by Beth Shalom Progressive Congregation | 13 Feb 2016 – 5 Adar I 5776 | Digest, Israel - good news
The modern Jewish state was established after the world closed its doors to European Jewry. Today, Israeli innovations are opening doors to millions across the planet who had previously thought that their window of opportunity was firmly shut.
Many sufferers from strokes, dementia, fibromyalgia and burns could be released from their “locked-in” existence now that Israel’s Assaf Harofeh Medical Center has openedthe world’s largest high-pressure oxygen chamber. It has a capacity for 150 patients per day and can also treat victims of diving accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning, radiation damage and bone infections. Meanwhile, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, scientists have discovered that the visual cortexes of the blind from birth are similar to those of the fully sighted. It has provided an open opportunity for the blind to be trained to “see” sounds. Open-minded Israeli doctors have known for some time that there is a genetic link between over eighty autoimmune diseases. This has opened a new line of research leading to the discovery by scientists at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem that the rheumatoid arthritis medication Baricitinib is effective in the treatment of Alopecia Areata, whose symptoms are hair loss. And research by Hebrew University of Jerusalem psychologist Professor Ariel Knafo has shown that children who mimic each other’s body language for mere minutes each day are more likely to open-up to others and share feelings of similarity and closeness. The findings could open the way to new therapies for developing positive social behaviors in disruptive children. Israel is open to sharing the credit for discoveries that can benefit humanity. This has led to many joint research agreements between Israeli and international scientists, including recently with the UK’sRoyal Society and also with France’s Atomic and Alternative Energy Commission. Israel has also opened its doors to Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of India’s Maharashtra state who wants to replicate Israel’s agriculture technology in one of the most populous areas in the world. Recent news is full of multinational companies wanting to open research and development centers in Israel. German energy giant RWE AG is opening an Israeli innovation center in order to develop technology for a smart grid metering system that will keep track of how consumers use electricity. Canadian handset maker Blackberry finally opened up in Israel by buying Israeli device security company WatchDox, whose 100 employees will form the core of Blackberry’s new Israeli R&D team. And US video production giant Avid Technology’s purchase of Israel’s Orad Hi-Tec and its slick graphic technologies will result in the opening of Avid’s new Israeli R&D facility. Now that Israel has signed Europe’s “Open Skies” agreement, it has opened up the country to the likes of Europe’s biggest airline Ryanair, which is eager to open up new routes between Tel Aviv and Europe. The airways are also buzzing with the news that a consortium of top Israeli companies and universities is studying 3D printing technologies that could open up a radical new way of designing and manufacturing aircraft components. Israel has some beautiful geographic features, including its award-winning beaches, which are now open right through until October. However, I admit that I was openly surprised to read that the usually anti-Israel UNESCO recently added Israel’s open cave system at Beit Guvrin to its list of World Heritage sites. Unfortunately, not all openings in the ground are positive, as the recent earthquake in Nepal has proved. But it again has highlighted the openheartednature of Israel in sending rescuersand humanitarian aid to save human lives wherever and whenever it can. In Israel, the door of opportunity is open to anyone who has the desire to succeed. One such example is Ilit Geller, the female CEO of Israel’s TradAir, who operates in the traditionally “man’s world” of Foreign Exchange trading. And please watch this video of young Aaron Shapso – a Circassian (Sunni Muslim) from the village of Kafr Kama. Aaron is the captain of the youth soccer team Maccabi Haifa Nahalal, which is open to children of allreligions and ethnic groups.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15BIKfcb1eo
Israel – it’s an open miracle.
Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.
by Beth Shalom Progressive Congregation | 2 Oct 2015 – 19 Tishri 5776 | Israel - good news
Today I present to you my predictions for Israel’s medical achievements that will take place in the forthcoming new Jewish Year of 5776. They are reliable predictions, as they mirror actual events that occurred in 5775. I have only sufficient space here to include detailed evidence for three of these predictions. Please visit my websiteif you would like to view the remainder. Here is my summary list of medical predictions in full. The ones I expand here are highlighted in red.
