In the 19th Jan 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Mother of three is a part-time PhD student and an IDF Command Center manager.
l Israeli Professor boosts the immune system to slow the aging process.
l Nine inspiring prize-winning young immigrants give hope for Israel’s future.
l Four teams of Israelis are helping combat California’s wildfires.
l Israeli technology could prevent future wildfires.
l Nvidia is investing half a billion dollars in a new Israeli development center.
l Israelis thought “outside the box” when stranded on a snowy mountain.
l Two ancient structures unearthed from the Kingdom of Judah.
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
150 lone soldiers join the IDF. Over 150 young immigrants from the US, Canada, UK, and other countries are currently arriving in Israel as part of the Garin Tzabar Scouts program. After four months in an absorption program they will enlist in the IDF. Garin Tzabar has supported 7,000+ lone soldiers during its 33 years.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-836917
US students cheer up wives of reservists. The NGO Israel Resilience together with the OU-JLIC (Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus) has given US students volunteering in Israel the task of giving support to the wives of IDF reservists. They visit, hand them gift cards, and offer them thanks.
https://www.jns.org/us-students-launch-initiative-to-support-wives-of-idf-reservists/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hNL_dBC3us
Better than before. On Oct 7 2023, homes, fields and vehicles at Kibbutz Nirim were destroyed by Hamas terrorists and their supporters. Almost immediately afterwards, rebuilding and renovating began. Kibbutniks and external contractors are busy making Nirim bigger and better, safer and stronger than ever before,
https://www.jns.org/bigger-and-better-than-ever-rebuilding-nirim-after-oct-7/
Rehabilitating tourism in the North. The Jewish Agency for Israel is establishing a fund to rehabilitate the tourism industry in the north of Israel. Businesses impacted by the war - mainly those in tourism - can receive a low cost loan up to NIS 650,000. Since Oct 7 2023, the Agency has lent NIS 350 million to 8,000+ businesses.
https://www.jns.org/wire/the-jewish-agency-signs-agreement-to-rehabilitate-the-north-of-israel/
Northern hospitals come up for air. (TY Yanky) Several hospitals across northern Israel have spent 14 months in fortified underground bunker-like facilities. Now, since the ceasefire, they are leaving the crowded and dark conditions and returning to normal. Staff and patients are delighted to be breathing fresh air again.
Student of courage. On Oct 7 2023, Coral Hamo Goren - a Ph.D. student at Israel’s Technion, mother of three, and operations officer in the IDF was called to manage a command center near the Gaza border. When she can, she commutes between Gaza and Haifa, submits papers, attends courses, and keeps up with research.
https://ats.org/our-impact/on-the-front-lines-of-war-and-academia/
Voices of Iron. (TY UWI) 50 pro-Israel public diplomacy professionals, activists and social-media influencers were presented with the inaugural “Voices of Iron” award in a ceremony held at the Knesset auditorium. They were honored for their “Iron Dome” advocacy “blowing lies out of the sky” during the Swords of Iron war.
https://www.jns.org/voices-of-iron-award-honors-online-israel-advocacy-warriors/
Huge post-Oct 7 giving boom. (TY Yanky) Overseas charities bring hope to Israel’s frontline communities. The Diaspora Ministry estimates over $1.4 billion in foreign donations since Oct 7 2023. This article focuses on the Jewish Agency, KKL-JNF, Keren Hayesod, UJIA, Jewish Federations of North America, and the Joint.
Yeshiva hosts injured soldiers. Yeshivat Hakotel hosted injured IDF soldiers, members of the Lifros Knaf nonprofit, who came to Jerusalem as part of a rehabilitation trip. They were welcomed by the students and heads and, during Shabbat, they were given a guided tour of Jerusalem’s Old City and the Jewish Quarter.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/402198 https://www.lifroskanaf.co.il/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Immunotherapy can slow aging process. Israel Prize winner, Weizmann Institute’s Prof. Michal Schwartz and her research team are working on a groundbreaking treatment to boost immune cells relevant to the brain, cure brain diseases, and slow the aging process. Schwartz founded Israel’s ImmunoBrain (see here previously).
