The
B'nai B'rith World Center in Jerusalem is the hub of B'nai B'rith
International's activities in Israel, serving as the key link between
the organization's members in over 50 countries around the world and the
State of Israel. Through its extensive educational programs and
well-established relationships with political leaders of all parties,
the diplomatic corps and leading academic institutions, the World Center
strengthens Israel-Diaspora relations and offers a unique vantage point
on developments concerning the Jewish state. Operating under the aegis
of BBI's Center for Human Rights and Public Policy, the World Center
serves as the organization's permanent and official presence in
Jerusalem and its public affairs arm in Israel - a continuing expression
of BBI's 140-year active commitment to Jewish renaissance in Eretz
Israel.
Board of Trustees:
Fred S. Worms, OBE Chairman, International Board of Trustees (London)
Murray H. Shusterman Founding President
Richard and Phyllis Heideman Trustees (Washington, DC)
Joseph H. Domberger Trustee (Munich)
Dr. Haim V. Katz Chairman (Jerusalem)
Alan Schneider Director |
March 31, 2011
Greeting from the Chairman
 Dear brothers and sisters,
As the world watches apprehensively at the unfolding political events in the Middle East, change is in the air—fundamental, revolutionary change, as demonstrators take to the streets in half a dozen countries. Israel stands nervously on the sidelines, unsure of the repercussions and how these events will play out. But as the only democratic country in the region, Israel has no fear that such riots will spill out onto the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Whatever problems we might have, Israel still stands strong: its economy is the best among developed nations, and 2010 saw a record number of tourists. Researchers in science and medicine continue to make breakthroughs in their field, whether it’s discovering that laughter really IS the best medicine, inventing a better way to handle traffic congestion or finding out that exercise can slow down the aging process. Oh yes, and when an Arab princess was dying, she came to Israel surreptitiously to obtain medical help. And left smiling.
So while chaos and uncertainty may surround us, here in Israel life is calm, secure, growing, developing. And the forecast is for more of the same.
Dr. Haim V. Katz
Chairman, B'nai B'rith World Center
Israel’s economy best among developed nations
Israel’s economy is the fastest-growing among developed nations, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The gross domestic product grew by 4.5 percent in 2010, 0.5 percent more than expected, compared with only 2.7 percent in the other 33 countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Israel is also doing better in the employment arena than the rest of the OECD, with a 6.7 percent unemployment rate, compared with 8.3 percent in the other countries. The CBS cited three noteworthy developments in 2010: exports grew rapidly, beginning in the second half of 2009 and ending in the third quarter of 2010; the rapid growth in private consumption, which began at the same time, also slowed; and steady growth continued in investment in fixed assets, including housing starts.
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Come one, come all!
In 2010, a record 3.45 million tourists visited Israel, 14 percent higher than 2008’s record of three million. As in previous years, the United States continued to lead with 625,000 visitors arriving this year, representing 19 percent of all incoming tourism. This was an increase of 14 percent over last year, and a slight increase over the tourism figures for 2008. Tourism from Russia followed in second place with 560,000 visitors, comprising 15 percent of all incoming tourism—40 percent more than last year. French tourists comprised the third-largest category, totaling about 285,000 visitors, 9 percent more than in 2009 and 7 percent more than in 2008. The majority of incoming tourists this year—69 percent—were Christian, more than half of whom were Catholic. Of the remainder, 23 percent were Jewish, and the others were of various faiths and/or unaffiliated. Ben-Gurion International Airport also had a record-breaking year, with 11.5 million passengers passing through, almost 10 percent higher than last year’s numbers.
