“This photo of my friend’s globe shows how tiny the Jewish State is compared to its neighbors. In fact, although the globe is turned so that Israel is on top, many readers may have difficulty finding Israel, especially as my friend and his globe are French. Israel’s top value achievements and benefits to the world, however, are amazing in contrast to the tiny size of the country. Should we therefore wonder why Israel gets top billing at the UN, ICJ, ICC, WHO, and the Mainstream Media? I think that you know the answer. Perhaps I should have turned the globe upside down!”
This Week’s Sanity Report from Israel at War Jan. 17, 2024
The highlights include:
- The saying, “an army marches on its stomach”, is true.
- The IDF retrieves “lost” property in Gaza.
- Two more award-winning Israeli medical devices.
- Israel’s Walter Bingham is 100 – the world’s oldest working journalist.
- Israeli volunteers are helping survivors of Japan’s recent earthquake.
- Another Israeli no-cow milk gets US approval.
- Israel’s economy is strong, even in a war.
- Woman born in Jerusalem hospital has first baby of 2024 in same hospital.
POSITIVE NEWS DURING A WAR
US charity provides $7 million in supplies. (TY UWI) US non-profit Operation Israel has provided more than $7 million worth of supplies, medical equipment, and protective gear to IDF soldiers since Oct 7. 10,000 soldiers with a total of more than 50,000 items, including ceramic vests, ballistic goggles, and tactical gear.
https://www.jns.org/3pm-us-based-volunteers-helping-to-equip-idf-fighters/ https://www.operationisrael.org/
https://www.livenowfox.com/video/1382593 https://www.operationisrael.org/donate
Free food for troops. (TY Yanky) Anyone in uniform can get a free pizza at Jerusalem’s La Piedra – the only Israeli pizzeria in the World’s Top 50 Pizza Guide. Also, free food (monthly) at Muffin Boutique; Friday buffet to lone soldiers at Piccolino; at Aroma Beit Kama soldiers eat free; and Hamal Hamatok (the sweet war room).
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-779932
Italian Jewish leader cooks for the IDF. (TY UWI & I24 News) Italian Jewish leader Riccardo Pacifici, the Vice President of the European Jewish Association, cooked for soldiers in Israel’s southern city of Sderot. He cooked pasta, sauces, and other foods to lift the spirits and hearts above the conflict.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbWqsCY47qk
Special delivery. At the IDF’s Emergency Logistics warehouse in Ramla, young soldiers of the “Special In Uniform” program join regular recruits to pack food and clothing, and prepare equipment to be delivered to IDF units across Israel. Their enthusiasm, diligence, and resilience contribute to a unique, positive atmosphere.
https://www.jns.org/soldiers-with-disabilities-contribute-to-israels-war-effort/
Operation Suitcase. (TY Yanky) Several members of UK’s Sussex Jewish Representative Council have just completed Operation Suitcase. They visited Israel with 13 suitcases, ten with supplies for the army units they visited, two with chocolate for children, and one filled with black wool for knitting woolly hats for soldiers.
https://www.thejc.com/community/sussex-group-extends-solidarity-to-israel-i0o3tekv
Kibbutz closed but the factory is open. Kibbutz Sasa near the Lebanese border has been evacuated to protect residents from Hezbollah attacks. But employees of the Plasan armor factory inside the Kibbutz are working around the clock producing body armor plates for bulletproof vests and bolt-on armor kits for military vehicles.
Green energy kept cellular networks running. The Oct 7 fighting crashed the Gaza border electricity grid and disrupted mobile communications. But networks supported by Israel’s Phinergy (see here previously) based on innovative “green” aluminum-air technology, kept going, providing essential connectivity.
Wounded soldier is treated at father’s hospital. Dr. Roni Eichel, head of neurology at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, was relieved when one of his IDF soldier sons woke up in SZMC’s intensive care unit. A bullet / shrapnel penetrated his ceramic vest but stopped short of the thorax and any permanent disability.
https://www.jns.org/a-wounded-soldier-ended-up-being-treated-at-his-fathers-hospital/
Book of Psalms found in Gaza. IDF soldiers have found a Book of Psalms dated 1986 in the home of a Hamas terrorist in Jabalia, Gaza. It contains a personal dedication to an Israeli Shmuel Goldring. The sender has been identified but at the time of writing, the recipient has not.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-soldiers-find-hebrew-book-of-psalms-in-gaza-home/
IDF soldier finds reporter’s house sign in Gaza. 19 years after Amiel Yarchi was evacuated from his home in Netzarim during the 2005 disengagement from the Gaza Strip, IDF soldiers in Gaza retrieved the name plaque that was on his house. Amiel reported the find on the Kipa News site that he works for. See the photos.