1. There will be numerous major breakthroughs by Israelis in the search for a cure for cancer.
2. There will be huge Israeli advances in the treatment of brain diseases.
3. New Israeli treatments will be found for diabetes.
4. Israeli innovations and research will give heart to cardiology patients.
5. Israelis will make major discoveries about the immune system and auto-immune diseases.
6. Israelis will find new ways to fight resistant strains of bacteria
7. Israelis will continue to pursue treatments for rare diseases and conditions.
8. Israeli doctors will personally intervene to save the lives and limbs of thousands of non-Israelis.
9. New Israeli medical innovations will improve the lives of disabled people.
10. There will be new Israeli medical treatments for the relief of pain.
11. New Israeli devices and techniques will diagnose disease and injuries earlier and quicker.
12. New Israeli medicines, devices and techniques will save and change lives and give hope to millions.
1. There will be numerous major breakthroughs by Israelis in the search for a cure for cancer.
Further down the road, Israel’s Quiet Therapeutics has developed nano-particlesthat target biomarkers on tumors; an Israeli scientist has documentedwhich of 20,000 genes are targets to kill tumors. Weizmann scientists have discovered a molecule to prevent “cell membrane spam overload” – a trigger for cancer and Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists have discovered anti-tumor neutrophils among white blood cells. Many Israeli treatments target specific cancers, such as the VB-111 ovarian cancer treatment of VBL Therapeutics. Novocure’s TTFields scalp device slows the growth of brain tumors. Gamida Cell’s NiCord stem cells treats leukemiasand Hodgkin lymphoma and IceCure Medical is now treating breast cancer with its IceSense3 system. Finally, Israeli researchers have discovered what causes melanomacells to turn into aggressive tumors and are convinced that it will soon lead to a breakthrough treatment. 7. Israelis will continue to pursue treatments for rare diseases and conditions.
I have included this prediction in detail, as I want to emphasize that Israeli scientists and companies do not just want to ensure a big financial income from selling treatments for ailments affecting millions of patients.
Last year, advances by Israeli biotechs and scientists included:
– BioBlast’s Cabaletta treatment for oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) – Advanced Inhalation Therapies’ Nitric Oxide treatment for cystic fibrosis – Chiasma’s oral treatment Octreotide, for acromegaly – Foamix’s Finacea Foam treatment for Rosacea 8. Individual Israeli doctors will save the lives and limbs of thousands of non-Israelis.
Israeli medicine is truly giving light to the nations. In 5776 we will definitely see more from Israel’s skilled and dedicated surgeons who were repairing shattered lives throughout last year.
Save A Child’s Heart doctors are currentlyworking at the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon to fix the hearts of 13 children from Ethiopia, 9 from Zanzibar, 6 from Iraq, 5 from Kenya, one from the Palestinian Authority and one from Gaza. In May, SACH surgeons repaired a heart deformity in baby Lisa from East Timor – the 50th country to send patients to SACH. In July, 20 SACH doctors, nurses and technicians repaired the hearts of 10 children in Tanzania and examined hundreds more. In April, heart surgeons at Hadassah hospital saved Iraqi toddler Maryam, who had previously been given little hope of survival. The doctors at Hadassah’s “Heart for Peace” organization have also treated hundreds of children with congenital heart diseases from Gaza and the PA territories. To see two contrasting examples of Israelis treating Palestinian Arabs, doctors at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon helped a 4-year-old girl from Gaza to walk again, while a senior Hamas member had spine surgery at an Israeli hospital. Israeli doctors certainly have no problem treating patients from Moslem countries – whether travelling to Kyrgyzstan to restore eyesight to 90, or continuing to treat Syrian casualties of their civil war at hospitals in Northern Israel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR4Euhzp2lY
Although global natural disasters cannot be predicted, tiny Israel will always be among the first to respond. It had the largest medical aid team in Nepal after the country’s devastating earthquakes. The 250 Israeli aid workers included IDF medics and doctors from Rambam, Sheba and Sha’are Zedek hospitals. So I can confidently predict that in the coming years,
Israel’s medical achievements will be amazing!
Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.
by Beth Shalom Progressive Congregation | 6 Sep 2015 – 23 Elul 5775 | Israel - good news
I have made 12 major predictions regarding major Israeli medical achievements that will happen in the new Jewish Year of 5776. Three of those predications have been described in detail in Part 1 of this blog. Part 2 contains the detailed links for my remaining 9 medical predictions. Here is the summary list of all 12 predictions. Part 2 predictions are in RED.
1. There will be numerous major breakthroughs by Israelis in the search for a cure for cancer.
2. There will be huge Israeli advances in the treatment of brain diseases.
3. New Israeli treatments will be found for diabetes.
4. Israeli innovations and research will give heart to cardiology patients.
5. Israelis will make major discoveries about the immune system and auto-immune diseases.
6. Israelis will find new ways to fight resistant strains of bacteria
7. Israelis will pursue treatments for rare diseases and conditions.
8. Israeli doctors will personally intervene to save the lives and limbs of thousands of non-Israelis.
9. New Israeli medical innovations will improve the lives of disabled people.
10. There will be new Israeli medical treatments for the relief of pain.
11. New Israeli devices and techniques to diagnose disease and injuries earlier and quicker.
12. New Israeli medicines, devices and techniques will save and change lives and give hope to millions.
2. There will be huge Israeli advances in the treatment of brain diseases.
In the past year, Israel’s Avraham Pharmaceuticals has been successfully testing its ladostigil treatment that slows the progression to Alzheimer’s; Israel’s Kadimastem had successful pre-clinical trials of its stem-cell treatment for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS / Lou Gehrig’s disease); Israeli biotech Pharma Two B had positive results in its trials of P2B001 for the treatment of early stage Parkinson’sdisease. More of last year’s Israeli advances in brain disease treatments can be found by clicking on these links.
