This Week’s Sanity Report from Israel July 2, 2023
As last week’s Torah portion stated, Israel dwells alone – it is unique. Certainly the innovations, activities, and achievements in this latest newsletter are “something else” – totally different to what you would expect from a country the size of New Jersey, Lake Michigan, Wales, or Kruger National Park.
Israeli medicine is truly something else. Recent news includes US surgeons using Israeli X-Ray spectacles to fix spines – not once but 4,000 times; an Israeli device for locating the exact spot to deliver an epidural anesthetic; using Israeli computer technology to rehabilitate stroke patients, and medical clowns to aid the treatment of victims of global disasters. Israeli breakthrough medical research advances the search for cures to epilepsy, infertility, and addictions; Israel launched medical partnerships with the UAE and Toronto and showed Ukraine’s first lady how it treats amputees, the paralyzed and traumatized children.
Latest unique Israeli technical innovations include an artificially intelligent language tutor; super-fast data streaming; a substitute for sugar, made from carobs; and flip-flops that you can run in. Israeli startups are supporting underground construction in the UK, selling TV programs to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, settling insurance claims in two seconds; and receiving a United Nations-sponsored award for fraud detection.
In sport, Israel punches far above its weight, in fencing, artistic swimming and soccer; and Israelis won dozens of medals in the Special Olympics. Meanwhile Israel’s “Wonder Woman” has been immortalized on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and Tel Aviv has been ranked “the happiest city in the world”!
The photo shows the top of an apartment building here in Netanya. The owner has hit the roof with a unique display of ceramics – truly Something Else.
The highlights include:
- US surgeons have used Israeli X-ray headsets in over 4,000 spine operations.
- Tel Aviv is the world’s happiest city.
- Foreign students can now learn English from an Israeli personal AI tutor.
- 18% of Israel’s GDP comes from hi-tech – the highest percentage in the world.
- An Israeli system assessed and paid a UK insurance claim in just two seconds.
- Gal Gadot is to be honored by having a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
- Israelis won 25 medals at the Special Olympics.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
4,000+ spine operations. The xvision Augmented Reality Spine System from Israel’s Augmedics (see here previously) has now been used to treat over 4,000 patients and implant more than 20,000 pedicle screws across 21 U.S. states. It consistently demonstrates 97-100% accuracy across multiple patient studies.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
Hope for children with epilepsy. Researchers at Tel Aviv University and elsewhere have developed therapy in the laboratory to treat Dravet syndrome – a life-threatening form of epilepsy in children caused by a mutation in the SCN1A gene. The scientists used a harmless virus containing normal SCNIA genes to “infect” the brain.
https://www.aftau.org/news_
https://www.jci.org/articles/
Converting skin cells into placenta cells. Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have converted human skin cells into functional human placenta cells. The breakthrough can help cure pregnancy-related diseases and infertility issues by generating placenta cells that won’t be rejected as foreign tissue.
https://www.jns.org/colleges-
https://www.nature.com/
When women should take their meds. Israel’s Levana.ai is an AI-based solution that personalizes women’s prescriptions based on their cycle. It’s a platform for women who are taking long-term medication and provides doctors with recommendations regarding when and how much medication to prescribe to their patients.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
Brain block may cure addicts. (TY Nevet) Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers have identified in the laboratory that the claustrum area of the brain is vital to preventing addiction to certain medications. Existing remedies could help susceptible individuals increase their resistance and self-control.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
https://www.cell.com/current-
All fingers and thumbs. Arab Israeli Dr. Firas Mawase is head of the Neurorehabilitation and Sensorimotor Neuroscience Laboratory at Israel’s Technion. He is investigating rehabilitating the dexterity of brain-damaged patients (e.g., from a stroke), using engineering and computational tools and functional imaging of the brain.
https://www.technion.ac.il/en/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
US approval for safe epidural device. The EpiFinder device from Israel’s Omeq Medical (see here previously) has just received US FDA approval. A limited US launch is planned for early 2024.
