By Michael Ordman
NETANYA, Israel — In the Sept. 19, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
- 3 million Israelis have had their Covid antibodies boosted tenfold.
- Israeli surgeons successfully separate twins conjoined by their heads.
- Israel’s first female Muslim IDF Major.
- An Israeli startup converts text into video read by an animated narrator.
- The value of Israel’s trade with Arab states in 2021 is triple that of 2020.
- Israeli pianist wins international record contract.
- The Land of Israel reveals more Jewish history.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Learning from Israel’s Covid boosters. The Chair of UK’s Health and Social Care Select Committee, MP Jeremy Hunt, stated in Parliament that Israel shows that a booster program reduces Covid hospitalizations in just two weeks. Israeli research also shows that the booster gives 10 times more antibodies than the second jab.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/313170
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-research-3rd-vaccine-dose-produces-10-times-more-antibodies-than-2nd/
Israeli vaccine gives longer protection. The Brilife vaccine, developed by the Israel Institute for Biological Research, appears to give long-term defense against the coronavirus. The 230 trial volunteers who received the highest dosage of the vaccine were still fully protected six months after vaccination.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/tv-high-dose-of-israeli-made-vaccine-appears-to-give-long-lasting-protection/
A “super cork” for Covid. (TY WIN) Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have developed a small molecule that stops the coronavirus spike protein from attaching to the lungs’ ACE2 receptor. But it doesn’t damage ACE2’s normal function. (See also here for similarities with opaganib from Israel’s Redhill).
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/putting-super-cork-coronavirus
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-021-00954-4
Unlocking cancer immunotherapy. (TY UWI) More details on the breakthrough technology of Israel’s Nectin (see here previously). Monoclonal antibodies, with toxins attached, are sent directly to the cancer cell to break its ability to immobilize the body’s immune system. Clinical trials are expected to start in early 2022.
https://www.israel21c.org/new-drug-candidate-could-boost-potential-of-immunotherapy/
Using white blood cells to fight cancer. (TY UWI) Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered that a type of white blood cell (eosinophils) can be utilized to fight cancer. They have a double effect, producing destructive proteins, while at the same time summoning the immune system’s cancer-fighting T-cells.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-scientists-aim-to-mobilize-allergy-causing-cells-to-fight-cancer/
Remove succinate to treat IBD. (TY UWI) Recent studies show that the metabolite succinate, secreted by gut bacteria, can cause Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Scientists at Israel’s Ben Gurion University and in South Korea have developed therapeutic peptides to remove succinates from the body. Patents have been filed.
https://www.israel21c.org/novel-biological-treatment-for-inflammatory-bowel-diseases/
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00952-9
Treatment for cystic fibrosis sufferers. Israel’s SpliSense (see here previously) uses mRNA to fix the root cause of cystic fibrosis – genetic mutations that create a non-functioning protein (CFTR). It not only treats patients with no current treatment but is also much cheaper than existing treatments.
https://www.israel21c.org/inhaled-drug-could-treat-rare-cystic-fibrosis-mutations/ https://splisense.com/
HBOT and Alzheimer’s. Tel Aviv University scientists have discovered more on the effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT – see here). It significantly improved vascular function and blood flow to the brain, plus reduced and removed the build-up of amyloid plaque on the brain – a common symptom of Alzheimer’s.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/oxygen-therapy-may-slow-alzheimers-say-israeli-researchers-after-mice-study/
Voice analysis to aid mental health. Israel’s Eleos Health has developed an AI-powered voice analysis system to help behavioral health clinicians and care teams provide better personalized, care to mental health patients and reduce staff burnout. It is deployed at Solvista Health, Achieve, Yeshiva University and ReachLink.
