yericho resuscitated Haitham Azloni at the Arab bazaar in the Old City. Azloni said, “No one came to help me, none of the brothers, no Arabs. Only one Orthodox Jewish man.”

Israel’s ice-hockey team.  (Thanks to Size Doesn’t Matter and The National) Currently visiting Winnipeg Canada is a team of 11-14-year-old Israeli hockey players.  The team comprises Jews, Christians and Moslem kids who are among 400 children that regularly train at the only ice-rink in Israel.

A garden shop with a difference.  In Feb 2012 I reported on Café Motek, which employs staff with psychiatric disabilities.  Now, when you buy plants at Botanica in Jerusalem’s new First Station complex, you may be served by clients of Shaf Yativ - a charity that integrates people with mental illness into society.

Everyone deserves happiness.  Israel’s Inbar organization holds events for about 40 disabled singles seeking to find a soul mate.  Inbar was founded by Rabbi Shaul Inbari who was born with severe cerebral palsy and dreaded life in an empty house.  Rabbi Inbari met Neta at Inbar and married her last year.  An amazing video.

8-year-old Syrian girl walks again.  A Syrian girl whose right leg was shattered in the civil war is the youngest patient ever to undergo the Ilizarov technique at Israel’s Ziv hospital.  Orthopedists, anesthesiologists, plastic surgeons, physiotherapists and operating theater staffers succeeded in saving and restoring her leg.

And five more Syrians arrive.  Ziv Hospital in Tzfat treated two 25-year-old Syrians suffering from gunshot wounds in the chest and limbs. Two more arrived later in the week, suffering from shrapnel injuries.  Another Syrian was evacuated to the Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya in moderate to serious condition.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Tel Aviv University to set up Life Sciences center in China.  Tel Aviv University is to set-up a new research center at China’s Tsinghua University.  Initially, the new “XIN” center will focus on life sciences and nanotechnology.  It will recruit researchers and students in Israel and China.

The world’s largest date.  Israeli agriculturists have cultivated the world’s largest date.  The Anbara date species, which can grow to over 10cm, was planted at the Eden R&D center seven years ago and is being harvested for the first time.  The largest specimen was presented at President Peres’ open succa.

New Israeli computer is a 5cm cube.  (Thanks to Size Doesn’t Matter) The 2x2x2 inch CuBox-i from Nazareth-based SolidRun has no moving parts.   You need a separate monitor (or TV screen) and power adaptor, but you have probably got these already.  From $45 to $119.  Deliveries begin in November.

Saving lives from IEDs.  (Thanks to Eli) Defeating the threat from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) has been the aim of the world’s anti-terrorist forces.  The Miniature Reactive Jammer (MRJ) from Israel’s Elbit Systems was launched at DSEi in London.  The device detects, analyzes and disrupts the IED trigger signal.

PointGrab wins Euro Prize.  Israel’s PointGrab has won the 2013 European Technology Innovation Award from Frost & Sullivan for its achievements in "gesture recognition for consumer electronics."  PointGrab’s technology is in computers, smartphones and TVs, including Samsung’s Smart TVs, Acer and Fujitsu PCs.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Exports to Africa up 250 per cent.  In the last 10 years, Israeli exports to Africa have increased from $342 million in 2002 to $1.2 billion in 2012.  2.6% of Israeli exports go to Africa.

Upgrading India’s mobile network.  Israel’s Ceragon has won a huge contract with Idea Cellular to modernize thousands of wireless backhaul connections. Idea is India’s third largest mobile carrier with 125 million customers.

Return of the Romans?  Low-cost airline easyJet has launched twice-weekly flights between Tel Aviv and Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.  easyJet’s UK and Middle East commercial manager Hugh Aitken said, "The new route emphasizes that easyJet is a long term committed partner of the Israeli economy and tourism industry."

More Israeli security for Miami.  Israel’s NICE Systems will supply its “Situator Solution for Situation Management” as part of a runway incursion detection solution at Miami International Airport.  It enhances NICE’s NiceVision Net 2.5 system already deployed at the airport.

Israeli-Chinese cars.  Qoros Auto, the joint car venture of Israel Corporation and China’s Chery Automobile, will have four ranges of cars to accompany the Qoros 3 - the company's first model.  The commercial launch is scheduled for later this year.

Need a viral video?  Veed.me matches up the creative people who know how to produce, film, or edit a high-quality video clip with businesses that need them. Veed.me’s founders are two Tel Aviv University film school graduates and its clients already include Google and Waze.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Emmy eats Israel.  On-line food taster Emmy is a Youtube sensation who has been sampling sweets and snacks from around the world and giving her opinion.  She received a parcel of Israeli products and liked everything, apart from (not surprisingly) the tinned eggplants in brine.

On your bikes.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Sovev Turki Elite on Sep 25 is Israel’s largest cycling event with 30,000 cyclists and over 100,000 spectators.  The longest route for experienced cyclists covers 43km around Tel Aviv with shorter routes for active families, beginners and roller-blades.  The Ayalon freeway becomes a cycle track.

US actors to visit Israel.  13 US TV stars visit Israel this month including David Zayas, Lauren Vélez and C.S. Lee of “Dexter”, one of the most popular US TV series.  They have been brought over by "America's Voices in Israel". Others include Zoey Deutch, Anson Mount, Jason Butler Harner, Vivian Bang and Lea Thompson.

Get any Israeli beer you want here.  The beer bazaar in Tel Aviv’s Carmel Market sells up to 93 different Israeli beers made by more than 20 different microbreweries.  The idea came from Lior Weiss a Technion graduate. Business partner Yuval Reznikovich runs the stall from 10am till around 7:30pm daily.

Tel Aviv’s dog races.  Tel Aviv Municipality is launching a new kind of race, for dogs and their owners.  Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park on October 11 is the venue for the Pro Plan Doggie Run including 3 distance events plus a special heat for visually impaired people and their guide dogs.


THE JEWISH STATE

An end to throwaway plastic bags.  My wife cheered when she read this.  The Ministry of Environmental Protection plans to end the use of disposable plastic bags at shops.  Multiuse plastic bags will be distributed to the Israeli public for free over several months, after which the use of throwaway plastic bags will be ended.

250,000 Israelis clean up.  Over a quarter of a million volunteers from 250 localities removed litter across the country on International Cleanup Day.  Organizer KKL-JNF’s chairman Efi Stenzler said, “By respecting the environment we also show our respect for other people, and we all want our country to be clean and beautiful.”

Uncovering the Jerusalem of the Bible.  Gordon Robertson’s video for CBN.com explores the ruins of the palace of King David and the wall of King Solomon in Jerusalem from 1000 BCE.  Dr Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University describes how current excavations continually confirm the text of the Book of Kings.

We prayed for this for thousands of years.  The blessing of the Cohanim (priests) during the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) was a spectacular event. 

Tens of thousands in Jerusalem parade.  Jewish and non-Jewish men, women and children from more than 30 countries gathered in solidarity to march in Jerusalem’s annual Succot Parade.  Thousands also visited the succa (booth) of President Peres, which featured colorful carpets, unusual fruit, flower and vegetable displays.

How Israel rejoices.  Immediately following Sukkot (Tabernacles) is the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law) when Jews celebrate the completion and re-starting of the weekly Synagogue reading of the Torah.  During and after the festival, Israelis took to the streets to celebrate with dancing and music.


130922


In the 22nd Sep 2013 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Israeli researchers can turn adult cells into stem cells in 8 days.
·        Haifa scientists have developed a handwriting test to detect early-stage Parkinson’s.
·        Brazilian farmers use Israeli technology to “grow” fuel.
·        An Israeli app shows which financial analysts make the best predictions.
·        An Israeli infrared light device can recharge mobile devices wirelessly.
·        The World Bank has invested in its second Israeli company in a fortnight.
·        Two derelict Ottoman palaces in Acre have been restored.
·        Thousands of non-Jews come to Israel to celebrate the most inclusive of Jewish festivals.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
Click here for “Hidden Treasure” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Speeding up stem cell production.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Weizmann scientists have discovered removing the protein MBD3 from cells reprograms them into stem cells within 8 days instead of the current 4 weeks.  Stem cells have the potential to become any cell in the body and are able to regenerate damaged tissue and organs.

See Israel’s stem cell experts.  Speakers at Jerusalem’s 5th International Stem Cell conference in October include 22 Israeli professors and six Israeli specialist doctors.  Oh yes, and there will also be eight international professors speaking.

Another Israeli non-invasive glucose monitor.  In June I highlighted Integrity Application’s GlucoTrack that takes readings from your earlobe.  Now I’ve come across Cnoga’s TensorTip Combo Glucometer which measures the effect of infrared light passing through a finger.  Diabetics now have a choice of Israeli devices.

Israel’s Teva teams up with UK Cancer Research.  Cancer Research UK’s technology development arm, and Teva Pharmaceutical have signed a multi-project alliance agreement to research and develop first-in-class cancer drugs that modulate DNA damage and repair response (DDR) processes in cancer cells.  The US FDA also approved two of Teva’s cancer medications - for secondary cancers and for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Brainsway treatment improves OCD patients.  Trials of Deep TMS treatment by Israel’s Brainsway at Sheba Medical Center have shown a 27 percent improvement in patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  These were OCD patients that had previously failed to respond to both pharmacological and psychological therapy.

Handwriting test detects early stage Parkinson’s.  A noninvasive handwriting- analysis technique developed at the University of Haifa and Rambam Medical Center can detect the onset of Parkinson’s disease.  Changes in handwriting occur years before a clinical diagnosis can be made - and is much safer than current tests.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Injured Syrian brought to Nahariya hospital for treatment.  The wounded man was in moderate to critical condition and was receiving treatment at the Naharyia Medical Center. The Nahariya Hospital has treated 87 Syrians since the beginning of the internal Syria conflict.

Charity brings Israeli technology to Kenyan farming (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Israeli brothers Gilad and Yonatan Shilo founded Israel for Africa (IFA) to promote better sustainable agriculture in Kenya.  IFA uses the knowledge and technological advances achieved in Israel to empower the people of Kenya.

Training US police bomb squad.  (Thanks to Eli) A special team of bomb squad members from the Southwest Border was recently in Israel. They worked alongside their counterparts from the Israeli Police in an effort to improve techniques and tactics they use along the US-Mexico border.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Fuel from castor bean seeds.  Israel’s Evogene has successfully completed three years of field trials in Brazil to develop castor bean into of biodiesel and other industrial uses.  The crop is sown after the soybean harvest, when rainfall is insufficient for other crops.  It provides farmers with a high value crop and vital extra revenue.

Tal-Ya trays go into production.  Tal-Ya’s product is a unique tray that surrounds the base of a tree, vine or orther crop. It saves farmers over 50% in water and 30% fertilizer resources, while preventing weed-growth.  The tray also achieves a dramatic increase in crop yield.  The company is now selling trays internationally.

Learning to dare.  A case study that highlights how the IDF implants technical skills in young recruits that equip them later to build hi-tech companies.

Israelis touch the stars.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Space exploration was the theme for this year’s “Night of the Scientists when research institutions and science museums around Israel opened to the public.  2013 is the tenth anniversary of the flight of the first Israeli astronaut - Ilan Ramon.

Greek student at Hebrew U wins top dental prize.  Georgia Kotantoula, a Greek biomedical master’s student at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, won first prize in a European Association of Orthodontists’ competition.  Georgia’s dental bacteria remedy has been patented by the university and will commence trials shortly.

Should you trust the tipsters?  Tel Aviv-based TipRanks, a financial start-up that aggregates and ranks stock recommendations, was one of the “Best of Show” winners at this year’s Finovate competition in New York.  TipRanks measures how well analysts’ stock tips have performed historically.

