This Week’s Sanity Report from Israel Sept. 15, 2024
This issue is dedicated to all the Israeli superheroes featured in this newsletter
The photo is of Israel’s Walter Bingham, the world’s oldest journalist, who celebrated his 100th birthday by skydiving over Israel.
The highlights include:
- 5 articles featuring amazing war-wounded Israelis.
- Thousands at risk of lung blood clots saved by Israeli AI.
- How a black African Jew became Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv.
- Another Israeli process turns garbage into fuel.
- It’s never been a better time to invest in Israeli technology.
- Israeli journalist Walter Bingham skydives to celebrate his 100th birthday.
POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
He absorbed a bomb but didn’t give up. (TY UWI) Amichay Shindler saved his family by absorbing a bomb planted by Hamas terrorists outside the door to their safe room. Ten months and one prosthetic hand later, it is still not clear how he is alive today. His wife Avital manages a group for the wives of injured Israeli reservists.
https://www.algemeiner.com/
Soldier’s recovery and mission. (TY UWI & I24 News) Captain Israel Ben Shitrit, a reservist serving in Khan Yunis, tells his story and future plans. A Hamas terrorist hit his unit with an RPG and he was badly wounded. After three and a half months in rehabilitation, he declares that he is proud to be a Captain in the IDF.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Wounded soldier returns to his tank. In Nov 2023 IDF tank crewman Sergeant Aharon Shmuel Bryce was severely wounded by a Hamas-fired RPG missile that hit his tank. After 10 months of surgeries, reconstructions and rehabilitation, he has returned to serve in Gaza in the very same tank that he was injured in.
https://www.
Druze girl recovers after Hezbollah attack. Kai Marai, the 11-year-old Druze girl, most seriously wounded in the July 27 Hezbollah rocket attack on the Golan Heights, regained consciousness on Aug 13 surprising doctors at Haifa’s Rambam children’s hospital. Kai’s mother thanked the medical team for saving her daughter’s life.
https://www.jns.org/doctors-
Oct 7 survivor receives her medical degree. Elai Hogeg Golan awoke from a coma 51 days after Hamas terrorists firebombed her home on Oct 7. In May she received her medical degree at an emotional ceremony. She is now finishing her medical internship at Sheba Medical Center, while receiving rehabilitation treatment.
https://www.ynetnews.com/
A nation of superheroes. Rony Ben-Zvi Elimelech is completing her doctorate at Israel’s Technion Institute. She is also a mother of two boys, ages 6 years and 16 months, and chief executive officer of Wisemama, which supports women who are combining parenthood and academic studies. Then she was called up for reserve duty.
https://ats.org/our-impact/
Cooking up resilience. Israel’s Technion Institute held a hackathon, attended by 140 science students, who worked with mental health experts to develop solutions to improve mental resilience. The winning team developed a technology to treat post-traumatic stress disorder through cooking, using a virtual reality headset.
https://www.technion.ac.il/en/
US doctor volunteered and then made Aliyah. In Nov, cardiothoracic anesthesiologist Dr. Eugene Rapaport volunteered for two weeks at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center, treating some unique injuries and diverse patients. Then in June he realized his dream and made Aliyah through Nefesh b’Nefesh. A fascinating article.
https://www.jns.org/us-doctor-
Volunteers make a difference. (TY Yanky) Angie Jacobs and Naomi Frankel write about their experiences as volunteers on Kibbutzim, Moshavim, Army bases, children’s homes and more. They really made a difference.
https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/
Making chocolates under fire. (TY Rhoda) Rhoda’s great-niece Chana Koenig shows typical Israeli resilience by making gourmet chocolates (without preservatives) in Nahariya, northern Israel. For the last 11 months, she has endured near-incessant aerial attacks by Hezbollah from exploding UAVs and rocket fire.
https://davebender.substack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
A wish comes true. Miri and her fiancé Roy are both IDF reserve officers and had to postpone their wedding several times due to the war. When they finally fixed the date, they pleaded on Instagram for help getting Miri’s paralyzed, holocaust-survivor grandfather Kim to attend. Thanks to Israel’s Wish Ambulance, he got there.