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-scientist-in-peer-reviewed-study-immunotherapy-treatment-could-slow-aging-process/ https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(24)00882-1
Huge rise in organ donations. Israel’s National Transplant Center has reported that a record number of heart transplants (36) were performed in Israel in 2024. There was also a 6% rise in the number of kidney transplants to 469, including 313 from living donors. Also see article about those who have donated a kidney to a stranger.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/402203
https://www.israel21c.org/why-danny-newman-gave-his-kidney-to-a-stranger/
Scientists identify a new blood group. (TY Yanky) In 1972, doctors discovered a woman missing a surface molecule found on all other known red bloods. 50 years later, Israeli and UK researchers have finally identified it as a new blood group, “AnWj-negative”. It will help provide better care for these patients.
https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-identify-new-blood-group-after-50-year-mystery
Understanding chronic pain. (TY ATS) Researchers from Israel’s Technion were part of a team that has discovered why only some whiplash injury patients, suffer from chronic pain. It is related to their brain’s memory communication system, plus if they had high anxiety after the injury - literally “painful memories”.
https://technologytangle.com/new-study-identifies-brain-activity-predicting-chronic-pain-after-whiplash-injuries/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-024-00329-8
Treating cardio-metabolic diseases. Bar-Ilan University’s Dr Sivan Spitzer and EU colleagues won a €22 million EU-IHI grant for CAREPATH - a 5-year project to use cutting-edge tools to ensure diabetic, obese, and heart patients take their medication. It involves international researchers, plus companies led by Novo Nordisk.
https://www.biu.ac.il/en/article/582866
OncoHost wins BIG. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s OncoHost (see here previously) has won a 2025 BIG Innovation Awards for Healthcare. BIG (Business Intelligence Group) CEO Russ Fordyce said, "We're thrilled to spotlight OncoHost as a shining example of innovation making a profound impact globally."
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Nine remarkable youths. Non-profit Nefesh b’Nefesh awarded its Maor (“light”) Youth Prize to nine young new immigrants who have enriched Israeli society during 2024. Their work includes with Big Sister – Little Sister, Ezra Youth, Mesamchim, tzitzit-tying, Israeli Scouts, Shuk Otef, Lonely Bench, and Lone Soldiers.
https://www.jns.org/nefesh-bnefesh-awards-maor-youth-prize-to-nine-olim/
https://refuavesimcha.co.il/en/activities/mesamchim/ https://shop.shukotef.co.il/home
Women in the IDF. 86% of IDF units accept women. 50% of IDF doctors are women. There is an all-women tank crew who saved several communities on Oct 7 2023 (see here previously). The Israeli Air Force has a unit of five female UAV operators (see here previously).
https://www.jns.org/forged-in-fire-gaza-war-showcases-womens-integration-into-the-idf/
The sound of resilience. (TY Mara) Three members of the IDF’s Special in Uniform band performed at Beth Yeshurun in Houston, Texas as part of Jewish National Fund-USA’s commitment to support Israel’s resilience. The talented IDF soldiers with disabilities performed before an enthusiastic audience.
