A Healthy and Good News Year (Part 2)

I have made 12 major predictions regarding major Israeli medical achievements that will happen in the new Jewish Year of 5776.  Three of those predications have been described in detail in Part 1 of this blog.  Part 2 contains the detailed links for my remaining 9 medical predictions.

Here is the summary list of all 12 predictions.  Part 2 predictions are in RED.

1. There will be numerous major breakthroughs by Israelis in the search for a cure for cancer.

2. There will be huge Israeli advances in the treatment of brain diseases.

3. New Israeli treatments will be found for diabetes.

4. Israeli innovations and research will give heart to cardiology patients.

5. Israelis will make major discoveries about the immune system and auto-immune diseases.

6. Israelis will find new ways to fight resistant strains of bacteria

7. Israelis will pursue treatments for rare diseases and conditions.

8. Israeli doctors will personally intervene to save the lives and limbs of thousands of non-Israelis.

9. New Israeli medical innovations will improve the lives of disabled people.

10. There will be new Israeli medical treatments for the relief of pain.

11. New Israeli devices and techniques to diagnose disease and injuries earlier and quicker.

12. New Israeli medicines, devices and techniques will save and change lives and give hope to millions.

2. There will be huge Israeli advances in the treatment of brain diseases. 

In the past year, Israel’s Avraham Pharmaceuticals has been successfully testing its ladostigil treatment that slows the progression to Alzheimer’s; Israel’s Kadimastem had successful pre-clinical trials of its stem-cell treatment for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS / Lou Gehrig’s disease); Israeli biotech Pharma Two B had positive results in its trials of P2B001 for the treatment of early stage Parkinson’s disease.

More of last year’s Israeli advances in brain disease treatments can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/two-israeli-arabs-develop-app-to-treat-adhd/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/brain-disease-mechanism-discovered/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/brain-neurons-study-can-help-fight-alzheimers/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/the-nose-to-brain-express-route/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/als-treatment-trial-shows-success/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/parkinsons-treatment-trials-success/

3. New Israeli treatments will be found for diabetes. 

5775 saw Israeli researchers working to isolate the active ingredient of the Israeli shrub Chiliadenus iphionoides that increases sugar absorption and reduces blood sugar levels; Israel’s TouchéMedical is developing the world’s smallest, cheapest and smartest patch pump, for patients with diabetes; Kadimastem’s stem cells (see above) can also generate pancreatic cells that secrete insulin.

More of last year’s new Israeli treatments for diabetes can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/hope-for-millions-of-diabetics/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/diabetic-technology-goes-global/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/an-artificial-pancreas-implant/

4. Israeli innovations and research will give heart to cardiology patients. 

Israel’s Eximo has developed a catheter connected to a pulsed laser system, for the treatment of blocked arteries associated with Peripheral Artery Disease;

More of last year’s Israeli cardiology innovations and research can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/light-stimulated-genes-may-replace-pacemakers/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/a-traffic-light-pacemaker/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/treating-sleep-apnea-and-heart-disease-2/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/pomegranate-juice-and-dates-for-healthy-arteries/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/heart-muscle-re-grown-after-heart-attack/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/device-to-prevent-heart-failure/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/an-even-bigger-heart/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/understanding-irregular-heartbeats/

5. Israelis will make major discoveries about the immune system and auto-immune diseases. 

Last year’s Israeli immunology-related discoveries can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/pluristem-stem-cells-control-the-immune-system/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/new-smart-anti-inflammatory-protein/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/how-the-lymphatic-system-forms/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/bacteria-use-dna-memory-to-stop-viruses/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/arthritis-treatment-can-stop-hair-loss/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/vaccines-from-your-own-cells/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/immunotherapy-to-fight-cancer/

6. Israelis will find new ways to fight resistant strains of bacteria. 

Last year’s Israeli work to fight resistant bacteria can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/bacteria-or-virus/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/protection-against-microbial-infections/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/fighting-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/successful-trials-for-treatment-of-gastric-infections/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/a-virus-that-kills-resistant-bacteria-infections/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/preventing-hospital-infections/

