Signing the National Anthem
All the volunteer IDF soldiers with disabilities who performed in the closing ceremony for their special basic training used the deaf sign language to accompany the Israeli National Anthem – “Hatikvah”. The sign-language tutor and conductor is Yahala Lachmish, daughter of my friend Leonie.
Science brings Iran and Israel closer
When ex-Bar-Ilan President Professor Eugene Kogan spotted that an Iranian study had omitted mentioning his work, he contacted the Iranians. Their response was "We thank you for bringing the study to our attention. In the next issue we will gladly mention your research. We believe that scientists are messengers of peace, and scientists' way of thinking is different from politicians' way of thinking,"
reThink Israel
A new campaign has been launched to change opinions about Israel among 18-24 year-olds Americans. reThink Israel wants to spread a positive buzz about Israel’s culture, diversity, humanitarian efforts and innovations. Please ask reThink Israel’s CEO Gerald Ostrov to get in touch with me!
Czech president checks out the Dead Sea
Nice to see a head of state willing to take his shoes off and enjoy one of Israel’s most popular tourist attractions.
First visit for two Prime Ministers
As if to illustrate Michael Freund’s message, both Joseph Muscat, the Prime Minister of Malta and Peter O'Neill, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea are the first sitting prime ministers of their respective countries to visit Israel. Both came with large delegations and cooperation plans.
“They all will come to Jerusalem”
The Knesset – Israel’s parliament – has optimistically invited lawmakers from all countries (even Iran) to Jerusalem. Israel is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Knesset speaker invited IPU President Abdelwahed Radi to hold an IPU meeting in Israel’s capital.
Ethiopian wins Israel’s “Big Brother”
Tahunia Rubel became the fifth Ethiopian-born Israeli woman to snag major headlines over the previous 12 months. The 25-year-old model won Israel’s Big Brother contest in its fifth season. Tahunia won just over $250,000 in prize money.
Ugandan woman helps defend Jewish State
Private Or Meidan’s decided to follow in her Israeli stepfather’s footsteps and has joined the IDF after immigrating to Israel in 2011. She now operates the Iron Dome missile defense system and is joining the IDF’s Nativ program to convert to Judaism.
A (dental) bridge to peace
Dr Adam Stabholz, ex-dean of the Hebrew University dental school joined with Dr. Musa Bajali, head of the dental school at Al-Quds University to form the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders. They share the ambitious goal of promoting peace globally through oral health.
Israeli organizes European seminar against Femicide
Israeli researcher Shalva Weil has brought delegates from 26 countries to the Hebrew University in order to initiate European action against the widespread murder of women. Up to now, little has been done to jointly address increasing numbers of “honor” killings in Europe.