Tech hub for Bedouin women. The Bedouin village, Zarzir, beween Nazareth and Haifa, is home to the world’s only tech hub and co-working space for Bedouin women, run by a program called Samana (see here previously). All of the women live nearby and work primarily as QA engineers for tech companies.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/bkptfstujl
From swastika to Star of David. Interesting video (Hebrew with English subtitles) of how descendants of Nazis in a German town became some of Israel's biggest supporters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PdnB-oCBdY
Genesis Prize winner. Argentine President Javier Milei was awarded the 2025 Genesis Prize (known as the “Jewish Nobel Prize”) in recognition of his support for Jewish causes and the Jewish State. His pro-Israel tenure has become a defining feature of his time in office. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/402302
https://www.jns.org/jewish-nobel-recognizes-mileis-support-for-israel/
Strong ties with Ghana. Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel met with Ghana’s newly elected President John Mahama after attending his inauguration. She discussed how Israel can share its know-how in agriculture, technology and food security. Israel’s ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad, added renewable energy.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-deputy-fm-in-ghana-as-ties-grow-stronger/
Israeli teams head to California fires. Israel’s SmartAID has teams fighting California wildfires and using solar-telecommunication trailers to assist evacuees and responders. IsraAID is sending volunteers and aid professionals; Zaka is already there, plus teams of Israeli firefighters and protection experts are on their way.
https://www.israel21c.org/israeli-ngo-sends-team-to-help-fight-la-wildfires/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/402161 https://israfan.com/p/israeli-rescue-aid-california-wildfires
https://x.com/EretzIsrael/status/1877888346141110590
https://www.jns.org/israeli-fire-protection-experts-to-assist-with-la-wildfires/
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Israelis dazzle at CES 2025. Dozens of Israeli startups showcased at the 2025 CES conference in Las Vegas. Many of the 140,000 attendees visited Israeli pavilion to see Bzigo, Capsulab, Carteav, CorrActions, Hailo, iRomaScents, Neoja, SavorEat, SolCold, Spicerr, Synoia, TempraMed, Visual Layer, and Visionary.ai.
https://www.israel21c.org/dozens-of-israeli-consumer-tech-startups-dazzle-at-ces/
https://www.neoja.co.il/en https://www.wishpro-global.com/ (Synoia)
https://spicerr.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dXk3pm32Qk
Other Israeli startups at CES. Among the Israeli or Israeli-connected startups pitching at CES 2025 were DoubleVerify (advertising trust) and Whilx (Tire pressure),
https://doubleverify.com/ https://www.whilx.tech/
Using AI to improve airport efficiency. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s IntellAct (see here previously) is reducing airline delays with AI. It has completed several pilots and participated in the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) project in 2023, demonstrating the value of AI at the Spanish Palma De Mallorca Airport.
https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/operators-seek-out-ai-for-smarter-airport-turnarounds/
Is your software legal? Companies not only need to check that their computer software is licensed, it also mustn’t contain AI generated code that is subject to copyright. With its new Provenance and Attribution capability, Israel’s Tabnine (see here previously) checks that, plus a great deal more.
An “Iron Dome” to fight wildfires. Israel’s FireDome is developing a wildfire defense system, modeled after the Iron Dome. It shoots capsules of eco-friendly fire retardant to create a protective barrier. Then AI vision and sensors detect and extinguish spot fires. FireDome aims to begin Israel tests in May, and in the US in 2026.
A more accurate rocket. As international worries about collateral damage in Gaza, the IDF has replaced its aging Romach rockets which had an accuracy range of under 10 meters. Elbit’s new Bar rocket can go further, is highly precise, and has a more sophisticated navigation mechanism appropriate for diverse environments.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-837601
Urbanism on the desert’s edge. NUR (Negev Urban Research) is the first lab of its kind in Israel, launched by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its aim is to develop data-based and digital processes and tools to help create sustainable and prosperous cities on the edge of a desert.