You’re never lost with Israeli indoor GPS.  There are now at least four Israeli start-ups offering customers free applications to help them find their way around giant shopping malls.  I reported WiseSec’s Wiseby in March.  Now Mally from GeniusMatcher has hit Spain and NavIn and IndoorGo are beginning to move in.

Information at your fingertips.  (Thanks to Israel21c)  The plug-in from Israeli start-up Curiyo will display a subtle link to instantly available details about interesting subjects in any web page you visit.

And typing now fits your fingers.  (Thanks to Arlene) Israel’s “invisible touchscreen” maker SnapKeys has updated its SI Revolution keyboard app to allow you to position the keys anywhere on the screen.  Say goodbye to the QUERTY keyboard.  One-finger typing just got even easier.

Re-charge your battery through the air.  Israel’s Wi-Charge will recharge mobile devices via a power “transmitter” suspended from a high point in the room. The transmitter, connected to an existing electrical outlet, generates a narrow beam of infrared light to a light receiver installed on your mobile device.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Samsung TVs are getting cleverer - with Israeli technology.  (Thanks to Mike G) The world’s top “smart TV” manufacturer has bought Israel’s Boxee (in July).  The Israeli technology will help Samsung integrate cable / satellite / terrestrial TV with Internet streaming services and record / playback capability.

F5 buys out Israeli security company.  US giant F5 Networks has made its 4th Israeli acquisition with the purchase of Versafe.  Versafe is a provider of web anti-fraud, anti-phishing, and anti-malware solutions.

World Bank invests in another Israeli company.  The World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) has invested $5 million in Tel Aviv based DiViNetworks, a supplier of cloud-based broadband solutions to the world’s least developed countries.  Two weeks ago, the World Bank invested in Israeli seed company Kaiima.

Israel shines at IBC 2013.  Almost 53,000 visitors attended IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) 2013 in Amsterdam and the Israeli pavilion was a constant hub of activity.  Over 140 countries were represented and more than 100 meetings took place between Israel exhibitors and UK representatives alone. 

Israel has changed since 1987.  Monty Munford was a scruffy, moneyless itinerant when he attempted unsuccessfully to enter Israel in 1987.  He has since smartened himself up and held no grudges when visiting last month.  Instead, he was very impressed with how smart Israel has become with all its successful start-ups.

Israeli start-ups in San Francisco.  Four start-ups in the Israeli pavilion at TechCrunch Disrupt SF include EventWith, Numbeez, Peer2 and Navin (mentioned above).  Watch the video to see what they have to offer.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Botticelli arrives safely.  The 15th-century fresco “The Annunciation of San Martino alla Scala” is now on display in Jerusalem.  Regarding rumors that the 130 kg Italian masterpiece might be withdrawn from exhibition, Israel Museum director James Snyder said to the media, “don’t always believe what you read”.

Ruined Ottoman palaces restored.   Two conjoined abandoned Ottoman palaces in Acre have been reconstructed and converted into a beautiful boutique hotel.  The Efendi Hotel even has a Turkish bathhouse.

Zubin Mehta receives honorary Technion doctorate.  Maestro conductor Dr Zubin Mehta received the honor for his “contribution to the betterment of Israel and the entire world with the magic of music”.  Israel’s Nobel Prize laureate Dan Shechtman conducted the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra as Dr Mehta was escorted in.

The largest sukkah decoration.  Youth groups from Haifa hope to qualify for the Guinness Book of World Records with the world's longest paper chain - 88 km, consisting of pieces of recycled paper folded and stapled together. Decorated paper chains are a popular feature of the booths built for the Jewish festival of Sukkot.

Things to do during Sukkot.  Activities for the family include illusion at the Israel Museum, the Holon theatre music fest, kids operas in Tel Aviv, Gilboa’s Hot-Air Balloon festival and Bible reenactments in Samaria.

Discover “Jewish” art.  Five Jerusalem venues will host the inaugural Jerusalem Biennale, a six-week contemporary art festival that seeks to combine the best in Jewish and contemporary art.  More than 50 artists share a single goal: To show that Jewish art reaches far beyond Kiddush cups and menorahs.


THE JEWISH STATE

Time favors Israel.  Efraim Inbar, Professor of political studies at Bar-Ilan University, writes about security, economy, society, democracy and international relations and concludes, “At age sixty-five, Israel is a great success story, and if it can continue to inculcate the Zionist ethos into new generations, its future looks bright.”

Eilat’s corals have external protection.  (Thanks to Israel21c and Hebrew U)  The world is losing its coral reefs due to vital algae being expelled when water temperatures rise.  However a “warm-water barrier” at the southern Red Sea, allows in only heat-tolerant genotypes of corals to the Gulf of Eilat.

Thousands of Christians visit Israel for Tabernacles.  Over 5,000 Christian pilgrims from around 100 nations will take part in the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem's (ICEJ) annual Feast of Tabernacles this week.  The festival is the largest annual tourist event in Israel.

The Jewish festival for everyone.  Sukkot / Tabernacles is the most inclusive of Jewish festivals.  The Sukkah (booth) itself can be of infinite width, in order to accommodate as many people who wish to celebrate.  And in Israel, the last time we saw more representations from nations of the world, was in King Solomon’s time.



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In the 15th Sept 2013 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Four Israeli advances in fighting cancer include discovery of a protein that destroys cancer cells.
·        Israel’s Technion scientists have developed a molecule that reduces cholesterol.
·        Five youth charities received a major windfall following Google’s takeover of Israel’s Waze.
·        A new recycling plant will produce 160,000 tons of fuel per year, from garbage.
·        Tel Aviv now has free Wi-Fi for everyone.
·        A 1400-year-old Jewish medallion has been discovered next to Jerusalem’s Temple mount.
·        After a 40-year gap, an Israeli lung transplant patient can blow the shofar again.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
Click here for “The Right Connections” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

A protein to kill cancer stem cells.  (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Dr. Sarit Larisch of the University of Haifa has discovered a protein called ARTS that triggers cell death.  It is found to be lacking in cancerous tissue. The research can lead to a pre-cancer marker and development of similar molecules that can stop tumors forming.

Further success in leukemia treatment trials.  Israeli biotech Gamida has successfully transplanted just its manipulated NiCord stem cells into patients with blood cancer.  The impact is to reduce recovery times even further from the two years achieved from using NiCord combined with non-manipulated stem cells.

USA promotes Israeli leukemia treatment.  The United States FDA has granted orphan drug status to Israeli biotech BioLineRX’s BL-8040 treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.  Because there are limited alternatives, BioLineRX will now receive US Federal support, financial assistance and market exclusivity.

Trial of anti-lymphoma technology.  Israeli biotech KAHR Medical plans to trial KAHR-102, one of its groundbreaking Signal Converting Proteins (SCP), for the treatment of lymphatic cancer.

New molecule reduces cholesterol – and more.  Researchers at Israel’s Technion have developed an antioxidant 1-FE that lowers cholesterol. It also eliminates oxygen free radicals that cause organs and tissues to age.  The compound could be an important alternative to statins in the fight against heart disease.

Get your knee fixed.  Active Implants, whose R&D center is in Netanya Israel, is looking for patients in Israel and Europe willing to join the trial of its NUsurface Meniscus Implant.  The novel, composite polymer implant is for osteoarthritis patients who have pain and disability but are too old or young for a total knee replacement.

Israel’s hi-tech emergency service.  Magen David Adom used its technology and skills to save a 3-month-old baby.  First, MDA’s sophisticated C4I dispatch system allocated the closest first-responder to the call.  Then the dispatch operator advised the responder on CPR for the baby. All telephone operators are medics or paramedics. 

Bone regeneration with a “magic” membrane.  (Thanks to Israel21c)  I reported on Regenecure in June when it was promoting its safe dental bone augmentation procedure.  But it appears that the company’s BoneCure membrane has been healing animals for some time and is working on a similar product for humans.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Waze exit benefits thousands of young Israelis.  The Israeli Public Service Venture Fund, Tmura, has distributed NIS 5 million of funds that it received when it sold share options following Waze’s takeover by Google.  Tmura split the proceeds among five charities specializing in helping Israeli youth.

Muslim woman is top Technion graduate.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Dr. Mais Ali Saleh is the newest Israeli-Arab obstetrician-gynecologist at Carmel Medical Center in Haifa. She recently graduated No. 1 in her class at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, one of the country’s top medical schools.  (More minorities at link)

It’s all over the news - Syrians treated by Israelis.  Here are two recent NBC and CNN reports on the wounded Syrians being treated free of charge at Israel’s Western Galilee and Ziv hospitals.

Two young Syrian brothers treated at Ziv.  Israel’s Ziv hospital treated its 89th and 90th victims of the Syrian civil war – two brothers aged 12 and 15 years old who had been wounded by a land mine.  Plus more news.

Israelis feed Syrian refugees.  Here is an update on the work of Israeli NGO IL4Syrians.

Plenty of water for PA swimming pools.  Those who say Israel is depriving the PA of water need to read this.

Israeli Health Care of Palestinian Arabs.  (Thanks to Stuart Palmer) For those on the receiving end of recent anti-Israel propaganda, here is a timely fact sheet on Israel’s amazing humanitarian work for Palestinian Arabs.

5 Israeli start-ups quietly changing the world.  (Thanks to Margaret)  Inc.com has reviewed Marcella Rosen's "Tiny Dynamo" about Israeli start-ups and says it’s “a must-read for anyone passionate about entrepreneurship and technology. Acre-for-acre, person-for-person, no place is innovating more than Israel.” http://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/how-israeli-start-ups-are-quietly-changing-the-world.html

London’s police are learning from Israel.  Assistant Commissioner of Specialist Operations at the London Police, Cressida Dick, spoke at the IDC, Herzilya, Israel about London Police’s determination to fight terrorism with the same virtues as Israel – endurance, determination and courage.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Half of Tel Aviv’s garbage to be turned into fuel.  When complete, the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) plant at the Hiriya Recycling Park will transform 1500 tons of waste into usable fuel every day.  The “green” fuel will power the kilns at Nesher’s cement works in a method that does not emit any pollutants or toxins.

Made in Israel.  Here is an opportunity to view CBN’s excellent series by Gordon Robertson about Israel's remarkable innovation and ingenuity to produce breakthroughs in products and processes that affect the way we live our every day lives. The 5 parts feature Agriculture, Water, Medicine, Clean & Green and Technology.

Netafim receives Stockholm prize.  Israeli drip irrigation pioneer Netafim has just attended the ceremony to collect the prestigious Stockholm Industry Water Award. Netafin won because it helps farmers in developing countries live better.  I reported the story when the award was announced in June, but it’s good to enjoy it again.

Thousands to attend Night of the Scientists.  Thursday night (before Yom Kippur) is Researchers’ Night, a celebration of all things scientific, with hundreds of events taking place at over a dozen Israeli universities and colleges. 

Tel Aviv deploys free Wi-Fi network.  The Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality has completed deployment of its Wi-Fi network, with the establishment of 60 hotspots in the city.  The network covers 3,660,920 square meters and includes commercial centers, main commercial streets, boulevards, parks, and the beach.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

12 more years of geothermal power.  Israel’s Ormat Industries has extended its agreement to supply California with electricity from its 46MW geothermal power plant at the Heber complex in Imperial Valley. 

A million customers GetTaxi.  The popular Israeli smartphone application GetTaxi now has over a million users in Israel, London and Moscow with an average of 20,000 daily orders.  GetTaxi has just launched in New York, for business customers to order luxury black cars in advance at a pre-arranged price.

The impact of Israel’s hi-tech industry.  Yoram Ettinger provides some detailed examples of multinational companies that benefit from their Israeli research and development centers.

The next big Israeli business?  Although it may not reach a value of $1 billion, Israeli content recommendations company Outbrain reckons its advanced algorithmic engine will raise $100 - 200 million when it goes public later in the year.

