Israel is full of citizens and organizations
that deserve to receive an honor. Not a
political honor such as the Nobel Prize for peace given to an unrepentant
terrorist leader, nor an award from the British Foreign Office for services
that undermine the legitimacy of the Jewish State. Respect can only be given to
those who enhance Israel in the eyes of the world. Here are some of the most recent examples.
The medical profession is overflowing with
worthy individuals who put Tikum Olam (repairing the world) far above financial
recompense. Kol Hakavod (all the glory)
to the team of 20 Israeli doctors and medical staff from Save
a Child's Heart (SACH) that has just flown to Tanzania to provide free
heart surgeries. And to the team of 11
cardiac surgeons and nurses from Israel’s Sheba
Medical Center that performed 10 complex heart operations over 4 days
in Nigeria. SACH doctors can also take credit
for restoring the sight of 10-month old baby Dennis from Romania who
lost his vision shortly after birth.
The paramedics working for Israel’s emergency
service Magen David Adom deserve recognition for having saved countless lives
during the life of the modern state.
MDA just unveiled their latest hi-tech
mobile command vehicle designed to direct rescue operations on the most
difficult terrain and during cellular network failure. Another organization, Yad Sarah, employs the
largest number of volunteers in Israel, providing services and equipment to
help the elderly and disabled lead fuller, more comfortable lives. One of Yad Sarah’s thousands of volunteers, Dr.
Marjorie Kenyon, finally retired from serving the organization, in her
100th year. Here are some of the innovative
devices and gadgets that Yad Sarah is currently demonstrating to the
public.
It is a great honor to the Jewish State
that so many of its scientists have developed apps and devices that can save
lives. Tel Aviv University researchers
have just developed a website
and smartphone app that sends your
Genome (your individual Genetic DNA sequence map) for analysis. You can then identify the most effective
medications with the least side effects - or prior to pregnancy, you can use it
to check for birth defect risks.
Another TA University graduate, Eugene Jorov, co-founded Seraphim Sense
and developed the Angel sensor in
honor of his father who died from a heart attack. The Angel is a biofeedback wristband that
monitors the motion, acceleration, skin temperature, blood oxygen saturation
and heart rate of at-risk individuals and sends an alert if their medical
condition changes.
Foreign heads of state often treat the
Jewish State with
more respect than many of Israel’s own citizens. In the past few weeks we have had been honored
with the first ever visits from the sitting Prime Ministers of Malta
and Papua New Guinea. Both arrived with large delegations and cooperation
plans. And President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit
was the first
time in the history of Nigeria that a sitting President went on
pilgrimage to Israel. He took the
opportunity to sign a bilateral
air services agreement between Nigeria and Israel.
Despite its flawed politics, the United
Nations regularly turns to the Jewish State to solve issues of international
concern. The UN’s Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC) has granted ‘Special
Consultative Status’ to 13 Israeli NGOs and is currently considering
including a two more. Similarly, all
European Union political arguments were put aside in order to welcome
Israeli scientists onto the Galileo project. Israeli academics and companies have been given security
clearance to work on the EU’s prestigious project to launch 30 satellites and
become Europe’s alternative to the US GPS system.
International stars from Rihanna
to Tom
Jones continue to honor Israel with their performances. However, many pop fans will have missed that
October 27 was the 30th anniversary of when Bob
Dylan released his up-tempo Zionist anthem, the ironically-titled “Neighborhood Bully”. Meanwhile brothers Arie and Gil Gat, explain
that there is no
conflict of honor between being devout Jews and covering rock hits on
Israeli TV.
Israel’s
sporting heroes have certainly been awash with medals, including windsurfer Shahar Zubari who cruised
to a gold medal at the Sailing World Cup in Qingdao, China. Maayan Davidovich won bronze in the women’s
division. Israeli swimmer Amit
Ivri even won medals at FINA World Cup events in Dubai (UAE) and Doha
(Qatar) although Qatar dishonored
itself by blanking out the
Israeli flag on its TV broadcasts.
There is no
greater honor than when people volunteer to serve their country,
despite physical disabilities. At the
closing ceremony for their special basic training the 150 graduates of IDF’s
Ofek course used
the deaf sign language to accompany the Israeli National Anthem –
“Hatikvah”.
Finally, for the first time in the history
of the Israel Defense Forces, an officer from Israel’s
Druse community is to serve as the chief of the elite IDF Golani
Brigade. Colonel Ghassan Alian was previously deputy commander of the Golan
Division. He follows fellow Druse Imad
Fares who was chief of the IDF Givati Brigade.
Let’s honor those that deserve honor.
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