https://www.bgu.ac.il/en/news-and-articles/nur-negev-urban-research-lab-opens/
A companion for caregivers. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s Intuition Robotics (see here previously), developer of the ElliQ companion for seniors, has now launched the ElliQ Caregiver Solution. The Caregiver App tracks the ElliQ owner’s health and activity and sends alerts, plus it provides setting of care goals for ElliQ to promote.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
2024 funding exceeded $12 billion. Startup Nation Central has identified a significant number of unreported funding rounds by Israeli startups. It raises the total investment in 2024 to $12.2 billion ($10.6 billion reported) - 31% higher than in 2023. There was also $15.8 billion worth of hi-tech exits.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/syasalxvyx
https://finder.startupnationcentral.org/reports/2024-annual-report
Nvidia’s $500 million AI R&D lab. Chip giant Nvidia is to invest more than $500 million in a new Israeli AI research data lab. The 10,000 sqm facility at the Mevo Carmel Science and Industry Park near Yokne’am, will be among the “largest, most powerful data center labs in Israel,” Nvidia said in a statement.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rjvfhbsw1x
New direct flights to New York. (TY JNS) From Feb 8, Israeli airline Arkia is launching direct flights, three times a week, between Tel Aviv and New York. The route will be operated in partnership with TechAir, a company established by Israel’s High-Tech Forum. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-837286
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/01/13/arkia-launches-direct-flights-from-tel-aviv-to-new-york/
Women funding women. Israel’s Women Funding Women program is the first of its kind to connect women entrepreneurs with top-tier women investors to address the funding gap in AI. Until Feb 4, WFW offers a $1M investment to support women-led AI startups, which deliver a 35% higher return on investment than men.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/h13posbw1e
Millions of prohibited items detected. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s Seetrue (see here previously) has now been installed at 100 checkpoints in 10 countries. In 2022 it prevented 500,000+ prohibited items from getting aboard planes and into venues. In 2024 this had soared to around three million.
https://www.israel21c.org/ai-threat-detection-tech-moves-airport-security-lines-faster/
Four awards for ThetaRay. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s AI-driven financial crime detection company ThetaRay (see here previously) recently received four prestigious industry awards. Deloitte Technology Fast 500, CrossTech Product Innovation Award, Top 100 Financial Technology Company, and a Banking Tech Award.
Upper Galilee hotel re-opens. (TY Yanky) The Galilion in Israel's Hula Valley is set to become the first hotel in Upper Galilee to resume operations following a 14-month closure due to the war. The hotel has undergone an extensive NIS 5 million renovation, emerging as a symbol of recovery for the war-affected northern region.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-836511
Exits, mergers & acquisitions – to 19/1/25:. US blockchain giant Chainalysis acquired Israel’s Alterya (its second Israeli takeover in a month) for an estimated $150 million. Chinese tech giant Lenovo has acquired Israeli enterprise storage company Infinidat, which was valued at over $1 billion; Lenovo plans to establish a development center in Israel.
Startup investment – to 19/1/25: Orchid Security raised $36 million; Qbiq raised $16 million; Reeco.io raised $15 million; Lava Network raised $12 million; Nilus raised $10 million; ControlMonkey raised $7 million; Spikerz raised $7 million; Momentick raised $5 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Desert sculpture park. (TY Yanky) The Desert Sculpture Park lies just east of Mitzpeh Ramon on the edge of the Ramon Crater. The 22 works were created by local and international artists who used the large, heavy rocks found locally to excite the senses. It was established in 1962, renovated in 1986, and made accessible in 2021.
https://www.desertsculpture.info/en/the-desert-sculpture-park/ https://mitzpe-ramon.co.il/en/park/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC5s6Tt_f2M
Favorite cities to visit. (TY Laura B) Travel + Leisure Readers’ 10 Favorite Cities in Africa and the Middle East of 2024 included Jerusalem at number 3 and Tel Aviv at number 8.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/wba-2024-cities-africa-middle-east-8665810
Fauda star performs for bereaved youth. (TY Yanky) 400+ bereaved Israeli youth had a Chanukah surprise when Fauda star and singer/songwriter Idan Amedi arrived by helicopter for a private performance at their Kibbutz Revivim winter camp. The kids also went “sandboarding”, rappelling, and had therapeutic sessions.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-star-idan-amedi-surprises-bereaved-youth-at-chanukah-camp/
Young basketballers come to Israel. Maccabi Israel Sports Experience has brought a team of half a dozen young talented internation basketball players to live, train and play at Maccabi World Union’s campus in Ramat Gan, Israel. Several have long-term dreams of playing in Israel professionally.
