This Week’s Sanity Report from Israel Oct. 13, 2024
I hope those who celebrated the Jewish High Holidays are well and spiritually inspired.
This newsletter contains much news of Israel’s work to benefit the outside world, in medicine, technology, etc. Jews will shortly be celebrating the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) which takes us outside our homes and reminds us that we rely on protection from above. This reality is most certainly understood in Israel at this time.
The photo is of my little sukkah (tabernacle) from last year. I plan to begin building this year’s one almost immediately.
Wishing all who celebrate it a Very Happy Sukkot / Tabernacles.
The highlights include:
- While fighting Hamas, the IDF rescued a Yazidi girl from slavery in Gaza.
- Israelis can diagnose Alzheimer’s 20 years in advance of the first symptoms.
- Israel spends more on education per capita than almost every other nation.
- An Israeli laser beam can knock hostile drones out of the sky.
- One day soon, Israeli technology will be inside every car.
- An Israeli 17-year-old girl is Europe’s Youth chess champion.
- A Torah scroll memorializing Oct 7 victims was dedicated at the Western Wall.
POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
IDF rescues enslaved Yazidi girl from Gaza. (TY UWI) Fawzia Amin Sido, a Yazidi girl abducted by ISIS in Iraq at age 11 and later sold to a Gazan and held captive by Hamas, has been freed by Israeli forces. And after a complex, months-long operation involving the US and others, she was reunited with her family in Iraq.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Mia leaves hospital. (TY WIN) Former hostage Mia (Maya) Regev was discharged from hospital after a long rehabilitation process following her release from Gaza in November. Hamas terrorists shot her at the Nova festival. A “doctor” in Gaza reattached her foot sideways, and Israeli surgeons had to operate to correct it.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Oct 7 survivor’s heroism in Jaffa. Lev Kreitman, who survived the Oct 7 Nova Music Festival massacre, eliminated one of the terrorists responsible for the deadly attack at the Jaffa light rail station. Having served five months in Gaza, he had successfully applied for a pistol, with which he saved many innocent lives.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
We can fly. More than a dozen patients from the Kaylie Rehabilitation Medical Center at ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran took to the southern Israel skies with pilots from the partner organization “Ananim: Flights for the Community”. It gave a moment of joy, respite, and motivation to continue their complex battle with disability.
https://www.jns.org/wire/war-
Wedding on the front lines. Victoria and Asher were all set to marry in a beautiful ceremony, but then Asher was called up. Rather than postpone the celebration, Asher’s friends from the Carmeli (Golani) Brigade, along with a rabbi, took it upon themselves to create a memorable wedding on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
IDF’s “autistic” unit is winning the war. IDF’s Unit 9900 employs Israelis whose neurodivergence makes them particularly talented in monitoring and analyzing satellite images. They are playing a key role in dismantling Hezbollah’s leadership. These “gifted” soldiers greatly help protect Israel’s population.
https://www.nysun.com/article/
Rebuilding the Gaza envelope. Israeli NGO Kolot has launched the “Restart” program, a transformative initiative dedicated to revitalizing communities in Israel’s Gaza envelope region. Initiatives include business development, educational outreach, tourism, welfare, community building and the arts.
https://www.jns.org/wire/
Back to school. (TY Yanky) Kibbutz Be’eri’s children may be displaced, but that didn’t prevent them starting the new school year with Be’eri’s flag ceremony held since 1952. Flag standards were rescued from a wrecked storeroom. Volunteers, including a Bedouin woman, cleaned and repaired the flags for the children to parade.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Thank you to our UK friends. Great to see and share the support for Israel from friends in the UK. Here is a video of supporters from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, who conduct a weekly vigil to publicize the plight of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. In this video they unfurled a giant yellow ribbon as a symbol of hope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Some of the many global vigils to mark the anniversary of Oct 7.
https://marchoflife.org/
https://www.jpost.com/
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Markers for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. A team of researchers led by Hebrew University has mapped millions of brain cells in 437 patients, discovering molecular markers that indicate future onset of Alzheimer’s disease some 20 years in advance of symptoms. The discovery will help development of early treatments.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
No more missed diagnoses. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Professor Miri Sklair-Levy and Dr. Debbie Anaby, from Israel’s Sheba Medical Center explain how AI tools are revolutionizing the fight against breast cancer and early diagnosis. The digital revolution is no longer a futuristic dream – it is happening now.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
Beyond the Blood Brain Barrier. Charles River Laboratories International has partnered with Israel’s Insightec (see here previously) to develop brain disease remedies. Insightec’s novel low-frequency ultrasound platform non-invasively disrupts the blood brain barrier, enabling drugs to be delivered to targeted brain areas.
