This Week’s Sanity Report from Israel Sept. 29, 2024
On the Jewish New Year festival, Rosh Hashana, 100 blasts on the Shofar (ram’s horn) are blown to summon the people to prayer.
This newsletter was compiled before the latest news from Lebanon.
The newsletter editor wishes all readers
Shana Tova – a Good 5785 and Besorot Tovot – May we hear Good News.
The highlights include:
- Morning prayers saved an IDF soldier, shot three times in the head.
- Three “only in Israel” newborn baby stories.
- Bedouin Muslims, Druze women and Christian Arabs thrive in Israel.
- Even a dog can fly across the water on a 35km / hour Israeli hydrofoil.
- Ireland and Mexico slander Israel but purchase its technology.
- Israelis have grown an extinct Biblical plant from a 1,000-year-old seed.
POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
IDF soldier saved by his prayers. An IDF soldier was praying in Gaza, wearing tefillin (phylacteries). When warned about a nearby Hamas terrorist, he removed his tefillin, but had no time to remove the metal night vision support plate on his helmet. The terrorist shot 3 bullets at his head, which were absorbed by the plate.
https://worldisraelnews.com/
Pre-school program to treat PTSD. NGOs SASA Setton (see here previously) and Alumot Or have partnered Israeli bank Hapoalim to set up early-years centers of educational excellence in areas most affected by Oct 7. The program will help hundreds of children aged 3 to 6 who have experienced trauma, along with their parents.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
https://sasasetton.org.il/en/ https://www.alumotor.org/en
Galvanizing Jewish advocates. Eitan Chitayat, creative director and founder of Tel Aviv-based international Natie Branding Agency, has dropped all his commercial work to focus on promoting Israel to the world. He created the slogan “I’m that Jew” and urges his 100,000+ followers, and all of us, to be advocates for Israel.
https://www.israel21c.org/
https://www.instagram.com/
Quiet heroism is everywhere. Reporter Canaan Lidor lives in the north of Israel. He was looking for ordinary brave people who are inspiring others. He found people eating outside bomb shelters; zoom-learning schools; sharing safe rooms with neighbors; plus ex-pats returning to Israel to defend the country.
https://www.jns.org/in-
Starlink for the north. Dozens of satellite internet stations from Elon Musk’s Starlink have arrived in Israel’s north for government offices, hospitals and emergency centers. Israel’s Communications Ministry approved Starlink’s use, enabling Israelis to access broadband services if ground-based communications are disrupted.
https://www.jns.org/starlink-
Quiet diplomacy at work in Europe. Israel has many supporters in Europe, “but they are in need of relevant information,” says IDSF’s Brig-Gen Amir Avivi. Meetings between IDSF and Italian Chamber of Deputies officials resulted in the Italian Parliament’s lower house passing a multifaceted pro-Israel resolution in July.
https://www.jns.org/italian-
https://idsf.org.il/en/team-
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Protein missing in lung cancer patients. Scientists at Israel’s Technion Institute have discovered that the protein RBM10 is absent or has mutated in 40% of lung cancer patients. The protein helps the body to repair damaged DNA. The scientists inhibited the WEE1 gene to eradicate RBM10-deficient lung cancer in mice.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
ALS treatment slows progression. A 12-months Phase 2b trial of PrimeC from Israel’s NeuroSense (see here previously) showed a 73% improvement over placebo in slowing ALS progression among patients. It also achieved a 63% increase in survival rates.
https://finance.yahoo.com/
The remedy is skin deep. Israeli startup Dermab.io is developing personalized biologic therapies for people suffering from chronic and autoimmune diseases. It aims to produce tailored, precision treatments, based purely on individual biomarkers gathered in a simple, non-invasive skin swab.
https://nocamels.com/2024/08/
https://www.linkedin.com/
https://finder.