https://israfan.com/p/wish-
https://www.mdais.org/en/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Positive early results of heart repair trial. Israel’s Endospan (see here previously) shared good early news from the trial on 22 patients of its Nexus Aortic Arch Stent Graft System. The trial is being extended to 110 patients. 120,000+ patients suffer thoracic aortic arch disease every year in the USA and Europe.
https://www.businesswire.com/
Detecting high risk of pulmonary embolism. Researchers at Ben Gurion University and Israel’s Sheba Medical Center used AI to detect nearly 2,000 patients at high risk of developing a pulmonary embolism (lung blood clot). Sheba used the BGU algorithm to analyze the records of 46,000 patients who were admitted to ER.
https://nocamels.com/2024/08/
https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/
Non-invasive cancer treatment. Scientists at Israel’s Technion Institute have developed a sonodynamic cancer therapy – ultrasound that targets sensitive nanoparticles accumulated in the cancerous tissue to treat deep-seated tumors. It destroys tumors without damage to healthy cells.
https://ats.org/our-impact/
https://t3.technion.ac.il/
Valve replacement startup gets approval & funds. Israel’s TruLeaf Medical has received approval from the Helsinki Committee to begin human trials of its minimally invasive Mitral Valve Replacement procedure. The Israel Innovation Authority awarded TruLeaf an additional NIS 1.5 million, to make a total of NIS 11.5 million.
https://www.prnewswire.com/il/
Aquatic plant is good for diabetics. An Israeli clinical trial shows that diabetics who drink a beverage with the Mankai cultivated aquatic plant after meals can reduce blood sugar levels by 20%. It confirms the results of initial tests that Israel’s Ben Gurion University scientists conducted five years ago (see here previously).
https://nocamels.com/2024/08/
A better fish farm. Traditional aquatics uses the wastewater from fish farms to grow hydroponic vegetables. Now scientists at Israel’s Ben Gurion University have also made use of the solid waste from fish by means of anaerobic digestion. The new system produces biogas, higher crop yields, using less energy and less water.
https://www.bgu.ac.il/en/news-
Real-time medical translator. Current and ex-students from Israel’s Technion Institute have developed CommU – a real-time language translation platform that allows doctors to converse with patients in Hebrew, English, Arabic, Russian, and most other European languages.
https://nocamels.com/2024/08/
https://commu.ai/
AI devices for the hard-of-hearing. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Bettear provides Auracast-based assistive listening solutions to enhance sound experience. Its B-CASTER streamer integrates with hearing aids and cochlear implants. Other products support tour guides, teachers, entertainers, and museums.
https://www.bettear.com/
AI contest for Parkinson’s FOG detection. Tel Aviv University researchers ran an international contest to develop an algorithm to detect “Freeze of Gait” (FOG) in Parkinson’s sufferers, using data from 100 patients. The prize of $100,000 attracted nearly 25,000 solutions from AI researchers in 83 countries.
https://english.tau.ac.il/
Treating and reversing DDD. Israel’s Discure Technologies is developing an implantable bioelectronic device designed to treat and reverse degenerative disc disease (DDD). The Discure System restores fluids and nutrients to the affected discs. DDD accounts for 35% of all lower back pain, at a cost of $100 billion in the US alone.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
https://www.hcs-capital.com/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Black Jewish Zionists. As a child immigrant from rural Ethiopia, Mehereta Baruch Ron could never have imagined she would one day become Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv. In this interview she shares her powerful story of perseverance, identity, and faith, recounting her community’s ancient connection to Jerusalem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Haredi recruits join elite border guard. 31 Haredi (orthodox) men have just completed their rigorous training and have joined the ranks of Israel’s Border Police. Their unit focuses on border security, counterterrorism, and maintaining security in Jerusalem. The men combine Torah study with combat training and police duties.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
Promoting IDF service to Muslims. Hisham Abu Raya was the first Muslim (non-Bedouin) officer in the IDF. Immediately after his discharge in 2018, he founded “Ma’an” (meaning “together” in Arabic), to strengthen ties between the Israeli State and young Arab citizens. Today he promotes IDF service as key to their advancement.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Israelis on the US front line. CEO of the Israeli American Council Elan Carr tells about the hundreds of thousands of Israeli Americans who have mobilized in the past 10 months to fight rising Jew-hatred, including on U.S. campuses. The IAC has also trained 2,000 public school teachers, influencing countless children.
