Bush To Israel: How About A Mega Radar System?

In order to help bolster Israel's defenses against "less than friendly" neighbors (both near and far), President Bush is giving Israel a powerful new radar system that should compliment its missile defense shield quite nicely.

(Ynet News) The system Bush may offer is known as a forward-based X-band radar and has been described by US officials as capable of tracking an object the size of a baseball from about 2,900 miles away.

It would let Israel's Arrow missile defenses engage a Shahab-3 ballistic missile about halfway through what would be its 11-minute flight to Israel from Iran, or six times sooner than Israel's "Green Pine" Radar is currently capable of doing, Kirk said on Friday.

"This is the best thing to lower tensions between Israel and Iran" because Iran presumably would be less likely to attack under such circumstances, Kirk said.

While the radar system will help reduce the threat against Israel from Iran, it should also help the tiny Jewish state combat rockets being launched from Gaza as well as from the hostile regions inside of Judea and Samaria (aka the West Bank).

Din Din Aviv: Using Music To Connect US Jews To Israel

While there have been several Israeli musicians profiled on IsraGood who help the world connect to Israel (or at least present a new image of the Jewish state), it looks as if one Israeli is using her music to help Jewish Americans reconnect with their homeland within the city that never sleeps.

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency) Though it is her New York debut concert, Israeli singer-songwriter Din Din Aviv is no stranger here. The performance hall at the Museum of Jewish Heritage is packed with Israeli fans of Aviv who live in New York and American Jews clutching her CD. [...]

It's the kind of scene that brings a smile to the face of David Borowich, the founder of the American-Israeli group that organized the concert, Dor Chadash. [...]

"Music is a natural bridge," Borowich says. "People are looking for ways to connect to Israel. If you can't bring them to Israel, then bring pieces of Israel to them."

Hopefully this will convince a few Jewish fans to make Aliyah (or migration) towards Israel, in order to enjoy similar artists like Din Din Aviv, who was warmly received in New York by the crowd.

Note: For those looking to hear more of Din Din Aviv's music, you can visit DinDinAviv.com for more details.

Another Way To Celebrate Israel (Via 60 Faces)

It looks as if the Consulate General of Israel (located in New York) is promoting a new way to display the face of Israel to the world--literally.

(Isrealli.org) The Consulate General of Israel in New York, in cooperation with the Salute to Israel Parade, has initiated a banner campaign entitled, "Faces of Israel." Beginning May 4th, in honor of Israel's 60th birthday, banners will line New York's Fifth Avenue from 46th to 97th Streets. Each banner will feature the face of an Israeli citizen and be topped with a display of Israeli and American flags.

Users can visit 60Israelis.com for a preview of the faces highlighted thus far, which includes everything from models to music stars (not to mention a few non-Jewish Israeli's as well).

They are still looking for more faces, so if you think you can make "the cut," feel free to apply over here.

(Image Credit: 60 Israelis)

Utah College Celebrates Israel's Birthday

While most colleges focus on academics, sports, spring break (and more sports), it looks as if one school (Utah Valley State College to be exact) decided to take time to celebrate Israel existence (or rather reappearance) in the modern world.

(Daily Herald) Though their connection to Israel might seem unusual, a group of college students, state lawmakers and others got together Friday night to celebrate that nation's birthday.
On May 14, 1948, the Jewish People's Council gathered at the Tel Aviv Museum and approved Proclamation of Independence, declaring the establishment of Israel, according to the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs's Web site. The students will be out of school by the actual 60th anniversary, so they chose to celebrate Friday.

"Happy birthday, Israel," said Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, as he addressed the group headed by the American Israeli Alliance at UVU.

As Israel's birthday approaches, we will probably see even more celebrations across the US, and perhaps even China (although they may be a little busy with hosting the Olympics and all).

Note: The blogosphere is also celebrating Israel's birthday over at 60bloggers.com, a project launched by Jewlicious and Let My People Sing Festival.

IsraGood, along with 60 other bloggers and writers will be posting their viewpoints of the Jewish state, so be sure to check out the site!

What Will John McCain Find In Israel?