https://eleos.health/for-clinics/ https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3917801,00.html
Unbelievable joy as twins separated. (TY UWI) Very Good news. Surgeons at Israel’s Soroka hospital used Israeli technology to separate the heads and major blood vessels of two conjoined Israeli baby girls, assisted by a UK Muslim specialist. The babies were visibly delighted to be able to see each other for the first time.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-israeli-1st-doctors-separate-heads-of-conjoined-twins-in-life-or-death-op/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/uk-muslim-doctor-busts-boundaries-helps-separate-jewish-israeli-conjoined-twins/ https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/313063
New York Life works with Empathy. The U.S.’s largest life insurer company New York Life has partnered Israel’s Empathy (see here previously) The Israeli app will help guide NYL customers navigate the complexities experienced with loss by offering logistics and emotional support.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3915955,00.html
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
IDF female Muslim major. IDF Captain Ella Waweya (see here previously) has now been promoted to Major. She is the highest ranking female Muslim IDF officer. (See here for highest ranking male Muslim officer.)
https://www.thejc.com/news/world/ella-the-first-arab-muslim-female-major-in-the-idf-1.520274
Advancing the peace of the Abraham Accords. Former US ambassador David Friedman has established The Friedman Center for Peace through Strength. It aims to expand and scale up the Abraham Accords he helped broker in 2020 among Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, Kosovo and Morocco.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/david-friedman-launches-friedman-center-to-advance-peace-made-by-abraham-accords-678452
Upsurge in UK students studying in Israel. 94 British students have chosen to study in Israel with the Turing Scheme, compared to the average of 18 who took advantage of the EU’s previous Erasmus+ program. Half the participants of the scheme come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/british-students-choosing-to-study-in-israel-increases-by-fivefold-677176
Successful US test of Iron Dome. (TY WIN) The US Army has successfully completed its first live test, on US soil, of the Iron Dome defense system supplied by Israel (see here previously).
https://www.jns.org/us-army-completes-first-live-test-of-iron-dome-battery/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORMTXfbarUI
Project TEN launches in Mexico City. The Jewish Agency for Israel has launched a new volunteer center for the Project TEN service-learning program in Chimalhuacán, Mexico City. Project TEN volunteers use Jewish values to promote social resilience for the disadvantaged in Israel, Africa, Greece, Cambodia & Mexico.
https://www.jns.org/jewish-agency-opens-new-project-ten-service-learning-center-in-mexico-city/
https://www.jewishagency.org/project-ten/
Changing lives in quake-torn Haiti. (TY UWI) Ben Katzir is IsraAID’s emergency coordinator in Haiti. He’d also been on IsraAID’s team in Haiti after the major 2010 earthquake. He speaks fluent Creole. IsraAID is distributing shelters, water treatment kits, hygiene kits, solar lights and training community leaders.
https://www.israel21c.org/the-israeli-changing-lives-in-quake-torn-haiti/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo3Sn0gABBo
Six new foreign Ambassadors to Israel. (TY Sharon) Israeli President Isaac Herzog received the credentials of the new ambassadors of Mexico, Estonia, Spain, Greece, Vatican City, and for the first time Bahrain, upon the assumption of their ambassadorial duties to Israel. The IDF Orchestra played all their national anthems.
https://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=37&ARTICLE_ID=147983
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
UK government funds new Israeli wheel. Israel’s REE Automotive (see here previously) was awarded £14 million from the UK Government, via its Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). It will help REE mass-produce its breakthrough wheel centered REEcorner technology and electric vehicle platforms.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3915759,00.html
Extending the EV range. Israel’s Silib is developing technology to increase the battery capacity of electric vehicles by 40%. It adds pure silicon to existing Li-ion batteries, while avoiding the common industry problem that causes them to swell and lose capacity. https://www.si-lib.com/
https://jewishbusinessnews.com/2021/08/29/breakthrough-silib-increases-electric-vehicles-range-by-40/
The return of the houbara. The UAE and Israel have been partnering to save the endangered Houbara species (see here previously). The good news is that national park rangers in Southern Israel this summer have sighted hundreds of the beautiful iconic desert birds – a key indicator of the well-being of Israel’s flora and fauna.