https://video.i24news.tv/en/9e44d596-82e6-4c4c-8a1c-96f84ae49bd5/content/6366864254112
We built an igloo! Due to a “navigation” error, three Israeli snowboarders were trapped at the summit of a freezing mountain in Japan for nearly 24 hours. The men, who are all IDF reservists, couldn’t be rescued immediately because of weather conditions. So they built an igloo and huddled together to stay warm.
https://worldisraelnews.com/we-built-an-igloo-israelis-rescued-from-freezing-mountain/
THE JEWISH STATE
Ancient structure unearthed in Jerusalem. (TY Ron M) A 220 sqm 1st Temple-period structure has been uncovered in the City of David, Jerusalem. The eight rooms include an oil press, a winepress, a possible altar, and a standing stone. It was in use until the 8th century BCE, when King Hezekiah restored Jewish worship.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-researchers-find-where-jerusalemites-prayed-before-temple-became-only-game-in-town/ https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-837507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ASjN-AD5e4
Ancient farmhouse unearthed near Beersheba. (TY Yanky) The Israel Antiquities Authority and KKL-JNF have excavated artifacts at the 2,600-year-old, 4-room Mirsham farmhouse just north of Beersheba. It was likely constructed during the reign of Judean King Menashe (697-643 BCE) and demolished 100 years later.
Young Zionist Voices. Z3 Project will present the Young Zionist Voices GLOBAL DIGITAL LAUNCH EVENT on Tues Jan 28 at 10am PT, 1pm ET, 6pm ET & 8pm Israel time. It will feature some of the most important young activists, thinkers, and doers in the Jewish world. Register (free) below. Plus other events.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/young-zionist-voices-global-digital-launch-tickets-1129127664239
https://jewishpriorities.substack.com/p/meet-the-young-zionist-voices-announcing
How to help Israel. Here are some sites where newsletter readers can donate to Israeli organizations that provide vital help to Israelis at this difficult time. Many thanks to those who have already contributed and to those who are helping by donating their own valuable time and resources.
Friends of the IDF (US donors): https://www.fidf.org/
or IDF Soldiers Fund in Israel: https://www.ufis.org.il/en/donation-en/ (select the English speakers’ option)
American Friends of Magen David Adom (US donors): https://afmda.org/
or Magen David Adom (Israel): https://www.mdais.org/en/donation
Zaka (US donors): https://donate.zakatelaviv.org/give/525578/ or (Israeli donors): https://charidy.com/zaka
or (Canadian donors): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/bellevue-foundation/
United Hatzalah: https://israelrescue.org/campaign/israel-at-war-2/ or Canada https://www.uhcanada.org/
Donate a medic bag, save a life https://israelrescue.org/campaign/medicbag/
Leket Food Israel: https://www.leket.org/en/
JNF USA - https://my.jnf.org/gaza-emergency/Donate or Canada https://jnf.ca/
Orthodox Union - https://www.charidy.com/ouisraelcrisis
Schneider Children’s Hospital: https://www.fos.org.il/en/donate (Israelis)
https://system.smartgiving.org.uk/charities/8530/make-donation (UK)
https://chaischneider.org/donate/ (USA)
Rambam Medical Center (Haifa) https://aforam.org/ways-to-give/ (US)
https://www.rambam.org.il/en/support_rambam/donate_now/ (Rest of the World)
Hadassah Hospital Israel: https://www.hadassah.org/
Laniado Hospital (Netanya) https://my.israelgives.org/en/fundme/EmergencyLaniado
Buy Israel Bonds to support the Jewish State. (TY Larry B)
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/state-of-israel-bonds
USA - https://www.israelbonds.com/
Europe - https://israelbondsintl.com/
Canada - https://www.israelbonds.ca/