9. New Israeli medical innovations will improve the lives of disabled people. 

Last year’s Israeli medical innovations for the disabled can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/calming-autistic-children/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/new-center-for-autism-in-jerusalem/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/rewalk-makes-paraplegics-healthier/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/6000-disabled-kids-can-now-walk-tall/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/the-blind-can-see-sounds/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/kids-in-sync-physically-and-socially/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/beit-issie-launches-disabilities-tech-center/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/a-smartphone-for-the-disabled/

10. There will be new Israeli medical treatments for the relief of pain. 

Last year’s Israeli medical treatments for the relief of pain can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/high-pressure-oxygen-to-treat-fibromyalgia/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/success-for-treatment-of-back-pain/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/successful-trials-for-novel-treatment/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/revolutionizing-the-management-of-pain/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/apostherapy-marches-on/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/treatment-to-stop-pain/

11. New Israeli devices and techniques to diagnose disease and injuries earlier and quicker. 

Last year’s new Israeli diagnostic devices can be found by clicking on these links.

The genetic mutation tests of Israel’s Rosetta Genomics to detect lung cancer;

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/non-invasive-test-for-bladder-cancer-2/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/blood-test-detects-early-colon-cancer/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/internet-tool-to-analyze-genes/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/early-detection-of-colon-and-uterine-cancer/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/eilat-coral-can-help-cancer-research/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/micro-antenna-to-treat-gastro-cancer/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/cancer-detection-proven/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/tb-skin-patch-wins-gates-award/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/a-sniff-test-for-autism/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/an-app-to-detect-adhd/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/app-can-diagnose-adhd-2/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/voice-monitoring-to-diagnose-brain-disease/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/monitoring-mental-illness-by-smartphone/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/one-device-to-check-them-all-anywhere/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/simple-test-for-smoke-inhalation-damage/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/diagnosing-malaria-in-only-3-minutes/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/bacteria-test-in-minutes/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/test-your-dog-for-diseases-in-minutes/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/new-devices-to-diagnose-pneumonia/

12. New Israeli medicines, devices and techniques will save and change lives and give hope to millions. 

Last year’s Israeli life-changing medical news can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/protection-against-future-flu-strains/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/fooling-the-malaria-parasite/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/doctors-revive-mother-with-amniotic-embolism/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/doctors-remove-tumor-from-womb-of-pregnant-woman/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/sealing-up-after-surgery/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/robotic-needle-steering/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/medical-aid-for-taipei-burns-victims/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/patent-for-lung-disease-treatment/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/50-young-spines-straightened/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/10000-operations-for-spinal-surgery-guidance-system/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/trials-for-dry-amd-treatment-begin/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/a-cure-for-addiction/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/cupid-prevents-falling/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/and-baby-makes-three/

Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.

www.verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com and a searchable archive www.IsraelActive.com

For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com

Defeating the Forces of Darkness

On the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law) we read how the universe was created – starting with the four words “Let there be light”.  Today, Israeli solar energy projects light up countless homes.  However, the Jewish State also has found another way to illuminate millions of lives – by removing the darkness itself.

It is sad to see the shadowy effects of aging on previously brilliant minds.  Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute may therefore have opened up the promise of a brighter tomorrow.  They have discovered that the protein interferon beta impairs the cognitive ability of the brain – common in old age.  New treatments that block or remove this protein may one day prevent or reverse cognitive decline and rejuvenate the brain.  Israeli biotech Compugen has discovered another “murky” protein, codenamed CGEN-15049 that prevents the immune system from destroying tumors.  Attacking CGEN-15049 could prevent cancers of the lung, ovaries, breast, colon, stomach, prostate and liver.  A new treatment may already be underway thanks to FutuRx - a new Government-funded incubator for Israeli bio-techs.

Watching someone being treated successfully for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease) is like seeing a dark cloud lifted. So we hope for only blue skies from now on, now that the US FDA has fast-tracked the NurOwn ALS treatment developed by Israel’s Brainstorm.  On the other hand, those suffering from the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (dry-AMD) may develop dark areas on the retina of the eye, causing progressive blindness.  OpRegen, developed by Israel’s CellCure NeuroSciences is hoping to become the first approved therapy for dry-AMD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNaIeH7ZE1c

Irrespective of whether the forces of darkness are biological, social or man-made, Israel will try to defeat them.  The Israeli Foreign Ministry’s Mashav department is sending three Israeli-manufactured mobile emergency clinics to West Africa to help try to prevent the Ebola virus from spreading.  Meanwhile, at home, the Israeli Government has approved a budget increase of NIS 1.7 billion to fight poverty. And then Israeli surgeons toiled for hours in order to save the life of a Syrian boy who was shot in the neck during Syria’s civil war.  The doctors at Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center removed a bullet, just millimeters from the main blood vessels in the five-year-old’s neck.