Early warning of Parkinson’s. (TY Ron M) Tel Aviv University researchers have developed a method to detect protein aggregation in cells that are the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. With super-resolution microscopy, they analyzed skin cells on patients with gene mutations on specific cells .
https://www.frontiersin.org/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Wolt rider delivers baby. Remember last week when MDA began the medical training of 1,000 Wolt delivery drivers. Well Ilan had already been trained, so when he was called while delivering pizza, he knew what to do. He didn’t deliver pizza, he delivered a baby instead. Meanwhile, the ambulance team ate the pizza.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
1-2-3. Motti, a United Hatzala volunteer EMT, rushed to an Ashdod apartment to deliver a baby – the second in two days (to different mothers of course!). It is rare for an EMT to deliver one baby at home, and extremely unusual for two on consecutive days. It was also the third birth that he had helped deliver in the same month!
https://israelrescue.org/
11th down. Einat had already brought 10 children into the world. But her 11th was the first to be born underground. The maternity ward at Israel’s Rambam Medical Center had been relocated to the level minus 3 car park. Nevertheless, a healthy baby was born and all 10 siblings came to visit mother and newborn.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
A better MRI. Researchers at Israel’s Technion Institute have used new materials to enhance Magnetic Resonance Imaging signals by up to 4 times and preserve the signal for 10 mins (previously only 1 min). This gives doctors time to track metabolites in the tissues – important clinical markers for diseases including cancer.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
https://www.science.org/doi/
US approval for heart ultrasound system. Israel’s AISAP (see here previously) has received US FDA approval for its CARDIO point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) platform. It allows accurate diagnosis of up to 90% of the most common cardiac parameters within minutes, either in an incident or during treatment.
https://nocamels.com/2024/08/
https://streetlight.s3.eu-
Why he developed stroke therapy device. Yaron Segal’s son Lear was born with familial dysautonomia (Riley-Day syndrome). Yaron established the startup BrainQ (see here previously) to search for a solution. His brainwave helmet doesn’t help Lear, but its low-intensity electromagnetic field is curing many stroke patients.
https://www.israel21c.org/
https://www.brainqtech.com/
Treating knee replacement infections. 2% of the millions of knee replacements each year result in untreatable infections due to the bacteria protecting themselves with an impenetrable biofilm. Israel’s Dimoveo Medical has developed a process using nanoparticles to “sandblast” the biofilm and allow antibiotics to kill the bacteria.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
https://dimoveomedical.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Keeping mosquitoes away. Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a cellulose-based gel that dries on the skin and blocks mosquitoes from detecting human scents. Even those mosquitoes that get through are unable to lay eggs due to the effects of the gel.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
https://academic.oup.com/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Bedouin eco-village gets water from the air. Israel’s H2OLL (see here previously) has installed its its first complete water from the air system at the Bedouin eco-village Wadi Attir (see here previously). The system is set to produce 1,000 liters of water per day at the dry Negev desert site. H2OLL is crowdfunding here.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
Druze female bioengineer is Israeli champion athlete. (TY ATS) Karawan Halabi (see here previously) from the Druze village of Usfiya, is a biomedical engineer at Israel’s Ossio (see here previously). She is also Israel’s 2024 women’s champion in the 5,000 meters and the runner-up in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase.
https://www.ynetnews.com/
An Israeli Arab and Israeli Jew at Harvard. Tzur Goldin has devoted years to campaigning for the return of his dead brother, Hadar Goldin, who is still held in Gaza. Abboud Ashkar, is a Christian Arab entrepreneur from Nazareth who has become a symbol of coexistence in Israel. Both promote Israel at Harvard University.
https://www.ynetnews.com/
Most influential in AI. Zack Dvey-Aharon, CEO of Israel’s AEYE Health is one of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence for 2024 as per Time Magazine’s TIME100 AI. AEYE (see here previously) uses AI, plus retinal images obtained by a handheld camera, to test for diabetic retinopathy.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
US & Israel green energy partnership. Bipartisan US legislators have introduced the US-Israel Energy Center Reauthorization Act of 2024, aimed at advancing green energy technologies. It will fund up to 50% of joint US-Israeli projects e.g., to develop energy storage, renewable energy, and cybersecurity for energy infrastructure.
