This Week’s Sanity Report from Israel Oct. 27, 2024
I hope those who celebrated them, enjoyed the Jewish festivals of Sukkot (Tabernacles) and Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah. This newsletter was compiled before the news of Israel’s response to the recent missile attack by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The newsletter highlights the most recent positive achievements of Israelis in response to the events of Oct 7th 2023, plus Israel’s continual response to the global need for its life-saving medical treatments, devices, activities, and hi-tech innovations and products.
The photo is of one of the street celebrations following the festival of Simchat Torah in Netanya. Similar joyful scenes throughout the Jewish State highlight that despite the horrific desecration of last year’s Simchat Torah festival, Israelis will never let our enemies determine our response on the most joyful of Jewish festivals.
The highlights include:
- Many examples of Israel’s determination to rehabilitate the wounded.
- An Israeli startup has developed a device that can save millions of stroke victims.
- Israeli volunteers are helping Americans recover from recent hurricanes.
- An Israeli startup makes flour from the waste from olive oil production.
- Take a ride on Israel’s first driverless public bus.
- Resilient Israelis make wine and beer while under fire.
- Celebrating Sukkot (Tabernacles) in Israel is a unique experience
POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Sheba hospital’s new rehab center. At Sheba hospital’s new “Returning to Life Rehabilitation Center for War Casualties”, over 600 patients have undergone critical rehabilitation since Oct 7. Sheba’s original rehab unit was expanded to meet the increased demand for trauma care and rehabilitation for civilians and soldiers.
https://www.israel21c.org/
Farm rehabilitates soldiers. Havat Rom (Rom Farm) some 30 miles from the Lebanese border, contains a farm-to-table restaurant and a glamping site. It also hosts a government rehabilitation program helping people with mental illnesses and disorders, including soldiers suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
https://www.israel21c.org/
https://glow-glamping.com/
Back on their feet. Two articles describing wounded IDF soldiers who are bravely walking again after extensive hospital treatment and rehabilitation. Major Rotem Shaked Aharon is fortunate to have his original legs, whereas Elisha Madan has two prostheses.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
https://www.
1,600+ scholarships. Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) has established a scholarship fund for students in southern border communities. Many are evacuees and still in shock. Returning to studies is a form of rehabilitation. So far, some 1,670 students have received NIS 4,000 each. See also here.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
How Ellay survived. Ellay Golan’s recovery from 8-weeks in a coma to graduating medical school was reported here previously. This article describes how, despite being burned, she bravely fought off Hamas terrorists on Oct 7 to save her 18-month-old baby daughter.
https://www.israel21c.org/
Always thought of others. (TY Yanky) IDF Sgt. Omer Ginzburg may have fallen in battle, but his bone grafts will repair orthopedic injuries; his corneas will give sight to the blind; his skin will treat burns injuries, and his heart valves will also be used. Omer’s parents said, “He always thought of others before thinking of himself.”
https://www.jpost.com/
Israel tests 8 anti-drone systems. About time! The IDF drone interception tests included Elbit (Iron Hawk), IAI (Precise Falcon), Rafael (Typhoon), Aerobotics, Xtend, General Robotics (Pitbull), Smartshooter, Fortem (US) + Elbit. See here for most of these and many other Israeli systems previously reported in this newsletter.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Pioneering medicine. The Pioneering Israeli Medicine Conference in New York City (Sep 22) highlighted new technologies, innovating hospitals, physical & mental rehabilitation, innovation in emergency medicine. The lessons learned from Oct 7 helped medical professionals prepare for the escalation with Hezbollah.
https://www.israel21c.org/
http://med-conf.scienceabroad.
New metabolites can treat diabetes and obesity. Israel’s Metabolize is testing two molecules that reduce both appetite and weight, helping to treat diabetics and the obese. The phenylalanine metabolite X-Phe and N-acetyltaurine (NAT) don’t have the side effects of existing medications and can be ingested rather than injected.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
https://metabolize.life/
3D-printed implants. (TY Atid-EDI) Israeli startups Collplant and Stratasys have commenced a pre-clinical study to test the ability of their 3D-printed implants (see here previously) to promote the growth of natural tissue and completely degrade over time. It may be an alternative to reconstructive surgery after cancer surgery.
https://investors.stratasys.
