Israel at World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum has just announced its annual list of Technology Pioneers for 2008. Out of 273 nominees, 39 visionary companies were selected, including three Israeli companies!

The judging panel included some of the world’s leading technology experts, academics, and venture capitalists.

To be selected as a Technology Pioneer, a company must be involved in the development of life-changing technology innovation and have potential for long-term impact on business and society. In addition, it must demonstrate visionary leadership, show the signs of being a long-standing market leader – and its technology must be proven.

The 2008 Technology Pioneers are invited to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting taking place in Davos, Switzerland from January 23-27, 2008.

Congratulations to the three Israeli companies that made the list:

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“From Darfur to a Kibbutz Oasis”

This is the kibbutz i lived and studied on. It’s one of the best in Israel. This story warms my heart.

From HAARETZ:

From Darfur to a kibbutz oasis

By David Wainer

KIBBUTZ KETURA - Fawzi Sadiq, a 10-year-old refugee from Darfur, is conspicuous as he waits for his food alongside the other kibbutz children. Holding his purple cafeteria tray, standing in a reticent pose, Fawzi chatters with the other kids using a basic melange of Hebrew and English words.

Tall and slender, he stands up close to the food, scrutinizing his options through his large, ingenuous dark eyes. As his turn comes up, he orders, “2 piece of chicken ve zeh (and this),” pointing to the meat tray.

It has only been three months since Kibbutz Ketura welcomed Fawzi and his parents Sadiq Yusef and Saadia Abdel for an indefinite stay. Founded by a group of North Americans in 1973 and still a socialist enterprise at a time when most other kibbutzim have opted to privatize, Ketura has acquired a distinct reputation for initiatives taken by its members.

Known for its Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, its algae factory, its experimental orchard, and its egalitarian outlook on Judaism, Kibbutz Ketura has been involved in a fair share of undertakings. But in its recent absorption of two Darfur refugee families, the kibbutz is sending out a message to the Israel community at large - a message of compassion and understanding towards those who most need it.

“These families have only been here for three months and they are already making a tremendous contribution to the Kibbutz. They work hard and they are genuinely good families to have around,” says 25-year-old Asher Whitman, a resident of the kibbutz. Currently, Yusef works at the Algae factory and Saadia works at the hotel, while Fawzi goes to school at nearby Kibbutz Yotvata with the rest of the children.

Continue reading “From Darfur to a Kibbutz Oasis”…

Giant Israeli Flag Breaks World Record

Nothing much to add for this one.

From HAARETZ:

Giant Israeli flag breaks world record for largest in world
By The Associated Press

Beneath the ancient Jewish desert strongpoint of Masada, the world’s largest flag was unfurled Sunday, covering a large stretch of sandy hinterland.

The huge blue and white Israeli flag, 660 meters (2,165 feet) long and 100meters (330 feet) wide and weighing 5.2 metric tons, breaks the record for the world’s largest, according to the Tourism Ministry.

It was measured by representatives for the Guinness Book of Records.

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Seinfeld and Shimon: A Perfect Comedy Duo

check out TMZ’s vid above.

Seinfeld in Israel for BEE Movie Promo

From the Int Herald Trib:
JERUSALEM: Star comedian Jerry Seinfeld arrived in Israel Friday in the first stop on a world tour to promote his new animated film “Bee Movie.”

It was the 53-year-old’s second visit to the Jewish state. He volunteered on a kibbutz in northern Israel in 1970.

Seinfeld, who is Jewish, met with Israeli President Shimon Peres and then toured Jerusalem’s Old City near the Western Wall, the holiest site for Jews, and made a stop at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum.

“You can imagine how much people like you here and respect you,” Peres told Seinfeld as the two sat in suits and ties in front of Israeli flags at the president’s residence in Jerusalem.

Seinfeld explained his movie to the 84-year-old Nobel peace laureate.

