Israel Active

The Women’s International Zionist Organization (WIZO) has just celebrated a century of caring for the disadvantaged in Israel. More than 1,000 women representing Jewish communities from 40 countries attended its conference, held festive events and visited many of WIZO’s projects in Israel.

The Patrizio Paoletti Association in Israel has established “Youth of Light” projects for youth at risk from all sectors of Israeli society. They make candles from recycled wax at three sites. Some 120 teens are employed per year, helping them develop into well-adjusted adults. is a key partner.

The six centers of Israeli charity House of Wheels are home to a socially inclusive environment where 500 children, youth and young adults with disabilities (Jews, Arabs, Bedouins, Christians, Muslims, and Druze) can reach their full potential. A very moving video.

Israeli tech entrepreneurs, programmers, zoologists, water and environmental experts are taking part in a 15-hour hackathon (product design workshop event) in Tel Aviv to devise ways to help Australia tackle the consequences of the environmental calamity from its bushfires.

When in Israel, UK Royal Prince Charles said, “it seems to me like Israeli genius is maintaining the entire structure of the NHS along with a great deal of other technology”. He received presentations of Israeli innovations WaterGen, HomeBiogas and Sniff Phone.

Israel’s Democracy Institute (IDI) has reported that ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) women are increasingly pursuing higher education and integrating into Israel’s workforce. It resulted in a 10% rise in the income of Haredi families in 2017 compared to 5% for non-Haredim.

To help charities, the not-for-profit organization Ogen is to provide $70 million in bridging loans for non-profit organizations that are awaiting promised state funds from delayed 2020 budget.

The Jewish National Fund (JNF) has brought 28 professors from universities and colleges across the US to Israel. The JNF Faculty Fellowship Program links US scholars with their respective Israeli faculty to promote joint research, establish exchange programs and to see the country.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s attended the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz Birkenau. As his plane arrived at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, Elbit’s J-Music defense system was visible on the underside of his Airbus A330.

Eli Bin, Director-General of Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA), has offered assistance to the Turkish Red Crescent following the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Alazig province in Turkey. The powerful quake has resulted in over 1,000 casualties.