– Good News #330 25 March, 2011

– private letter from Yosi Behar- No commercial intent

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only Good News from Israel

in brief

Sara Palin in Israel; “Such an amazing country! G-d bless you”

Sara (P) and Sara (N) At Home

Palin; “I believe there are no major disagreements between the two countries”. She also voiced her “absolute” support of Israel; ”I stand strong with Israel and unapologetically I say that America should keep this strong democratic ally that we have there in the Middle East and allow for protections around Israel.” – One could feel Plain’s love towards the people of Israel and her great interest in the story of Purim. Palin told Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, that she was received warmly by the Israelis during her tour of the country, which included sites in Jerusalem (such as the Kotel) and the Dead Sea. Palin saw firsthand the atmosphere of the holiday of Purim, and the Netanyahu couple told her all about the Book of Esther and the traditions of Purim. Palin signed the PM residence guestbook: “Such an amazing country! G-d bless you. May our connection continue to grow and strengthen.”      See video at > http://www.israelnationalnews.com/SendMail.aspx?print=print&type=0&item=143044

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Michal Lipson wins “Genius Awards”

MacArthur Foundation awarded Professor Michal Lipson the so-called “Genius Awards.” She will receive $500,000 in no-strings-attached support over the next five years. Michal earned her first, second and Ph degrees at Haifa technion – all in 9 years before she was 28 old. Lipson, professor of electrical and computer engineering, developed photonic circuits, in which beams of light flitting through tiny wave-guides on a silicon chip replace wires to conduct currents. Thus, enabling to guide, filter and split light on silicon chips at smaller dimensions with much less energy (and heat) consumption and with greater efficiency. ;”Michal Lipson’s scientific rigor, coupled with her creative vision, has made her a pioneer in nanoscale photonics,” said Provost Kent Fuchs. “We are very proud of all her achievements and delighted that the MacArthur Foundation has recognized her in this way.”

http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Sept10/LipsonMacArthur.html

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Israeli innovations in Medicine, Healthcare:

Close the window on colon cancer

Cancer surgery wreaks havoc on a body’s immune system and stress hormones exacerbate the problem. As a result, about half of those who undergo surgery for tumor removal experience a recurrence of cancer in the same region or other parts of the body. Professor Shamgar ben Eliyahu developed a new clinical approach that will keep an immune system strong and prevent the recurrence of cancer increasing survival by 300%. Already tested in animal models, the compounds will be employed in a clinical trial in Israel, for which Prof. Ben-Eliyahu team is currently recruiting patients and funds. They hope to have 800 colon cancer patients participate in the trial, due to begin shortly. More > http://www.physorg.com/news198944525.html Curtsey Rina Berman

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Israeli Scientists Develop Crucial Enzymes to Protect US Troops from Nerve Gas Attacks

Protection against nerve gas is a main part of the defense system in many countries, as the toxic substances are a threat to both military and civilian population. Existing drug solutions have limited efficiency. Now, a team at Weizman institute in Rehovot has succeeded to develop an enzyme that breaks down such organo-phosphorous nerve agent before damage to the nerves and muscles is caused. Recently tested in an American military installation (the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, or USAMRICD) and proven effective. Published in ‘Natural Chemical Biology’

Read more at > http://www.thecuttingedgenews.com/index.php?article=31901&pageid=28&pagename=Sci-Tech

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Tourism:

New business hotel

A new business hotel named West Hotel has opened recently in northern Tel Aviv. The hotel has 65 suites (will doubled in 2 years) and is located next to the Sea & Sun complex as part of a 13-floor building that also includes 95 vacation units. All the suits measure 540 sq/ft and include a bedroom, a bathroom, a living room with a sofa that opens into a double bed, and an accessorized kitchen. The hotel also offers a spacious gym, a dry and wet sauna, a spa and a business lounge.   See inside > http://www.tamareshotels.co.il/e/west_hotel_e/

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Economy & infrastructure;

The Grand plan for Jerusalem

 

Mayor Nir Barkat; “We’re in the midst of a revolution, 5 years from now, capital will be unrecognizable: Modern sports centers, parks hosting international concerts and revival of the city center turned into an artists’ quarter. The new complexes will host a variety of events – starting with international concerts, through the Macabya Games, to Israel’s leading cinema, acting and art schools.” Jerusalem‘s parks and public gardens will undergo extensive renovation. The Teddy Stadium will be expanded and a modern multi-purpose sports arena will be built nearby. A new national library, the Bible Land Museum will be expanded. Government allocated a special budget to develop and strengthen Jerusalem.  Find more at > http://www.jerusalem.muni.il/jer_main/defaultnew.asp?lng=2