UK mutual likes its Israeli software.  LV= Ltd., the UK's largest friendly society and leading financial mutual, has extended its services contract with Israeli financial services software developer Sapiens International in a $10.5 million deal.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Jerusalem railway station - old and new.  Trains no longer run through to the Old railway station in Jerusalem, but the reconstructed Ottoman buildings are a center for tourists and residents, young and old.

See who’s coming to Israel.  Creative Community For Peace supports all the artists and entertainers who visit the Jewish State and refuse to be intimidated by BDS campaigns.  Thanks to Rhianna, Jose Feliciano, Earthdance Zion (due here soon) and to all those who have performed here recently.


THE JEWISH STATE

Look what we’ve dug up next to Temple Mount.  In summer excavations 50 meters from Temple Mount, Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar discovered 36 gold Byzantine coins, jewelry, and a 7th century gold medallion depicting a menorah (Temple candelabrum), a shofar (ram’s horn) and a Torah scroll.  As Dr Mazar says “At Rosh Hashana, it’s the best gift we could get”.

King Solomon’s mines are genuine.  Excavations by Tel Aviv University archaeologists in Israel’s Arava desert reveal that copper mines in Israel (previously thought to have been built by the ancient Egyptians in the 13th century BCE) actually originated three centuries later, during the reign of King Solomon.

Entering the New Year with optimism.  Member of Knesset Rabbi Dov Lipman seems to have a positive outlook for Israel’s internal issues.  He highlights initiatives for Haredi army service and employment, support for Jewish values and education, building of low-cost housing, hi-tech high schools and electoral reforms.

Sri Lankan-born student wins prize, defending Israel.  Winner of the Blankfeld Award for Media Critique is Sri Lankan-born, Dutch student Timon Dias. He started defending Israel when he realized that one side had always rejected peace and that the conflict was not about territory but about ideology.

Former anti-Semitic party leader visits Israel, as a Jew.  Csanad Szegedi used to be vice-president of Hungary’s far-right, anti-Semitic Jobbik party until he discovered he was Jewish.  He abandoned Jobbik and embraced Judaism. The change to his life culminated this year when he made his first visit to the Jewish State. 

Lung transplant patient blows shofar.  Meir Tzan’ani blew the shofar in his synagogue until he was 17 years old when his lungs were burnt in a schoolboy prank.  Following a transplant and rehabilitation at the Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson campus in Petah Tikva, Meir (now age 57) can blow the shofar once more.


130908


In the 8th Sept 2013 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Israeli doctors have used robots to treat two children and a Parkinson’s sufferer.
·        Israel’s Teva has just funded 46 Israeli university projects into brain diseases.
·        Indonesia is to use Israeli technology and skills to build its roads.
·        A new design Israeli aerosol contains no gas.
·        Israel’s Ornat has built the largest geothermal power plant of its type in the world.
·        Israeli start-ups attribute their success to the help they get from their competitors.
·        A Jerusalem family discovered a 2000-year-old house underneath their home.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
Click here for “Time for Change” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

The first robotic brain surgery.  Dr. Nizam Razack successfully performed the world’s first deep brain stimulation (DBS) using Renaissance robotic guidance system from Israel’s Mazor Robotics, at Celebration Health Hospital in Orlando, Florida.

Israeli doctors use robots to treat children.  For the first time in Israel, doctors at Rambam hospital used surgical robots to perform advanced pediatric surgery.  Using the Rambam’s da Vinci robot they corrected congenital defects on three Israeli children.  Surgeons from Boston Medical Center trained the Israeli doctors.

Multiple studies produces research breakthrough.  Dr. Ayelet Erez studied at the Technion, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Baylor College Texas and now Weizmann.  Her wide experience led her to discover the link between the enzyme ASL and Nitrous Oxide, which is essential for regulating blood pressure.

Skin defect can trigger allergies.  Scientists at Tel Aviv and Northwestern Universities have discovered that mutations in the molecule desmoglein 1 in skin cells can disrupt the immune response and lead to allergic reactions.

Exciting new cancer research.  Ariel Munitz of Tel Aviv University is researching a type of white blood cell called macrophages.  Exposed to a certain stimulus and they’ll promote healing of cancer and fibrosis. But exposed to a different stimulus and they actually make the condition worse.  You can see where this is heading.

Against all odds.  Toddler Zion Rubenstein was diagnosed at the age of 6 months with a rare inflammation of the spinal cord that invariably leads to paralysis.  A year after intravenous injections of high levels of antibodies and steroids coupled with accelerated physical therapy, Zion can now walk and climb stairs.

Israel’s network of excellence in Neuroscience.  Teva has established Israel’s "National Network of Excellence" (NNE) to boost therapeutic developments for Alzheimer’s, MS, dementia and other brain diseases. Teva has just granted funds to 46 scientists at seven universities and teaching hospitals in Israel.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Improved police ties with Arab community.  (Thanks to Hazel) Central District Assistant-Chief Bruno Stein said that the past ten years have seen a significant change in the Arab sector’s cooperation and faith in the police.  The Arab public is requesting more police posts to help fight drugs and illegal firearms.

Support group for siblings of sick children.  The Center for Children with Chronic Diseases in Hadassah Mt. Scopus has announced a new support group for siblings of chronically ill or handicapped children. Siblings struggling with emotional, familial and social challenges will receive weekly counseling starting in November.

Indonesia to use Israeli advanced technology.  (Thanks to Hazel) The world’s largest Muslim country will utilize advance technology from Israel to build roads in its most eastern and poorest province of Papua.  Authorities have issued permits for the import of a chemical hardener and use of manpower from Israel.

World Bank invests in Israeli agri-tech company.  The private sector investment arm of the World Bank is set to become a major investor in Israeli seed and breeding-technology company Kaiima.  Kaiima focuses on developing strains of plants that are more resilient and yield more grain.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Cars that talk to each other.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Israel’s Autotalks is a world leader in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication systems.  The purpose of V2V systems is to cut the millions of road traffic deaths and injuries by warning drivers of impending hazards.

No gas in new Israeli aerosols.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Israeli startup GreenSpense has developed an eco-friendly system for dispensing liquid products. Instead of compressed air or chemicals, a thin elastic sleeve inside the product generates high pressure.  There is also no need for the container to be metallic or cylindrical.

Technion graduates make top US CEOs.  According to Bloomberg Rankings, graduates of Israel’s Technion Institute make up the seventh highest number of Chief Executives of the top technical companies in the USA.  Bloomberg analyzed 250 CEOs of US hi-tech companies with a turnover of over $1 billion.

Israeli printers print futuristic clothing.  (Thanks to NoCamels) Award-winning Japanese designer Yuima Nakazato used a Stratasys (Objet500 Connex) multi-material 3D printer to design bibs that combine numbers and images of human muscles, emphasizing his perception of clothing as an “extension of the body.”

The highest percentage of twins in the world.  (Thanks to Israel21c) In Israel, 51 of every 1,000 births result in twins. The next highest - Holland - has 20 twins per 1,000 births.  Israel’s fully funded fertility treatments are chiefly responsible.  (N.B. This may not be good news in every case!)

Advanced science on the ground.  Bar Ilan University archaeologists have purchased a $70,000 X-Ray Florescent Spectrometer Handheld (XRF) to go with the Fourier Transform IR spectrometer (FTIR) already being used.  The devices provide the best in-the-field atomic and molecular analytic capabilities in the world. 

A shoe for diabetics.  (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Young Israeli designer Lilach Steiner, from the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, has come up with a shoe designed to improve blood circulation.  Her “diabetic shoes” are modeled on the mechanism of a horse’s hoof, which acts as a pump to return blood to the legs.

One button to rule them all.  It can be frustrating that it takes so many actions and so much time to get your Android smartphone to do a simple task - like take a photo.  Now Israeli start-up Pressy does everything for you at a press of a button attached to your headphone socket.  (Great youtube video)

Geothermal power station completed.  Israel’s Ormat Industries has completed the 100-megawatt Ngatamariki geothermal power plant in New Zealand. The plant is the largest singular binary power plant in the world. Ormat has now built 14 geothermal power plants in New Zealand totaling 350 megawatts.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

A good business, in anyone’s language.  Israel-based One Hour Translation (OHT) provides online professional translation of documents for half of the Fortune 500 companies. Each month OHT translates 100,000 projects for 15,000 business customers.  OHT’s 17,000 professional translators work in 75 languages.

El Al security catches thieves at JFK.  When passengers flying through New York’s main airport complained about missing valuables, the Israeli airline monitored the baggage handlers. El Al caught the luggage thieves stuffing their clothes with thousands of dollars of goods, and recovered several items later in their homes.

The secret to Israel’s start-up success.  Avishai Abrahami writes that a key factor in generating a successful start-up is the “pay it forward” philosophy. Even competitors helped him to found Wix.  When he asked why, the answer was invariably the same: "We were helped when we were starting out. Now it's our turn."

2000 Israeli traders head to China.  The Canton Fair in mid-October accounts for about 25% of China's foreign trade volume, and houses about 25,000 exhibits on an area of 1.1 million square meters.  Israeli companies are eager to add to the $10 billion of trade with China last year.

China buys into Israeli treatments.  China’s Acebright Holdings is investing $1 million in NasVax Ltd for two of its treatments. One is NasVax’s Anti-CD3 technology for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or fatty liver disease. The other is its BBS technology for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Israel to mine phosphates in Vietnam.  Israel Chemicals says that the agreement is part of its plan to expand and diversify its mining sources outside of Israel, broaden its global phosphate operations, and provide a growth engine for its primary markets.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Beautiful Israeli art.  A new website promises to deliver the works of artists such as Yaacov Agam, Marc Chagall, Yosl Bergner, Reuven Rubin and Joseph Zaritsky, straight to your living room or office, anywhere in the world. I am not advertising the site, but it does give the opportunity to view some wonderful paintings.

Hummus takes center stage at Budapest Israel festival. (Thanks to Size Doesn’t Matter and Ynet) At the opening of the Israel festival in Budapest, hundreds of Hungarians tucked into the biggest plate of hummus ever to be seen in Hungary. The Israeli market contained produce, exhibitions and tourist information.

Eilat’s international sports center.  The cornerstone has been laid for Eilat’s new international sports complex. In the near future, sports teams from Europe will be able to come for training in Eilat during the winter. The complex will include a football stadium, five training fields, basketball hall, gym and spa.

Celtic sign Israeli international.  (Thanks to Size Doesn’t Matter and Ynet) Scottish soccer champions Celtic have signed Israeli midfielder Nir Biton from FC Ashdod.  The 21-year-old joins fellow countryman, Beram Kayal.  Celtic said that the club was "delighted" to have signed the “talented Israeli” on a 4-year contract.


THE JEWISH STATE

Living history.  Miriam Siebenberg lives in a very unusual house - her Jerusalem home was built on top of another home, one that existed over 2,000 years ago. “Both my roots and the roots of our people are right underneath this house,” she says.  The Siebenberg House Museum is definitely worth a visit.

Israel, lone light in a dark region.  This article lists some of the main differences between the Jewish State and its neighbors.

StandWithUs holds International Law conference.  The Israel advocacy group StandWithUs hosted a 4-day Student Conference on International Law - Turning Theory into Practice.  The 35 participants came from 17 countries and speakers came from the Foreign Ministry, the Justice Ministry, the IDF and Israeli media.

200,000 volunteers ready for Clean Up Day.  (Thanks to Israel21c) On Sept 9, some 200,000 volunteers are expected to take part in Clean Up Day in Israel. KKL-JNF is leading councils, government bodies and schools who will head out to the country’s forests and open spaces with garbage bags and rubber gloves.

Knesset to install solar panels.  In 2014, the Knesset will become one of the world's first parliaments to generate its own electricity. Plans have been progressed to install photovoltaic panels for the generation of electricity on the Knesset building's roof.  Solar panels on the White House roof were removed due to cheap oil.

