Israel's M.I.L.B.A.T Partners With Toys 'R' Us

(Hat Tip: IsRealli)

M.I.L.B.A.T., an organization that creates many accessories for disabled adults and children is partnering with Toys 'R' Us in order to help make toys more play friendly for kids with special needs.

(Ynet News) For the first time in Israel, the M.I.L.B.A.T. Center for Technology and Accessibility, which helps develop accessories for disabled children and adults, together with the Toys 'R' Us toy store chain, is launching a catalogue of products which will make games more accessible for children with special needs. The booklet includes about 100 different products suitable for the use of children with special needs. All products presented in the catalogue have been tested by M.I.L.B.A.T. professionals. [...]

"Through the catalogue, parents can pick toys which develop eyesight, hearing, thinking, feeling, social skills, self-esteem, language, frisky or gentle motors, and creativity. The association's volunteers can be found in the toy chain's various stores and will personally tailor the designated toy to each child."

According to Ynet News, M.I.L.B.A.T. is not charging parents for the labor and time for modifying the toys, although they may have to pay a minor fee for materials.

This service only only available in Israel (at least through M.I.L.B.A.T.) so unless you feel comfortable paying international shipping, Europe and the US may have to look elsewhere for inexpensive toys for kids with special needs.

(Image Credit: M.I.L.B.A.T catalog)

Video: Israeli Doctors Helping Chinese Hearts

(Hat Tip: IsRealli)

After previously helping out children from Iraq and Kenya, it looks as if Israeli doctors from the Save A Child's Heart foundation will be heading off towards the far east in order help out kids in China.

(Haaretz) The Save A Child's Heart medical team, comprising 15 members, said it would try to treat as many children as possible during its stay in China.

This is SACH's eighth mission to China, where Israeli medics working alongside Chinese colleagues have performed surgery on more than 100 children. During the mission, team surgeon Dr. Lior Sasson - who heads the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department at the Wolfson Medical Center - will workd at the Hebei Children's hospital alongside Dr. Han Jiangang, a surgeon trained in Israel last year. [...]

Already in China, word has spread about the event, prompting hundreds to travel by foot, bicycle and train hoping to benefit from the surgical mission, according to SACH.

According to Haaretz, a camera crew will be tagging along in order to document everything that goes on.

Note: Here is a video from one of their earlier missions to China (with subtitles for those of us who have yet to speak Chinese).

Video: Iranian Boy Treated In Israel

(Hat Tip: Stand for Israel)

For those of you who have not been following this story, Israel has allowed a 12-year old boy from Iran suffering from glioblastoma multiforme (aka GBM)--a common form of brain cancer--despite the fact that the child is a citizen of a nation whose leader has not been making unkosher speeches regarding his (falsely assumed) future plans about the Jewish state.

(Jerusalem Post) The boy, whose family speaks only a few words of English and who received special permission for entry from the Shin Bet security service, is being treated by Sheba as a "charity case." The hospital has not made payment a precondition for care and does not have information about the parents' professions or financial condition. [...]

Toren told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday that tests the unit had conducted since Guy's arrival showed the cancer was in both sides of his brain and had spread to the spinal cord, which did not mean a good prognosis.

"But you never know. Sometimes therapy can suddenly improve the quality of life," he said.

This is not the first time Israel has reached out to help out kids from unfriendly nations (although it is a first for Iran).

Whether or not this helps bring a about a new relationship between Israel and Iran only time will tell.

Either way, be sure to keep this kid in your prayers, as well as the family and the doctors treating him. You can click on the image below in order to watch the video.

Israel: Play Soccor, Not War

(Hat Tip: IsRealli)

Even though many of Israel's neighboring governments lack a sense of appreciation for the Jewish state, it does not mean that her neighbors children are obligated to feel the same otherwise.

Here is a video showing both Jewish and Arab children playing Soccer (or Football) together in peace.

Note: It looks as if this event is being sponsored (or guided by) Hapoel Tel Aviv. Can anyone else confirm this?

Israeli Doctors Heart Iraqi Kids

While it is expected for doctors of any nation to tend to their own citizens with the utmost compassion, these doctors are raising the bar by tending towards Iraqi children suffering from heart disease.

(Israel National News) Israeli doctors screened 40 Iraqi children suffering from heart disease this week - a rare instance of direct cooperation between the Jewish state and Iraq. [...]

Dr. Tzion Houri, director of the pediatric intensive care unit at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, said he thought "ties and friendship" were being built through his work in Jordan with the Iraqi children. "Our only previous exchanges with the Iraqis were the Scud missiles," he said, referring to the missiles Iraq, under former dictator Saddam Hussein, fired on Israel during the 1991 Gulf War.

Israeli doctors seem to be making a pattern of helping Iraqi's lately, even when things must be done in secret.

Hopefully these doctors actions will go a long way towards creating ties between the two lands, as it would be great for Israel to have an Arabian friend in the middle east.