 

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Acco <  –  > Carmiel rail line set to roll

 

Construction started on a double 23-kilometer track parallel to Highway 85, linking the northern cities. Total estimated cost of $750 million, the project will include two new train stations, at Moshav Achihud (in the Western Galilee) and at the entrance to Carmiel, and the construction of several bridges and tunnels. Train service slated to start in 2016. http://he.mot.gov.il/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=397:2009-11-26&catid=56:dover-c-1&Itemid=65

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Facebook buys ‘snaptu’ for $70 million

More Israeli self made millionaires; Ran, Micha, Barak and Lior developed a fast and easy way to stay connected on the go with any simple mobile phone. Snaptu application allows mobile phones, even those less advanced than an iPhone or Android phone, to access mobile Internet. Total investment in the company was $9 million (over 770% return on investment). All snaptu employees get to benefit from the success. This is the first facebook acquisition in Israel. See technology details > http://www.snaptu.com/

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US giant ‘Broadcom’ buys Provigent for $360 million

 

Provigent is a semiconductor company that develops system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions for the broadband wireless transmission industry. The company operates in the hottest wireless network equipment sector – the bottleneck between antennas and the network core. The company’s SoC solutions function as a kind of modem for routing and transmitting data. Broadcom CEO; “Provigent is a unique world-class microwave backhaul technology and strong engineering talent developing innovative and highly integrated semiconductor solutions for the microwave segment.”

http://www.provigent.com/

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SOCIETY, culture, art

Natalie Portman active for Hadasa Hospital

Famed actress Natalie Portman, whose family name is Hershlag, was born in 1981 in Jerusalem, where her father worked as a doctor. The family left for Washington and ultimately ending up in New York, where she lived until her graduation from high school. She graduated with honors and attended Harvard. Natalie spent last summer studying Jewish history at Hebrew University. She is active with The Hadasa – Women’s Zionist organization in effort to improve and expand the Hospital trauma center which will enable 3 times as many victims to be treated at once.

See clip she did for Hadasa, She appears at the end: http://www.hadassahinternational.org/page.asp?id=124

Curtsey Dr. Meir Monselise

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Gene Simmons; “those who boycott Israel are fools”

Simons is now visiting Israel with his family. In the early 1970s he founded the Kiss, turning it into one of the biggest rock bands of all times, which is easily identified by its members’ face paint. In 2006 he got his own reality television series. In addition to his musical talent, Simmons is also knows for his marketing skills, turning Kiss into an empire of products – starting with clothes, through credit cards, and up to coffins decorated with the band’s logo. http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4046360,00.html

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Someone by your side

SELAH offers emergency and long-term practical and emotional support to newcomers in Israel beset by personal tragedies. Read all about Selah at > http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/Someone_by_your_side-March_2011.htm

Thanks to Yael Danieli

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environment

Montreal children support Carmel rehabilitation

A group of 6th grade pupils from Solomon Schechter School in Montréal Canada visited the Carmel forest.

The children raised $10 000 for the Carmel rehabilitation.

http://www.jpost.com/GreenIsrael/PEOPLEANDTHEENVIRONMENT/Article.aspx?id=210310

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Technology;                                                                                                                   

‘BrightSource’ energy chosen by MIT best innovative

Oakland, California) March 7, 2011 – BrightSource Energy develops solar power stations in a large scale. The company was included in the TR50 for 2011 – the annual list of the most innovative technology companies in the magazine published by MIT Technology Review. BrightSource was chosen because the solar tower technology and its unique LPT 550 which is effectively able to produce clean solar energy, reliable and low cost. LPT 550 technology patented by BrightSource is the world’s most advanced technology in solar / thermal energy industry. This technology enables to build the world’s most efficient solar power stations. The company has signed purchase agreements with Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison for 2.6 Gigawatt of power. It plans to build over a dozen plants by 2017 to fulfill those contracts. http://www.technologyreview.com/tr50/brightsource/

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India chose Alvarion solutions for broadband network

Alvarion specializes in developing WiMAX for 4G broadband wireless communications networks. The Indian government awarded government-owned BSNL a grant to deploy the Israeli network.  Alvarion has the most extensive WiMAX customer base and over 250 commercial deployments worldwide. www.alvarion.com/

< CEO Eran Gorev *    *    *

Your weekend delight

Small part of Moscow ‘Turetsky Choir – Kosher medley’ concert – Oh, they can sing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h1cPdbdZfw&feature=related

Curtsey Kenneth L. Stein *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Shabat Shalom

Yosi Behar