https://www.ourcrowd.com/
Seeing deep inside the body. Researchers at Israel’s Technion Institute have devised a radical new way to obtain clear direct images of cells deep inside the body using non-invasive wavefront shaping. They obtained images of neurons (nerve cells) using the fluorescent protein EGFP and correction software to remove “noise”.
https://www.technion.ac.il/en/
https://www.nature.com/
Closed eye imaging. (TY WIN) Researchers from Tel Aviv University can monitor changes in pupil size and gaze direction behind closed eyes using touchless infrared imaging. It can help track the depth of sedation, and recognize pain or responsiveness in unconscious patients that may occur after trauma and in intensive care,
https://english.tau.ac.il/
https://www.aftau.org/news_
DNA sequencing in Romania. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s Sequentify (see here previously) has partnered with Romanian distributor Dexter bring Sequentify’s InfiniSeq™ library preparation solutions to Romania. InfiniSeq reduces time from DNA extraction to sequencing to 3.5 hours to enable fast diagnosis of genetic diseases.
https://www.ourcrowd.com/
Automatic medical coding. Medical coding is at the heart of the American medical record system. It usually requires a trained coder to analyze and convert patient records into US-recognized codes. Israel’s Nym Health does this automatically, saving time and costs, while improving accuracy, and achieving compliance.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
https://www.coursera.org/
London’s first MedEx. 100 doctors attended London’s first MedEx event to support UK medical professionals considering or intending to make Aliyah. They met representatives of the Health Ministry, hospitals, and the Health Management Organizations, to discuss licensing requirements, employment options and benefits.
https://www.jns.org/wire/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Mass polio vaccination for Gazans. Israel has facilitated polio vaccinations for 600,000+ children in Gaza following a polio outbreak affecting several Gazans and is coordinating a follow-up program. Meanwhile, Israel continually facilitates the treatment of sick Gazans via field hospitals run by the UAE, Jordan and others.
https://www.jns.org/israel-
https://www.idf.il/en/mini-
https://worldisraelnews.com/
Education is top priority. Israel has the highest percentage of youth in the OECD. It spends 6.1% of GDP on education (4.9% OECD average). Most Israeli 3-5 year-olds are enrolled in a preschool and over half of under-3s attend a daycare facility (e.g. kindergarten) – one of the highest rates in OECD.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
https://www.oecd.org/en/
EU support for Israel. The October Effect conference in Jerusalem brought together diplomats, lawmakers, former leaders, and officials from several European and Western countries including Hungary, Czechia, and Belgium. They pledged their support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas and Iran.
https://www.jns.org/more-
Slovakia buys Israeli defense systems. (TY Yanky) Slovakia – a NATO country – has approved plans to buy six mobile air defense systems from Israel at a cost of more than $600 million.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Albania to open liaison office in Jerusalem. In September, Isaac Herzog made the first-ever visit to Muslim-majority Albania by an Israeli President. Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama informed the President of his decision to open a new office in Jerusalem that will serve as a commercial liaison office / economic mission.
https://www.jns.org/muslim-
https://www.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NIS 30 million to improve sustainability. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Energy Ministry is providing NIS 30 million to local authorities in 2024 to install solar roofing, efficient lighting, air conditioning, and renewable energy storage systems. Also to launch initiatives for residents. Lower socioeconomic areas will get priority.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-
Hydrogen stars at Greentech 2024. Hydrogen was a key session at the Greentech 2024 New Horizon Conference and exhibition in Jerusalem. Israeli startups represented included H2PRO, Naki, Maygia, Hydro X, Eilat Eilot, plus from the Israeli Ministries of Energy and Finance.
https://www.jpost.com/
Discovering how AI works. Deep learning, using artificial neural networks has advanced so quickly that scientists do not know how AI made a particular decision. IT engineers at Ben Gurion University developed DISCOVER and with startup AIVF (see here) reverse-engineered how AI decides if an IVF embryo is viable.