https://israfan.com/p/us-
International design award. Maayan Kinsbursky, graduate from Israel’s Technion Institute, has won the international Red Dot Design Award for her project, U·Bra – an innovative bra for women who have undergone a mastectomy and cannot have reconstruction surgery. It is a non-invasive alternative to silicone implants.
https://technionuk.org/news-
More security for European airports. (TY OurCrowd) The AI-powered prohibited items detection software (APIDS) from Israel’s SeeTrue (see here previously) has been integrated into the advanced CT security checkpoint systems of Smiths Detection. It will shortly be certified by the European Civil Aviation Conference.
https://www.smithsdetection.
Remote medical diagnostics for Iowa farmers. (TY OurCrowd) Iowa’s largest farmer-owned collective, Landus, is offering a health policy to all its members. Those enrolled will receive a medical kit from Israel’s TytoCare (see here previously) including stethoscope, thermometer, and digital camera for remote examination.
https://www.agriculture.com/
Why did Malawi vote with Israel? I was surprised that Malawi supported Israel in the recent (sickning) vote in the UN General Assembly. Then (TY Hazel) I saw that there are 700 Malawians working in Israel and 10,000 more are expected by the end of 2024. They work in agriculture, construction, elder care, and tourism.
https://www.ynetnews.com/
Thank you President Milei of Argentina. In a powerful address at the United Nations General Assembly, Argentine President Javier Milei sharply criticized the international body for its persistent bias against Israel. After explaining (at 5 mins) how the UN has degenerated, he supports Israel at 7 mins 30.
https://israfan.com/p/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Securing Israel’s cybersecurity networks. The technology of Australian-U.S.-Israeli-based Mobilicom (see here previously) has been fitted on search-and-rescue dogs in Gaza. Mobilicom also delivers medical equipment, protects electrical lines, and monitors agricultural fields.
https://ats.org/our-impact/
Waze for drones. Israel’s Airwayz (see here previously) has become one of the most commonly used unmanned traffic management (UTM) systems worldwide. At Rotterdam port, the busiest port in the world, Airwayz coordinates 60 drone operators serving 3,000 companies.
https://nocamels.com/2024/08/
Keep in touch with your drone. Israel’s Elsight (see here previously) has developed a communications system called Halo that allows drone operators to control drones, robots or critical application, even when they are beyond the line of sight. On Oct 8, Elsight provided its system to the IDF free of charge.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
Using AI to automate IT operations. Israel’s Kubiya (see here previously) helps software developers by taking away many of the repetitive tasks, allowing the user to focus on strategic tasks. Kubiya’s conversational AI assistant “Teammates” allows software engineers to provide instructions through human-like conversations.
https://www.israel21c.org/ai-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Keeping motorcyclists safe. Israel’s Rider Dome is described as “Mobileye for motorbikes”. It uses vision AI from front and rear wide-angle cameras. The real-time alert units on both mirrors issue beeps and flashes to warn of dangerous overtaking, zigzagging, collision risk, safe distance, and blind spots.
https://www.israel21c.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The most stable hydrofoil. The Haifa program IN-VENTech has launched 67 Israeli startups to date. They include Level Hydrofoils which has developed a unique e-foil that “flies” you up to 35km/hour one meter above the water for 30-40 km on a single charge. It uses a gyroscope that can keep even a dog stable (see video).
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
https://www.levelfoils.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://english.in-ventech.co.
Instant 3D-printed contact lenses. Israel’s Lensy Medical is developing custom contact lenses that the optometrist will print for you after checking your vision. They will fit perfectly and comfortably and be much lower in price than today’s contact lenses.
https://www.israel21c.org/3d-
https://finder.