Bladder cancer test goes to Europe. Italy’s Menarini Diagnostics is to distribute the EpiCheck non-invasive bladder cancer urine test from Israel’s Nucleix (see here previously) in Europe. Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer as there are approximately 760,000 people in Europe with the disease.
https://www.businesswire.com/
Bacteria vs virus test trial successful. Israel’s MeMed (see here previously) successfully completed the first clinical trial of its BV test to differentiate between bacterial and viral infections. The test on 260 patients with suspected lower respiratory tract infection resulted in a 62% relative reduction in unnecessary antibiotics.
https://nocamels.com/2024/10/
Handheld lung test device. Israel’s TechnoPulm is developing a handheld device capable of performing full lung function tests. The tool will replace large, expensive machines with a compact, portable device that weighs just 400 grams. It can be operated in the physician’s office and complete the entire test in under three minutes.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
US funding for Israeli Ebola virus treatment. BARDA, part of the US department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, is funding development by Israel’s Redhill of Opaganib (see here previously) for the treatment of the Ebola virus.
https://nocamels.com/2024/10/
Rejuvenate skin with your own cells. Israel’s Ananda Labs is developing an organic treatment that improves skin elasticity, diminishing wrinkles and scars. Using technology of Hebrew University Prof. Yossi Buganim, Ananda genetically reprograms skin cells into placental stem cells, up to 50% younger than the adult originals.
https://www.israel21c.org/the-
https://www.ananda-labs.bio/
AI alerts of an impending stroke. More about Israel’s Avertto (see here previously) that has developed the first medical device with an AI alert of an impending stroke based on biological mimicry. Avertto cites studies indicating that 80% of strokes are preventable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.israel21c.org/
A new path to treating cancer. Researchers at Tel Aviv University a significant portion of cancer cells are “aneuploid” – i.e. have an abnormal number of chromosomes. It means they are more sensitive to certain anti-cancer treatments. Patients with that type of cancer could respond to these individually targeted treatments.
https://www.aftau.org/news_
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Muslim professor’s Israeli University lab. Prof. Muhammad Y. Bashouti graduated from the Hebrew Uni, earned his PhD at the Technion, researched at the Max Planck Institute and returned to set up his lab at Ben Gurion University. With nanotechnology of materials he can develop sensors or even generate hydrogen.
https://www.jpost.com/science/
The answer is obvious. This is a very interesting article concerning a Palestinian Arab studying at an Israeli University. He has to undergo certain restrictions and checks when travelling from his town. But he understands and accepts the reason. The author of the article prays that the student’s path can be made easier.
https://www.jns.org/the-
Bird-friendly walls. (TY Yanky) Each year, thousands of birds die as a result of collisions with transparent acoustic walls along highways, designed to shield residents from traffic noise. Now Israel’s Transportation Ministry is constructing new walls alongside main highways that birds will be able to recognize and avoid.
https://www.ynetnews.com/
Global cybersecurity advances. Israeli Intelligence Unit 8200 has become a driving force of global innovation. Alumni create billion-dollar companies, and draw the attention of top U.S. venture capital firms. The unit is renowned for its advanced capabilities in cybersecurity and cyberwarfare.
https://thejudean.com/index.
Cybersecurity geniuses are made in Israel. The Israel Cyber Campus prepares students for careers in cyber, either to defend against attacks or to develop safe systems. On-line courses are run by graduates of the IDF’s elite 8200 cyber unit. One course is for high school students in North America, Canada, and Australia.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Aid to hurricane-hit US states. Israel’s SmartAID has deployed solar power units and communication systems to communities hit by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. It brought food, solar-powered water pumps and smart mobile trailers to Asheville, North Carolina and to Taylor County in Florida. More to come.
https://www.israel21c.org/
Christian conference of Presidents. 100 presidents of top Christian organizations and Christian influencers attended the inaugural meeting of the Conference of Presidents of Christian Organizations in Support of Israel.
https://www.jns.org/new-
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Accurate results for crop tests. Israel’s Agmatix has launched RegenIQ – an AI- powered platform to accurately measure the results of agricultural activities to regenerate the soil. It helps plan effective trials, manage field staff, validate records, simplify data collection, and analyze results for maximum impact.