https://www.jns.org/19-years-on-idf-soldier-finds-gush-katif-evacuees-house-sign-in-gaza/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
A new way to treat Sleeping Sickness. Scientists at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University have been able to destroy the genetic code of the trypanosome parasite that the tsetse fly infects with, to cause trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). It opens the way for development of RNA-based therapies to prevent transmission of the disease.
https://www.israel21c.org/scientists-discover-new-way-to-tackle-sleeping-sickness/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-43263-6
Battlefield medic simulation training. IDF medics have been receiving training using computer-controlled, anatomically correct, mannequins to learn key lifesaving procedures for use on the front lines. The Israel Center for Medical Simulation (MSR) based at Sheba Medical Center also trains civilian and overseas medics.
Medicare pays for ReWalk exoskeleton. Medicare Administrative Contractor Noridian Healthcare Solutions has paid the first ever claim by an eligible Medicare patient for a personal exoskeleton from Israel’s ReWalk. ReWalk is now an authorized medically necessary device when prescribed for a patient with spinal cord injury.
Award for pressure sores detection. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s IR-MED (see here previously) has been awarded the “Most Innovative Non-Invasive Diagnostics Technology Developer 2023 – Israel” by UK-based Corporate Vision Magazine for the company’s PressureSafe device and technology platform.
https://www.ir-medical.com/about-us/#Awards https://www.corporatevision-news.com/winners/ir-med/
PTSD device is Best Startup. Israel’s GrayMatters (see here previously) was named the Prix Galien USA Best Startup 2023 winner. Its technology uses an EEG headset device to read biomarker activity in the amygdala. AI software, including an Avatar, relaxes the part of the brain which is overactive in people suffering from PTSD.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-startup-graymatters-treats-ptsd-with-avatars-1001463926
EMT volunteer saves her own niece., United Hatzalah volunteer Adele had just left her mother’s Rehovot home when she was alerted that her niece was choking back at her mother’s apartment. She quickly returned and used Heimlich thrusts, plus back slaps to clear trapped food from her niece’s mouth.
https://israelrescue.org/stories/a-family-emergency-emt-saves-her-own-niece-from-choking/
The effect of missing genes. Williams syndrome is caused by 25 missing genes. Tel Aviv researchers have discovered the function of one of the deleted genes – Gtf2i. Its absence impairs the production and regulation of mitochondrial organelles in the brain’s neurons. Impacts include dental, cardiovascular, and visual problems,
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-781703
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Happy birthday Walter. Walter Bingham, the world’s oldest working journalist, has just celebrated his 100th birthday in Jerusalem. He escaped Nazi Germany in 1939 via Kindertransport, joined the British Army, and made Aliyah in 2003. He still hosts a weekly news program on Israel News Talk Radio.
https://www.jns.org/kindertransport-survivor-celebrates-100th-birthday-in-jerusalem/
https://israelnewstalkradio.com/category/walter-bingham/
20 Israeli heroines. KKL-JNF has inaugurated the “Path of Heroines,” planting trees at the entrance of Ofakim Park in honor of 20 Israeli women who put their lives at risk to save others on Oct 7. Of the terrorists, Ofakim mayor Danino said, “Wherever they sought to bring death, we will create the foundation for a better life”.
https://www.jns.org/jnf-honors-20-israeli-women-for-their-bravery-on-oct-7/
Filipino carers help Israeli farmers. Many thousands of elderly Israelis employ carers from the Philippines. Nearly all have a rest day on the Jewish Shabbat, but many now volunteer to spend their free Saturday working for those short-staffed Israeli farmers missing reservists in the IDF and foreign workers who have gone home.
https://www.israel21c.org/filipino-caregivers-spend-saturdays-aiding-israeli-farms/
Welcome. Recent visitors to Israel included 29 University of Pennsylvania faculty members on a 3-day solidarity visit. Also, US data-analysis software giant Palantir Technologies is holding the firm’s first board meeting of 2024 in Tel Aviv, to show solidarity with Israel.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-palantir-ceo-flies-company-board-to-israel-in-show-of-solidarity/
Aid for Japan. It’s hard to believe, but in the middle of a war, an Israeli NGO has managed to devote resources to help the victims of the Jan 1st earthquake and tsunami that hit central Japan. Two SmartAID members in Japan at that time worked to provide phone and Internet access and off-grid electricity to victims and medics.
https://www.israel21c.org/israeli-ngo-sends-aid-to-earthquake-struck-japan/
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Israeli startups at CES. Despite the war, several Israeli startups will be exhibiting at CES Las Vegas this year. Inside the Israeli pavilion will be Arti, Carteav, CorrActions, EZinGrow (smart plant pot), Hailo, Iromascents, Nimble Beauty, Resight.io, Visionary.ai, & Visual Layer. Outside – Nuancehear & Foretellix.