Cowpea milk. Israel’s Better Pulse is the first company to use the cowpea (black-eyed pea) as an entirely new dairy milk alternative. Technically, the cowpea is a bean that contains almost all of the essential amino acids. The resilient crop requires little water and fertilizer, is tolerant to heat and has a very low carbon footprint.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
https://better-pulse.com/
More data to help farmers. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s CropX has linked its systems to CNH (New Holland Agriculture equipment). It means that the data collected by farm machinery can be used by farmers and advisors to achieve optimum planting, fertilization and harvesting results. CropX also links to John Deere.
https://www.
Faster image editing. Companies wanting to create marketing images for their online businesses should take a look at Israel’s Cymbio (see here previously). It has launched Cymagery AI to automate the entire process, from uploading images to verifying copyright compliance, reducing administrative workload by over 70%.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
https://www.cym.bio/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Investing in Israeli companies. Startup Nation Central produced a useful webinar guide to researching Israeli startups, establishing a watchlist, processing investment deals, and on-going management of those investments.
https://finder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Power cells for Mexico. Israel’s GenCell Energy (see here previously) is to supply Mexico’s state-owned utility Comisión Federal de Electricidad – the largest utility in North America – with another $4.4 million of its REX backup power units. GenCell produces clean hydrogen gas from liquid ammonia.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
Ireland buys Israeli military systems. Ireland may frequently slander Israel in the political arena, however, in the last ten years, it has bought $9.4 million of Israeli arms. It includes nearly $5 million for drones from Israel’s Aeronautics, plus over $300,000 maintenance. It now wants to buy more. Chutzpah!
https://worldisraelnews.com/
Homegrown drones. MAFAT, Israel’s Defense Research and Development Directorate, is to issue a tender for the purchase of about 20,000 Israeli-made drones, worth hundreds of millions of shekels over 5 years. They will replace the Chinese-built drones currently used by the IDF.
https://www.jns.org/israel-
Care system for seniors expands into Europe. Israel’s Essence SmartCare (see here previously) is partnering with leading Swedish alarm management platform Skyresponse to integrate its Care@Home senior care solution in Nordic and Dach (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) countries. It is also expanding in the UK.
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
https://nocamels.com/2024/09/
Exits, mergers & acquisitions – to 29/9/24: Israel’s CropX has acquired US-based nitrogen sensor tech EnGeniousAg.
Startup investment – to 29/9/24: Torq raised $70 million; Cherre raised $30 million; GEOX raised $19 million; Tamnoon raised $12 million; Enzymit raises $10 million; Bluebricks raised $4.5 million; aption.com raised $2.4 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Color, Culture, and Contrasts in Jerusalem. (TY Sharon) Israel’s capital featured “The Awakening” about Rawan Osman’s journey from antisemite to finding Judaism; artist Zadok Ben-David’s tour at David’s Tower; Design Week at Hansen’s House; the musical “David, the Servant King”; and a wine festival. L’chaim – to life.
https://rjstreets.com/2024/09/
More on Jerusalem Art week. This year’s Jerusalem Arts week focuses on the events of Oct 7. Its theme is “The ark” – related to the biblical story of Noah, recounting a catastrophic flood where the aftermath leads to redemption and hope. https://www.israel21c.org/
https://www.jns.org/jerusalem-
THE JEWISH STATE
Israel’s population reaches 10 million. On the Jewish new year, Israel’s population is estimated to exceed 10 million. The Central Bureau of Statistics reported a total of 9,915,000 at the end of 2023, and a growth rate of 1.2% to 1.6% will by now have exceeded 10 million (77% Jews, 20.8% Arabs). 183,000 babies were born.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Biblical seed regrown. A mystery seed dating from 993 C.E.-1202 C.E. that was uncovered four decades ago by archaeologists in a cave in the Judean Desert has been revived. It is believed to be the biblical healing balm tsori (Genesis 37:25 & 43:11) as it contains high levels of medicinal compounds e.g., the antioxidant squalene.
https://www.jns.org/
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/
