The Israel Institute Newsletter Volume 1: Issue 1

Educating about Israel’s history, geography, culture and people Moments in History

Balfour Declaration 100th Anniversary This November will mark the 100th anniversary of the famous letter issued by Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lord Walter Rothschild. Simon Johnson, Chief Executive of the Jewish Leadership Council in Britain, said: “The Balfour Declaration was instrumental in the creation of the State of Israel”.

“As British Jews we are very proud of the role our government played and continues to play in supporting the country.” The Balfour 100 website [www.balfour100.com] which launched this past year will be the definitive digital resource about the centenary”, said Mr. Johnson.

As well as showing the various versions of the Declaration itself – describing it as “the 67 words that led to the creation of the State of Israel” – the site contains comprehensive timelines, biographies of the major figures involved and a complete history of the events that led up to the founding of Israel.

It also will feature uploaded details of Balfour 100 events as they are organized by communal organizations, individual shuls, student groups and others around the country. Mr. Johnson said: “It’s intended for everyone, from those who just want to dip in and learn something about the Declaration to students and scholars who are looking for educational materials.”

Vol.1 | Issue 1

Recommended Reading

The Weapon Wizards: How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower From drones to satellites, missile defense systems to cyber warfare, Israel is leading the world when it comes to new technology being deployed on the modern battlefield.

The Weapon Wizards shows how this tiny nation of 8 million learned to adapt to the changes in warfare and in the defense industry and become the new prototype of a 21st century superpower, not in size, but rather in innovation and efficiency—and as a result of its long war experience.

Sitting on the front lines of how wars are fought in the 21st century, Israel has developed in its arms trade new weapons and retrofitted old ones so they remain effective, relevant and deadly on a constantly-changing battlefield. While other countries begin to prepare for these challenges, they are looking to Israel—and specifically its weapons—for guidance. Israel, in effect, is a laboratory for the rest of the world.

How did Israel do it? And what are the military and geopolitical A lively account of Isimplications of these develop- rael’s evolving military ments? These are some of the prowess...if The Weapon key questions Yaakov Katz and Wizards were a novel, it Amir Bohbot address. Drawing would be one written by on a vast amount of research, Horatio Alger; if it were a and unparalleled access to the biblical allegory, it would Israeli defense establishment, be the story of David and this book is a report directly Goliath.” —The New York Times Book Review from the frontlines. ‫בית הספר התיכון של הישיבה דפלטבוש על שם מר יואל ברברמן‬ Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School Al and Sonny Gindi Campus 1609 Avenue J Brooklyn, NY 11230 Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari Head of School

What point do you think the cartoonist is trying to make?

Do you agree or disagree?

Rabbi Joseph Beyda, Principal

Ms. Sari Bacon, Associate Principal

Ms. Esther Hidary, Assistant Principal

Rabbi Craig Lubner, Assistant Principal

Mr. Howard Rothbort — Director, The Israel Institute

Israel at a Glance...

HAIFA

American spiritual leader Yocheved Mintz thought her hand would never stop trembling because of her Parkinson’s diagnosis, but that all changed during her recent trip to Israel.

After an INNOVATIVE ISRAELI MEDICAL PROCEDURE, Rabba Mintz held a cup of juice in a firm grip for the first time in years, and said “Nes gadol haya po (A great miracle happened here)” “L’chaim (To life)” she said as she raised the cup.

This remarkable turn of events is the result of a collaboration between Israeli doctors and engineers. Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa is the first hospital to partner with medical device developer Insightec to improve its MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound treatment for individuals with severe neurological disorders. Rambam has treated 62 patients to date with Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Tremor.

With no operating room, no incisions, and no pain, Rambam is among the few international facilities offering this completely non-invasive technique. As the leading location for the procedure, Rambam treats tremors of moderate to high severity, drastically improving the patient’s quality of life, including the ability to eat, drink, write, and complete any activity that requires controlled, accurate movement.

Without this treatment, tremors may worsen over time, resulting in severe disability.

Using high-intensity ultrasound waves, doctors can precisely target the diseased area of the brain, preserving all healthy surrounding tissue and producing significant and immediate relief of the tremor.

“Our innovative physician-scientists integrate medicine, engineering and science to provide the fastest, safest results,” says Prof. Rafi Beyar, Director and CEO of Rambam Health Care Campus. “Our holistic approach facilitates redemptive treatment for patients, restoring their hope.”

BEN GURION AIRPORT

They could easily have passed for Israelis: the clamorous crowd of several hundred Jews, many of them Orthodox, in a corner of the arrivals hall Monday, the teenagers in a frenzy to say their goodbyes, many singing or waving flags. The passengers on NEFESH B’NEFESH’S CHARTER FLIGHT OF OLIM, or immigrants to Israel, were gearing up for takeoff at a farewell ceremony at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The dignitaries who addressed the 233-strong group, each sponsor and partner in the El Al flight, emphasized its diversity — many couples and singles, professionals in a variety of fields; 75 children, the youngest of whom was eight months old — and the miraculousness of their return to their ancestral homeland.

“The entire spectrum of our nation is represented,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, who, along with businessman Tony Gelbart, founded Nefesh B’Nefesh in 2002 to circumvent Israel’s byzantine bureaucracy and ease the integration — or, as Israelis call it, absorption — of American and British immigrants. Fass called the flight a “miracle” not only in that it had brought together a diverse group of American Jews for a singular cause, but also in that the various Israeli sponsors of the flight were able to cooperate to achieve such an end. Those included the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemet Le’Israel and the Jewish Agency.

NORTHERN JORDAN VALLEY

Economy Minister Eli Cohen (Kulanu) visited the northern Jordan Valley to observe the construction work of the JORDAN GATEWAY PROJECT, which will include a new bridge between Israel and Jordan, as well as a joint industrial zone.

The project, which was frozen for many years, finally began to gain traction in recent months.

When the construction is completed, it will include two industrial and employment zones on both sides of the Jordan River, which will be connected by a new bridge.

The industrial zone will encompass 700 dunams (172 acres) of Israeli and Jordanian factories on the Jordanian side. An employment area and a base for the transfer of goods will cover an area of ​​about 250 dunams (61 acres) on the Israeli side.

Upon completion in 2019, a joint free trade zone between Israel and Jordan will be established, which will remove the need for transit visas and passports to enter the territory and promote commercial and economic activities.

10,000 Jordanian workers are expected to be employed when the industrial zones open, and more will be employed later on.

Following his tour of the site, Minister Cohen said: “The completion of the construction of the bridge and the establishment of the joint employment zone is in the mutual interest of the two sides in order to strengthen ties, and not only in the economic dimension.”

“The joint industrial zone will strengthen the ties of peace, strengthen the resilience of the communities in the region and bring economic and social prosperity to both countries, to residents of both sides of the Jordan River and to the entire region,” Cohen added.

JERUSALEM

NEW FINDS IN THE CITY OF DAVID confirm the veracity of the biblical account of the Babylonian capture and conquest of First Temple period Jerusalem. According to Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Dr. Joe Uziel, co-director of the current excavations at the City of David, findings discovered in the site’s eastern slope, including a row of 2,600year- old rooms and their contents — all covered with visible layers of charcoal ash — aid in understanding the days leading up to and the act of the destruction.

Additionally, charred remains of wood, grape seeds, and fish scales and bones will be carbon dated by members of the interdisciplinary cooperative team of Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists and the Weizmann Institute.

Design: Carolina Cohen