https://www.agmatix.com/ https://www.youtube.com/
Vaccination syringes for animals. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s ThaMa-Vet has just launched its latest state-of-the-art automatic syringe systems for fish. For more than 60 years ThaMa-Vet has been servicing global veterinary and healthcare industries, plus producers of poultry, swine, cattle, fish and small animals.
https://www.thama-vet.com/en/
Helping to implement AI. Israel’s Jeen.ai helps companies to set-up Artificially Intelligent chatbots to handle customer service enquiries and analyse the results of those conversations. It already serves dozens of major Israeli companies, including, Isracard, Cellcom, Amdocs, Perrigo, and Delek, plus Reichman University.
https://www.israel21c.org/
Engineering innovations. The eighth annual Afekathon at Israel’s Afeka (Academic College of Engineering in Tel Aviv) was won by a solar charging system for parasols in the campus yard. Another event titled MDAthon produced a smart bandage that detects infection from changes in pH levels.
https://www.afeka.ac.il/en/
https://nocamels.com/2024/10/
https://www.jns.org/wire/
Vegan milk proteins from yeast. Israel’s DairyX is developing animal-free casein milk proteins in the lab, using precision fermentation based on yeast. It sells the proteins to food manufacturers who use them to make dairy-free products e.g., vegan cheese and yoghurts. DairyX was Mass Challenge Israel’s 2023 top performer.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
https://masschallenge.org/
Recycling olive waste. After olives have been pressed into olive oil, the 85% solid residue (known as pomace) is usually burned or buried because it’s toxic, acidic, and stinks. Now Israel’s PhenOlives rescues the waste before it oxidizes, and converts it into safe, gluten-free flour and other commercial products.
https://www.israel21c.org/
Innovating on the border. Several Israeli and US organizations have opened Israel’s Climate Tech Innovation Center just 17 miles from the Lebanese border. They decided to keep the tech community together, where possible, both virtually and physically. 15,000 people have returned to the area in the past few weeks.
https://www.jns.org/climate-
Space is closer then ever. Israel’s Rakia, which launched Israel’s Eytan Stibbe’s mission on the International Space Station, has now established the Israel Space Forum together with Israel Space Agency and the Israel Export Institute. Its aim is to grow an advanced Israeli space sector, connecting startups to investors and more.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
Self-driving bus takes to the road. Israel’s Ministry of Transportation has authorized Israel’s Imagry (see here previously) to begin testing an autonomous bus on public roads in the northern city of Nahariya. The electric bus will run an 8km route beginning and ending at the Nahariya Mall through the city’s busiest areas.
https://worldisraelnews.com/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
$80 million fund begins investing. Israeli venture capital fund New Era Capital Partners has closed the first $80 million of its target $150 million 3rd fund so that it can start investing in new Israeli startups. Its primarily focus will be on enterprise software, with strong emphasis on cyber companies with breakthrough technologies.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
100 startups launched. Cornell Tech – the school established by Cornell University and Israel’s Technion Institute have reached a significant milestone – creating more than 100 companies through its Runway Startups program. Those startups are now valued at $660 million and have created 500 new jobs in New York City.
https://ats.org/ats-news/
Tel Aviv to New York flights. (TY Israel Realtime) Issta, an Israeli charter airline, has rented a jet for return flights from Tel Aviv to New York, direct – with a refueling stop in Ireland.
https://www.issta.co.il/
Investing in AI. Israel has allocated NIS 500 million ($133 million) for education and critical R&D and data infrastructure to help keep pace with global AI developments. It includes a national institute for advanced research in partnership with Israeli and international experts across academia, industry, and the military.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Personalized campaign really works. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s Clinch (see here) has sold its Flight Control marketing campaign software to leading companies such as Coca-Cola, J.P. Morgan Chase, Hyundai, L’Oréal, Mars Wrigley, and Tesco. It now includes Copilot – an AI-powered guide to automate much of the campaign.
https://clinch.co/clinch-
Talicia launches in the UAE. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s RedHill Biopharma has launched its Talicia (omeprazole magnesium, amoxicillin and rifabutin) in the United Arab Emirates – making it available by prescription to treat adults with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.
