Israel Active

(Thanks to Israel21c) Israel’s Science Ministry is to give grants totaling up to 15 million shekels ($4.5 million) in 2015 for scientists working on practical solutions for the elderly. Projects can cover technological, medical and/or social science applications.

(Thanks to Hazel) Shimon Peres kicked off his Twinned Peace Soccer Schools initiative on Kibbutz Dorot near the Gaza border.  More than 600 children from Israel and the Palestinian territories will take part in these events throughout the year using soccer to build friendships between Jews and Arabs.

Four young Arabs from Jisr al Zarka came to Tel Aviv beach to learn how to teach surfing.

14 disabled Israelis and Palestinian Arabs (7 of each) are participating in a tournament in Germany as part of a joint wheelchair basketball team.  The team, sponsored by the Peres Center for Peace, includes athletes aged 15 to 25 from the PA town of Beit Jala and from Israel’s Ramat Gan.

Israeli company Salt of the Earth is one of only 36 companies worldwide - and the first Israeli company - to pass GRI materiality matters check.  The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) encourages organizations to contribute to sustainable development.​    

(Thanks to Nevet – ) Despite the war back home, workers from the Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid (IsraAid), spent two weeks helping clean up after the destruction from the single biggest wildfire in Washington State’s history.

Some 50 days after mother turtles laid their eggs in Israeli beaches, newborn sea turtles are starting to make their way "home," to the sea.  The Israel Nature and Parks Authority tries to ensure that there are clear paths to the sea for the newly hatched sea turtles.

Israel hosts and protects 33 species of bat - they are important pollinators and prey on insects, especially mosquitoes.  Bat Night has taken place every year since 1997 in more than 30 countries.  Lectures and tours take place across Israel.

Ralph Robbins, executive director of the Virginia Israel Advisory Board (VIAB) has developed the model “Ecosystem for Success” in order to promote Israeli companies that can bring benefits to the agriculture of the US State of Virginia.

Here’s a video of some Gazans who are being treated in Israel.