After finally securing the Republican nomination, it looks as if "the Maverick" will be taking a tour of the holy land fairly soon.

(Ynet News) Republican presidential candidate John McCain will arrive in Israel on March 18 as part of a delegation of senators visiting the region.

The schedule for the trip has not been released yet, but it is expected to be a brief, one-day visit during which McCain will meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

According to US sources, the trip is aimed at boosting support for McCain among Jewish voters in the US.

Despite being a minority in America, all three remaining candidates are heavily courting Jewish voters. Barack Obama is also pursuing after Jewish voters, speaking favorably towards them while Hillary Clinton seems to have Jewish roots in her blood.

Editor's note: At least on paper camera, all three candidates seem to be pro-Israel, although what this author wants to know is when are they going to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem?

Update (4/1): It looks as if images of John McCain's visit are surfacing on the web.



(Image: Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman with Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak at Sderot Police Station's Qassam Collection. Credit: The Israel Project)

You can find more images over at The Israel Project (Hat Tip: IsraelPolitik)

US Investors: Israeli Med Tech Is The New Black?

With the American economy not doing so well, one would expect to see investors more cautious about spending their money, especially over seas.

But it seems as if a few US investors are taking another glance at Israel's medical tech industry, which may be the sign of a new trend.

(Israel 21^st Century) "We planned to raise $150 million but the fund is already oversubscribed at $162 million," says Jeff Dykan, managing director of the Tel Aviv-based fund, pointing out that the fund could end up turning away investors. "We won't go over $200 million," he says.

SCP Vitalife's success in raising money at time of global economic uncertainty is based on the track record of Dykan, and co-manager Avi Ludomirsky who just four years ago set up a $50 million fund that invested in 17 Israeli startups that have done exceedingly well.

Their success stories include the sale last March of Haifa-based Sightline to Stryker Corp. in a $140 million deal. Sightline is the developer of a new flexible endoscope for gastro-intestinal procedures. Stryker's satisfaction with the deal is reflected in the fact that it has now also invested in the new SCPVitalife Fund.

This comes to no surprise to those already familiar with the real Israel as the tiny nation continues to lead the way in medial breakthroughs.

Hopefully in the future we will be able to see other investors from Asia and Europe get involved within Israeli Med Tech scene, as having it dominated by "US Americans" can get a little old after awhile. ;-)

Important Note: Before you invest in any company you should do your own research to cover your own "rear end." Google Finance may be a great place to start.

Israel And The US Partner For Clean Energy

(Image Credit: Amazon.com)

With many nations looking for ways to reduce the gas price hike that has afflicted much of our planet, it looks as if the United States is teaming up with Israel in order to explore new ways to produce clean, green energy.

(Globes Online) The US Senate has approved cooperation with Israel in clean energy - the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act - as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. [...]

Israeli sources in Washington predict $20 million in allocations a year over the next five years for joint US-Israeli energy projects. The US Department of Energy and Israel's Ministry of National Infrastructures will formulate an agreement and settle related issues.

The Energy Independence Act includes financing grants for the production of energy from biofuel, biomass, wind, ocean waves, and geothermal sources. Projects will include joint basic research between US and Israeli academic institutions and applied research projects between companies from both countries.

This new bill (which will probably be signed into law, if not already) may help the US and Israel to finally gain their energy independence upon foreign oil.

Israel already has the lead when it comes to developing clean technology, which includes everything from turning fungus and cow manure into energy to building better solar houses to even recycling nuclear waste into energy.

With the help of US funding, America and Israel may not only be able to help themselves become energy independent by relying upon cleaner technologies, but also half of our planet as well.

President Bush To Visit Israel?

It looks like Israel will receive a rare appearance from the US. Apparently it seems as if President Bush is considering visiting Israel next month, which should make for some "interesting interactions."

(Ha'aretz) A senior Jerusalem source said that Bush would come to Israel for two days on January 10, Israel Radio reported.

During his visit, Bush is expected to focus on promoting Israeli-Palestinian negotiations in the framework of agreements reached at last week's Mideast peace conference, held in Annapolis, Maryland[.]

