The modern Jewish state was established
after the world closed its doors to European Jewry. Today, Israeli innovations are opening doors to millions across
the planet who had previously thought that their window of opportunity was firmly
shut.
Many sufferers from strokes, dementia,
fibromyalgia and burns could be released from their “locked-in” existence now
that Israel’s Assaf Harofeh Medical Center has opened
the world’s largest high-pressure oxygen chamber. It has a capacity for 150 patients per day and can also treat
victims of diving accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning, radiation damage and
bone infections. Meanwhile, at the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, scientists have discovered that the visual
cortexes of the blind from birth are similar to those of the fully
sighted. It has provided an open
opportunity for the blind to be trained to “see” sounds.
Open-minded Israeli doctors have known for some time that there is a genetic
link between over eighty autoimmune diseases.
This has opened
a new line of research leading to the discovery by scientists at
Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem that the rheumatoid
arthritis medication Baricitinib is effective in the treatment of
Alopecia Areata, whose symptoms are hair loss.
And research by Hebrew University of Jerusalem psychologist Professor
Ariel Knafo has shown that children who mimic each other’s body language for
mere minutes each day are more likely to open-up
to others and share feelings of similarity and closeness. The findings could open the way to new
therapies for developing positive social behaviors in disruptive children.
Israel is open to sharing the credit for
discoveries that can benefit humanity.
This has led to many joint research agreements between Israeli and
international scientists, including recently with the UK’s
Royal Society and also with France’s Atomic
and Alternative Energy Commission.
Israel has also opened
its doors to Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of India’s Maharashtra
state who wants to replicate
Israel’s agriculture technology in one of the most populous areas in
the world.
Recent news is full of multinational
companies wanting to open research and development centers in Israel. German energy giant RWE AG is opening
an Israeli innovation center in order to develop technology for a smart
grid metering system that will keep track of how consumers use
electricity. Canadian handset maker
Blackberry finally opened
up in Israel by buying Israeli device security company WatchDox, whose
100 employees will form the core of Blackberry’s new Israeli R&D team. And US video production giant Avid
Technology’s purchase of Israel’s Orad Hi-Tec and its slick graphic
technologies will result in the opening
of Avid’s new Israeli R&D facility.
Now that Israel has signed Europe’s “Open Skies” agreement, it has opened up the country to the likes of Europe’s biggest airline Ryanair, which is eager to open up new routes between Tel Aviv and Europe. The airways are also buzzing with the news that a consortium of top Israeli companies and universities is studying 3D printing technologies that could open up a radical new way of designing and manufacturing aircraft components.
Israel has some beautiful geographic
features, including its award-winning beaches, which are
now open right through until October.
However, I admit that I was openly surprised to read that the usually
anti-Israel UNESCO recently added Israel’s open
cave system at Beit Guvrin to its list of World Heritage sites. Unfortunately, not all openings in the
ground are positive, as the recent earthquake in Nepal has proved. But it again has highlighted the openhearted
nature of Israel in sending rescuers
and humanitarian
aid to save human lives wherever and whenever it can.
In Israel, the door of opportunity is open
to anyone who has the desire to succeed.
One such example is Ilit
Geller, the female CEO of Israel’s TradAir, who operates in the
traditionally “man’s world” of Foreign Exchange trading. And please watch this video of young Aaron
Shapso – a Circassian (Sunni Muslim) from the village of Kafr Kama. Aaron is the captain of the youth soccer
team Maccabi Haifa Nahalal, which is open to children of all
religions and ethnic groups.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15BIKfcb1eo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15BIKfcb1eo
Finally, Avraham Nagusie epitomizes Israel’s open-door policy. Nagusie was a shepherd in Ethiopia before immigrating to Israel in 1985. He then graduated with degrees in Social work and Law and a PhD in Education. Now at 57, he has opened the door to Israel's parliament by becoming a lawmaker in Israel’s 20th Knesset.
Israel – it’s an open miracle.
Michael Ordman writes a free weekly
newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.
For a free subscription, email a request to
michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com