Scientists believe that a mysterious Dark Matter comprises much of the known universe, but cannot prove it.  Dr Ran Budnik of Israel’s Weizmann Institute is lead scientist on the project to build the prototype of a device to detect the result of dark matter particles colliding with liquid xenon.  In a more practical context, Mekorot, Israel’s national water company doesn’t want its engineers to work in the dark.  It is the first firm in the world to equip its field workers with smart glasses – Epson’s Moverio BT-200 devices.  It’s also the first to be deploying a commercial app - by Israeli startup FieldBit - to receive specific guidance and instruction when they repair high-tension electricity installations at Mekorot’s facilities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1XJ6zha_dE

Israel leads the world in defending against criminal forces.  Two products of Israel’s Magal-Senstar won awards at the 2014 ASIS Accolades Competition: Security’s Best Award.  Its RoboGuard robot patrols security fences and its CyberSeal protects against cyber attacks.  Meanwhile, Russian software giant Kaspersky Lab, known for its popular anti-virus system, is to open a development center in Jerusalem next year - one of its few outside of Russia.  Then Israel’s CyberSpark initiative received a boost when Carole and Marcus Weinstein donated $5 million to sponsor the building of a new Cyber Security center at Ben Gurion University.  But it was a low-tech Israeli security solution that caught the eye when Israel’s Seatylock announced its neat way to turn a bicycle saddle into a bike lock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xifLMpRlXu4

The forces of darkness have nothing to match the force protecting the Jewish State from above.  Readers, however, may be amused to know that Israel even has a law for Angels.  The Government is amending the Angel Investors Law, granting tax incentives to those investing in start-ups at the seed stage of research and development.  Economy Minister Naftali Bennett said it “will ensure that the New Year will be one of entrepreneurship and encouragement of investment in high tech.”  That should demoralize the dim-witted Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions thugs even further.  The UK’s evil BDS losers are already distraught over the latest economic news that bilateral trade between Israel and the UK rose by 28% between January and August, reaching record levels.  Israeli exports to the UK were worth £1.6 billion, up 38%.

Finally, the light dawned on 19-year-old twins Fatima and Zukra Islambakov who were born in Uzbekistan and even attended Muslim schools.  Then they discovered their Jewish roots, immigrated to Israel and joined the IDF where they are currently helping to protect the Jewish State against the forces of darkness.

Israel – everyone's best hope for a bright future.

Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.

www.verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com

For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com

Israel is Their Only Hope

http://blogs.jpost.com/content/israel-their-only-hope

http://blogs.jpost.com/print/5206

When I see news of Syrian civilians being barrel-bombed by their government and others needlessly starving to death, it is clear that only Israel can pull this crazy world out of its spiraling descent into self-destruction.

In the last few weeks, floods of wounded Syrians have been seeking and receiving treatment in Israeli hospitals.  A Christian group even rushed a Muslim Syrian Kurdish child from Iran-dominated Iraq to Israel, to repair the hole in her heart. At the IDF field hospital on the Syrian border, soldiers apply a core Jewish value: “Whoever saves one life, saves the entire world”. We then witnessed the surreal spectacle of Arabs on Al-Jazeera TV questioning as to why the Syrian army, Hezbollah and other Islamic military groups cannot be more humane like the Israeli army. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE3K49fEGv0

Every week the Jewish State gives hope to the sick and disadvantaged around the world.  Just look at some of the latest medical discoveries and innovations from Israeli universities and bio-techs.

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have just discovered a cure for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) - the 13th biggest killer in the Western world.  They have patented low-level laser treatment to reduce inflammation and promote wound healing that will transform the lives of the 200,000 new patients diagnosed with AAA in the US each year.  Still with the Hebrew U, researchers there have developed a peptide to counteract enzymes in high blood sugar that cause brain cell death - the reason why diabetics have a much higher risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.  And doctors throughout Africa are anxiously waiting for HUJ researchers to announce their solution to the malaria parasite.  The deadly disease is responsible for more than one million deaths each year.

Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have found a pathway to a cure for the two currently untreatable forms of Gaucher’s disease.   Scientists at Tel Aviv University have developed a computer algorithm that identifies genes involved in the aging process.  The findings provide hope of developing medication to transform old diseased cells back into healthy ones.

Israel’s bio-techs have recently delivered hopeful news for many desperate patients.  Novocure’s clinical study of its NovoTTF therapy for pancreatic cancer demonstrated a significant decrease in cell count and reduced tumor volume. BiondVax announced that tests prove its universal flu vaccine matches all six pandemic flu strains in the world today, including bird flu strains H5N1 and H7N9 that have spread to humans and killed hundreds of people.  Oramed’s Phase 2a clinical trial of its ORMD-0801 oral insulin capsule for the treatment of type 2 diabetes met all primary and secondary endpoints. And MS patients can now stop four of their seven daily injections of Copaxone now that the US FDA has approved Teva’s more effective 40-ml dose.

The flood of illegal African migrants has put a huge strain on the Jewish State, but for some of those fleeing civil war, Israel appears to have been their only hope.  I certainly admire Israel’s volunteer doctors who treat them at Tel Aviv Central Bus station’s clinic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCOS6aMn8PY#t=94

The world’s increasing numbers of hungry families depend on Israeli agricultural innovations.  The latest includes a low-cost system from Israel’s Energy Industry Ltd. to grow vegetables in extreme cold.  It injects hot water into fine tubes to distribute heat over wide surfaces for large greenhouses and has been sold to the government of Georgia where temperatures drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius.  Meanwhile, Israel’s Haifa Group has just launched a free mobile app (iOS or Android) that helps farmers determine the precise amount of fertilizer and nutrients needed for each type of crop.  And at the end of next year, Israel will see the launch of the Venus Vegetation and Environment Monitoring Micro-satellite that is our key hope for preventing catastrophic deterioration in the state of the planet.  Israel Aerospace Industries is building the hull of the satellite and Israel’s Elbit is building the camera.

Israel is uniquely securing world cities from terrorism.  The new security system from Israel’s Magal, for example, protects Mombassa - Kenya’s seaport.  Meanwhile Russian police worried about the Sochi Winter Olympics are traveling to Israel for counter-terrorism training in order to respond to Islamists who have been murdering civilians in Russia’s North Caucasus regions.  And at Israel’s first-ever cyber-technology show, Cybertech 2014, Prime Minister Netanyahu hailed Israel’s 200 computer security companies as making the Jewish State one of the few players that can save the Internet from hackers.  In addition, the new facilities built by Lockheed Martin, EMC and IBM will turn Beersheva into a world-class cyber-security center.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O_UyW5kGQE

I conclude, as I began, with a plea that this message is brought home to our neighbors in the Middle East and to the rest of the world.  Embrace the Start-up Nation, as have the many Palestinian Arabs hoping to better themselves.  Such as those at SodaStream who have made vociferous appeals “not to boycott us”.  Or the hundreds of Arab students studying at Ariel University in Samaria, as observed by the Czech Ambassador to Israel on his recent visit there.

As Israel’s Prime Minister said at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, “We have no choice – to survive we had to innovate.” 

We now all need Israeli innovations to survive.

Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.

www.verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com

For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com

Israel Storms Ahead

http://blogs.jpost.com/content/israel-storms-ahead

http://blogs.jpost.com/print/5076

Thankfully Israel’s recent cold weather storm has subsided, leaving the country to get back to normal - whatever “normal” means.  Because no amount of snow and ice can put a freeze on the latest deluge of the Jewish State’s medical, scientific and social achievements.

Scientists at Hadassah Medical Center can now perform lightning fast checks on women worried about the risk of genetic breast cancer.  They have developed a simple blood test for the presence of gene mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2 that involves gene expression profiling – far quicker, cheaper and more accurate than the previous method of full gene sequencing.  Meanwhile, Israel Technion scientists have discovered that waves of low-power laser light produce a much faster analysis of an individual’s genome.