This visit will be Bush's first visit to Israel since he took office seven years ago. Bush visited Israel in 1998 when he was governor of Texas. In contrast, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Israel three times in the six week period leading up to the Annapolis peace summit.

While it is curious as to why the President thinks that a visit the Jewish state will change a few minds, lets pray that his trip will open his eyes, at least when it comes to Jerusalem.

US Pentagon: Israel To Have Stealth Planes By 2012

The US Pentagon has decided to speed up shipment of the much anticipated Joint Strike Fighter towards Israel, who originally was suppose to receive it by 2014. While an earlier shipment is delicious in itself, the icing of the cake is that Israel will be allowed to "slightly tweak" the craft to its own preferences.

(Israel Insider) "This plane can fly into downtown Teheran without anyone even knowing about it since it can't be detected on radar," the Jerusalem Post quoted a senior Israeli defense official as saying. [...]

The defense minister also managed to persuade the Americans to allow Israel to install its own unique technology in the aircraft, which had been a major point of dispute between the Defense Ministry and the Pentagon, defense officials said.

According to the article, Israel would receive every third jet which would enable the Jewish state to maintain enough of these aircraft to easily defend its own borders.

Fashion: Israeli "Rough Chic" Bags Invade The US

(Image Credit: TES, via Israel 21^st Century)

While there are many types of bags attracting the attention of women shoppers, it looks as if one designer's unique approach is catching the attention of everyone.

But what separates this bag from most the competition is that chooses a simple design, over its fancier rivals.

(Israel 21^st Century) Thirty-nine-year-old Epstein-Segal calls it 'rough chic', and it's a style that she adopts personally. No fancy complicated garments for her, she dresses in simple, unpretentious clothes - black -shirt and jeans, a -colored belt and dark masculine shoes.

"I don't like pretentious or over-styled bags," she explains. "My bags are more primitive and basic in design. I like to emphasize the leather. It's very important to me. The bags are feminine, but have a rougher style. It's another sort of chic."

Tali Epstein-Segal's company, or TES has been doing very well not only in the US and Israel, but Turkey as well.

TES is considering expanding into France, as well as designing bags for men (hopefully she is thinking about business style bags or backpacks as "man bags" are not that popular in the US).

Congress Rebukes Anti-Israel Insurance Companies

(Image Credit: Wikipedia)


Despite the fact that I work in the insurance field, I was a bit surprised to learn that there existed some insurance companies that displayed "business bias" towards those visiting Israel by charging higher premiums.

Congress seems to have been outraged by this, and the House just passed a measure banning this practice.

(Globes Online) The travel fairness provisions included in bill protect travelers from denial of life insurance, simply because they may plan international travel or have traveled internationally in the past. The bill is designed to protect passengers against insurance companies that refuse to sell life insurance policies on the basis of an applicant's past travel or future plans, or which charge a high and unwarranted premium on passengers with certain flight patterns. This practice particularly affects business travelers from the US to Israel, with the result that US executives of some companies have avoided making business trips to Israel.

Thanks to groups like the Anti-Defamation League for pressuring Congress to do the right thing. Hopefully the Senate can pass this bill quickly (and have Bush sign it) as Israel's tourism is already setting new records.

American Leaders To Show Support By Visiting Israel

(Image Credit: ImagePrintGolf.com)


Several congressional figures, as well as community leaders from New York are embarking on a journey towards the holy land in order to express their support for the Jewish state.

(Ynet News) The group includes Congressman Gary Ackerman and Congressman John Hall, as well as religious leaders and representatives of the African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American communities in New York. The mission is being accompanied by Michael Miller, JCRC executive vice president & CEO.

The JCRC sponsors missions that focus on showing solidarity with the people of Israel. "There is no substitute for meeting face-to-face with Israelis from all walks of society, in the halls of government and on the city streets. Our diverse and influential mission participants are bringing a message of fellowship and hope, and will take back home to New York real-life stories of Israeli courage and determination to build a brighter future," said Miller.

The group plans to tour Israel as well as visit several cities such as Safed and Sderot, which suffered attacks in the second Lebanon war and current rocket attacks, respectively. They will also meet with various heads of state, including the Prime Minister.