https://www.israel21c.org/
Partnership with UAE healthcare system. Israel’s Sheba Medical Center has partnered UAE’s PureHealth, the largest integrated healthcare platform in the Middle East. The two will conduct joint research, promote advanced technology in healthcare, collaborate on staff training, and boost bi-lateral health tourism.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Technion and Toronto medical AI partnership. Israel’s Technion Institute and the University of Toronto Artificial Intelligence Centers have partnered to develop AI solutions in the field of medicine. The first workshop took place in Ein Gedi in May. https://www.technion.ac.il/en/
https://www.jpost.com/
Quick-thinking saves mother and baby. Rachel, a nurse midwife attending a mother in labor at Ziv Medical Center in Safed, noticed that the baby’s head was moving in the wrong direction. She rushed them to ER, where doctors diagnosed a complete rupture of the uterus, delivered baby, and later reconstructed the mother’s womb.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
Research training for doctors. The Israel Science Foundation has launched Israel’s MAVRI initiative (Hebrew for “one who heals”). The ISF will award grants totaling $100 million over five years, to create a select team of Medical PhDs who will conduct clinical research that will ultimately benefit patients.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
First ladies visit Israeli hospital. Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska and Israel’s First Lady Michal Herzog visited the rehabilitation department of Sheba Center and patients at the Safra Children’s Hospital. Mrs Zeleneska hopes to model Israel’s program for treating amputees, paralyzed patients, and children in Ukraine.
https://worldisraelnews.com/
Bringing orthodox women into hi-tech. Read about Racheli Ganot (see here previously), founder of Israel’s Ready Group, a microchip hardware and software development company of 170 employees (80% women). For her work integrating Orthodox women in hi-tech, Ganot lit a torch at Israel’s 70th Independence Day ceremony.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
https://www.ynetnews.com/
Medical clowns are not just for children. (TY UWI & I24 News) Latest video featuring Israel’s Dream Doctors – clowns who promote healing through laughter. They “operate” in Israeli hospitals, but also in disaster areas where they bring hope to children, adults, and doctors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Capoeira unites Israelis. (TY WIN & I24 News) Capoeira (see here previously) is a Brazilian martial art that combines dance, acrobatics, and music. As this video of the first Israeli Capoeira Festival shows, Israel’s capoeira community accepts everyone – Orthodox, Arab, elderly, young and everyone in between.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
US award for cancer research. The US National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) honored Tel Aviv University Professor Isaac P. Witz, for his cancer research on how components of the immune system infiltrate the tumor microenvironment (TME) affecting tumor formation, progression, and metastasis.
https://en-lifesci.tau.ac.il/
The World’s happiest city. (TY Nevet) “Rich cultural heritage, kind people, and abundance of food, shopping, and learning” were cited as the reason why The Travel blog ranked Tel Aviv as the happiest city in the world. It also noted that Tel Aviv has become “a global hot spot for spring break and vacationing as a whole.”
https://www.ynetnews.com/
https://www.thetravel.com/
Fiji to open Embassy in Israel. (TY UWI) The South Pacific island country of Fiji has announced that its first embassy in Israel will open next year. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen welcomed the announcement, calling Fiji a “true friend” of Israel. Fiji’s will be the 98th embassy to the Jewish state.
https://www.jns.org/israel-
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
4 US officials at Israel Cyber Week. The speakers at Israel Cyber Week include Nathaniel Fick, the U.S. ambassador at large for cyberspace and digital policy; Liesyl Franz, U.S. deputy assistant secretary for international cyberspace security; plus, the CIOs of US departments of Energy, and of Transportation.
https://www.jns.org/u-s-
Three top “Deep Tech” companies. (TY WIN) Three Israeli startups are included in the inaugural XB100 ranking of the top 100 private deep-tech companies, published by XPRIZE and Bessemer Venture Partners. They are UBQ Materials, Fabric (Robotics), and Believer Meats (previously Future Meat Technologies).
https://www.israel21c.org/3-
All your apps in one place. Israel’s theGist has totally upgraded its message consolidation facility (see here previously). It has now launched a platform that uses generative AI technology to create a single AI-managed hub that centralizes employee work apps. Its aim is to boost productivity and prevent information overload.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
A better flip-flop. Israel’s Link Shoes has developed the “flipshoe,” which it says offers the freedom of a flip flop combined with the comfort and safety of a closed shoe. The shoe bends and flexes, provides arch support, and unlike flip flops, you can walk distances, run, and ride a bike while wearing them.
https://nocamels.com/2023/06/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Digital help for PTSD sufferers. A from Israel’s Code for Israel (see here previously) have created a website “Ani Al Ze” (Hebrew for “I’m on it”) to help PTSD sufferers combat procrastination. The website is currently offered by NATAL, an Israeli non-profit that treats citizens suffering from war- and terror-related trauma.