Happy New Year to all our workers.  Over 1.8 million Israeli employees and contract workers received gifts from their employers in the week before the Jewish New Year.  The average gift was NIS 700 ($200).


130901


In the 1st Sept 2013 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Israeli students have designed a medical device to counter obesity.
·        An Israeli biotech has developed cures for malaria and sleeping sickness.
·        More wounded Syrians have been treated in Israeli hospitals.
·        Israeli scientists have produced a plant to survive extensive droughts.
·        Israel has launched a new telecommunications satellite.
·        Israel is producing winning wines in the Golan and in the Negev desert.
·        An Israeli woman won gold in the Judo World Championships.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
Click here for “Celebrate the Old and the New” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Non-invasive medical solution to obesity.  Students from the amazing Biodesign program of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have done it again, with a gastric sleeve to block food absorption and counter obesity.  Doctors insert the sleeve down the throat and via the stomach to the duodenum, without surgery or anesthetic.

Radio waves get rid of wrinkles.  The US Food and Drug Administration has given its approval to Israel’s EndyMed for its non-invasive anti-wrinkle and rhytide treatment.

Keeping heart patients out of hospital.  Following an agreement with a US medical services company, heart monitors from Israel’s NI Medical's will be in use at nursing homes across the United States.  The Non-invasive Cardiac System (NICas) significantly reduces the number of repeated hospitalization of cardiac patients.

The 4th best healthcare in the world.  In Bloomberg’s latest ranking, Israel’s healthcare is only surpassed by Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. The study compared life expectancy; per capita cost of health care and cost as a percentage of GDP per capita. The UK came 14th and the USA 46th.

Cures for malaria and sleeping sickness.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s D-Pharm Ltd has announced positive results for its treatments for human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and malaria.  D-Pharm’s Membrane Active Chelators regulate metal ions in the cells that are disrupted by these parasitic-born diseases.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Israeli farmers donate beef.  For the upcoming High Holidays Israeli farmers across the country are donating 1.5 tons of beef to feed 350 needy families in Hadera and the surrounding area.

5 Arab schools switch to Israeli curriculum.  Five Arab schools in East Jerusalem have decided to switch from the Palestinian to the Israeli curriculum.  Jerusalem’s city council said the schools had made the switch so that their students could study for the Israeli bagrut (matriculation exam).  The PA is not happy, however.

Israeli soldiers dance at Arab wedding?  A controversial youtube video showing Israeli soldiers in uniform being carried on the shoulders of Palestinian Arabs in Hebron has gone viral. 

How to change the world.  Big feature article on the wounded Syrians being treated in Israeli hospitals. Meanwhile, another two wounded Syrians were brought for treatment to Ziv Medical Center in Safed on Friday.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Factory for medical start-ups.  The Hebrew University’s Biodesign Entrepreneurship program is Israel's first medical innovation accelerator. Student teams take clinical problems from Israeli and American hospitals, evaluate commercial potential and design a solution, protected by a patent application.

Making dentures in minutes, not days.  One of the latest medical innovations arising from the Hebrew U’s Biodesign program (above) is a tool that measures the mouth exactly, without the traditional putty method that dental technicians have been using for 100 years.  The process is fast and painless, producing perfect dentures.

Plant freezes itself to avoid droughts.  Israeli scientists from Kinneret College have genetically engineered a plant that can withstand droughts by ‘freezing itself’ after not receiving water for a certain period of time. The plant then ‘returns to life’ after the water supply is renewed, without any damage to the plant’s structure.

Cleaner, healthier and cheaper than bottled water.  (Thanks to Nevet - www.BroaderView.org )
Israeli start-up Woosh installs and maintains Drinking Water Vending Machines in major cities.  Woosh cleanses recycled plastic bottles and fills them with purified water.

Touch the glass to control the light.  Israeli startup Gauzy has invented smart glass that goes from transparent to opaque with just a touch. Too hot?  Touch the glass and the sunlight is blocked.  The glass can even be used for refrigerators to see what’s inside without opening the door.

Where did I put that scalpel?  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Every surgeon’s nightmare is no longer a problem for the 2900 US hospitals belonging to Premier Healthcare Alliance.  It has just awarded a contract to Israel’s Haldor Advanced Technologies for its unique RFID systems to manage the location and use of surgical instruments.

Smart way to learn a language.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israeli start-up Lingua.ly helps you to learn a new language by indexing the Internet and feeding you appropriate texts based on your vocabulary.  You take quizzes and via a Chrome plug-in Lingua.ly offers you a personalized educational service.

Using our brains.  Israel’s position at the forefront of brain-computer interface is further enhanced by a new competition called “Brainihack” at which neuroscientists, artists, designers, robotics experts etc. will develop viable products in one weekend.  Meanwhile Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart used his brainwaves to produce a light show at his concert in Jerusalem.

The world’s first everlasting solar battery.  Another article about Israel’s Sol-Chip and its solar-powered battery that never needs replacing.

Israel launches Amos 4.  The satellite Amos 4, built by Israel Aerospace Industries and operated by the Israeli company Spacecom, has been launched successfully into space from Kazakhstan.  The satellite will provide services such as Direct-to-Home, video distribution, VSAT communications and broadband Internet.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

“Significant signs of gas.” Gas and oil have been detected at the Yam 3 well, 16km off the Israeli coast West of Ashdod.  And now Egypt wants to buy natural gas from Israel.

Israeli desalination system for Asia.  An unnamed Asian country has bought $75 million worth of desalination unit from Israel’s IDE Technologies.  Each Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) unit can produce 24,000 cubic meters of fresh water a day with low energy and low maintenance requirements.

Golan heights winery wins top award.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) On the eve of its 30th anniversary, Israel’s Golan Heights Winery has won the coveted 2012 Wine Star Award from Wine Enthusiast Magazine in the New World Winery of the Year category. The award is a first for an Israeli winery.

Wine from the desert.  Israel is truly making the desert bloom – with vineyards.  What better location to get a really dry wine than the Negev desert.  No need for pesticides here, because pests cannot survive.  And the harshest climate produces the best wine.

Israelis in New York.  A new app has been launched that locates all the Israeli companies in New York.  “IsraeliMappedinNY” comes on the back of the previous successful app “Mapped in Israel”.

Israeli system safeguards US port.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) The Port of Richmond in Virginia has deployed the wireless surveillance network from Israel’s Radwin, to enhance security throughout its 121-acre port facility.

Haifa launches ‘Metronit’ System.  The Metronit uses special extra-long, fast buses, with several doors to allow for quicker pauses at crowded bus stops.  It provides the advantages of a light rail system without the years of road works involved in creating a train line.  They are now planned for Tel Aviv and Ra’anana.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Italian masterpiece to exhibit in Israel.  (Thanks to Hazel) To celebrate the launching of the Italy-Israel Foundation for Culture and the Arts, Florence's Uffizi Gallery is loaning Botticelli’s magnificent 50-meter Renaissance fresco, The Annunciation, to the Israel Museum in September.

Bus stop libraries expand.  Following the success of the pilot at Kfar Saba and Haifa, a new bus stop library has been launched in Petah Tikva.  Mayor Uri Ohad said “Thanks to this project, every resident and pupil will be able to enrich their knowledge.”  (Hebrew video is of the scheme in Haifa)

Irish dance troupe in Ariel.  Nice to see entertainers from the Emerald Isle performing over the Green Line.

There’s more to sport than winning.  As the national anthems were played prior to a friendly soccer match in the Ukraine, the Israelis shielded a group of children lined up in front of them on the field from the blistering cold and the rain.  Israel lost the match 2-0, but won much support for their compassion.

But it’s great when you do.  Yarden Gerbi, from Netanya, won the gold medal in the women’s under-63 kg class at the Judo World Championships in Rio de Janeiro. Yarden recorded ippons – judo’s knockout – in all five of her fights.  When Hatikvah - Israel’s national anthem - began to play, Yarden burst into tears.

Where to cool down.  Janglo has compiled a list of the top water parks in Israel.  If you’re not on the beach, and/or you’re looking for something a bit different, try one of these amazing locations.


THE JEWISH STATE

Why is Israel so bad at public relations? Good article by P. David Hornick. His conclusion is that no matter how much effort and money Israel spends on advocacy (i.e. defending itself), those that hate us will always hate us.  That’s why I now try to change the conversation and just publicize all the good things that Israel does.

New Year stamps.  (Thanks to Jacob Richman) The latest issue of beautiful Israeli stamps includes silver etrog boxes and children’s songs.

Share your love of Israel.  (Thanks to Janglo) Now there is a Nefesh b’Nefesh on-line dating site for Aliya-minded individuals.

Was he sent from above?  George Lichter, who passed away on Aug 2nd aged 92, was a hero of Israel’s 1948 War of Independence when his skills as an ace pilot were crucial in testing and flying 50 modified Czech Messerschmitts to Israel.  He then taught Israeli pilots, helping to established the Israel Air Force.



130825


In the 25th Aug 2013 week’s edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:          

·        Two new Israeli devices help unconscious patients to breathe and to be fed intravenously.
·        Big increase in numbers of Palestinian Arabs employed by Israelis in Judea and Samaria.
·        BBC admits that Israelis are saving Syrian lives.
·        Israeli scientists have discovered how to turn inedible plants into food crops.
·        Israel has built an accurate forecasting system to help put out forest fires.
·        Israel’s natural gas begins to boost the economy.
·        Two new archaeological links to the Biblical Jewish presence in the Land of Israel.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
Click here for “Going the Extra Mile” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Patients can breathe easier.  Students in the bio-design program of the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem’s Hebrew University have designed a robotic intubation device that guides itself to the lungs. The “GuideIN Tube” prevents accidental insertion of the air tube into the food pipe, which can be fatal.

And in the same vein…. A similar idea - the Sagiv (designed by Hadassah / Hebrew U researchers) helps medical staff insert an IV tube (catheter) into the vein, first time and without pain to the patient. It resolves one of the biggest issues for nurses and paramedics – especially in young children whose veins are very thin.

New Israeli tendon helps athletes spring back into action. (Thanks to Israel21c) Torn knee ligaments no longer need end sports careers. Israeli start-up Tavor has developed an implant called Knee-T-Nol made from a titanium alloy. After surgery, you can walk in 12 hours and total recovery is under three months.

Re-growing cartilage.  CartiHeal - Israel’s developer of cartilage regeneration technology - was awarded the distinguished "2012 Incubator Company Excellence Award" from Israel’s Chief Scientist.  CartiHeal is running a clinical study in leading European medical centers with very promising results.

Generic alternative for brain tumor treatment.  Israel’s Teva has partnered with the US/Israeli firm Perrigo to launch “a high quality, less expensive alternative” to Temodar (temozolomide) for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (brain tumor).  Teva also had good news about its chemotherapy and prostate cancer treatments.

A glue to stop bleeding.  Surgeons will be pleased to be able to seal up vascular operations using Seal-V from Israel’s Sealantis. A spin-off from Israel’s Technion, Seal-V is safer than protein based or synthetic based alternatives.  It is highly effective, fast bonding, easy to use and has just received European medical approval.

Rambam hospital is music to African-American ears.  Haifa’s Rambam Hospital will be holding an end August gala event to raise funds for research into the prevalent genetic kidney disease that afflicts African-Americans. Smokey Robinson, Natalie Cole (herself a kidney disease survivor), and many others will perform.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

'Bedouin or Jewish, I am proud to serve my country'.  Master Sgt. Marzuk Suaed, 37, a Bedouin father of three, comes from a large family in which everyone enlisted into the IDF, many of them serving in combat units. Saued goes from door to door telling Bedouin youngsters the importance of enlisting.