Israeli Kids Becoming "Net Savvy"

(Image Credit: The Redwood Motel)

It looks like many children in Israel are beginning to embrace the internet for all that its worth.

(Globes Online) TNS/Teleseker: Israel has almost 4.5 million internet users over the age of 5, 62% of the country’s total population.

58% of Israeli children aged 5-12 use the internet, according to the TNS/Teleseker survey for June 2007. The information was provided by parents.

The main internet use by children 4-8 is for games, surfing children websites, and picture coloring pages. Children aged 7-8 are already using the internet for study purposes, to listen to music, and to download songs.

Israeli children have always seemed to have a "nack" for technology, something I definitely noticed when I saw eight year olds with cell phones (that was back in the day when beepers were king).

I would not be surprised to find Israeli kids harnessing iPhone look-a-likes in the near future--unless of course the jPhone has anything to do with it.

Update: Added source link.

Neil Armstrong To Jewish Kids: Fly Me To The Moon

Neil Armstrong, the first man to ever walk upon the lunar surface not only visited the Holy Land recently, but also took time out to answer a few questions for some Israeli children.

(MSNBC) Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, answered questions from Israeli children Tuesday in his first visit to the Holy Land, showing animation and energy in discussing the feelings and justification for space travel. [...]

Asked what lasting value the flights to the moon had, Armstrong responded they showed that "the human species, all of us, is not forever chained to the planet Earth." He added, "I hope that man continues to expand his and her presence in space in the years ahead."

Armstrong had advice for youngsters who want to be an astronaut one day: "That requires getting a very good education, particularly in the fields of science and mathematics."

During the question and answer session Neil discussed his disappointment about not finding life on the moon, although he encouraged everyone, even a little girl about the wonders of spaceflight.

Neil spoke at the Space and Technology Museum which is located in Haifa, and to the dismay of reporters, declined to answer any of their questions (he must be really shy).

Free Laptops For Jerusalem Kids

It looks as if more of our future world leaders will have some much needed exposure to a tool most westerners already take for granted.

(Israel National News) 70 Jerusalem children received a free computer this week as part of the "A Computer for Every Child" project. The children, in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, first finished a 60-hour introductory course on computer use.

The "A Computer for Every Child" project gives computers, basic computer training, and Internet connection to children whose families cannot afford to buy the technology for them.

This is a great idea although I wonder whether or not those laptops are wifi capable as that would allow the kids to get online? (with parental permission of course!)

Several corporations seem to have endorsed this project (including Microsoft) and for those of you who are curious, you can find more information regarding the project over here.

Israeli Doctors Helping Iraqi Children

Iman with his mother, Image Credit: Ofer Amram, via Ynet News

Thanks to the Save a Child's Heart foundation, three Iraqi Kurds will be given the chance to live a normal life in a region that is known to be a "little adventurous."

(Ynet News) Ahmad, 13, Iman, 6, and one-year-old Lizan will be operated on by cardiologists in Israel as part of the humanitarian project 'Save a Child's Heart.' Since the association was founded 12 years ago, more than 1,600 children from 26 different countries, including the Palestinian Authority, have undergone surgery in Israel. [...]

"Tomorrow they will undergo echography testing, after which heart surgeon Dr. Leon Sasson will recommend the best line of treatment. The operations will be sometime in the next week-and-a-half," Gilad said.

According to Dr. Akiva Tamir, a children's cardiologist at Wolfson, two of the children suffer from a hole between two heart chambers, which will be mended by surgery. The smallest child, Lizan, has a very severe defect, which often leads to sudden infant death, Tamir said.

This isn't the first time that Israel has helped out Iraqi children, and it is doubtful if this will be the last. Israel has done a lot of charity work for nations around the world, caring for others who are unable to receive assistance from their own governments.

Regardless whether they are friend or foe, Israel has demonstrated a unique ability to turn the other cheek towards their enemies and help them out in time of need. If only the world could repay the favor.

Jewish Kids With Down Syndrome Receive Help

Although this pertains mainly to the UK, I thought it was a nice enough article to mention here.

(Jerusalem Post) The Leads Trust, a charitable organization that promotes the language and educational achievements of Jewish children with Down's, was founded by Rabbi Michael Bernstein, the father of a child with Down's syndrome.

The new trust will provide a range of educational and awareness services and programs, the first of which will enable any Jewish child with Down's throughout the UK to receive specialist speech and language therapy. Sessions are heavily subsidized through private donations and will be delivered by therapists with specific training and experience in working with children with Down's.

It is a good sign to see Jewish leaders helping those who are not as fortunate as they are within their community. Hopefully we will be able to see program grow, and perhaps expand into the promise land itself (as I am unsure whether something similar exists in Israel).

Another Day, Another Jew Comes Into The World

(Hat Tip: Jewlicious)

But it's not just any Jew. It's Harry and Ziva's new daughter (who they named Tzofia).

Congrats to the duo (but mostly to Ziva) for bringing Tzofia into the world.

Note: How do women do this stuff? I know the answer, but I'm amazed they willingly go through this. Props to them!