https://www.israel21c.org/uptick-in-number-of-houbaras-spotted-in-southern-israel/
Send an experiment on Israel’s moon mission. SpaceIL is requesting proposals for researchers worldwide to offer experiments to be used in the Israeli non-profit’s upcoming Beresheet 2 mission to the moon. Proposals must be submitted by Nov 15, 2021, with the mission scheduled to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024.
https://www.jpost.com/science/spaceil-accepting-proposals-678462
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3917196,00.html
Transform your text into video. Israel’s Hour One enables users to create a video without having any background in video production. The AI-based video production platform creates content from text, using computer-generated synthetic characters based on real people, for professional and commercial use.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3916957,00.html https://www.hourone.ai/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RATTlHM3tac https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNAAFYVfWw4
How to get a hi-tech job in Israel. Three new Olim (immigrants to Israel) describe how they obtained employment in Israel’s hi-tech industry. Read about Keren Starobinski, 24, from Newton, Massachusetts; Lilly Liebman, 22, from San Diego; and Gavin Coulson, 27, from Colorado.
https://www.jpost.com/jpost-tech/meet-the-hi-tech-olim-finding-job-success-677791
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Record currency reserves; deficit down again. During August, Israel’s foreign currency reserves rose by over $4 billion to almost $206 billion. Israel’s cumulative fiscal deficit fell from 9.2% at end July (see here previously), to 8% at the end of August.
https://www.boi.org.il/en/NewsAndPublications/PressReleases/Pages/05-09-21.aspx
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-fiscal-deficit-narrows-to-8-1001384647
Startup job vacancies skyrocket. Job vacancies at the 240 portfolio companies of Israel’s OurCrowd soared by 300% in Q2 2021. Nearly two-thirds of the startups planned to recruit more staff in the remainder of 2021. 80% had implemented hybrid working models (home and office).
https://www.jpost.com/jpost-tech/israeli-tech-job-openings-rise-300-percent-as-investment-soars-677767
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3916227,00.html
https://blog.ourcrowd.com/ourcrowd-job-index-q2-2021/
Gulf Port of Haifa opens. Israel has officially inaugurated the new port terminal in Haifa Bay (see here previously). It aims to fuel competition, decrease import costs, and remove handling delays that have been costing some NIS 700 million every month. It will hopefully be a major boon for the Israeli economy.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-inaugurates-new-haifa-port-terminal-in-expected-boost-for-economy/
Trade with Arab states tripled. In the first seven months of 2021, trade between Israel and Arab states grew by 234 percent compared to the same period in 2020. Trade with the United Arab Emirates surged from $50.8 million between January and July 2020 to $613.9 million in the same period in 2021.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-trade-with-arab-states-has-surged-since-2020-peace-deals-data-shows/
Direct flights from Bahrain and Cairo. Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national airline, is launching twice-weekly flights to Tel Aviv beginning 30 Sep. And EgyptAir the national airline of Egypt, is reportedly going to operate direct flights between Cairo and Tel Aviv from early Oct.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/313238
https://www.timesofisrael.com/egyptair-to-launch-direct-tel-aviv-cairo-flights-next-month/
DHL orders 12 Israeli electric planes. DHL has ordered 12 fully electric “Alice” eCargo planes from Israel’s Seatle-based Eviation (see here previously). Delivery to DHL Express is planned for 2024.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dhl-express-shapes-future-for-sustainable-aviation-with-the-order-of-first-ever-all-electric-cargo-planes-from-eviation-301346727.html
https://nocamels.com/2021/08/electric-eviation-dhl-aircraft-electric/
Make-up take-over. Israeli startup Voyage81 has been acquired by US-based cosmetics company Il Makiage. Voyage81’s AI-based hyperspectral imaging technology for smartphones will be used by Il Makiage to enhance its own PowerMatch algorithm for matching a consumer’s skin tone to the company’s foundation.