https://www.redhillbio.com/
$17 million order for flying car. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s AIR ONE (see here previously) has won $17M in purchase orders for the autonomous cargo version of its flying car. Air EV generated more than $1M in revenue in 2023 and expects to reach $7M revenue in 2024.
https://aircargonext.com/news/
Brewing beer 6 miles from Lebanon. Another Israeli business trying to “raise the spirits” while under missile fire is the Malka brewery (see here previously) just six miles from the Lebanese border. Malka has sent tens of thousands of bottles of beer to evacuees in Dead Sea and Eilat hotels. Malka beer is on sale in the US (see link).
https://www.israel21c.org/
https://shop.jnf.org/products/
Buy Israeli wine. Several Northern Israel wineries need support to keep them in business as they experience daily rocket attacks from Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon. Please seek out the wines from Dalton, Tulip, Uriel, Pelter, Galil Mountain, and Mika. Also, Underdog winery, whose owner served six months in the IDF.
https://www.israel21c.org/war-
Changing the world, one wave at a time. Israel’s Eco Wave has updated its agreement with I-Ke International Ocean Energy (part of Lian Tat, see here previously) to install a 100kw (was 20kw) wave energy generation unit in Taiwan. Eco Wave’s CEO is confident that it will lead to the adoption of wave energy all over Asia.
https://nocamels.com/2024/10/
Managing temporary staff. Israel’s Ubeya helps employers hire and manage temporary or shift workers. Clients include Wembley and soccer clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Ajax. Events include the UEFA Champions League final, Wimbledon tennis tournament, and Foo Fighters and Taylor Swift concerts.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
Exits, mergers & acquisitions – to 20/10/24: Israeli hospitality startup Duve has acquired Israel’s Easyway and now has 70% of the Israeli market.
Startup investment – to 20/10/24: Obligo raised $35 million; Port (GetPort) raised $35 million; Monogoto raised $27 million; Lidwave raised $10 million; Ubeya raised $10 million; Early (startearly.ai) has raised $5 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Israel’s longest zip line. A unique experience of Jerusalem’s rich history. From Armon HaNatziv a 731-meter zipline, the longest in Israel, offers breathtaking views of the Mount of Olives, Kidron Valley, City of David, and Temple Mount. It concludes in the “Peace Forest” with return transport in a safari vehicle.
https://israfan.com/p/largest-
Best hotels. (TY Yanky) National Geographic Magazine named two hotels owned by Israeli hotel chain Fatal in their latest rankings. London’s The Dilly was named best London hotel for families, while Amsterdam’s The Manor is “the best unique hotel for guests who want to feel like locals in Amsterdam.”
https://www.
https://www.
The best decision I’ve ever made. NBA legend Patrick Beverly reflects on being in Israel. He took his talents to the Israeli basketball league where he currently plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv. He certainly doesn’t regret his decision; he loves Israeli culture and tells his Euroleague ex-colleagues that the war doesn’t change anything.
https://worldisraelnews.com/
THE JEWISH STATE
From tragedy to rejoicing. It was a privilege to hear Rabbi Leo Dee speak at local Netanya shul (McDonald International). You may remember that Arab terrorists murdered his wife and eldest daughters. Rabbi Dee explains how it is possible to recover from such an event and use it as a springboard for positive work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Timely reminder. A replica of the sacred Ark of the Covenant, made of gold and acacia wood, has been on display for the first time, in the sukkah at Jerusalem’s King David Hotel. Inside was placed a Torah scroll that survived the Holocaust. In Biblical times the Ark was taken into battle, reminding us of our ultimate protector.
https://www.jns.org/with-eyes-
The most beautiful festival. (TY Sharon) The festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) has more colorful symbols and features than any other Jewish festival. The streets of Jerusalem are full of decorated booths and people rushing around with palm branches and citrons. Despite the war, crowds thronged the Kotel (Western Wall) plaza.
https://rjstreets.com/2024/10/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
They shall all come to Jerusalem. For many Christians, the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) has special significance due to its prophetic association with the gathering of nations in Jerusalem. Despite the war, thousands of pilgrims from around the world gathered in Jerusalem for the annual Jerusalem Sukkot March.
https://worldisraelnews.com/
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/