20,000 happy Palestinian Arab workers.  BDS crazies should note that the number of Palestinian Arabs working for Israelis in Judea and Samaria increased by 4,000 in the second quarter of 2013.  These 20,000 Arabs receive double the average PA government wage.

Even the BBC reports Israel’s help for Syrians.  News of Israel’s treatment of wounded Syrians has reached the Beeboids.  Although they can’t seem to understand why Israel doesn’t want to talk to them about it.

Israeli volunteers help Nepalese extend life expectancy.  Israeli humanitarian organization Tevel b'Tzedek has been working in impoverished Nepalese villages for four years.  It has installed chimneys and biogas systems to reduce the number of deaths from smoke pollution.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Producing edible crops from poisonous plants.  Scientists at the Weizmann Institute have discovered the biochemical process responsible for producing glycoalkaloids – the poisonous chemicals in many wild plants. The discovery will help make new food crops and provide edible crops with protection from disease and pests.

Innovative by nature.  Relative to its population, Israel has more engineers than any other country in the world.  Here, high-tech entrepreneurs offer their theories on why Israel is a hotbed for startup companies.

Beersheva inaugurates “Silicon Wadi”.  The Gav Yam Industrial Park Negev will consist of 23 buildings on a 50-acre site adjacent to Ben Gurion University and the planned IDF C4I Corps campus.  Beersheva Mayor Rubik Danilovich hopes the hi-tech park will turn the city into a technological powerhouse.

Chinese top managers seek Israeli innovation.  On a five-day visit to Israel, 62 of China’s senior managers participated in a Technion workshop titled “Visit to Israel – An In-Depth Journey to the Factory World Innovation.”  They also saw leading Israeli companies Iscar, Amiad Water Systems, Biosense Webster, Stratasys, NaanDanJain Irrigation and Gilat Satellite Networks.

Israel retains World Computer Chess Championship.  Deep Junior, a program written by Israelis Amir Ban and Shay Bushinsky, and running on a Dual 12 core Intel Xenon I5 2.7 GHz computer, won the World Computer Chess Championship in Yokohama, Japan.  Junior has now won six of the last eleven tournaments.

Unique research on the Coral Reef.  Technion Professor Uri Shavit and his team are conducting research that will contribute to helping secure the world's coral reefs.  Using a Particle Image Velocimeter (PIV) laboratory, they measure flows in Eilat - one of the few places in the world where this research can be carried out.

Putting out the fires.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Following the Carmel forest fires last year, Israel’s Ministry of Public Security used theoretical models and live feeds to develop the Matash Fire Forecasting System - the first operational system of its kind in the world.  It has already helped to control and extinguish forest fires in Israel.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Another gas discovery.  A new natural gas deposit has been found close to Israel’s 282 billion cubic meter Tamar gas reservoir. Tamar South West is expected to contain 19 billion cubic meters of gas.

Natural gas powers economic growth.  Israel’s Composite State of the Economy Index for July 2013 increased by 0.2%, and was significantly impacted by the start of natural gas production.  Previously published figures for March, April, May and June were also revised upwards following the recent release of Q2 data.  Q2 GDP rose 5.1% - far above expectations.

Moody's affirms Israel's A1 rating, maintains stable outlook.

70,000 passengers in one day.  Ben Gurion airport saw its busiest ever day last Friday’s with a record 70,000 passengers. The figure is expected to be exceeded this Thursday and this August the airport is certain to record the highest monthly passenger traffic numbers in its history.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Tel Faher – now Israeli farmers can have peace.  Here is a lovely short video from Shmuel, of Villa Rimona, featuring just one of the many thousands of Israel’s lesser-known historical sites.

Israeli paralympic gold. Israel’s Itzhak Mamistvalov won the 100-meter freestyle S1 race at the 2013 IPC World Paralympic Swimming Championships in Montreal, Canada. Itzhak has cerebral palsy and swims using only his right hand. Israel’s Inbal Pezaro won a silver medal in the women's 200-metre freestyle.


THE JEWISH STATE

2700 year-old Hebrew inscription found in Jerusalem.  Another Jewish biblical link to Israel’s capital city has been discovered in the City of David excavations.  The pottery fragment from the first Temple period has an ancient Hebrew inscription possibly containing the name of the Biblical figure Zechariah son of Benaiah.

And a 2700 year-old wall in Ashdod.  At the same time, Assyrian king Sargon II was destroying the Philistine army in the Ashdod area and an 8th Century wall has been unearthed by the harbor.  The prophet Isaiah (ch.20) warned Judah’s king Hezekiah to stay out of the fight – advice, which Hezekiah heeded. (Is history repeating?)

The 50th Nefesh b’Nefesh flight.  A total of 331 new immigrants (Olim) from North America landed at Ben Gurion Airport on August 13, 2013.  This flight marked the 50th Nefesh B’Nefesh charter flight since the group began mass Aliyah flights to Israel in August 2002.

Huge surge in French Aliya.  French Jews are immigrating to Israel in record numbers. A 10% increase in Aliya since the beginning of 2013 is expected to swell to 2500 new immigrants by the end of the year – almost double the rate for previous years. 

Matriculation rates improve.  The percentage of Israelis passing their school matriculation exams increased by 1.7% in the 2011-12 school year compared to the previous year.  In the past five years, the rate has improved by 3.5% to an overall rate of 49.8%.  Success for those actively studying improved last year by 2.6% to 62.4%.

1993 Maccabiah USA team swimmer returns as its Rabbi. Daniel Greyber won a Gold medal at the 1993 Maccabiah. It was his first trip to Israel, his first visit to the Western Wall and the first time he put on tefillin. Two decades later, he returned to Israel for the games - this time as the rabbi escorting the US’s delegation.

Dip the apple in the honey – Technion style.  A hi-tech crossbow fires a piece of apple at a balloon filled with honey, high above Israel Technion’s campus.  The apple, thus coated with honey, is then caught by Technion President, Professor Peretz Lavie.  What is their New Year message?  That the Technion aims higher!

Centenarian promoted.  Yitzhak Pundak fought in Israel’s War of Independence. He commanded the Nahal Brigade and the Armored Corps after the War. In 1971 Moshe Dayan appointed him Governor of Gaza, but a 1954 promise of promotion to Major General was not fulfilled.  Now at 100-years-old, Yitzhak gets his rank.


130818


In the 18th Aug 2013 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        An Israeli sensor can make artificial skin sensitive to touch, temperature and humidity.
·        The latest Pillcam internal camera is giving new life to Crohn’s sufferers.
·        1 million Palestinian Arab tourists visited Israel during Ramadan.
·        Weizmann scientists have built microscopic wires for more powerful microchips.
·        Israeli crops are “the solution to the world food crisis”
·        IBM has bought its 13th Israeli company.
·        Emotional Israeli reunion for 10 Yemenite children and their parents.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
Click here for “Can you see the future?” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

An e-skin breakthrough.  Scientists at Israel Technion have fused resin and gold particles to make a sensor that can detect pressure (touch), temperature and humidity.  The sensor could be integrated with the current electronic skins applied to a prosthetic limb to give the wearer more life-like sensations.

Another Israeli treatment for Hep C.  Dr Leslie Lobel of Ben Gurion University has identified antibody clones from patients who have recovered from Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections.  BGU has now entered into an agreement with San Diego-based Sorrento Therapeutics to develop the clones into anti-HCV therapeutics

A new Israeli stent. Israel’s Allium Medical produces stents that avoids the need for those with blocked urinary tracts to go through invasive surgery.  Allium has just won a NIS 58-million distribution deal with a Chinese health company.  In March Allium won a similar deal to distribute the stents in Brazil.

Antibodies to fight cancer.  The healthcare giant Bayer is funding Israeli biotech Compugen’s development of antibody-based therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy.  The Israeli company is at the forefront of promising cancer treatments that stimulate the body’s own immune cells to fight cancer cells.

World’s first HIV patient transplant. Surgeons at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center successfully carried out the first ever transplant between two living HIV carriers.  A woman donated a kidney to her husband, who has since returned to work.  The main problem was to prevent rejection by the man’s compromised immune system.

New resolution Pillcam is changing lives.  The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pillcam SB 3 – Given Imaging’s latest internal intestine camera – for monitoring sufferers of Crohn’s disease and other intestinal problems. Its use has already changed the treatment of 62 percent of Crohn’s patients.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Gaza weekly deliveries: In the week ending 10th Aug 2013, 1062 trucks carried 29,750 tons of goods into Gaza from Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing.  They included 178 trucks of food and 254 trucks of construction materials.  The crossing was closed for the Eid al–Fitr holiday.

On the beach.  Israeli Arabs and Palestinian Arabs celebrated the end of the Moslem holy month of Ramadan, at the beaches of Tel Aviv.  Approximately one million Palestinian Arabs received permits to enter Israel as tourists during Ramadan and its concluding holiday – 200,000 more than last year.

Shiloh trauma center caring for children.  The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem is to support a post-traumatic center for children deeply impacted by terror. The center is in Shiloh - the 3400-year-old site of the biblical Temple.  Children are rehabilitated using art, music, movement, plus interaction with animals.

SACH is saving 22 young hearts.  Surgeons at Israel’s Save A Child’s Heart hospital are currently treating twenty-two children who desperately need the heart operations that only Israel provides.  They include three children from Iraq and seven from the Palestinian Authority.

“Historic” Israel-Greece-Cyprus agreement.  (Thanks to Hazel) Israel, Cyprus and Greece signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on energy and water issues, paving the way for the further strengthening of relations between the three countries.
 
Israel to host international disability conference.  Israel is making great strides in enhancing well-being for people with disabilities. In September, leading experts from the USA, Spain, Australia and the Netherlands will join Israelis for the International Symposium on Quality of Life and Well-being of People with Disabilities. 

Israeli wins US highest civilian honor.  Israeli Professor Daniel Kahneman, who teaches at Princeton University, has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  The White House described him as a "pioneering scholar” who “applied cognitive psychology to economic analysis, laying the foundation for a new field of research”.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Making the smallest wires.  Weizmann Institute scientists have managed to control the production of microscopic nano-wires. Using gallium nitride (GaN) Professor Ernesto Joselevich and his team have built a tiny microprocessor component, which makes possible a whole new world of powerful microchips.

Every picture tells a store-y.  The Israeli development center of Trax Technology Solutions has taken picture-processing technology to a new level.  A supplier photographs the shelves at a store and the pictures are analyzed by Trax’s software. A report is written on the status of the goods (quantities, forecasts, and meeting agreements with the retailer), including insights on competing products.

Disease-free bananas.  Two Israeli companies – Evogene and Rahan Meristem (1998) have developed and successfully field-tested banana varieties that are resistant to Black Sigatoka (aka Black Leaf Streak Disease), the most damaging disease threatening commercial banana plantations.  It removes the need for fungicides

A whole new dimension.  (Thanks to Israel21c) 3D printing labs across Israel will spark a new age of innovation, says Roy Keidar, CEO of the Reut Institute. At Reut’s first Communal Technological Space (CTS) 3D printing lab you can wake up in the morning, sketch an invention, put it on your computer and then print it.  In Reut’s XLN project, students manufacture inexpensive helpful devices for people with special needs.
           
The idea just blew him away. (Thanks to Israel21c) Israeli outdoor events planner Ilan Elmaliach’s failed attempts to erect a tent gave him the inspiration to design a portable aerodynamic sunshade that no sea breeze can dismantle. Similar to a parachute, the Israeli-made, Otentik flows with the wind rather than fights against it.

Israelis are top in AI.  Dr. Aviv Zohar and Dr. Ariel Procaccia, both PhD graduates of computer science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, have been named in ‘AI’s 10 to Watch‘ by IEEE Intelligent Systems magazine. The list recognizes 10 researchers who are rising stars in the field of artificial intelligence (AI)

Silent pipes are a hit in Europe.  Residents of apartments no longer need to hear the sound of sewage through their neighbors’ waste pipes.  Huliot of Kibbutz Sde Nehemia makes acoustic insulated pipes from a unique plastic compound that does not pollute the environment. Six European countries have just purchased them.

