Author Archives: MichaelOrdman

Ancient gold hoard unearthed

Posted on October 8, 2025

University of Haifa archaeologists have uncovered a Byzantine-period (6th or 7th century CE) hoard of 97 pure gold coins and jewelry at Sussita National Park. They believe it was buried in fear of the Sasanian-Persian conquest. It includes a rare … Continue reading →

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World’s largest fish visits Israel

Posted on October 8, 2025

Ashdod authorities recorded the the first documented sighting of a whale shark along Israel’s Mediterranean coast and only the third confirmed sighting in the entire Mediterranean. Whale sharks are occasionally seen in the Gulf of Eilat – this one is … Continue reading →

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Good results

Posted on October 8, 2025

Israel finished 7th at the European Softball Championships. Israel placed 8th at the Women’s European U-18 Water Polo Championships. And Israel’s men’s U18 water polo team won the European Championship Division 1, having already secured promotion to the Elite tier. … Continue reading →

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Israel reached Euro baseball quarterfinals

Posted on October 8, 2025

The Israel Baseball National Team beat Switzerland 9-1 to reach the quarterfinals of the 2025 European Championship. Pitcher Justin Alintoff dedicated the victory to all the Israelis fighting in the war and those who have lost their lives. Israel finished … Continue reading →

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Oldest church organ makes music again

Posted on October 8, 2025

A pipe organ crafted some 1,000 years ago for Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity made music once more, as the instrument was unveiled at Jerusalem’s Terra Sancta Museum. It was hailed as the “oldest organ in Christendom.” It was rediscovered … Continue reading →

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Israeli hi-tech had a record year

Posted on October 8, 2025

Despite the war. Israel’s high-tech industry posted a record year for exits and cemented its global leadership in Deep-Tech. The “Status Report on Israeli High-Tech 2025,” from Dutch database management company DealRoom, totaled 1,500 active Deep-Tech companies in Israel. https://www.jns.org/despite-war-israeli-high-tech-has-record-year-new-report-finds/

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Partnering Nasdaq to prevent fraud

Posted on October 8, 2025

Israel’s BioCatch (see here previously) has partnered with Verafin (a subsidiary of Nasdaq). They will combine their fraud detection technologies to combat rising payments fraud. Verafin is used by over 2,600 financial institutions. https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/nasdaq-verafin-biocatch-strike-partnership-curb-payments-fraud-2025-09-03/

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Startup investment – to 5th Oct 25

Posted on October 8, 2025

Via Transportation (value $3.65 billion) raised $493 million (IPO); Descope raised an additional $35 million; Commcrete raised $29 million; Datawizz raised $12.5 million; Gain raised $12 million;

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Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 5th Oct 25

Posted on October 8, 2025

US Datavant has acquired Israeli medical document analysis startup DigitalOwl for just over $200 million. Israel’s Kela Technologies has acquired Israel’s Pelanor for tens of millions of dollars. Israel’s Honeybook has acquired Israel’s Fine.dev. Brazil’s Unico has acquired Israel’s OwnID.

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Free banking in Israel

Posted on October 8, 2025

In early 2026 Israel’s newest digital bank, Esh Bank Israel, promises to offer accounts completely free of fees for both retail customers and small businesses. It also will share 50% of the interest earned on their current account balances. The … Continue reading →

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