On Tuesday Israelis will be celebrating the
65th anniversary of Israel’s independence.
It is usual for people to be honored with presents on their birthday,
but the Jewish philosophy is that it is better to give than to receive. Here, therefore, are some of the Jewish
State’s most recent contributions to the world.
Israel constantly bestows gifts to medical
science. Researchers at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem have just discovered
the mechanisms that the body uses to shut down the immune system. This knowledge may soon help
patients with cancer and HIV.
Nearby, at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center, scientists have found
the genetic
cause of PCD (primary ciliary dyskinesia), responsible for lung
infections, sinusitis, frequent ear infections and fertility problems. In half
of these cases, the heart, liver, stomach and spleen grow on the wrong side of
the body. Early diagnosis can reduce
risks of subsequent damage. Hadassah is
also helping
establish a new medical center in Varna, Bulgaria for bone
marrow transplantation.
Israeli renewable energy technology could
soon be used to fuel celebrations everywhere.
Ben Gurion University and the University of Michigan have just announced
that they are to forge a research partnership on developing
renewable technologies. The
program will research advanced vehicle fuels, solar energy and thermoelectric
materials, which convert heat to electricity.
And a simple innovation by Sergey Biryukov at Ben Gurion University’s
National Solar Energy Center could generate
even more power from solar panels.
To remove dust from frequent storms Sergey came up with the idea of
using an electrical field to “charge” the dust particles and repel them from
the panels. It looks just like someone
blowing out birthday candles!
Many countries are already receiving
benefit from Israeli clean technology.
One example is Israel’s Ormat Industries, which transforms energy from
underground heat sources into electrical power. Ormat has designed a 330-megawatt geothermal
power plant in Northern Sumatra and will supply it with two geothermal
energy converters. About 2000 miles to
the North East, China’s Guangdong Province Water Company is currently
installing 75 water
analyzing and control units supplied by Israel’s Blue I Water
Technologies.
Two companies with close ties to Israel
have also been celebrating recently.
Computer giant IBM
Israel has enjoyed 40 years at its Haifa center where it developed the
RS/6000 computer, ultrasound equipment and a HIV database. Meanwhile, can you imagine how many “happy
birthday” greetings have been sent via mobile phones in the 40 years since
Martin Cooper of Motorola made the very first cell phone call in 1973? Much of that technology was developed at Motorola’s
development center in Haifa.
If you enjoy live rock music, then the Rock
Independence Party on April 15 will be right up your street. The Rishon
LeZion Park Amphitheater will be the venue to some of Israel’s biggest names in
rock including Aviv Geffen, Barry Sacharov, Balkan Beat Box, Hadag Nahash,
Mashina and Elisha Banai. Alternatively
you could simply relax on Tuesday with a bottle one of Israel’s award-winning
wines. I imagine that their taste is
far superior to those that were produced in the 1500-year-old
wine press discovered during the construction of a wedding hall near
Hamei Yoav, east of Ashkelon in southern Israel.
If you live overseas, why not make a plan
to visit Israel during its 66th year?
Don’t make excuses. Follow the example of 104-year-old
Eleanor Hall from Richboro, Pennsylvania who is making her first
pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We can
even provide luxury
accommodation for your dog.
KelevLand will pamper your pooch with the best possible treatment – from
mineral water on tap, to tummy rubs and acupuncture. It also includes Israel’s DogTV television channel of course.
Finally, anyone suggesting that Israel
doesn’t have sufficient international friends to celebrate its birthday with
should read the new extensive
report by Bar-Ilan Professor Efraim Inbar. It states that Israel’s
international status has improved thanks to its social, economic,
technological, financial, and diplomatic achievements. With its new energy
reserves, water and agricultural technologies, things can only get better.
So let me wish everyone - Many happy
returns to Israel.
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
