Israel Active

Another talk by Sivan Yaari, CEO of Innovation: Africa, this time at UK’s Manchester Grammar School. The solar electricity and water generating facilities provided by the Israeli NGO means no more famine in poverty-stricken African villages – and has even kick-started an entrepreneurial spirit.

A huge delegation of 250 American dignitaries will arrive in Israel to attend the official dedication ceremony for the US Embassy in Jerusalem on 5th May. They include Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Jared Kushner, Jason Greenblatt, and Senators Ted Cruz and Lindsay Graham.

To celebrate Israel’s 70th Independence Day, Koolulam invited 12,000 people (who hadn’t met before) to sing together in a special event in Jerusalem. Together with Israeli singer Shlomi Shabat and the Jerusalem Street Orchestra they performed Naomi Shemer’s “Al Kol Eleh”.

40 United Nations Ambassadors (25% of the countries with ties to Israel) came to Israel thanks to the American Zionist Movement and Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon. They met government officials, toured historical, religious and strategic sites and joined in 70th Anniversary celebrations.

The White House on released a video sending Happy Independence Day wishes to Israel as well. The video shows President Trump and his family visiting the Western Wall during their visit to Israel last year. The President also sent his best wishes in a tweet.

Israel’s Innovation: Africa CEO Sivan Yaari links Africa’s poor health to its lack of doctors, medicine, water and electricity. So, she delivers solar panels to African villages and now they have electricity to pump water, to power refrigerators that can store medicines for doctors to treat the sick.

Governor of the Bank of Israel, Dr. Karnit Flug, hopes that the launch of the Arabic version of the Bank of Israel website would encourage the Arab community to broaden its economic knowledge and contribute to increased integration of the Arab community in all parts of the Israeli economy.

I’ve reported previously on the work of Israeli non-profit KamaTech to help integrate Haredi Jews into the hi-tech industry.  Now KamaTech has launched in Bnei Brak “Ampersand” - the first ultra-Orthodox co-working space in Israel. It is supported by Cisco and WeWork.

I’ve reported previously on Israel’s Water-Gen that captures humidity to make drinking water. Now the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has signed an agreement with Water-Gen to improve “access to potable water during shortages or contamination events.”

A Muslim, a Jew and a Christian in Jerusalem have been cooking together for 17 years. Odeh Abu Elhawa, Johny Goric and Hemdat Goldberg make food that combines their unique backgrounds, traditions and culture into a common culinary treat.