Michigan Seeks Out Israeli Tech

With the economic crisis severely affecting the auto industry, it looks as if the Governor of Michigan is seeking to add some job diversity to the region by attracting tech companies from the Jewish state.

(Israel National News) After meeting with Prime Minister Olmert, the governor signed a joint agreement with Indusry and Trade Minister Yishai. The partnership between Israel and Michigan will include a research team that will focus on innovative technology to increase energy efficiency, improve water quality and increase water reuse. [...]

Gov. Granholm also held meetings in Haifa with technology companies that she hopes will help create jobs in her home state. She visited Senso Optics, a homeland security and defense company that creates technology for lenses used for airport security and border control, and sensors for day and night vision.

While the governor expects the partnership to provide up to 1,000 extra jobs for Michigan, she might want to consider checking out what Israel is doing in the auto-tech field ranging from electric cars to hydrogen cars (unless a flying car suits her style).

Sarah Palin Supports Moving US Embassy To Jerusalem

With the US elections "all the rage," it looks as if both parties are once again promoting themselves as Israel's best friend.

During the Vice Presidential debate between Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Joe Biden, the former briefly mentioned her desire to move the US embassy currently located in Tel Aviv to Israel's eternal capital, Jerusalem.

(Israel National News) Republican vice presidential candidate Governor Sarah Palin, in a televised debate Thursday night with Democratic nominee Senator Joe Biden, called for moving the American embassy to Jerusalem, echoing Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain's policy. [...]

Gov. Palin opened up the foreign policy part of the debate with support for the two-state solution and a statement that "Israel is our strongest ally." She added, "We have got to assure them that we will never allow a second Holocaust, despite, again, warnings from Iran and any other country that would seek to destroy Israel…. We will support Israel [and] a two-state solution, building our embassy, also, in Jerusalem--those things that we look forward to being able to accomplish, with this peace-seeking nation, and they have a track record of being able to forge these peace agreements."

While her "two-state" solution may not exactly come off as kosher for Israel lovers, her desire to finally move the embassy is good to hear (as both President Clinton and President Bush have delayed moving it, citing security concerns).

US To Israel: Lets Drop That Visa Requirement, Okay?

Their is nothing more annoying rewarding than contacting a foreign government in order to haggle for a Visa so that you can visit that country in the near future (provided the government does not make you wait for several months).

Joking aside, it looks as if US is seriously thinking about removing the Visa requirement (after briefly considering it last year).

(Haaretz.com) The U.S. may waive its visa requirement for Israelis, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff told Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit during their meeting in Washington Thursday.

"I received a positive readiness from Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff, and also from Under Secretary of State William Burns. Their agreement is necessary for the initiative to advance, and both of them support the idea," said Sheetrit. "All that remains is approval to bring Israel into the track that the U.S. has opened in the past for a few other countries [under visa waiver agreements]," he added.

Sheetrit spoke to Haaretz while in the U.S for talks aimed at achieving a visa-waiver agreement for Israelis.

Other countries (like Russia) have already removed Visa requirements for Israeli's, and it is good to see the US government pursuing a similar path as Israel does not require American's to request a Visa in order to visit the holy land.

Hopefully this process is sped up, as it would allow many Israeli businessmen (and women) in the medical, green energy and software technology fields to visit the land of opportunity in order to benefit both countries (and their economies as well).

Happy Rosh Hashana!

I would like to wish all of my readers ראש השנה (or Rash Hashana). Here is a video below courtesy of Aussie Dave (of Israellycool fame) that will hopefully bring a smile to your face during these "exciting times."

Posting will resume tomorrow. :-)

Israeli Tech Firms In Atlanta?

It looks like 13 Israeli tech firms will be visiting (note: or rather have visited) the US in order to meet with government officials from Georgia (the US state, and not the country).

(Globes Online) Thirteen Israeli technology companies will meet major US companies in Atlanta this week, as part of a groundbreaking conference focused on harnessing Web 2.0 applications by businesses. The conference, U.S. - Israel Web 2.0 Business Exchange: "Empowering the Connected Enterprise," has been organized by the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Region (AICC) and is intended showcase the latest Israeli and American innovations. [...]