Israeli research into brain disease has the potential to rescue the world from an impending avalanche of dementia sufferers. This debilitating condition is set to treble globally by 2050, which is why Israeli scientists were invited to attend the G8 Dementia Summit in London. The G8 has also established a taskforce on Social Impact Investment, to which the Israeli organization Social Finance Israel presented an initiative for tackling type-2 diabetes.  It comprises Social Impact Bonds that invest in companies tackling social or medical issues and then governments pay dividends based on results.

The Jewish State was rewarded for its flood of international scientific research contributions when Israel became the first and only non-Euro member to be elected to the prestigious CERN European nuclear physics council. Now, if they wish, Israeli scientists can conduct research into electrical storms using the longest subatomic particle accelerator in the world.  In comparison, the Israeli-developed Objet30 OrthoDesk 3D printer is tiny, but the torrent of digital dentistry products that can flow from it is simply jaw dropping.  Small dental labs can now produce stone models, orthodontic appliances, delivery and positioning trays, retainers and surgical guides, which previously could only be manufactured by large laboratories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOnYq9w79cI

There is a constant ebb and flow in diplomatic contacts between Israel and the Arab world.  There was a moderate thaw in relations when the Jordan-based SESAME scientific research project chose Professor Eliezer Rabinovici of Jerusalem's Hebrew University as its new vice president.  The media then positively gushed with delight when Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority agreed to build a pipeline from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. The initiative will produce millions of cubic meters of drinking water for the region, replenish the critically dwindling Dead Sea and generate hydroelectric power.  There was another upsurge in relations when Israel’s Technion received a cascade of applications from thousands of students from Arab countries, wanting to enroll in its new online nanotechnology course.

Predicting the weather is extremely difficult. Israel, however, has some unique knowledge about other high-pressure systems. Israeli start-up GreenSpense’s “no-gas” eco-friendly aerosol won 1st place in the Chemistry & Advanced Materials category at the International Cleantech Open Ideas Competition in San Francisco, the “Oscar” of clean-technology awards. Meanwhile, the UK Daily Mail’s travel editor praised El Al’s method of dealing with the pressure to get airline passengers checked quickly and securely onto flights.  “Maybe it's time to ditch the security scanner and actually talk to people at airports...it works for El Al”, he wrote.  The following video also sums it up cold and crisply.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HeHm_yXBPY

The wind is certainly back in the sails of Israeli air travelers.  Weekly flights between Tel Aviv and Beijing have just been increased from three to fourteen to cater for the surge in business demand.  Tourists and commercial fliers will appreciate the news that UK low-cost airline easyJet is introducing three new routes to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport.  They are London Gatwick, Milan Malpensa and Berlin. 

Now that the snowstorm has abated, Israel can offer a warm welcome to its winter visitors.  The International Winter Soccer Tournament for Youths will be held at Netanya’s new 13,800-capacity stadium. Teams from Serbia, Germany, Moldova and (of course) Israel will participate and entrance is free of charge.  And as the sun comes out again, Israelis can look forward to the return of Canada’s Cirque du Soleil to warm their hearts this August or maybe “blow them away” with its award-winning production "Quidam".

Finally, 11-year-old Uriel Wang from Jerusalem has been under the weather following two bone marrow transplants to try to cure his leukemia.  The sun came out for him, however, thanks to the Jerusalem Big Blue Lions football team, who gave Uriel the opportunity of achieving his dream to play for the team. Just watch as he thunders in like a tornado to score a blizzard of a touchdown - with just a little help from both sides.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq7n-IT6yhQ

Hopefully only blue skies from now on.

Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.

www.verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com

For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com

Another Week of Miracles

http://blogs.jpost.com/content/another-week-miracles

http://blogs.jpost.com/print/5036

The Jewish festival of Hanukah recalls two miracles that occurred over two millennia ago – the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek-Syrian superpower and the single flask of pure oil that burned for eight days in the Temple.  In our present time (as regular readers of this blog will know) miracles occur on a daily basis in the Jewish State.

Israel’s life-changing medical innovations have become almost commonplace. It was miraculous, though, that the BBC decided to feature InSightec’s ExAblate non-invasive focused ultrasound treatment curing a Parkinson’s sufferer of essential tremor.  In the whole episode, however, the flawed broadcaster managed to avoid naming the developer of the breakthrough equipment or the fact that it was Israeli.  The Jerusalem Post gave appropriate credit, however, when doctors at Haifa’s Rambam hospital used the same system to cure the first Israeli of the debilitating tremor.