Hopefully this group will also get to tour Israel's innovative side, especially when dealing with technology and health as the holy land has a lot to offer towards New York, as well as the US in general.

250 More Jews Make Aliyah!

Jewish citizens from both the United States and the United Kingdom are now exiting their former lands in order to adopt Israel as their new home land.

(Ynet News) Two hundred new immigrants from the US and additional 75 from England arrived at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport Tuesday morning on two specially-chartered flights sponsored by Nefesh B'Nefesh. [...]

According to Nefesh B'Nefesh, a record 3,200 are expected to make aliyah from North America in 2007.

If pictures are worth a thousand words, then Jacob Richman's photographic roundup of the event would fill volumes.

Hopefully more Jews of the Diaspora will consider making Aliya (or moving towards Israel), but if they are hesitant about moving they could always consider taking a sneak peak through Taglit-Birthright Israel (thanks to Adelson's generous donation) or similar organizations.

Update: Inserted link to Ynet News (I must be getting really tired! LOL)

150 Americans Sign Up For Israeli Defense Forces

What makes this story more interesting is the fact that these are teenagers, who decided to emigrate towards Israel in order to defend the country, not just merely live there.

(Israel National News) In the coming months 150 new immigrants from the United States will be drafted into the IDF, representing the largest number of new recruits from the US to ever enlist in the IDF in a single draft.

"As opposed to the phenomenon of evasion we are witnessing in Israel, in the United States we met young men and women whose hearts are filled with the will to volunteer and sacrifice for the state," said Tzvika Levy, who oversees those making Aliyah in order to join the IDF.

This is great news for Israel, although I pray that those teenagers stay safe in the coming months.

Largest Solar Park Being Built By Israel's Solel

(Image: Solel Solar panels, Credit: Israel 21^st Century)


It looks as if a Jewish company is being contracted to build the largest solar park to date. While solar energy is beginning to make a comeback in the United States, Solel hopes that these solar panels will help to not only energize California, but also make it a little bit greener.

(Israel 21^st Century) An Israeli company is doing its part to help Americans develop renewable, environmentally-friendly energy, and at the same time reduce dependence on foreign oil. Beit Shemesh-based Solel has announced that it has signed a contract with Pacific Gas and Electric Company to build the world's largest solar plant - to be established in California's Mojave Desert. [...]

"We are thrilled to bring 553 MW of clean energy to California," said Avi Brenmiller, chief executive officer of Solel Solar Systems. "Our proven solar technology means Solel can economically turn the energy of the warm California sun into clean power for the state's homes and businesses.

Solel estimates that the solar park will be fully operational by 2011, and could potentially supply up to 400,000 homes with clean renewable energy. Hopefully California's embrace of "green technology" will encourage other states to follow suite, as well as inspire nations like Mexico and Canada to adopt similar measures as well.

US To Israeli Touristis: Visa Not Required!

It looks as if the United States is considering passing a bill that would enable Israeli citizens to travel to America without the need for a Visa (which, from what I'm told is a very annoying process to apply for).

(Ynet News) The US Congress is said to vote on new security legislation, which allows for countries that had 10% or less of their applications denied to be included on the list.

Should Congress approve this amendment Israel could easily qualify for the list, since only 3% of Israeli visa applications are denied each year.

Israel is expected to easily meet additional US demands, such as divulging passenger lists, using biometric passports – which include fingerprints – and meeting strict security protocols.

A bill like this should easily pass through congress, and President Bush will no doubt sign this bill into becoming the law of the land.

Israelis have a lot to offer the US in regards to technology, and visitations from the holy land would help give Americans a new perspective on what real Israeli life is in the middle east as opposed to what they see in the news.

Israeli Diplomats Going Green

Aside from improving relations in the US, Israeli's diplomatic arm is also improving relations with nature by having senior diplomats adopt "greener" technologies.

(Isrealli.org) Israel has announced that starting this fall, it will significantly reduce the petroleum consumption of its senior diplomats in the United States by switching to hybrid-electric vehicles. The symbolic initiative, led by Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Sallai Meridor, will include Israel's embassy in Washington, its nine consulates throughout the U.S. and its mission to the United Nations, making Israel's foreign service among the first in the U.S. to significantly reduce oil demand throughout its entire official fleet.