https://nocamels.com/2023/06/
https://www.natal.org.il/en/ https://www.codeforisrael.org/
Disney Pixar movie promoted with Israeli tech. Gentle Giant Studios used the XiP Desktop 3D printer of Israel’s Nexa3D (see here previously) to produce high-quality prototypes for Disney Pixar’s new “Elemental” movie. Nexa3D’s xMODEL17-Clear resin achieved the desired visual effects for the fire and water characters.
https://www.voxelmatters.com/
https://www.dexerto.com/tv-
The smart way to stream data. Israel’s Memphis.dev gives software developers a fast way to build links for communicating between applications and transmitting masses amounts of data (streaming) from one place to another. Thousands of developers have downloaded and recommended the Memphis message broker.
https://www.businesswire.com/
Your personal AI English tutor. Israel’s Loora.AI allows individuals to improve their English skills without having to rely on expensive, one-on-one tutors. Loora is a safe, always-there, iPhone AI tutor for practicing conversational English. Available on subscription in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Low GI sugar substitute from carobs. Israel’s CarobWay (see here previously) is to introduce its clean-label, low glycemic index (GI) sweetener at IFT FIRST 2023 in Chicago (July 16-19). A gummi and an energy bar prototype containing the carob-derived sugar replacement will illustrate the new sweetener’s capabilities.
https://www.prnewswire.com/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Over 18% of Israel’s GDP is hi-tech. The Israel Innovation Authority’s “State of High Tech” annual report show that in 2021, Israel’s hi-tech industry earned 50% more than the next sector – trade & retail. In 2022 the gap was 90%. Israeli hi-tech is worth 18.1% of GDP – in the USA it is only 10%, and in Europe it’s under 6%.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
Europe invests in Israel. The European Investment Bank (EIB), the financial arm of the European Union, is to invest €150 million into the NIS 1.5 billion seawater desalination facility planned for Western Galilee. It is also providing a €500 million credit line through Bank Leumi to encourage green business projects in Israel.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
The first startups. Once considered models of socialism, entrepreneurs have repurposed the Israeli kibbutz into hubs for creative and high-tech industries. This article features Hanita and Yiron (AgroScout).
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Michigan woos Israeli startups. The Michigan Israel Business Accelerator has launched “The Elevator” in Detroit to act as a co-working space, mailing address, or networking hub free of charge for Israelis looking to do business in the U.S. state. Since its founding in 2017, MIBA has made 2,000 Israeli-Michigan connections.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
VC has $500 million to invest in Israel. Venture Capital firm Eight Roads plans to invest half a billion dollars in Israel in the coming years. It already has 10 active investments in Israel including HiBob, AppsFlyer, Fireblocks, Eleos Health, Noogata, and Gloat.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
Vegan food partnership. Israel’s More Foods (see here previously) has partnered with Tivall, the Israel-based vegetarian frozen food brand owned by food giant Osem-Nestlé. It will help More Foods expand distribution of its pumpkin and sunflower seeds meat alternatives to meet the growing demand for plant-based products.
https://nocamels.com/2023/06/
Historic sales of Israeli TV shows. For the first time Israeli programs have been sold for broadcasting in Saudia Arabia and Turkey. Saudi broadcasting network MBC bought the docu-series “Cassandra’s Prophecy”. And the Turkish broadcasting network Kanal D bought “Special”, the drama series about autism.
https://www.
Going underground in the UK. Israel’s Exodigo (see here previously) was used by Coles Rail to scan and map a project in Birmingham UK for part of a light rail expansion that will connect to the city’s Curzon Street Station. It detected over 280 underground utility lines, including 51 that no other locator or records had found.
https://nocamels.com/2023/06/
UN award for fraud detection software. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s ThetaRay won Best in Class Compliance Solution at the 2023 RemTECH Awards for its AI-powered transaction monitoring technology. The award is part of the United Nations-led Global Forum on Remittances, Investment and Development.
https://www.businesswire.com/
Insurance claim paid in two seconds. (TY OurCrowd) Israeli digital insurance company Lemonade (see here previously) is claiming a new record after settling a claim in just two seconds to a customer whose bicycle was stolen in the UK. Lemonade’s AI system assessed, checked, and paid the customer in just two seconds.