https://www.bgu.ac.il/en/news-
https://medicalxpress.com/
11 TAU researchers win European grants. The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded Starting Grants for 2024 to eleven researchers from Tel Aviv University. The grant enables promising early-career scientists achieve their research goals, promote cooperation and begin commercialization of the technology.
https://english.tau.ac.il/
Detecting national threats. Israel’s Cognyte helps hundreds of customers in over 100 countries detect incidents of terror and crime. Its AI-based analytics present a clear, logical and cohesive picture of people, places, organizations, events, etc. A national security agency recently placed a $4 million follow-on order.
https://www.cognyte.com/news/
We have rebuilt it. Haifa’s Hecht Museum has repaired the 3,500-year-old ceramic jug accidentally shattered by a four-year-old visitor (see here previously) and put it back on display. Cracks and damage were still visible, and a small piece was deliberately left out, to show that the restored artifact was visibly incomplete.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Autonomous fruit picking. The California Citrus Research Board is helping fund a $900,000 series of field trials with Israel’s Nanovel. The multi-arm robot can pick citrus fruit despite dense foliage. Nanovel says it’s the first AI-powered autonomous robot harvester for the fresh citrus industry. But see also Israel’s Tevel.
https://www.fruitnet.com/
https://www.nanovel.co.il/ https://www.jpost.com/
Lite Beam. While we wait for Iron Beam to be ready, Israel’s Rafael announced the deployment of Lite Beam – a 10kw laser that can neutralize drone swarms and IEDs. It can be mounted on vehicles, ships or ground platforms. It showcased at the 2024 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) event in Washington, D.C.
https://armyrecognition.com/
20 startups to represent Israel at COP29. The Israeli Innovation Authority has named 20 Israeli climatech companies to be featured at November’s COP29 Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. Each company will showcase its solutions at the Israeli pavilion in the BLUE ZONE, the event’s main hub.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
The founder of Bitcoin mining. Weizmann Institute Prof. Moni Naor recently won the Rothschild Prize for his research in the field of computer science. He is responsible for the theoretical foundation of Bitcoin mining.
https://events.eventact.com/
https://www.wisdom.weizmann.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Average wages are still growing. (TY Atid-EDI) In July 2024, the average monthly wage in Israel was NIS 13,683, up 6.7% from July 2023 and far in excess of inflation. In contrast, Israeli hi-tech monthly salaries (June figures) averaged NIS 32,215, up 8.1% from a year ago.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/
The fastest growing venture economy. (TY Yanky) Jon Medved of OurCrowd writes that Israel was the fastest-growing venture economy in the world in the first half of this year. Venture funding in Israeli startups grew by 31% compared to the same period in 2023 – almost double the global rate of 16%.
https://blogs.timesofisrael.
US-Israel economic summit. Jerusalem hosted the 38th meeting of the US-Israel Joint Economic Development Group. Sessions included environmental technologies, strategic regional projects, and foreign investment screening. The war impact was also discussed. Note slight textual differences in the statements linked to below.
https://www.jns.org/us-
https://il.usembassy.gov/
https://www.gov.il/en/pages/
Batteries for Australian army. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Epsilor (see here previously) has delivered the first COMBATT 6T batteries for installing in the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), which will be supplied to the Australian Army. The batteries store 3,630Wh of energy, the highest energy density in the market.
https://www.epsilor.com/
Mitsubishi Motors choses Israeli security. (TY OurCrowd) Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has selected Israel’s C2A Security’s EVSec platform (see here previously) to manage its cyber protection needs. C2A was chosen for its ability to address auto manufacturer cybersecurity regulations such as United Nations’ UN R155.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
REE ramps up production. Israel’s REE Automotive (see here previously) has signed a supply chain deal with India’s auto parts maker Samvardhana Motherson to increase production. Motherson, supplies major car manufacturers in 44 countries, including Mercedes Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Porsche, and GM.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
The next Wiz? Israel’s Eon.io has emerged from stealth to announce the raising of another $77 million of funds ($127 million in under a year). It markets its systems as a breakthrough in cloud backup where you only backup what you need. The backup data is also available for analysis – the first time that backups are useful.
https://www.eon.io/ https://www.calcalistech.com/
Google’s European AI accelerator. Google has selected three Israeli startups to join 12 others in its inaugural European Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First. They are Bagel AI, Dtect Vision, and Geneyx Genomex. The 10-week program includes mentoring from experts in Google Cloud and Google DeepMind.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
Exits, mergers & acquisitions – to 13/10/24: US Comply365 has acquired Israel’s Qualtero, a premier provider of training management solutions, especially aviation training.