https://www.jns.org/so-
Saudi ambassador at MEAD summit. Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, participated in the inaugural MEAD (Middle East – America Dialogue) conference in Washington, D.C. MEAD is co-chaired by ex-US Ambassadors to Israel, and the summit featured several high-ranking Israelis.
https://www.jns.org/saudi-us-
10,000+ march for Israel in Montreal. Over 10,000 Montreal Jews and allies marched in solidarity with Israel as part of the powerful March for Jerusalem. Wearing blue and white, the crowd gathered to call for the release of the 101 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and to show unwavering support for the Jewish state.
https://israfan.com/p/
Israel’s African Allies. A conference of 40 lawmakers from 20 African countries affirmed Jerusalem is the true capital of Israel and declared an intention to seek partnerships with the Jewish State. They all signed the “Addis Ababa Declaration of Africa-Israel Cooperation and Partnership” declaration.
https://worldisraelnews.com/
Taiwan’s cooperation with Israel. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung stated in Taipei that Intelligence exchanges and technology cooperation between Taiwan and Israel are essential to counter shared threats. Taiwan also pledged over NIS 187,000 to the Druze High-Tech Empowerment Center (DTEC) in Usfiya,
https://israfan.com/p/taiwan-
https://israfan.com/p/new-
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
More fuel from waste. Following last week’s article about Israel’s Co-Energy (see here) another process is being researched at Tel Aviv University. Waste is superheated and catalysts are used to separate it into biofuel and a solid biochar that can be used elsewhere while isolating the extracted greenhouse gases inside.
https://english.tau.ac.il/
https://nocamels.com/2024/08/
Another Quantum alliance. (TY OurCrowd) Israeli startups Quantum Machines and Classiq are now founding members of the QuEra Quantum Alliance Partner Program launched by QuEra Computing, a leader in neutral-atom quantum computing. The 19 leading quantum companies aim to advance quantum computer development.
https://www.globenewswire.com/
Not secure enough. Two graduates from Israel’s Technion Institute have managed to seize control of Siemens’ new controllers, which are among the most secure in the world, by deciphering their communication protocol. As a result of the successful attack, Siemens has updated the software.
https://www.technion.ac.il/en/
Sunflowers know their neighbors. When plants such as sunflowers are planted together in dense patches, they will grow in such a way to give maximum sunlight to their neighbors. A team including Tel Aviv researchers discovered that sunflowers can distinguish between another plant and an inanimate object such as a building.
https://journals.aps.org/prx/
A nursery for the Atlantic guitarfish, in the Med. A University of Haifa study has found that a coastal strip south of Haifa is an effective natural habitat for the endangered cartilaginous (“guitar”) fish. The Israeli location provides food, protection from predators, and shelter (factors also enjoyed by Israeli citizens!).
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
https://cris.haifa.ac.il/en/
Financial AI-chat bot. Israel’s Lettuce Financial has launched LettuceHead AI – a free AI-chat bot specialized to answer solopreneurs tax and accounting questions. It is designed for businesses run by solopreneurs (one-person companies) who need guidance on how to approach and manage their businesses accounting and taxes.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
AI support for Hebrew & Arabic. Israel’s AI21 Labs (see here previously) has launched Jamba 1.5 for the development of GenAI systems that need to process large volumes of text. It fully supports Hebrew and Arabic languages. CEO Ori Goshen says they included Hebrew support “for Zionist reasons”, as it is not a big market.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
https://www.ai21.com/blog/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Economy grows even during the war. Israel’s gross domestic product grew at an annualized 1.2% rate in the April-June period compared to the previous three months. Over the first half of 2024, the economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.5%. https://www.jns.org/israeli-
Now is the time to invest in Israeli companies. (TY Rhoda) So many positives in this WSJ opinion article. (Note, no investment advice given from the VeryGoodNewsIsrael editor)
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/
Defense tech fund. Ace Capital Partners is a new venture capital investment fund focused on defense, aviation, and space startups. Although it will also invest in international companies, ts primary goal is to nurture and strengthen the Israeli ecosystem in aviation and space.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
Fund for joint UK-Israel research. Israel and the UK have created a NIS 9 million fund to provide research grants for joint projects, plus scientific collaboration on the development of transformative technologies. The grants focus on quantum tech, AI for medicine discovery, alternative proteins, and advanced food packaging.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Benefits for Olim at JCT. New immigrants who enroll in specific programs at the Jerusalem College of Technology are eligible for benefits thanks to JCT’s partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliya and Integration. They include full-tuition scholarships and financial support, plus up to 1,500 NIS a month for housing.