https://nocamels.com/2021/09/il-makiage-ai-skin-tech-voyage-81/ https://voyage81.com/
General Motors expands in Israel. The General Motors Technical Center in Israel is expanding its activities in the electric and autonomous vehicle market. To house its 600 staff, it is paying NIS 300 million to rent office space in Herzliya for the next 10 years. GM expects to recruit 400 additional staff and rent even more space.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3915931,00.html
Snyk is worth billions. Israeli cybersecurity Snyk (see here previously) has just raised $300 million of funds to give it a market value of $8.5 billion. The new funds will be used for product development and to improve its technology. https://nocamels.com/2021/09/open-sournce-security-snyk-valuation-funding/
Investment in Israeli startups: Cellebrite raised $370 million (IPO); Snyk raised $300 million; Melio raised $250 million ($110 million was in Jan); Papaya raised $250 million; Versatile Natures raised $80 million; Quantum Machines raised $50 million; Hunters cybersecurity raised $30 million; Rezilion raised $30 million; Yotpo raised $30 million; Sproutt raised $26 million; Satori raised $20 million; Neosec raised $15 million; DiA Imaging raised $14 million; EverAfter raised $13 million; Five Sigma raised $12 million; Veego raised $13 million; Elios Health raised $6 million; Toya raised $4 million; Silib raised $3 million; Eloops raised $2 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT`
New Year at the Israel Museum. (TY Margaret) New exhibitions at Jerusalem’s Israel Museum include “Hear, O Israel” (The Magic of the Shema); “How Long Is Now?” (New in Contemporary Art); “Satirist Supreme: Honoré Daumier and 19th-Century Paris”; a special display about 9/11; plus, many current exhibits.
https://www.imj.org.il/en/current-exhibitions
I am Israel – the soundtrack. Hear the rich and inspiring sounds of the rebirth of Israel with the “I am Israel” original motion picture soundtrack. Featuring the powerful orchestral score, along with excerpts of dialog from narrator John Rhys-Davies and the Israeli cast. Music by award-winning composer Bob Farnsworth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM4uI_SDnaw
Major contract for piano virtuoso. 17-year-old Israeli pianist Yoav Levanon has just signed an exclusive contract with Warner Classics. Yoav was featured here in 2013 when aged 8 he opened the International Summer Jewish Festival in Budapest. Prior to that, he won Israel’s National Piano Competition at age five.
https://stljewishlight.org/uncategorized/why-a-17-year-old-israeli-virtuoso-is-already-winning-comparisons-to-the-greatest-pianists-of-all-time/ https://www.warnerclassics.com/artist/yoav-levanon/news
https://www.warnerclassics.com/artist/yoav-levanon
New Israeli stamps. (TY Jacob Richman) The latest issue of beautiful Israeli stamps include three Ecclesiastes verses, three Israeli astronomical observatories, Rabbi Yitzhak Nissin, SY Agnon, IDF Home Front Command Search & Rescue Brigade, and Israel Police Volunteer Rescue Team.
https://jr.co.il/stamps/index-2021.html
Israel’s Next Star. Tamir Greenberg won Israel’s “The Next Star” talent contest. The Jerusalem Post wrote he won NIS 1 million following his rendition of “Crazy in Love”. But according to his America-Israel Cultural Foundation sponsor, he performed his original song “Tell me where the light goes” (see video). Anyway, enjoy!