3. New Israeli treatments will be found for diabetes.
5775 saw Israeli researchers working to isolate the active ingredient of the Israeli shrub Chiliadenus iphionoides that increases sugar absorption and reduces blood sugar levels; Israel’s TouchéMedical is developing the world’s smallest, cheapest and smartest patch pump, for patients with diabetes; Kadimastem’s stem cells (see above) can also generate pancreatic cells that secrete insulin. More of last year’s new Israeli treatments for diabetes can be found by clicking on these links.
4. Israeli innovations and research will give heart to cardiology patients.
Israel’s Eximo has developed a catheter connected to a pulsed laser system, for the treatment of blocked arteries associated with Peripheral Artery Disease; More of last year’s Israeli cardiology innovations and research can be found by clicking on these links.
5. Israelis will make major discoveries about the immune system and auto-immune diseases.
Last year’s Israeli immunology-related discoveries can be found by clicking on these links.
6. Israelis will find new ways to fight resistant strains of bacteria.
Last year’s Israeli work to fight resistant bacteria can be found by clicking on these links.
9. New Israeli medical innovations will improve the lives of disabled people.
Last year’s Israeli medical innovations for the disabled can be found by clicking on these links.
10. There will be new Israeli medical treatments for the relief of pain.
Last year’s Israeli medical treatments for the relief of pain can be found by clicking on these links.
11. New Israeli devices and techniques to diagnose disease and injuries earlier and quicker.
Last year’s new Israeli diagnostic devices can be found by clicking on these links.
12. New Israeli medicines, devices and techniques will save and change lives and give hope to millions.
Last year’s Israeli life-changing medical news can be found by clicking on these links.
Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.
by Beth Shalom Progressive Congregation | 1 Sep 2015 – 18 Elul 5775 | Israel - good news
I usually publicize the positive achievements of the Jewish State. This week, however, I want to illustrate that much of Israel’s work also goes into counteracting the negative side of life in the modern world.
Disease prevention is a top priority of Israeli medical research. Israel’s Avraham Pharmaceuticals has just announced successful interim results in a Phase 2b clinical trial of ladostigil, which prevents patients suffering mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from progressing to the more serious Alzheimer’s disease. Meanwhile, New Jersey Department of Health has approved the OncoGxSelect diagnostic test for lung cancer developed by Israel’s Rosetta Genomics. The test can help clinicians prevent the disease spreading by detecting genetic mutations responsible for the tumors. The recent innovations of two Israeli companies will help prevent heart attacks. First, Israel’s Eximo has developed a patented hybrid catheter, which is connected to a pulsed laser system, for the treatment of blocked arteriesassociated with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Then Israel’s DiACardio has just won the 2015 Shengjing Global Innovation Award in Beijing China, for its revolutionary software to decode echocardiograms. The mission of “Eye from Zion” is to prevent permanent blindness. Volunteer doctors from the Israeli-Jewish organization performed cornea surgery, plastic surgery and removed tumors and cataracts to restore the eyesight of 90 adults and children in the Muslim country of Kyrgyzstan – many patients had been blind for years. Next, a recent study by the Israeli Health Ministry as to why the incidence of HIV was six times less in Israeli men than those in Netherlands or France, revealed that circumcision prevented the disease from spreading in the heterosexual community. And if you are concerned about preventing potential development problems in your baby, you may wish to join the on-line community launched by Israel Technion Professor Eli Ben-Sasson and his wife Ayelet. With their CROwd-based INteractive Clustering (CROINC) site, parents can check their child’s progress with other parents and compare against actual scientific and medical facts. One disease that Israel cannot prevent is anti-Semitism, but it can prevent Diaspora Jews suffering its effects, by bringing them home to the Jewish State. With help from our Christian friends, 108 Jews from war-torn Ukraine just arrived to a warm welcome at Ben-Gurion Airport, to make a new start in the land of their spiritual forefathers. And children of the on-going massive wave of French immigration were treated to free summer camps in order to prevent problems with childcare during the school holidays. Finally, Israeli lifeguards, naval police and the Shavei Zion diving club all worked together to prevent a tragedy for a dolphin that had stranded itself on the rocks at Acre (Akko) beach. Swimmers watched in amazement as the exhausted animal was rescued and then taken for medical treatment by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Israel – where prevention is as good as a cure.
Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.