https://www.jns.org/wire/
Vegan salmon for celebrities. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s Oshi (formerly Plantish) has partnered with Neat, a vegan burger chain backed by celebrities Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo DiCaprio. Oshi’s vegan salmon will be featured in Neat’s New York City menu inside vegan fish tacos, rice bowls, and Caesar salads with avocado.
https://vegconomist.com/
Startup investment – to 15/9/24: Quantum Source raised $50 million; Zafran Security raised $40 million; Discure Technologies raised $16 million; Datricks raised $15 million; Lettuce Financial raised $15 million; Odigos raised $13 million; Element Security raised $5 million.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Art, design and sushi on display in Haifa. Six new exhibits opened on 1st Aug in the Haifa Museum of Art, all solo affairs featuring works by female artists. Meanwhile, Haifa’s Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art hosted a traveling exhibit and local presentations including one on the art of rolling sushi for soldiers on the frontlines.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Beautiful new stamps. (TY Jacob Richman) New Israeli postage stamps have been issued featuring the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) – etrog (citron), lulav (palm branch), hadasim (myrtle), aravot (willow); Ramat Gan Safari; Murals; YAMAM (National Counter-terror Unit); Paralympic Games; Animals from the Bible.
https://jr.co.il/stamps/index-
Eurovision singer gets IDF call-up. Israel’s Eden Golan, who came fifth singing “Hurricane” in May’s Eurovision Song Contest, has just had her summons to enlist in the IDF. She is likely to serve as a performer, showcasing her musical abilities for fellow soldiers as part of the military’s cadre of exceptional artists. https://www.israelhayom.com/
https://www.jns.org/from-
THE JEWISH STATE
$5 million donation for new “Chessed” center. Philanthropists Debbie and Michael Flacks have donated $5 million to Colel Chabad to erect a new center dedicated to promoting community service and acts of kindness. The 10-story “Flacks Chessed Tower” will be located next to Jerusalem’s Machaneh Yehudah open-air market.
https://www.jns.org/wire/
Moss Haggadah gifted to National Library. The National Library of Israel has received the original version of the Moss Haggadah. The 1980’s masterpiece, by renowned Judaica artist David Moss, is a large-format, handwritten and hand-illuminated rendition of the classical Passover seder liturgy in a traditional style.
https://www.jns.org/national-
5-year-old survives 8-floor fall. A five-year-old girl from Kiryat Gat was released from Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon after falling eight floors and only suffering minor bruising and scratches. She had woken in the night, climbed out onto the balcony and fell into bushes, eight floors below. The parents plan to celebrate the miracle.
https://www.
Skydiving at 100. The world’s oldest journalist, Walter Bingham (see here previously), celebrated his 100th birthday by skydiving over Israel – as he had done on his 95th birthday. Before he boarded the plane he said he looked forward to “seeing the country from the River to the Sea”.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Pictures of resilience. (TY Sharon) This week, the Real Jerusalem Streets stretched from Israel’s capital to Sderot to show the unity of Israelis. The Kotel (Western Wall), Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s funeral, wedding photos at the Botanical Gardens, and new buildings for the many people wanting to live in restored Sderot.
https://rjstreets.com/2024/09/
Voice of the people. Israeli President Herzog launches the Voice of the People initiative on Sun 15th Sep with an inaugural online symposium, featuring Israeli actress Gal Gadot. The event aims to unite Jewish voices from around the world to emphasize the resilience and unity of the Jewish people amid current global challenges.
https://israfan.com/p/gal-
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/