"Reducing oil dependence and protecting the environment are key factors in improving international security," Meridor said. "We are proud to be among the first countries to take this small but symbolic step. Our hope is that many small steps taken together will lead to major policy action around the world that will address one of the most critical strategic and environmental issues facing our common future."

This is a great initiative that (hopefully) other diplomats will follow. Hopefully the government can expand this measure to all embassies around the globe, setting a new trend for the international community worldwide.

Globes Interviews JewTube Founder

Globes has a very interesting interview with Jeremy Kossen, founder and owner of JewTube, a Jewish version of YouTube.

(Globes Online) The mega sale of online video sharing site YouTube to Google for $1.65 billion was a source of motivation for Jeremy Kossen, a young American Jewish entrepreneur from California, who yesterday launched JewTube, the Jewish version of YouTube. Kossen, who is in Israel to attend the ROI Global Summit for Young Jewish Innovators, spoke to "Globes" about the concept behind JewTube and why it's possible to be successful without re-inventing the wheel. [...]

"I've been working on this for close to two years," he says. He got the idea to use the YouTube concept to create a forum for posting video clips with a Jewish connection with the name JewTube from "GodTube," [link: GodTube.com] the evangelical Christian response to YouTube. "For me it was obvious that we needed to provide a Jewish response to this. I was motivated to create something that will serve Jewish communities as well."

Be sure to check out the full interview as Kossen has some very big plans for JewTube, although he has yet to figure out how to put advertising on this beast.

The site doesn't look like it has many video's thus far, but here is one video detailing King Herod's tomb.



Find this video and thousands of others at vSocial!

Aliyah News: More Jews From North America

(Image: Immigrants arriving from the US, Credit: Niv Calderon via Ynet)

It looks as if more Jews from Canada and the United States are uprooting themselves and migrating over to the kosher state. The state of Israel has not seen these levels since the 1980's, and it seems as if more Jews are returning to their homeland.

(Ynet News) The Aliyah Department of the Jewish Agency for Israel is anticipating that immigration to Israel from North America will increase between 5 and 10 percent this year, marking the highest aliyah from North America in 25 years. In 2006, 3,200 residents of the US and Canada formally became Israeli citizens, the highest figure since 1983.

Some 300 New York area residents who will move to Israel this summer will participate Monday (July 2) in a farewell reception hosted by the Jewish Agency in Manhattan, in conjunction with the Israel Consulate, with Ambassador Dan Gillerman, Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, addressing the group. Similar farewell receptions have been held this month in Toronto, Boston, Miami, and Rockville, Maryland.

The new Israeli's range in age from toddlers to individuals in their nineties (with one being a holocaust survivor!). North America has been a hard market for the Aliyah agency (mainly because it is very comfortable here).

Hopefully more Jews will follow their brethren over the ocean and through the clouds as Israel could definitely use these newcomers advice (especially in politics!).

Bush To Iraq: Israel Is The Standard

It looks as if the President of the United States has finally declared a future goal for the Iraqi people. Although it is doubtful that the violence in the region would end (as that would be like asking for taxes to disappear) Bush seems to have settled upon what a future Iraq should look like.

And Israel is its name-o.

(IndyStar.com) President Bush held up Israel as a model for defining success in Iraq on Thursday, saying the U.S. goal there is not to eliminate attacks but to enable a democracy that can function despite violence.

With his Iraq policies under increasing fire from the American public and lawmakers from both parties, Bush went to the U.S. Naval War College here to declare progress. As the president pleaded for patience, his top national security aide went to Capitol Hill to meet with Republican critics.

Despite the fact that Israel has its own problems regarding terrorism, this has not stopped the nation from thriving in a hostile region. Israel has given much to the world, especially in the realms of health and technology, not to mention attracting internet giants like Google, Microsoft and AOL.

The tiny state of Israel leads the entire middle east region as far as innovation is concerned, and hopefully Iraq (and other aspiring democracies) would be able to attain a similar status as the Kosher state.