“It’s about a bee who’s not sure that he wants to go into honey,” Seinfeld said, as Peres laughed. “They tell him he has no choice.”

Seinfeld also gave Peres an explanation of computer animation.

The DreamWorks-Paramount flick that Seinfeld co-wrote and co-produced debuted Nov. 2 and has been in first or second place among top hits in U.S. theaters since, bringing in $94 million.

Israel’s Thanksgiving Secret

We found this great Thanksgiving quiz online, and after we all failed miserably, we were shocked when we saw the correct answers– specifically #19.

1.When was the first American Thanksgiving celebration?
The correct answer is: 1621

2.Where was the turkey first domesticated?
The correct answer is: Mexico and Central America

3.What is a female turkey called?
The correct answer is: a hen

4.What is a male turkey called?
The correct answer is: a tom

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Finally, Some Tasty Coffee

Nothing against socially conscious Starbucks, but sometimes their coffee is a bit over-roasted and has the caffeine effect similar to that of jet fuel. So we welcome Elite’s arrival with open mouths and can vouch for its great taste.

From Globes:

Elite Coffee-To-Go to US

Strauss chair Ofra Strauss says the group is building on its experience with Max Brenner Chocolate.

Yael Gross-Englander 19 Nov 07

The Strauss Group Ltd. (TASE:STEL) coffee carts are set to enter the US market, group chairman Ofra Strauss told the annual conference of the Kibbutz Industry Assocation yesterday. The company operates its takeaway coffee business in Israel through the Elite Coffee-To-Go chain.

Strauss added that the success of its gourmet chocolate subsidiary Max Brenner Ltd. had prompted a rethink of the group’s retail strategy. “We’ve learned from Max Brenner how to manage a uniform international brand worldwide, and how to manage retail. This is a skill which, if we acquire it properly, will enable us to consider launching additional brands in the future,” she said.

PBS Masada Sunrise Concert

PBS will be broadcasting an awesome sunrise concert at Masada this December. Check your local listings…

Israel Goes Hybrid

Official Missions throughout North America Switch to Hybrid-Electric Cars

New York – Israel has officially gone green. Today, the Consulate General offices in New York, and the Israeli mission to the UN in New York have switched their official diplomatic vehicles to hybrid-electric vehicles significantly reducing petroleum consumption.

Israel is the first foreign country to take this green action in North America and hopes to set a new standard for all diplomatic missions in North America. This is the one of the first steps towards switching all of Israel’s official missions in the United States to hybrid-electric vehicles.

“Israel is a world leader in developing green technologies and today we took a small step to do our part to fight global warming,” says Ambassador Asaf Shariv, Consul General of Israel in NY.

Israel plans to continually strengthen energy cooperation with the U.S. by developing alternative energy technologies and assisting American efforts to reduce petroleum dependence.

To learn more about Israel’s efforts to reduce petroleum dependence, please visit the Ministry of Environmental Protections website.

“Racing toward a new understanding in Israel”

And now some good news from our friends at Israel 21c:

Racing toward a new understanding in Israel
By Nicky Blackburn November 15, 2007

Aric Lapter and Rasheed Nashashibi aren’t political activists or peace campaigners. They don’t take part in rallies or demonstrations. They are just a couple of guys who are passionate about motor racing and who share a dream to race Formula One cars. The only hitch is that Lapter is Israeli and Nashashibi is a Palestinian. However the pair have decided to exploit their differences by racing together in the British Formula Vee Championship next year in an effort not just to further their dream, but also to take a stand for peace.

“At some point you have to change the situation,” says 31-year-old Lapter, an engineer and single-seater racer. “There are so many negative things occurring in this region, you just have to do something positive that will change the balance. Right now there is nothing to hope for, and there should be something to hope for. People need it. So many people talk about peace, but we believe in just getting on and doing it. We want to prove that Israelis and Palestinians can collaborate together and work as a team.”

Continue reading “Racing toward a new understanding in Israel”…