https://insurtechdigital.com/
Investment in Israeli startups to 2/7/23: Cyera raised $100 million; Augmedics raised $82.5 million; NoTraffic raised $50 million; Anzu raised $48 million; Ramon.Space raised $26 million; Astrix Security raised $25 million; Wenrix raised $15 million; Loora raised $9.25 million; Memphis.dev raised $5.58 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT`
Next. Israel’s Avi Jorisch wrote Though Shalt Innovate, How Israeli Ingenuity Repairs the World” (see here previously). His latest book is “Next: A Brief History of the Future”, featuring 13 “game-changing innovations” that are significantly impacting human history. It includes Israel’s Innovation: Africa (see here previously).
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
A capital kosher upscale meat pizzeria. Mojo’s non-dairy pizzeria in Jerusalem serves some exciting kosher meat pizzas. They include vegan cheese, BĀ-KEN (with an upside-down “e”), short ribs with kimchi and truffle mayo, and chicken confit with pesto cream and balsamic reduction. Non-pizza eaters are also well catered for.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
https://www.itsmojos.com/
For the birds. Israeli and international researchers have reported that rare prehistorical objects found in Israel’s Hula Valley, were crafted 12,000 years ago, and functioned as miniature flutes. They imitate bird song and could have been used for hunting, music, or some form of communication with the birds.
https://www.afhu.org/2023/06/
The first Israeli actress to have a Hollywood star. Israeli megastar Gal Gadot is to have her name etched in in a star on Los Angeles’ best-known sidewalk, known as the Walk of Fame. Hollywood Boulevard’s 1.3 miles of sidewalk currently has nearly 2,800 stars. The only other Israeli star is for media producer Haim Saban.
https://worldisraelnews.com/
European fencing bronze medal. (TY Nevet) 14-year-old Gili Kuritzky won a senior fencing bronze medal at the European Games in Krakow-Malopolska Poland. Ranked only 250th in the world senior ranking, she eliminated far more established fencers on her way to her first ever medal at the senior level.
https://www.eurofencing.info/
European artistic swimming gold. (TY Nevet) Israel won its first-ever gold medal at the European Artistic Swimming Championships in the Team Free Routine Combination event in Krakow, Poland.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Israeli U-21 soccer team make UEFA quarterfinals. (TY UWI) Israel’s under-21 soccer team drew 1-1 with reigning champions Germany in the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship final tournament in Georgia. They lost to England but then beat Czech Republic to knock out Germany and reach the quarterfinals.
https://www.algemeiner.com/
25 medals at the Special Olympics. (TY Nevet) Israeli athletes won nine golds, eight silvers and eight bronze medals at the Special Olympics in Berlin. The 25 medals beat the 19 they won at the 2019 event. The second link is to an individual article about Israel’s Mir Segel who won the 100-meter freestyle swimming gold medal.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
https://www.
THE JEWISH STATE
The Kingdom of Judah. The Hebrew University has completed a study that shows the development of the Kingdom of Judah in the 10th century BCE. Archeological evidence from five sites confirms the Biblical accounts of the cities fortified by Rehoboam, grandson of King David.
https://www.jns.org/
Promoting Anglo Olim. Rabbis of many Israeli-Anglo communities recently met with Nefesh B’Nefesh’s Rabbi Yehoshua Fass and Israel’s Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer. They agreed to work together on a new Ministry program to strengthen Anglo communities in Israel and encourage new waves of immigration.
https://www.
The word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 26 educators from six countries gathered in Jerusalem for a 4-day conference aimed at globally promoting former British chief rabbi Lord Jonathan Sack’s philosophy. The event launches a network of Rabbi Sacks-inspired scholars around the globe, guided by his philosophy on leadership.
https://www.jns.org/jewish-
Kosher Arab cuisine in Crusader city. (TY UWI) At the Roots restaurant in Akko an Israeli chef skillfully combines the traditions of kosher cooking with the vibrant flavors of Arab cuisine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Cakes for the lonely. Israeli charity Uga B’Haftaha (Cake by Surprise) matches volunteers with seniors in their hometown to visit and chat over cake and coffee. It started when Holon resident Tal Harel returned from a post-army trip and delivered municipality food to homebound seniors during the pandemic. (See also here.)
https://www.israel21c.org/
