Israel Active

Israel ranked 8th in a “quality of digital life” study conducted by VPN provider Surfshark. According to the index, Israel has the most affordable Internet in the world. The study measured the Internet in 85 countries as to its affordability, quality, infrastructure, government, and security.

Israel’s Watergen and the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies have now donated three water generators to Gaza. The latest will produce (from humidity in the air) up to 5,000 liters of drinking water a day for the Nasser Medical Center in Khan Younis, Gaza’s second largest hospital.

Rabbi Matanya Yadid, teacher at Bar-Ilan University, and Sheikh Eyad Amer, imam of the central mosque in Kafr Kassem, held a Zoom session this week. The topic was “baseless love” in the context of the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av and the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

Daniel Defour was born very premature and at the age of 15 he went blind. At 17 he met the Prime Minister and spoke of his desire to join the IDF. Last week, aged 21, Daniel’s wish came true.

The number of ultra-Orthodox tech employees jumped by 52% in 2014-2018; 71% of them are women. The report was compiled by the Israel Advanced Technology Industries (IATI), together with non-profit KamaTech, that seeks to integrate Haredi Jews into the country’s high-tech industry.

Microsoft Israel developed the Xbox Adaptive Controller to make Microsoft’s gaming console accessible for gamers with limited mobility. The head of R&D at Microsoft Israel personally delivered six specially adapted Xboxes to Alyn children’s rehab hospital in Jerusalem.

Just 3 weeks after deploying its cancer diagnostics for the UK’s National Health Service (reported previously), Israel’s Ibex Medical has partnered Medipath (France’s largest pathology lab network). They will implement France’s first AI-powered pathology solution for cancer detection.

Israeli singer Bat Ella and her band have been performing before and during the pandemic, at homes for the elderly all over Israel. Much of her music is Hebrew prayer set to popular music - especially uplifting at these times.

Leading Israeli pediatricians have founded the Goshen organization to advance children’s optimal health, development and well-being. Its website (in Hebrew, English & Arabic) includes explaining coronavirus to children, calming their fears, helping them sleep and home activity ideas.

The Sparrow “drone in a box” from Israel’s Percepto (reported previously) passed level 5 Florida hurricane testing, including winds up to 150mph and will help Florida Power and Light’s emergency response during the hurricane season. Percepto has customers in 10 countries.   (includes great video)