Startup investment – to 13/10/24: Eon.io raised a total of $127 million; Nym Health raised $47 million; Qodo (previously CodiumAI) raised $40 million; Xtype raises $21 million; Air Doctor raised $20 million; Augmented Intelligence raised $10 million; Kando raised $10 million; Prime Security raised $6 million; Hub Cyber Security raised $3.3 million; TechnoPulm raised $2 million.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Early Christian mosaic is exhibited. A 230 CE mosaic floor unearthed at Megiddo illustrates Israel’s importance as the birthplace of Christianity. The mosaic has gone on view at the Bible Museum in Washington DC. It includes an illustration of two fish and a very early mention of the name of Jesus.
https://www.jns.org/greatest-
Exhibit to benefit evacuees. ‘Three Spoons of Oil and Two Brushes,’ was a weeklong exhibit at Tel Aviv’s ANU – Museum of the Jewish People. Famous culinary figures were paired with leading illustrators who used chef jackets as a canvas to describe the chef they were paired with. Sales of the jackets benefited the displaced.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
European chess champion. (TY Nevet) Israel’s Noga Orian won the European Youth chess championships (Girls Under 18 category) in Prague. She was the top seed and scored 7.5 points after nine rounds.
https://chess-results.com/
https://www.europechess.org/
https://www.chessdom.com/noga-
THE JEWISH STATE
Uncovering 2,700-year-old Jewish history. Construction in Jerusalem has revealed 8th century evidence of the assault on the Kingdom of Judah by Sennacherib of Assyria. Although King Hezekiah survived, his administrative structure didn’t. Among the relics are hundreds of storage jars handles with their owner’s seal.
https://worldisraelnews.com/
Oct 7 war victims Torah scroll installed at Kotel. A Torah scroll, written in part by families who lost loved ones on Oct 7 and the subsequent war in Gaza, was dedicated at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, where it will be housed. It conveys and strengthens the message and spiritual symbol of Jewish unity and shared values.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
Self-service store. Customers at an all-night grocery store in Tel Aviv put on a laudable show of honesty after the one member of staff became unwell and left the store unattended. Customers took over running the cash register to pay for items that were purchased. They even worked out how to pay with credit cards.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
50 years after Oskar Schindler. (TY Sandra) On Oct 9 1974, Oskar Schindler passed away. He saved some 1,200 Jews from the Nazis and was immortalized in the movie “Schindler’s List”. Recognized as one of the “Righteous Among the Nations”, he is buried on Mount Zion, Jerusalem. A timely reminder of moral clarity.
https://www.sudetendeutsches-
https://www.yadvashem.org/
Shana Tov Jerusalem 5785. (TY Sharon) Positive recent events in Jerusalem include KKL-JNF’s “Uniting for the Future” solidarity mission, Jerusalem Design Week “The Ark”, fairs to support Israeli businesses, the book launch for “Az Nashir – We Will Sing Again”, and late night Selichot prayers.
https://rjstreets.com/2024/09/
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/
American Friends of Magen David Adom (US donors): https://afmda.org/
or Magen David Adom (Israel): https://www.mdais.org/en/
Zaka (US donors): https://donate.zakatelaviv.
or (Canadian donors): https://www.canadahelps.org/
United Hatzalah: https://israelrescue.org/
Leket Food Israel: https://www.leket.org/en/
JNF USA – https://my.jnf.org/gaza-
Orthodox Union – https://www.charidy.com/
Schneider Children’s Hospital: https://www.fos.org.il/en/
https://system.smartgiving.
https://chaischneider.org/
Rambam Medical Center (Haifa) https://aforam.org/ways-to-
https://www.rambam.org.il/en/
Hadassah Hospital Israel: https://www.hadassah.org/
Laniado Hospital (Netanya) https://my.israelgives.org/en/
Buy Israel Bonds to support the Jewish State. (TY Larry B)
https://www.
USA – https://www.israelbonds.com/
Europe – https://israelbondsintl.com/
Canada – https://www.israelbonds.ca/
