SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — Following are some of the stories of Jewish interest that hit our editor’s computer mail box at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com on Friday, June 8. We are interested in local, national, and international news of Jewish interest, and welcome comments from members of the Jewish community about these news items.
Robert S. Langer is appointed as a U.S. Science Envoy
Robert S. Langer of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of five nationally-known scientists who have been designated by the U.S. State Department to serve as U.S. Science Envoys.
Along with Maj. Gen. Charles Frank Bolden Jr., Dr. Michael Osterhold, Dr. Rebecca Richards-Kortum, and Dr. James Schauer, Langer, 69, will “engage internationally at the citizen and government levels to enhance relationships between other nations and the United States, develop partnerships, and improve collaboration,” according to a U.S. State department announcement.
“Science envoys leverage their international leadership, influence, and expertise in priority countries to advance solutions to shared science and technology citizens,” the announcement continued. “Science Envoys travel as private citizens and help inform the Department of State, a variety of U.S. government agencies, and the scientific community about opportunities for science and technology cooperation.”
Langer is one of 13 Institute Professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a position that is considered MIT’s highest honor. Langer has received more than 220 major awards and is one of four living individuals to have received both the United States National Medal of Science (2006) and the United States National Medal of Technology and Innovation (2011). Langer’s research is at the interface of medicine, materials science, and chemical engineering. As a Science Envoy for Innovation, Dr. Langer will focus on novel approaches in biomaterials, drug delivery systems, nanotechnology and tissue engineering, and the U.S. approach to research commercialization.
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DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to travel to Israel
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued this announcement on Friday: ” Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen will travel to Jerusalem, Israel next week to participate in the International Homeland Security Forum. While in Israel, Secretary Nielsen will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan. She will also serve as keynote speaker and participant at the forum with Israeli leaders and other international partners. Additionally, Secretary Nielsen will receive an operational briefing on Israeli border infrastructure technology and systems. The forum is expected to include delegates from 17 countries and will focus on counterterrorism and how the United States, Israel, and our international partners can work together to further combat emerging threats.”
An interesting aspect of this routine announcement was that it specifically referred to “Jerusalem, Israel.” In the past, U.S. government agencies simply would say “Jerusalem” in order not to prejudge the outcome of negotiations over Jerusalem’s status. With the United State now having recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, this procedure no longer is the case.
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Photo: CNN
Charles Krauthammer announces his death is imminent
Syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer, 68, has announced that a cancerous tumor in his abdomen has returned and that doctors believe he has only weeks to live. “This is the final verdict. My fight is over,” he wrote. After thanking various media partners, Krauthammer added in his column: “I believe that the pursuit of truth and right ideas through honest debate and rigorous argument is a noble undertaking. I am grateful to have played a small role in the conversations that have helped guide this extraordinary nation’s destiny. I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life — full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living. I am sad to leave, but I leave with the knowledge that I lived the life that I intended.”
Jewish San Diegans reacted quickly. Charles Wax called it a “sad announcement and day.” David Ellman commented “The world will be a lesser place without him!
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Davis, other social workers in Congress, denounce separation of families at the border
Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) and four other former social workers now in Congress have issued a statement criticizing the Trump Administration’s policy of separating children from their families seeking asylum at the U.S. border. “The Trump Administration’s policy of separating children from their parents is terrifying and frankly, abhorrent,” said the group, which also includes U.S. Reps. Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Luis V. Gutiérrez (IL-04), Karen Bass (CA-37). Reports indicate that very young children– who are already fleeing dangerous conditions at home including domestic violence – are being taken from their parents. Families are often separated by hundreds of miles, and children are being housed in inadequate facilities. As social workers, we understand the profound impact that family separation has on a child’s developmental growth and on our society. These heartless policies instill a sense of helplessness and despair in children and could result in long-term trauma and health repercussions. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that the separation of children from parents, and detention in DHS facilities that do not meet the basic standard of care for children, pose a significant threat to their long-term health and well-being. Their findings have led them to recommend that children in the custody of their parents should never be detained or separated from a parent unless a competent family court makes that determination. Every passing day of separation has grave consequences for these children’s well-being. These are innocent children who have done nothing wrong. Forcing them to suffer at the hands of the US government is inhumane and un-American. We are taking all actions possible to end this brutal policy and reunite children with their families.”
Israeli landmine survivor gets a bear hug from Rudy Giuliani
Dvir Musai, 29, had a reunion on Friday at Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
The two had met 16 years earlier when Giuliani was taking another tour of the Hadassah Hospital and Musai, then 13, was being treated for wounds sustained when he stepped on a landmine during a school outing. He since has undergone 30 operations at Hadassah.
“I’m here, standing on my own two feet, having served in the Israel Defense Forces, happily married and a father of two,” said Musai. “I remember your visit, understood you were important, and felt strengthened by the support you gave me. I’m so honored to meet you today.” Musai now works as the facilitator of the HMO Herzstein Heritage Center and speaks to hundreds of groups in Israel and abroad. Giuliani enclosed Musai in a bear hug. “I’m privileged to see you again.”
Giuliani, currently serving as U.S. President Donald Trump’s attorney, also met with Hadassah’s chief of surgery, Dr. Alon Pikarsky, and was shown around the trauma center.
“This hospital is a blessing,” said Giuliani. “I have been here so many times to see the tragic consequences of terrorism. It’s wonderful to be here and see the good you do. Count me among your supporters.”
House approves joint U.S.-Israel energy and water programs
The House of Representatives on Friday adopted an energy and water appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2019 that includes $6 million in ongoing funding for the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperative Agreement, and for the U.S.-Israel Energy Center.
U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) who helped shepherd the bill through the House, said:
“To date, the U.S. government has provided $15.7 million for the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperative Agreement, matched dollar-for-dollar by the Israeli government. The program has already leveraged over $37 million in private sector investment. This is a competitive grant program for early-stage companies that is designed to connect the U.S. and Israeli private sectors and academics. Its mandate was expanded in 2014 to cover collaborative Research and Development (R&D) into renewable technologies, natural gas, and water – key areas of interest for the United States.
“Funding for the U.S.-Israel Energy Center (“Center of Excellence”) will bring to fruition a project that Congress, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Government of Israel have worked on for the past two years. The Center of Excellence will include joint R&D and academic and technology transfer ventures in areas such as thermal power, wastewater treatment, desalination, clean energy, produced water, natural gas, and protection of critical infrastructure through cybersecurity.
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Flipping the Congress is goal of new JDCA executive director
Halie Soifer, the new executive director of the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), has this to say: “After nearly two decades working in government, I am thrilled to transition into a political role as Executive Director of JDCA, and I can think of no better time to do so. The stakes have never been higher, as Jewish values are threatened by the policies put forward by the Trump administration and enacted by the Republican-controlled Senate and House. The only way to change the trajectory of our country is to elect more Democrats in November – ideally enough to flip the House and Senate, and to lay the groundwork for a Democratic victory in 2020. That is why I am thrilled to partner with the JDCA board in leading our vital organization at this moment, when Democrats have an extraordinary opportunity to capitalize on a widespread desire for change among the American people. I look forward to working with all of you as JDCA launches a concerted effort to influence the outcome of the midterm elections, and continues to advocate for Jewish values throughout the country and on Capitol Hill.”
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Previous compiled from news releases and correspondence