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/meet-tamir-greenberg-israels-next-star-678448
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho0tqMIh1og
New Israeli drama series. “The Collective” is a new Israeli drama series from “Fauda” producer Maria Feldman and writer / director Dror Shaul. It centers on an American who moves to a kibbutz and becomes its leader in defending Israel’s borders. Shaul was born and raised in Kibbutz Kissufim, near the Gaza Strip.
https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/09/02/new-drama-series-from-fauda-producer-centers-on-american-living-in-kibbutz-who-defends-israels-borders/
165,888 ways to shape a Star of David. Israel’s Aron Lazarus is the inventor of The Genius Star – named “Best Puzzle/ Brainteaser Game” by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association in 2020. Players roll dice to collect the 48 triangular pieces required to cover their personal six-pointed star-shaped board.
https://www.israel21c.org/award-winning-game-has-165888-ways-to-shape-star-of-david/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1qPRAhac3E
THE JEWISH STATE
From Gaza Muslim to Israeli Jew. Ayman Abu Suboh has been on a long journey. Aged seven, he decided he wanted to leave his life of hatred in Gaza and convert to Judaism. Beaten severely, he ran away from schools and eventually fled to Israel and was adopted by a religious Jew. At 28, he converted and is now Dor Shachar.
https://www.israelunwired.com/the-unexpected-convert-to-judaism-from-gaza/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbQXqmqGiBk
Wedding reunion. Michael, a United Hatzalah volunteer EMT, received a surprise invitation – to the wedding of Dikla, who he had saved after she had been stabbed by a terrorist six years previously. Michael had used his own fingers as a makeshift tourniquet until help arrived, otherwise Dikla would have had only minutes to live.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/israeli-victim-of-terror-invites-rescuer-to-her-wedding-6-years-later/
Give it a rest. The year 5782 on the Jewish calendar, starting Sept 6, is a sabbatical year for the Land of Israel. This article describes how religious Israeli farmers follow the Biblical commandment not to farm their fields in the seventh year. There is even an Israeli Ministry of Agriculture Unit for Agriculture According to the Torah.
https://www.israel21c.org/the-farmers-who-are-giving-their-land-a-years-rest/
Digging up a Jewish settlement. Tel Rechov in Northern Israel is mentioned in Egyptian manuscripts. Archaeologists have unearthed artifacts related to honey production and beeswax that was used by the Egyptians. Byzantine-period inscriptions show that Jews lived there during the 3rd to 6th centuries CE.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-ancient-hebrew-inscription-reveals-if-jews-kept-sabbatical-year/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxmyJh26L4w
More historic Jewish discoveries. Archaeologists have discovered a vast 2,000-year-old quarry near Jerusalem that includes large stones like those King Herod used to extend the Jerusalem Temple. Meanwhile a Temple-like structure is being unearthed just outside of Jerusalem.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/313046
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rQIuDjiNMI
Group travel to Israel restarts. (TY UWI) Israel will admit organized groups of 5 to 30 vaccinated and tested tourists from “green, yellow and orange” countries, including the US and UK, starting on Sep 19. Birthright is to resume its tours and Masa’s Israel Journey already has. Masa is also bringing 165 English teachers to Israel.
https://www.israel21c.org/group-travel-to-israel-to-resume-september-19/
https://www.jns.org/birthright-to-resume-trips-no-quarantine-in-israel-for-those-fully-vaccinated/
https://www.jns.org/masa-fellows-begin-long-term-work-study-and-volunteering-experiences-in-israel/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/313450
18,000 National Service volunteers. Reuben Pinsky is director-general of Israel’s National Service. Some 18,000 Jews, Arabs, religious, secular, and Haredi citizens volunteer for one-year programs in medicine, education, government offices, and more. The video includes an example of the vital work they do.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/new-year-begins-for-18000-national-service-volunteers-678456
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU1ao_2keRo
JNF’s World Zionist Village. The winners have been announced for the competition to design the new JNF-USA World Zionist Village. (see here previously). The Israel Education and Technology Campus will be sited in the Be’er Sheva River Park. It comprises a technology center, tourist education center and an Israeli school.
https://zionistvillage.jnf.org/index.php/winners/
A fruitful New Year. Midwives at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center and its Bikur Cholim campus delivered 133 babies over the two-day Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) festival.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/313181
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Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel. www.verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com and a searchable archive www.IsraelActive.com For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com