https://www.israel21c.org/10-israeli-companies-to-watch-at-ces-2024/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPvSBLnxZ2I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9O9m1lJ600
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWNH2QTRtq8 https://en.ezingrow.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNxoeSSbnPY
No question it’s cow-free milk. Israel’s Imagindairy (see here previously) has received a “no questions letter” clearance from the US FDA. It confirms that Imagindairy’s animal-free proteins can be safely used in the production of dairy duplicates, like milk and cheeses. (Israel’s ReMilk has already obtained FDA approval.)
Get ready to learn. Israel’s academic school year opens on Sun 14 Jan. A special program was launched at Israel’s Technion Institute that will facilitate and assist all students, and especially the reserve officers, to return to routine as easily as possible. https://www.technion.ac.il/en/2023/12/back-on-track/
Award-winning 3D printing. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Stratasys (see here previously) earned the 3D Printing Industry Award, in the Medical, Dental or Healthcare Application category. Stratasys’ portfolio of three PolyJet printers beat out nine other nominees for substantial market growth.
https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/873/stratasys-wins-coveted-3d-printing-industry-award https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231220158018/en/
Taking orders for the e-trike. Israeli-founded Revoltz has launched the pre-order of its PORTO e-trike urban delivery vehicle. The electric vehicle (EV) is capable of long-range deliveries and a full day’s work on one charge, offering a similar storage capacity to the boot of a small hatchback car.
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/01/04/2803856/0/en/Revoltz-Opens-for-Pre-Orders-of-its-Revolutionary-Micro-Mobility-EV.html https://revoltzev.com/ https://revoltzev.com/porto/
No workers, so use robots. Even before the war, Kibbutz Alumim near Gaza had a chronic labor shortage. Then Hamas killed many kibbutzniks and destroyed all its greenhouses. Kibbutz Be’eri suffered even worse but still had a greenhouse. Now both have a joint plan to install robots from Israel’s MetoMotion.
https://www.israel21c.org/farmers-develop-robotic-greenhouse-to-solve-chronic-labor-shortages/
https://israelactive.com/?s=MetoMotion+ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzrSz8JnGDk
19% increase in pistachio yield. Between April 2022 and April 2023, Israel’s Edete (see here previously) pollinated 500 acres of pistachios in Bakersfield, Calif., for one of the largest growers in the US. Edete achieved a 19% increase in yield on two sites, equating to an estimated additional contribution of $1,000-$1,300 per acre.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-781629
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Average wage jumps by 10%. According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, the average monthly Israeli wage in in Nov 2023 was NIS 12,651 gross, 10% higher than in Nov 2022 and well ahead of inflation. Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron was upbeat on the economy after cutting the BoI interest rate by 0.25% to 4.5%,
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-average-wage-jumps-1001467110
$9 billion for army reservists. Israel has announced assistance plan for those serving in the army reserves with an annual cost of NIS 9 billion. It includes grants and payments to combat and non-combat soldiers and family members; compensation for business recovery & lost profits; vacation & maternity leave grants.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-govt-unveils-nis-9b-aid-package-for-army-reservists-1001466269
Foreign exchange reserves. Israel’s foreign exchange reserves rose by $6.468 billion in Dec 23 to end the year at $204.367 billion, close to record levels. The value of the Shekel has risen, despite an expectation that the Shekel would depreciate due to the war and signifies global confidence in Israel’s economy.
https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/israel/foreign-exchange-reserves
https://boi.org.il/en/communication-and-publications/press-releases/b07-12-23/
Energy independent. Mathios Rigas, CEO of energy company Energean, reminded delegates at the Israel Business Conference that Israel is the only energy independent Mediterranean country. Europe relied on Russia and could suffer another fuel price crisis in a cold winter. Israel’s energy prices are stable, even during a war.
More airlines to resume flights. Air France, Bulgaria Air, Lot (Poland), Blue Bird (Czech Republic), Vueling (Spain), Transavia (France) and TUS (Cyprus) have all announced they are resuming flights to Israel this month. Luftansa, Swiss and Austrian airlines have already resumed.
