Combatting slavery
Israel’s ThetaRay (see previously) with global bank Santander, received the “Best Use of Data for Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Detection” award at London’s Digital Transformation Awards. ThetaRay’s system alerted Santander to potential human trafficking networks.
Combatting money-laundering
In 2023 Israel’s BioCatch (see previously) identified and helped banks shut down more than 150,000 mule bank accounts in the Asia-Pacific region. Criminals use mule accounts as intermediate stops between the victim’s account and where they withdraw money from.
Marching for hostages in NYC
Every Shabbat afternoon since Nov. 4, pro-Israel Manhattan residents have marched for about 45 minutes carrying signs drawing attention to the hostages whom Hamas holds in the Gaza Strip. New York’s Jewish community cannot rest - even on the Day of Rest.
The world’s smallest underground railway
The UK’s Express news site featured Haifa’s 1959 Carmelit subway, the oldest underground transit system in the Middle East and the smallest in the world, having only four cars and six stations for just over 1.1 miles. It descends Mount Carmel – a height of 274 meters.
Showcasing the “real” Israel
Philanthropist Sylvan Adams is promoting the “real Israel” to the world. His new business cards say “self-appointed ‘Ambassador of Israel’”. He aims to project Israel to the silent majority who don’t know Israel but get a negative impression from the media. Please forward my newsletter to him.
US-Israel friendship group
Israeli and American political leaders have inaugurated the House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group, the newest body aimed at deepening ties between the two countries. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana said, the relationship between the two countries "transcends parties and administrations”.
Study at the Technion in English
Following Oct 7, many university campuses in the US and UK no longer are safe for Jews. Israel’s Technion Institute enables Jews from around the world to come to Israel to study in English at the undergraduate and graduate level, and to strengthen the ties between Israel and the diaspora.
Arab Professor wins biomedical prize
Muslim Arab Professor Ashraf Brik of Israel’s Technion Institute was featured back in 2013. He has just been awarded the 2024 Rappaport Prize for Biomedical Research for his work on protein mechanisms that can lead to treatments for diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s.
A new children’s center in Jerusalem
Israeli charity Yad Ezra V’Shulamit has purchased a new building for their Jerusalem Children’s Center. They are renovating it and will soon be able to double to 200 the number of impoverished kids that they can give daily hot lunches, tutoring, therapies, and fun.
A combat unit for religious women
The IDF is creating a new all-female combat unit for religious women soldiers. The unit will be part of the Combat Intelligence Collection Corps and the women enrolled will receive spiritual support and guidance. Rabbi Ohad Teharlev, head of Midreshet Lindenbaum, will supervise the unit.