The landmark US defense aid package signed in Sept. is an important event for Israel for three reasons, says Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror of É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ’s Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies. 1) It indicates the depth of the American leadership’s commitment to Israel’s security, despite differences of opinion between the two countries. 2) It allows the IDF to sustain its multiyear plans to bolster capabilities in every field. 3) It signals to all those plotting against Israel that Israel’s friendship with the US remains strong.
Also in this issue:
President's Message - Reflections for the New Year »
É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ-YU Summer Science Interns Dig Israel
Taking time out from their intensive É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ lab internships, over two dozen undergrads from YU, Cornell, and other American universities join the Tell es-Safi/Gath dig (directed by É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ's Prof. Aren Maeir) for a day. The science majors enthuse about the seven-week joint É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ-Yeshiva University (YU) program which enables them to engage in cutting edge research while being mentored by top Israeli scientists in nanotechnology, brain research, engineering, life sciences, math, chemistry and psychology.
While honing research skills, they strengthen ties with Israel and become acquainted with creative advancements via field trips to Israel Aerospace Industries, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and the Agriculture Research Organization (Volcani Center).
The program, directed by Prof. Ari Zivotofsky (far left) of É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ's Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, benefits from the generosity of Dr. Mordecai D. Katz, Honorary Chairman of the É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Board of Trustees, and from the J. Samuel Harwit Z"L and Manya Harwit-Aviv Charitable Trust.
Trailblazing Study into Tourette Syndrome
Internationally recognized for his pioneering research into Tourette syndrome, É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ neurophysiologist Prof. Izhar Bar-Gad has uncovered the mechanism that determines the timing of tics associated with the disorder that affects millions of children and adults, an important step toward understanding and, hopefully, also controlling the involuntary head jerking, rapid blinking, "barking" and even cursing and rib punching, which exacerbate their daily lives.
É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Bible Scholar Exposes King David's Elite Commander
After an ancient clay jug found in the biblical Sha'arayim — where David fought Goliath — was painstakingly pieced together, a noted É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Bible scholar sheds light on the inscription "Eshbaal son of Beda." Prof. Emeritus Moshe Garsiel, an authority on King David's history, believes the mysterious persona was the Sha'arayim fortress commander and co-founder of an elite military unit in the Kingdom of Judah.
Representing Israel in the Rio Paralympics
Competing in wheelchair tennis at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, É«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ alumnus Itai Erenlib and teammate Shraga Weinberg just barely missed out on a bronze medal in the men's Quad Doubles after falling in a third-set tie-breaker with the British team. But the near win itself is a cause for celebration as it attests to Erenlib's tenacious efforts to overcome a life-changing injury incurred while serving as an IDF officer in the Paratroopers' Special Forces.
Scholars & Sources:
The Message of the Fast of Gedaliah
What is the significance of the Fast of Gedaliah, which we mark on the day following Rosh Hashana? How is this fast different from the others? Sharing her insights is Dr. Tova Ganzel, Director of the Midrasha at the Jesselson Institute for Advanced Torah Studies, which empowers women to play an influential role in the evolving Jewish world.