Sun shines on Israeli solar home.  The Israeli team of university students participating in China’s international Solar Decathlon this year came in fourth place overall and in second place for architecture and structure of their solar powered eco-home.  22 teams came from a total of 35 universities in 13 countries across the globe.

Israel “solves the world food crisis”.  The Indo Asian News Service has hailed Israel’s Technion for developing “super plants” that resist drought. Modifying a longevity hormone in the genes known as zytokinin produces more crops on less water. The fruit and vegetables produced also have a much longer shelf life.

Capture the moment in 3 lines of text.  (Thanks to Size Doesn’t Matter) Israeli start-up Heyku helps you to transform a special event or thought into three lines of creative writing.  You then share this on facebook, Instagram or twitter, together with an optional picture of what inspired you.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Israel has a NICE big successful company.  Israel’s NICE systems announced strong first half growth and profits, plus the acquisition of California-based real-time big data analytics developer Causata Ltd.

Lucky 13 for IBM. Just two weeks after buying Israel’s CSL, IBM has spent over $300 million on its 13th Israeli purchase.  Trusteer provides software solutions to protect companies from financial fraud and security threats.  IBM will subsequently form a cyber security software lab in Israel.

Record foreign currency reserves.  The strength of Israel’s economy and its importance as a world trading partner was emphasized with the publishing of Israel’s deposits of foreign currency as at the end of July.  Israel now holds the equivalent of a massive 79 billion dollars of foreign currency.

Hot property in Netanya.  A French immigrant paid a record NIS 8.58 million (approx 2.45 million dollars) for a new apartment in Netanya.  Similar offers for our much more modest apartment will be viewed favorably.

Tel Aviv – World no. 2 for tech startups.  The Boston Globe (another newspaper with a poor political balance on Israel) has named Tel Aviv the world's second best city for tech startups, after Silicon Valley in California. Tel Aviv was also stated to have the highest density of tech startups in the world.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

“Tiny Dynamo” Marcella Rosen has written a book (hardback and Kindle) described as “A fascinating collection of 21 stories detailing Israel's inventions that benefit all of mankind.”  I look forward to reading it.

Israelis are world backgammon champions. (Thanks to Israel21c) A team of three Israelis in their seventies beat 32 other countries to win the Fortis World Team Backgammon Championships in Monaco. Team member Shimon Kagan said of the game, “You need to plan the next move, understand all the possibilities and theories.

Shahar Pe'er wins Suzhou Open. Israeli tennis star Shahar Pe'er won her first tournament in four years, defeating unseeded Zheng Saisai 6:2, 2:6, 6:3 in the final of the Suzhou Ladies Open in Suzhou China.  The win will move Pe’er back into the top 100 table of women tennis players.

The cycle of non-violence.  The normally anti-Israel UK Independent newspaper has discovered that there is another side to Israel.  “From vibrant Tel Aviv to the Negev Desert, Israel's network of bike tracks is growing.”   It even publicizes how to travel there and the best places to stay.


THE JEWISH STATE

Three of the best.  Three Israeli universities have been placed in the top 100 of the 2013 Academic Ranking of World Universities.  The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is at 59, the Technion is at 77 and the Weizmann Institute is at 92.  The Hebrew U is also one of the top three universities in Asia.

Yemenite children and parents reunited in Israel.  In 2011 six children from one Jewish Yemenite family and four children of another were evacuated from Yemen to Argentina.  Last week they were flown to Israel, whilst simultaneously their parents were brought to Israel from Yemen in a secret operation.

Going the extra mile.  (Thanks to Geoff) Thirty Israeli children suffering with cancer were about to depart Ben Gurion airport for Camp Simcha in the USA. But 11-year-old Imbar had to disembark in tears as she had lost her passport.  Just as the jet taxied along the runway, someone found Imbar’s passport. El Al’s management made an unprecedented decision and authorized the plane to return to pick her up.  A beautiful story.



130811


In the 11th Aug 2013 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        An Israeli device saves victims of the deadliest type of stroke.
·        An Israeli contact lens helps the blind “see” through the sense of touch.
·        An inspiring story from a Bedouin Arab who is a career soldier in the IDF.
·        Israeli technology busted a 46-member international drug smuggling gang.
·        An Israeli company is building a sea wave power station for an African capital city.
·        Successful tour for the Barcelona soccer “peace” team.
·        Israel’s new baby Asian elephant is the darling of its pregnant grandmother.

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
Click here for “On the Right Track” (fast-loading, text-only version, no adverts).

Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Stroke device is a lifesaver.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) The revolutionary Ventritek105 device from Tel Aviv’s Biosan Medical treats Intra Ventricular Hemorrhage (IVH), which has a 50% average death rate.  More than 90% of the study patients treated with Ventritek105 were alive and well at the 30-day follow-up.

Researching a cure for genetic cancer.  Another article on Weizmann Institute’s use of two diverse antibodies to target aggressive hereditary breast cancer.

 “It’s about saving people”.  Several subscribers have sent me this link to Eli Beer who started United Hatzalah and its lifesaving ambu-cycles.  The paramedics on two-wheels get to emergencies in 3 minutes, saving lives before an ambulance can fight through traffic.  Watch this inspiring story of Chutzpah and co-existence.

92 years young and still practicing.  Dr Cyril Sherer is still treating patients in Jerusalem 70 years after graduating in London.  He and his wife spent 13 years in New Zealand and made Aliya to Israel in 1961.  His story reads like a history of modern medicine.

The blind can “see” with their fingertips.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Bar-Ilan Professor Zeev Zalevsky has invented a bionic contact lens that receives electrical signals and transmits the encoded image to the wearer’s cornea. The image gets translated into a tactile sensation that can be interpreted visually.

Treating corneal edema.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Israel’s EyeYon Medical has two solutions for corneal edema, which affects an additional two million patients every year.  First, Hyper CL is a patented contact lens that uses osmosis to release fluid build-up.  Then a DSPEK polymer film implant prevents the formation of fluid.

Inhalation masks for babies.  Until now, infants’ inhalation masks have been miniature versions of adult ones – ill-fitting and unable to deliver medicine effectively.  Now Israel’s Technion has made an infant-specific inhalation mask that even allows a pacifier to be stuck in the child’s mouth while he/she is wearing the mask.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Gaza weekly deliveries: In the week ending 4th Aug 2013, 1475 trucks carried 41,271 tons of goods into Gaza from Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing.  Terrorists launched 1 rocket from the Gaza Strip into Israel.

Christian Arabs become Israeli Christians.  (Thanks to BIG) The goal of the pro-Israel Arab Christians of Nazareth is to convince more young Arabs to join the army.  “We live in a Jewish state, which is democratic and free. As Israeli Christians we see ourselves as part of this state and not as part of those who oppose it.”

Muslim IDF soldier despite everything.  Ahmed Inaim is a Bedouin soldier from Nazareth who enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces, despite losing one brother who fell in military service. Another brother was wounded by terrorists in the same raid that captured Gilad Shalit.  He explains why he chose to extend his service in the IDF.

Israel helps build industrial park for PA.  Israel’s Civil Administration has fully supported the joint French / Palestinian Authority project to establish a new industrial park in PA-controlled Area A territory, near Bethlehem.  Infrastructure for the park runs through Israeli-controlled Area C.  The park opens in August.

Dead Sea salt makes healthy relationship.  (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Israeli startup Naked Sea Salt partners with a Palestinian Arab company to use eco-friendly methods to harvest salt from the Dead Sea.  Each of Naked Sea Salt’s fifteen flavors is blended with organic herbs and spices to create a tasty and nutritious product.

Wounded Syrians brought to Israeli hospital.  Ziv Hospital in Tsfat is treating a Syrian man suffering from shrapnel and bullet wounds to his stomach and a 50 year-old woman with shrapnel in her heart.  A 15-year-old Syrian girl walks after major surgery. Even the NY Times can no longer ignore Israel’s humanitarian efforts.

Aviva inspires the world.  Check out the latest video and website of Aviva Krainess from Bet Shemesh, who founded Aviva Productions despite suffering from Lupus and losing nearly all her eyesight.  Aviva has just finished producing “The Emperor’s Secret” – a unique production for “The Theatre of the Mind”.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A submarine that thinks for itself.  Current remotely operated submarines are limited by communication cables and require frequent human-operator contact.  Ben Gurion University is developing an autonomous, independently thinking underwater vessel to check pipelines, map minefields and search for sunken vessels.

Independent connects to electric grid.  Independent power producer Dorad Energy has hooked up its power station to the national grid. The 840-megawatt power station runs on natural gas and will begin full production by the end of the year – well in time for next summer’s peak.

Hebrew U launches Quantum center.  The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has founded the Quantum Information Science Center to advance computing and communication technologies.

A tiny Israeli computer for $100.  Israel’s CompuLab has developed the Utilite – a 5.3 inch by 3.9 inch computer selling from $100.  Inside is a Freescale i.MX6 system-on-a-chip, with an ARM Cortex A9 processor. Higher spec versions have 4GB of RAM, 512GB drive, quad cores and run either Linux or Android.

Breakthrough in memory technology.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s TowerJazz and Santa Clara’s Crocus Technology have announced a major breakthrough in magnetic technology.  It features best-in-class performance, fast access times, low power and unlimited write cycles.

New Tel Aviv bus is electrifying.  Passengers on Dan’s Number 5 bus line in Tel Aviv will encounter a much quieter and cleaner ride, aboard the country’s first fully electric bus.  The vibrantly orange bus is about 12 meters long with a driving range of about 250 miles and a 4-5 hour recharge time.  Fuel and maintenance costs are much less than the previous diesel equivalent.  Dan plan to upgrade 25% of their buses to electric in 5 years.

Israeli technology helps capture European crime syndicate.  Israel’s Cellebrite developed technology for the extraction and analysis of data from cellular phones, which has led to the arrest of 46 members of an international money laundering and drug trafficking organization.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Tasigli - “Please get it for me”.  Tasigli is an Israeli personal shopping agency, serving global customers looking to locate and purchase unique, high quality and even simple Israeli products.  Founded in 2012 by two top officers in the IDF reserves, Tasligli delivers “land of milk & honey” products anywhere in the world.

Building websites together.  The unique code generators and algorithms at Israel’s Webydo reduce the time and cost of building websites vastly. Webydo has a secular CEO and a religious Zionist co-founder; it has an Israel-Arab financer, 15 female ultra-orthodox Jewish employees and 10,000 customers.

Ashdod to Tel Aviv in 35 minutes.  A new Israeli train line has just been inaugurated that will cut travel times between Tel Aviv and the Southern cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon.  Transportation minister Yisrael Katz said, “The train lines mean a revolution in Israeli living”.  People can have jobs in Tel Aviv and live elsewhere.

Facebook now “likes” Israel.  Facebook is reported to be expanding its operations within the Jewish state in order to enhance its status as a favored platform for developers of applications and games.  Facebook said that Israelis developed five of its ten fasted growing games.

Israel waives US funding.  Despite assurances that the US will not reduce spending on Israel’s Iron Dome, the Israeli government has decided to allow its primary rocket defense system to be included in the US cuts.  Israel’s ambassador to the US, Michael Oren, said that Israel “should bear its share of the burden.”

Wave power to Guinea.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s SDE Energy is developing a 100MW sea wave power plant along the coastline of Conakry – the capital of Guinea.  The project will help Guinea Conakry become more independent and solve all its energy problems.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Stoudemire applies for Israeli citizenship.  Amar’e Stoudemire, the New York Knicks star, is seeking Israeli citizenship.  Stoudemire came to Israel to help coach Canada’s basketball team in the recent Maccabiah games.
He is also part owner of Israeli basketball club Hapoel Jerusalem.