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Laughter increases success of IVF
There's an old cliché about laughter being the best medicine. Now comes proof, at least when it comes to getting pregnant through in vitro fertilization (IVF). A study by Dr. Shevach Friedler of Assaf Harofeh Medical Center of 219 women undergoing IVF treatment shows that the odds of success were greater among women who were entertained by a professional "medical clown" right after they had the embryos implanted in the womb. Overall, 36 percent became pregnant, versus 20 percent of women who'd had a comedy-free recovery after embryo implantation. And that's nothing to laugh at. For more information click here
Water, water everywhere – and drinkable, too
Only 0.74 percent of the world’s water is considered safe for drinking, and some 2 billion people either lack access to sufficient quantities of water or are supplied with unsafe water. Moreover, it is estimated that about 1.6 million children under the age of five die from drinking untreated water in developing nations. Then along came Yossie Sandak, CEO and co-founder of a company that has developed Sulis – Personal Purification Devices (PPDs), compact and self-contained contraptions that fit onto standard bottles, water taps and tanks. Using a chlorine tablet to treat organic, biological and chemical contaminants, Sulis delivers safe drinking water from almost any groundwater source. For more information click here
Life in the fast lane
A new dynamic toll system has been installed on the fast lane to Tel Aviv, the first toll system in the world whose rates vary with traffic congestion, linking the toll price to demand and traffic. The toll varies according to the time of day, with drivers paying a different fee during peak traffic hours than during less crowded hours. It also calculates demand, and takes into account the time that drivers have lost waiting in traffic. The result is a higher toll at times when more drivers are on the road, in order to reduce demand and thus decrease waiting time.
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Early exercise, healthy genes central to long life
Everyone knows exercise is good for you. But researchers at Tel Aviv University have now proven not only that it is good for you, but that regular exercise slows the aging process. Professor Dafna Benayahu found that exercise increases the amount of muscle stem cells, which ordinarily declines as people age. But people who exercise throughout their life have more such cells, which contribute to the body’s ability to renew old muscles. The researchers said they hope their discovery leads to the development of drug that help muscles repair themselves better in the elderly.
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New invention limits iPhone radiation
Many people worry about radiation from cell phones, how it might affect brain cells and whether it causes cancer. Determined to help save lives by protecting cell phone users from harmful radiation, Ronny Gorlicki’s company Wise Environment created Cell La Vie, a do-it-yourself kit to protect iPhone owners from radiation. Gorlicki, Wise Environment’s vice president of business development, claims that Cell La Vie reduces electromagnetic exposure from the phone by 98 percent. Talk on!
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Report: Public confident on social issues
A public opinion survey examining the attitudes of 1,000 Israeli citizens on social issues such as the standard of living, employment and unemployment, economic security and exposure to violence in society, shows that overall there has been a 17 percent increase in social confidence in the country, up from 56.2 points in 2009 to 66 points this past year. This is the highest index rating since the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies began measuring it in 2001. While some sectors showed lower levels of social and economic satisfaction, overall the study reflected a positive mood in Israeli society and clear signs of an economic recovery.
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Arab princess comes to Israel dying, walks away smiling
When a princess from one of the Persian Gulf states needed to undergo a complicated heart operation, her doctors recommended she go to one of Israel's leading hospitals. So under a heavy veil of secrecy, the unidentified 60-something princess and her spouse arrived in Israel via Cyprus to avoid suspicion, helped by the ministries of foreign affairs, health and interior who maintained that secrecy for the couple’s safety. When she arrived in Israel, the princess was no longer able to stand or walk. She left Israel on her own two feet, telling Druze Likud MK Ayoub Kara—who arranged for her visit—that the experience had drastically altered her view of Israel. “This is another humanitarian gesture that displays the true values of the State of Israel,” Kara said. “Incidents like this help bring peace closer than the last 10 years of peace talks did. Peace is made not with a piece of paper, but with positive human relations between nations." For more information click here
Mickey, Goofy and Pluto heading to Haifa
Mickey Mouse is going Middle East. If things go as planned, interest in Haifa’s landmark sites such as the Baha’i Temple or the Carmelite Monastery cable car could soon be replaced by Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and friends. A Disney-affiliated investment firm and a leading Israeli cinema chain have announced plans to build a 600 million shekel ($168 million) amusement park and a 25-screen multiplex movie center in Israel's largest port city. The center will focus on the movie complex, and is not an official Walt Disney Company theme park.
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