Securing Chinese cars. Israel’s C2A security (see here previously) is a strategic partner for Chinese software company ThunderSoft and will contribute to ThunderSoft’s new vehicle operation system – Dishui. All vehicle manufacturers must include cybersecurity provisions in their new and old vehicles from 2024.
https://nocamels.com/2024/01/israeli-firm-providing-cybersecurity-for-chinese-car-operating-system/
14 subsidiaries in 100 countries. (TY Yanky) Israel’s Haifa Group (see here previously) has been expanding its sustainable agricultural technology business across the planet. It is also developing new seeds at Aaronsohn Farm in Atlit where agronomist and Nili founder Aaron Aaronsohn re-discovered the original wild wheat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z2T175legY https://www.haifa-group.com/haifa-grows
https://www.haifa-group.com/haifas-rd-center https://www.haifa-group.com/haifa-blog/i-saw-happy-growers
Digital bank expands into Europe. Israel’s digital bank One Zero (previously First Digital Bank – see here) is expanding its reach to Italy. Calcalist reports that it is poised to sign an agreement with Italian bank Generali.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rkhuyboop
Exits, takeovers, and mergers – to 14/1/24: Global diagnostics company Veracyte is acquiring Israeli cancer care startup C2i Genomics for $70 – 95 million. US company Delinea has acquired Israeli cybersecurity Authomize for “several tens of million dollars”.
Startup investment – to 14/1/24. Anecdotes raised $25 million; DigitalOwl raised $12 million; Ask-AI raised $11 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Chaim Herzog Museum. The Chaim Herzog Museum of the Jewish Soldier in World War Two in Latrun honors the 1.5 million Jewish men and women who were recruited into or volunteered for the armed forces of the Allies, the Partisans, and the resistance movements. Some 250,000 Jewish soldiers gave their lives in WW2.
https://www.jns.org/all-roads-lead-to-israel/
https://yadchaimherzog.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Bro-Museum-Anglo-Web.pdf
Exploring Israeli history – for the young. Ofek’s “Israel 101 – A Journey Through Time and Heritage” is a dive into the captivating narrative of Israel’s rich history. It will provide children and teens with a profound Jewish history education, fostering a deep connection to their heritage, Israel, and identity.
https://www.ofekhub.org/courses/prep-course-for-college-antisemitism-and-jewish-history/
https://www.ofekhub.org/israel101/ https://www.ofekhub.org/courses/israel-101-course-7th-8th-grade/
https://www.ofekhub.org/courses/israel-101-course-4th-5th-grade/
Viet Taam is on eLuna. My favorite Netanya restaurant is now featured on my favorite Israeli kosher on-line restaurant site. Owned by Naomi and Rabbi Asher Fettman – members of my local McDonald’s (yes!) synagogue. The restaurant is in a garden setting and specializes in meat and vegetarian dishes from Vietnam.
https://www.eluna.com/rest/VietTaam.asp?mumu=1219&name=Viet+Taam
The founding faces of Machane Yehuda. To celebrate the centenary of the famous Jerusalem Machane Yehuda street market, artist Solomon Souza completed his 8-year project of shutter portraits with many of those responsible for establishing and expanding the market over the century..
https://www.israel21c.org/street-artist-celebrates-founding-faces-of-jerusalem-market/
THE JEWISH STATE
The first baby of 2024. Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek medical center had a record 1,856 babies delivered in Dec due to many expectant mothers evacuated to Jerusalem. Shira ben Yitzhak was born at Shaare Zedek 26 years ago. She also worked there during her national service year. Shira gave birth to the hospital’s first baby of 2024.
https://www.israel21c.org/jerusalem-hospitals-report-record-number-of-births/
Volunteer tours. Here is one company that organizes packages for those wanting to combine a visit to Israel with a couple of days experiencing what it is like to help those in need. And one US couple made good on a 50-year promise to volunteer to help Israeli farmers during a war. Their trip was arranged by JNF-USA.
https://www.touristisrael.com/tours/the-israel-volunteer-experience-10-days/
https://www.jns.org/making-good-on-a-50-year-promise-to-israel/
I’m not religious, but… Secular Israeli actor Guri Alfi says he is not becoming religious, but since Oct 7 he wants “to go to synagogue, to learn Talmud, to put on tefillin”. In the Jewish State, that’s not a problem!
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/383158
Send a teen to Israel. The Alexander Muss High School in Israel has information on its Spring and Fall semesters. Spend four exciting months digging deep into the history, culture, language, and geology of Israel, while keeping up with your coursework from home. Also learn about summer programs.
https://www.amhsi.org/information-sessions
Prayer for the IDF. A beautiful rendition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL-yEVU18Cc
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/
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)
Hadassah Hospital Israel: https://www.hadassah.org/
Laniado Hospital (Netanya) https://my.israelgives.org/en/fundme/EmergencyLaniado
And many more charities here:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/where-people-abroad-can-donate-to-israels-hospitals-troops-survivors-and-more/ https://chesedtoday.com/campaigns/soldiers/ (Warm winter clothes for Israeli soldiers)
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/