Barcelona scores with “peace tour”.  Barcelona FC took a break from pre-season training to hold a two-day “peace tour” in the holy land with Israeli and Palestinian Arab kids.  A favorite among Israeli and Palestinian Arab fans, the Barcelona team included Lionel Messi, regarded as one of the best players in the game.


THE JEWISH STATE

 “The Event” helps Olim.  Jerusalem hosted the largest-ever seminar for new and veteran Olim (immigrants to Israel), to help them find employment and provide other assistance in settling into life in the Jewish State. 

NY bar mitzvah boy helps Safed kids.  Josh Wasserman has donated his 13th birthday gifts to establish a basketball team and renovate a new court for children living in a center for new Ethiopian immigrants in northern Israeli city of Safed (Tzfat).

Israelis are human too!  (Thanks to Israel21c) Four blogs depict the face of Israel rarely portrayed in the media: Humans of Tel Aviv, Humans of Israel, Humans of Safed and Humans of Jerusalem.

But not this baby!  When a rare baby Asian elephant was born at Israel’s Ramat Gan Safari Park, La Belle (the mother) received some coaching in how to bring up junior from Bubba - her mother, La Petite.

NIS 27 million win will finance his education.  The latest big winner of the Israeli lottery is determined to invest rather than waste his fortune.  An unnamed soldier won first and second prize and will use the interest “to finance my university education.”  He also promised to look after his parents and siblings.

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In the 4th August 2013 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Israeli researchers have enhanced the body’s defenses against influenza.
·        An Israeli biotech has developed a system to ensure successful epidural pain relief.
·        Israel ran an agricultural seminar for sixty Gaza farmers.
·        An Israeli harness was used in the rescue of trapped South African miners.
·        An innovative Israeli air-conditioning process was inspired by the Dead Sea.
·        The Scottish Government has bought an Israeli disaster recovery system.
·        Exciting Israeli launches of an ex-UK radio DJ and an international news TV channel

·        Last week’s JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
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Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Israelis beat the flu virus.  (Thanks to Israel21c)  Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that flu viruses (including deadly strains) use the protein neuraminidase to disable the body’s natural killer (NK) cells.  They managed to inhibit the protein and thus bolster the NK cells ability to fight the viruses.

Engineered Veto cells prevent rejection. An international team led by Weizmann Institute researchers has “turned off” the immune system’s automatic rejection of foreign transplants.  They introduced the less toxic CD8+ veto immune cells into the body with the biochemical interleukin-15 to guide them to the lymph nodes.

Israel’s blindness reduction is “out of sight”.  (Thanks to Israel21c) In the last 12 years, the number of Israelis suffering from preventable blindness has been reduced by 56% - a rate unprecedented in any other country.

UK NHS offers to perform trials for Israeli bio-techs.  Britain's National Health Service (NHS) has invited Israeli life sciences companies to conduct clinical trials in the UK.  This is a major achievement as the NHS is the largest single healthcare provider in the world.

Technion seeks cures with Manchester.  Israel’s Technion signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK’s Manchester University that will promote joint research into cures to cancer and genetic illnesses.  It will also see combined studies into heart disease, stem cell and genetic research.

Stop snoring and go to sleep.  Israel & Belgium based Nyxoah’s new device prevents sleep apnea by transmitting a focused electric field.  It is inserted inside the chin in a simple procedure and gets its energy from an external patch that is stuck to the chin only at night.  It is far more comfortable than existing alternatives.

A better epidural.  The method of applying epidural injections hasn’t changed for 100 years.  The skill of the doctor is vital with high failure rates (30%) and frequent complications.  But Israel’s Omeq Medical’s sensor-based system guides the doctor to the exact spot. Over 20 million epidurals are given each year in the US alone.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Gaza weekly deliveries:  In the week ending 27th July 2013, 1378 trucks carried 37,306 tons of goods into Gaza from Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing.  They included 464 trucks of food and 375 trucks of construction materials.  Terrorists launched 2 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel.
Also, here is a photo of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh feeding orphans in Gaza with “boycotted” Israeli yogurts.

Gaza farmers attend Israeli seminar.  Sixty Gaza farmers attended an agricultural seminar in northern Israel.  They completed workshops on cultivation methods, planting schedules, soil preparation, irrigation, fertilizers and pesticides. Israeli watermelon seeds purchased last year doubled the farmers’ yield.

Shhh! - joint Israeli-PA tech ventures at work.  Please read this insightful article about the hundreds of Israeli and Palestinian Arabs who (mostly in secret) are becoming business partners and colleagues in joint start-ups that are slowly transforming the PA economy.

Israel treats more wounded Syrians.  Latest emergency surgery at Tzfat’s Sieff hospital included one Syrian who was brought in with critical head wounds and another with shrapnel in his eyes.

Proud to serve.  A new IDF poll reveals positive attitudes toward service among hareidi (ultra-orthodox) Jewish soldiers. 90% of respondents said it is important to them that they excel in their role in the IDF.  85% said they are proud to serve in the IDF.  400 hareidi soldiers enlisted last week. Most chose combat units.

Israeli charity advises UN on disabilities.  Giving Beit Issie Shapiro’s first ever presentation to the UN, Executive Director Jean Judes, spoke about Community Based Rehabilitation and the organization’s innovations to help include children and adults with disabilities in society.  Watch Jean at 1hr 27 mins.

Powering Africa.  With the US announcement of the new Power Africa initiative, it is important to highlight that “Innovation: Africa” has been powering rural East African schools, medical clinics and water pumping systems with Israeli solar technology for the past five years, impacting over 450,000 people.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Israeli harness used in SA miners’ rescue.  (Thanks to Israel21c) A police interpreter was lowered into a South African mine using an instant harness from Israel’s Agilite.  The interpreter gave instructions to trapped miners. The rescuer later tweeted his praise for the Israeli device and recommended it to all rescue personnel.

TAU's Environmental Friendly Student City.  Tel Aviv University’s Student City complex is its most ambitious building project to date.  It covers nearly a quarter mile and includes eight residential towers, accommodating more than 1,500 students.  The project has Energy and Environmental Design gold status

Saving diseased corals.  (Thanks to ajewishisrael.com) Tel Aviv University’s Eugene Rosenberg has used a natural therapeutic virus BA3 to protect Eilat’s corals from “white plague” bacteria.  Professor Rosenberg discovered that some corals had immunity from Vibrio coralliilyticus because they already contained BA3.

Hot wheels.  Students at Israel’s Technion unveiled their entry for the Formula SAE finals in Milan in September. Their single-seater car can accelerate to 100km/hr in 4 seconds and has a top speed of 170 km/hr.

NBA star promotes science education.  Six-time NBA All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire was in Israel to coach the Canadian basketball team at the Maccabiah Games. He also visited children studying science in Kiryat Malachi and Kiryat Ekron to promote science education in areas outside of Israel's main cities.

Start-up Technion.  Venture capital guru Jon Medved gave an outstanding analysis at Israel’s Technion of Israel’s innovation success and where it needs to go.  His key 90-second message came at 41:35 until 43:00.

Israel wins 6 medals at Math Olympiad.  With one Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze, Israel ranked 13th of the 97 participating countries at the International Mathematical Olympiad in Santa Marta, Colombia.  Israel’s team of High school and Junior High mathematicians improved greatly from 31st place in 2012.

Did you remember to take the baby?  The BabyMinder app from Israel’s Anagog reminds parents to remove children from the car when exiting. Tragically, babies have died after having been left in cars during hot weather.  BabyMinder uses GPS mapping, alerts, and other tricks to keep drivers alert to babies in their care.

The highest increase in Internet speeds.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Israel saw the highest rate of growth in Internet speed in the world last year, according to the State of the Internet Report by Akamai Technologies.  Infrastructure investments made by communications companies Bezeq and HOT were the reason.

Air conditioning from the Dead Sea.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Haifa-based Advantix makes air-con systems ideal for humid countries, as it uses a process based on the way that the Dead Sea absorbs water from the atmosphere.  The salt also kills bacteria and so the systems are used in hospitals, restaurants and schools.

Tomorrow’s World of the BCI.  The Brain-Computer Interface will be demonstrated at BrainTech Israel 2013 - Israel’s first ever International Brain Technology Conference in Tel Aviv in October.  Scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses are already working to turn “science fiction” into “science non-fiction”.

Israel and India to work on 5G telecoms.  5th Generation mobile communications is just in its infancy, however Indian telecom and IT minister Kapil Sibal and his Israeli counterpart Gilad Erdan have agreed that both countries will work together developing and manufacturing both 4G and 5G telecom technologies.

Singapore and Jerusalem launch joint PhD.  The National University of Singapore and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem are launching a Joint Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree program in biomedical science.  Students will divide their time between both campuses in Singapore and Jerusalem.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Strong ties with Delaware.  Governor Jack A. Markell said he and his delegation of Delaware entrepreneurs and business leaders aim to explore ways for Israel and Delaware to strengthen ties and forge new relationships. Thousands of Israeli-based businesses are already incorporated in Delaware.

IBM buys its 12th Israeli company.  Computer giant IBM has acquired Herzliya Pituach-based Computing Solutions Leaders International (CSL) for an estimated $20 million.  CSL’s virtualization and cloud-computing systems allow customers to run their business applications efficiently or remotely on 3rd party computers.

Air traffic to Israel increases.  According to Israel’s Airport Authority, air flight traffic in the month of July increased by more than 6.5% in comparison to the previous summer.  Passenger traffic at Ben Gurion airport is expected to peak in August.

Israel’s tallest skyscraper.  The Tel Aviv Local Planning and Building Commission has approved the “Keren HaKirya” plan which includes an 80-story high office tower – to be Israel’s tallest skyscraper.  Two 45-story residence towers will also be built on the site, plus another office tower of 50 floors.  Planners have nicknamed them "the Toblerone Towers" because of their triangular shape.

Israeli parts for VW engines.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s Tadir-Gan has won a $45 million contract from Volkswagen to supply engine parts over eight years. Tadir Gan will supply components and products produced at its plants in Afula , Kibbutz Neve Or and Germany.

Scottish government uses Israeli protection.  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) The Scottish Government has deployed the Phoenix System RP from Israel’s Axxana to meet its business continuity goals.  Axxana’s disaster recovery system can survive any disaster while ensuring 100% data protection and recovery over any distance.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Entertaining the troops.  The Faith Bible Chapel International singers & dancers of Arvada, Colorado made their annual summer visit to Ariel. The FBC Internationals have been performing annually in Israel at IDF bases throughout the country for the last 20 years.

New tourist center is for the birds.  (Thanks to Israel21c)   A new International Center for the Study of Bird Migration building at Latrun is being built to encourage tourists to watch some of the 1 billion birds that will fly over Israel in the coming 12 months.

Strings attached.  (Thanks to Israel21c) The 22nd International Puppet Theater Festival in Jerusalem will stage over 125 performances – the largest puppet event in Israel’s history.  The main themes this year are the Far East and trains.  The Royal Thai Embassy is sponsoring the highlight performance “Lunar Eclipse”.

Get ‘em in!  The two-day Jerusalem Beer Festival starts pulling pints on 7th August in Independence Park.  120 beers, street shows, live bands and other great attractions.  From 6pm till 11pm on both days.

From Cambridge to Tel Aviv.  Several years ago radio station Kol Cambridge blasted out Israeli and Jewish music to Cambridge students in the UK and local residents.  The radio presenter (Antithesis) has since made Aliya and the station will shortly be operating from Tel Aviv.


THE JEWISH STATE

Iranians pretend to be Israelis in illegal immigration attempt.  In an attempt to enter Canada illegally, an Iranian family used stolen and falsified passports from the “Zionist entity”.  They knew that Israelis do not require visas to enter the country, whereas Iranians required permits.  But they didn’t fool Canadian officials.

