Inside Israeli innovations

By Monica Goodwin and Mark Schloss, IAC Committee Members

The Israel Advocacy Committee of JFGN is pleased to announce a new column coming to the Federation Star. “Inside Israeli Innovations” will regularly bring you stories of the newest meaningful innovations emanating from Israel.

If one looks up the word “innovation,” several definitions appear: innovation is an idea that has transformed into practical reality; innovation is the commercialization of creativity; and innovation is the creation of something that improves the way we live our lives.

Through innovation, Israel is improving lives all over the world. After all, Israel itself has evolved through innovation. Israelis had to create ways to build, irrigate and develop the land to make it the country and force it is today.

Here are a few reasons why Israel, just 72 years old, is a global leader of innovation and inventions:

• Israel invests 4.95% of its gross domestic product (GDP) annually on research and technology. This compares with the United States’ GDP spending of 2.8%.

• Israel lists 140 scientists and technicians per 10,000 residences compared to USA’s 85.

• The emphasis and investment in education, from school age through funding universities, has had great returns.

• Investments in new technologies, science, medicine, computing, agriculture, water management, space exploration and so much more, is the energy behind the ‘Start Up Nation.’

In the recently released 2021 Bloomberg Innovation Index, Israel is rated seventh in the entire world. Israeli universities and companies are behind innovative solutions improving the quality of life for men, women and children in Israel and throughout the world.

As you read “Inside Israeli Innovations,” you will have that insider’s view of Israel, a light unto the nations. Tikkun Olam.