"From politics to natural disasters to business, it's clear that Web. 2.0 tools represent the next generation of interactive technology," says Tom Glaser, president of the American Israel Chamber of Commerce. "Home Depot used Twitter to send storm tips and store info to Gulf Coast residents when Hurricane Gustav hit demonstrating that Web 2.0 tools have today reached the business mainstream."

Its good to see more recognition of what Israel is doing online--especially from US state governments. Hopefully this will spread and other neighboring regions will choose to partner with Israeli tech firms.

The Israeli companies who attended were:

• Worklight: Basically they help make popular internet tools corporate friendly for businesses.
  
• PlyMedia: This company makes video captioning a reality. See TechCrunch for more details.
  
• Kenshoo: A search engine marketing company.
  
• Pando: A file sharing service.
  
• FlixWagon: Helps you broadcast your life to the world from your mobile phone. They even have an iPhone version (note: sweet!)
  
• Zend: When it comes to PHP coding, these guys (and gals) are guru's.
  
• JumpTap: Its basically like Google for your mobile phone.
  
• Unisfair: Helps companies save money (and time) by providing mobile events where people can "see" and talk to each other. Think SecondLife gone corporate.
  
• Boxee: Its still in Alpha, but it seems to be video social network of some kind. See Lifehacker for more details.
  
• AdYouNet: They basically help businesses monetize their customers better online.
  
• MB Technologies: (note: I think this is their site) Hosting and web design company.
  

Hopefully more companies will be able to "cross the pond" and visit the US, as this is probably one of the best ways to change the perception of Israel as a place full of "faith and conflicts" (instead of a modern country like--America!).

Peace Through Employment? Industrial Park For Israelis, Palestinians

Can business interests help bring peace to a troubled region? That is what a few individuals are hoping by constructing an industrial park located somewhere in the northern Gilboa region

(Haaretz.com) The enterprise, which will cost $200 million and occupy some 350 acres of land, was approved on Monday by a joint Israeli-American committee, and will be built under the auspices of the American ambassador to Israel James Cunningham, the U.S. special envoy to the Mideast General James L. Jones and the U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority Keith Dayton.

The industrial park is said to offer 10,000 jobs for Palestinians and 2,000 for Israelis.

Several other companies have also partnered with Palestinians, ranging from independent films to "web 2.0" (or is it 3.0 now?).

While nobody expects this industrial park to bring about an immediate peace to the area, it can help break down stereotypes between the two groups (at least in the short term).

McCain: Lets Move The American Embassy To Jerusalem

It looks as if Senator McCain (who previously toured Israel) is promising to move the American Embassy in Tel Aviv towards Jerusalem if he is elected President. But the question remains--will he?

(Israel National News) Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain has categorically stated he will move the American embassy in Israeli from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem if he is elected president in November. [...]



A Congressional law mandates the move but includes allows the president to exercise a clause every six months to postpone the move for six months if there is a fear that it would harm American interests.

Many Americans have heard this "song and dance" before, previously from both former President Clinton and President Bush. Senator Obama has not declared whether or not he would move the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city (which may be a sign that the status quo will stand underneath him).



Hopefully John McCain is a man of his word, as having Jerusalem recognized as Israel's capital would go a long ways towards strengthening the ties between America and Israel (not to mention send a signal towards the Jewish state's "rowdy" neighbors).

Harlem Celebrates 60 Years Of Israel

Update (7/3): Listen to this post, courtesy of Bnarrator!

(Hat Tip: IsRealli)







(Image: African American choir celebration Israel's 60^th birthday. Credit: Shachar Azran via Ynet News)



While the neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan is generally known for its celebration of African American culture, it looks as if the folks from Harlem decided to show their thanks for the Jewish state by celebrating the nation's 60^th birthday.

(Ynet News) The Israeli Consulate in New York staged a unique performance at the city's Apollo Theater Tuesday, celebrating Israel's 60th birthday. The main event: A concert headed by Grammy Award winning hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari, who preformed with the Big Apple's most famous gospel choirs. [...]



Ben-Ari won a Grammy in 2004 for her collaboration with American rap artist Kanye West on the hit "Jesus Walks", thus becoming the first Israeli performer to be awarded the prestigious prize.

Miri Ben-Ari has been making the rounds within the R&B movement, and readers can check out a video of Miri's performance (as well as the Harlem celebration) over at Haaretz.com.

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.