Training for rescue.  Members of the IDF’s Tavor Battalion are prepared to save lives in the event of a large-scale disaster. The soldiers train to rescue civilians trapped under mounds of rubble. As one of the battalion commanders said, “Rescuing a person is like bringing a child into the world.”

24-hours a day of TV news from an Israeli angle.  A new Israeli TV station has gone on air. i24news, based in Jaffa, is the first TV channel dedicated to reporting international news from an Israeli point of view. It broadcasts World news (70%) and Israeli news (30%) in English, Arabic and French via satellite, cable and also LIVE on the Internet.  Please visit http://www.i24news.tv/en/tv/live and see what you think.


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In the 28th July 2013 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·        Tel Aviv University scientists have used gold particles to help repair damaged heart tissue.
·        Israelis can prevent blindness in diabetics and fix “lazy eye” in children.
·        The top medical graduate at Israel’s Technion Institute is a Moslem Arab woman.
·        Doctors in Israel saved a boy mauled by a hyena in Ethiopia.
·        Israelis won the RoboCup in Holland and a gold medal at the Computer “Olympics” in Australia.
·        Nearly 10,000 athletes perform in Israel’s capital city Jerusalem for the 19th Maccabiah.
·        Israel sent goodwill messages and a special present for UK royal baby George.

·        Previous JPost Israel Good News descriptive summary
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Page Down for more details on these and other good news stories from Israel.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Tel Aviv microbiologists make “golden” discovery.  Scientists at Tel Aviv University are integrating heart cells with nano-fibers made of gold particles to create cardiac patches that replace damaged heart tissues.  Gold particles improve electrical signaling between cells to strengthen the contraction of cardiac muscle.

Israeli scientists find ADHD drug prevents falling.  Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have discovered that a single dose of methylphenidate (MPH) - medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - can reduce the risk of falls in the elderly.

New peptide may cure brain diseases.  (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Professor Illana Gozes of Tel Aviv University has created a new peptide (short protein) called NAP that latest trials indicate could treat neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, ALS or Parkinson’s.

Bone implants from corals.  (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Israeli start-up CoreBone has developed a method of performing bone implants (spinal, dental etc.) using corals that are grown in the laboratory rather than harvested from the sea.  CoreBone produces high quality corals to encourage bone growth without damaging the ecology.

Detecting problems in the eye…  (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Scientists at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem have developed a method for detecting the cause of diabetic retinopathy - a leading cause of blindness worldwide.  The method will enable early diagnosis and treatment of the condition, minimizing damage and saving vision.

… and fixing them.  (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Israel’s XPAND has a cool solution for “lazy eye” – a condition affecting around 4 percent of children. XPAND’s Amblyz eyeglasses obstruct the strong eye in automatic, intermittent intervals using an electronic shutter attached to one of the lenses.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Gaza weekly deliveries:  In the week ending 20th July 2013, 1250 trucks carried 35,056 tons of goods into Gaza from Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing.  They included 423 trucks of food and 370 trucks of construction materials.  Terrorists launched 4 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel.

Technion’s top student is a Moslem woman.  Mais Ali-Saleh grew up in a small village outside of Nazareth, in Israel's Galilee.  Mais graduated first in this year's medical school class at Israel’s Technion Institute.  Mais is described as “a charming, feminist, smart, open-minded and observant Islamic woman”.

A Proud Israeli, Arab, Muslim.  (Thanks to ajewishisrael.com and Stuart Palmer) Anett Haskia’s goal is to replace the current Arab MKs in the Knesset. Her platform includes measures such as a law that would make it compulsory for Israeli Arabs to either serve in the IDF or do national service.

Druze entrepreneur is to build wind farm.  A Druze entrepreneur, Kanj Hussein, has been given permission by the Israeli government to build a wind power farm in the Druze village of Hurfeish, in the Galilee. The wind turbines are expected to provide electricity for over 2,000 households.

IAF’s religious workshop.  Commanders of the Israeli Air Force conducted a tour and workshop in Hareidi (ultra religious) Jewish areas of Jerusalem in order to prepare for a major increase to the current 300 existing Hareidi IAF servicemen.  “We’re looking forward to their arrival,” said Major Elad Dadon.

Israelis and PA medics save Arab donkey rider.  When a car hit a Palestinian Arab riding his donkey near Nablus (Shechem), IDF paramedics and Magen David Adom joined together with the PA police and the PA Red Crescent to save his life and transport him to an Israeli hospital.

Israel plans high-speed railway for PA.  The new network’s 473 kilometers of track and 30 stations will connect all major Palestinian Authority cities and the Gaza strip to Israeli population centers. It will also include border crossings into Jordan and Syria, and serve both Palestinian Arabs and Israelis.

Israel treats 4 more wounded Syrians.  In one day, the Syrian casualties brought to the Ziv Medical Center in Safed, Israel included an 8-year-old girl and her mother, plus a 15-year-old girl who lost her foot during the fighting and a 20-year-old man with severe head trauma.

Israelis save climber – in Wales.  Two Israeli military search and rescue team members were on holiday climbing a cliff in Gwynedd, Wales when a 67-year-old man fell from the mountain.  The two Israelis, plus 14 rescue team members and the Wales Air Ambulance brought the victim down safely, according to the BBC.

Kuwait MPs happy to trade with Israel. Kuwaiti MPs Nabil Al-Fadhl and Hammad Al-Dosari justified opening trade ties with Israel on Kuwait TV.  Fadhl said during the interview that, if Kuwaiti security requires Israeli equipment, then the country should invest in it, stating: “I will love the Israelis for it.”

Israeli doctors save Ethiopian boy mauled by hyena.  (Thanks to Israel21c)  Doctors at the Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya performed life-saving bone grafts, skin grafts and eye operations on Abdulrazak, an eight-year-old Muslim boy who was brought to Israel after being attacked by a hyena in his village in Ethiopia.

‘Mayday’ plane lands in Tel Aviv.  A Greek commercial airliner with 170 passengers on route from Athens to Amman (Jordan) had a major hydraulic failure and radioed the highest emergency distress signal.   IDF jets were scrambled and escorted the jet to Ben Gurion airport where the plane landed safely with no injuries.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Testing water quality in China.  China’s fresh water purity problems may be improved, thanks to Prizma - a unique electro-optic test strip water-analyzing device from Israeli bio-technology company, Blue I Water Technologies.  Prizma monitors drinking water for mold, harmful bacteria, caustic chemicals and poisons.

Intel wows its Israeli employees.  Intel held a glamour and glitz event for its Israeli employees to experience major product rollouts.  It was an opportunity for engineers to revisit the long hours they put into developing Intel’s latest and greatest devices, much of which having been developed by Israeli teams.
Converting news into video.  Wibbitz has gone public with a free iPhone and iPad app that converts news stories into videos. Instead of squinting at the small print on a screen, an automated voice reads the story with accompanying related still photos, videos, and graphics.  The app works in over two-dozen languages.

Israelis win RoboCup.  A team of 9th-graders from a high school in Rehovot, Israel, won the RoboCup 2013 with their robotic re-enactment of a Jewish wedding.  Over 40 countries competed in the international robotics competition in Holland.

Team Israel wins gold in “Computer Olympics”. Israel finished 8th of the 80 countries in the 25th annual International Olympiad in Informatics in Brisbane, Australia.  The four Israeli teens solved complex problems using algorithms to win a gold medal, two silvers and two bronzes.  Last year, Israel came in 17th place.

IDF hi-tech with Jewish studies.  A special program integrates Hareidi (ultra-religious) Jews into the army and following army service they are highly sought after by the hi-tech industry.  Whilst in the IDF, Hareidi soldiers designed an advanced computer system to help protect Israel’s northern and Gaza borders. 

Jellyfish season promoted Israeli water filters.  As the last of the jellyfish leave Israeli shores, this article highlights the water filters manufactured at Kibbutz Amiad that will prevent the spread of invasive marine creatures through ships’ ballast water.

16 hi-tech companies owned by two brothers.  (Thanks to Israel21c) Tel Aviv’s 10th annual Bynet Expo brought together all 16 companies founded by Israeli brothers Yehuda and Zohar Zisapel.  It featured drone communications, plans for Israel’s largest server farm and security for the 2016 Brazil Olympics.  The RAD Bynet Group employs over 4,500 people globally and has annual revenues of over $1 billion.

Customers can pour their own beer.  (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Israeli start-up Weissbeerger has developed a smart beer tap that monitors the amount dispensed to each customer.  Drinkers can pour themselves any quantity of beer at any time, no longer suffering a warm pint!  It also reduces theft by unreliable bar staff.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Oil found with gas. Explorations at Karish, Israel's newest offshore gas field northwest of Haifa, reveal that the underwater reservoir contains $1.3 billion worth of condensate, a crude oil used for fuel production, on top of potential 1.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

The best shake.  USA Today selected “Pure Chocolate Granita” by Israel’s Max Brenner as one of the best milkshake’s in America.  Known as “the Bald Man”, Strauss’s Max Brenner has chocolate bars in New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Las Vegas.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Oh what a Night. Tel Aviv’s streets turned into a public performance space for its annual “White Night” with more than 70 musicians, artists, actors and dancers spinning their tunes and moves into the wee hours of the morning. See some of the scenes.

Another Israeli to play in NBA.  Gal Mekel is set to become the second Israeli to play in the National Basketball Association after agreeing to a three-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks.  Omri Caspi, who in 2009 became the first Israeli in the NBA, recently signed with the Houston Rockets.

Israeli judokas hit gold.  Israel’s Tommy Arshansky won gold in the under 60kg category at the European Cup.  Meanwhile, Yarden Gerbi won gold in the under 57 kg event at the Moscow Grand Slam.  Israelis also won bronze medals at both events.

The 3rd largest sporting event in the world.  Nearly 10,000 athletes from 78 countries are taking part in the 19th Maccabiah - the largest since the Maccabiah began in Tel Aviv in 1932.  It is the first time that the Maccabiah has been staged in Jerusalem.  30,000 spectators watched the exciting opening ceremony.


THE JEWISH STATE

Birthright bone marrow donor saves 65-year-old man.  Participants on the Talglit Birthright trip to Israel are asked to register on the Jewish bone marrow database.  As a result, 23-year-old Matthew Footerman from Houston, Texas donated bone marrow to save the life of 65-year-old Michael Weissner from New Jersey.

Israeli foam cures tiger's chronic ear infection.  Pedang, a 14-year-old rare, male Sumatran tiger at Ramat Gan’s Safari Park, has stopped scratching his ear for the first time in years. Safari staff used FoamOtic - a new development by Otic Pharma in Rehovot – to insert anti-bacteria and anti-fungal medication into Pedang’s ear.

A library on Israel’s beach.  (Thanks to Israel21c)  The People of the Book are so eager to read, that the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality has opened its first ever beach library, for tourists and locals alike.  The books in the beach library are offered in five languages: English, Arabic, Russian, French and Hebrew.

King David’s palace uncovered.  Israeli archaeologists have discovered three 3000-year-old buildings in Judea that include one which King David himself may have used.  The palace, near Beit Shemesh, is known by local Bedouin Arabs as Khirbet Daoud, or David's ruin.  The area will now be turned into a national park.

Israel opens new Shiloh tourist center.  Ministers and Members of Knesset were among those who celebrated the opening of a unique tourism center in the Samaria town of Shiloh.  The “Migdal Haroeh” tower includes a unique high-tech display for visitors to see Bible plays at the 3300-year-old site of the Biblical Tabernacle.

“From Israel with love”.  Israel’s President Peres sent a message of congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their son, and a personalized baby outfit embroidered with “From Israel with love.”  He wished them a hearty Mazal Tov. “From Jerusalem, we pray for his health, his future, and his peace.”