At this point I must include the following Hanukah miracles involving two more Israeli patients.  Blinded in a bomb attack by Gaza terrorists last month, 2nd Lieutenant Ahiya Klein has recovered enough sight in his left eye to return home and light Hanukah candles.  And, two-year-old Avigail Ben-Tzion has been discharged from hospital after suffering serious head injuries when Arab thugs threw rocks at her family’s car in Jerusalem.

Anyone who has seen incidences of metatarsus adductus or metatarsus varus will think it is a miracle that these deformities in the feet of infants can be cured in just six weeks simply by them wearing the Israeli-developed UNFO foot brace. The device is worn below the ankle and is far more effective, safer, and less stressful than a cast or full leg braces.  Those suffering from dementia (and their families) will hope that miracle cures will emerge from the research being carried out at Ben-Gurion University into the impact of mitochondria on memory and brain disorders.  A $1 million German-Israel Project-Cooperation grant will certainly boost these prospects.  And would you believe that cannabis / marijuana is the latest miracle drug?  Hot on the heels of its success in treating the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, scientists at Tel Aviv University and Kfar Saba’s Meir Hospital have had similar results with those suffering from Crohns’ disease. In some patients, the disease even went into remission.

Israeli doctors and humanitarian aid teams are the instruments of miraculous work being performed all over the world.  IsraAid’s workers and Israeli hospitals continue to save Syrian lives and this time, the BBC had to mention Israel’s name when it reported on the phenomenon. The UK’s Sunday Telegraph heralded the work of Israel’s emergency service Magen David Adom both nationally and globally. Meanwhile, the 148-member IDF medical team in the Philippines returned to Israel to celebrate Hanukah, having treated over 2600 patients, delivered 36 babies and rebuilt a school following Typhoon Haiyan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDlWdqUwxac

It will be a miracle if the world can continue to feed itself throughout this century, but if it succeeds then Israeli technology will be one of the key reasons.  Israel’s advanced precision farming techniques, water optimization, robotics, sensor driven technology and environmentally friendly agrochemicals are all currently on display at the 2nd annual Agrivest Conference at the Eretz Israel Museum, Tel-Aviv.  Simultaneously, at the Warsaw Climate Change Conference, Israel’s Ministry of Economy presented a database of the Israeli companies that offer “adaptation” technologies. The companies address climate, agriculture, waste, “green” building materials and crisis management.

The world will also need the “miracle” of Israeli technology to avoid running out of water for drinking and agriculture.  Even before Typhoon Haiyan struck, Israel’s water management company Miya saved 700 million liters of water a day in the Philippine capital of Manila – an achievement for which it won the International Water Association’s Project Innovation Award.  Israel’s national water carrier Mekorot is working with British firms both in the UK and globally.  And despite the EU refusal to help fund joint Israeli-PA projects, Israeli water treatment company Mapal Green Energy is building a pilot reclamation system in the Palestinian Arab village of Uja, near Jericho that will recycle domestic sewage and water for use in agriculture.

The miracle of Israel and its ethos can be summed up in the music and lyrics of Arik Einstein, Israel’s most popular singer and songwriter.  Despite his death last week, one of his many enduring songs “Ani v’Ata Neshaneh et Ha’olam” (Me and You will Change the World) will continue to inspire Israelis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXob-S9Jk3I

The return of the Jewish people to its land is certainly the greatest miracle of modern times. Two recent events emphasize the link between the modern Jewish State and its historical roots.  Firstly, archaeologists have uncovered a stone altar that provides the first physical evidence that the ancient city of Shiloh (in Judea and Samaria) was a religious center even before the First Temple was built in Jerusalem.  But the journey of Tony Pina’s family is even more poignant.  Following exile to Babylon and later emigration via Spain to Majorca, the Pina family was forced to convert to Christianity.  But for 500 years Tony’s ancestors practiced Judaism secretly, culminating in Tony’s return to his roots in Jerusalem, defying history, logic and the impossible.

Israel’s light is eternal - and that’s the real miracle.

Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing Good News stories about Israel.

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