In the 30th Mar 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l The number of Israeli newborns has soared during the war.
l What are the chances of being saved by an Israeli after being hit by lightning?
l Israel will gain many benefits from the $32 billion takeover of Wiz.
l Unexpected support for Israel from Pakistan and Jordan.
l Israeli scientists have discovered why dogs have an amazing sense of smell.
l Two Israeli basketball players hit top form in the USA.
l Archeologists reveal more Jewish historical links to the Land of Israel.
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Israel’s baby boom. (TY Dov) In the midst of war, Israel is experiencing a baby boom. Unlike post-war birth surges, Israel had a 7% increase in births since Sep 2023, with 181,000 babies born in 2024. Maternity wards are overflowing even with economic and security challenges. And the highest increase is in front line towns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-SYj6orAwk
https://israel-currents.quora.com/Israeli-Jewish-Birth-Rates-Boom-In-Response-To-War
https://theettingerreport.com/2025-jewish-demographic-momentum-in-israel/
From Nova party to Mea Shearim. When Hamas attacked the Nova party revelers on 7 Oct 2023, Barak Nixon hid in a chemical toilet stall for 8 hours. He promised that if he got out of there alive, he would become religious. He subsequently moved to Mea Shearim, the ultra-orthodox area of Jerusalem. This is his story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_DeWoSuGMc
Off-road security vehicles for Samaria. Israel’s Settlements and National Missions Ministry delivered 21 off-road “Ranger” vehicles to Jewish farmers in the Samaria region. The vehicles were provided in cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces’ Central Command, which includes Judea and Samaria.
Iron Dome latest tests. Israel completed comprehensive flight tests of the Iron Dome missile defense system. The exercises, conducted by the Israel Missile Defense Organization and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, evaluated the system’s effectiveness against advanced threats, including rockets, cruise missiles and drones.
Ambassadors tour southern Israel. Dozens of ambassadors from foreign countries in Israel participated in a tour of southern Israel. It exposed them to the damage caused to the Gaza Envelope and rehabilitation efforts. Ambassadors included from the Netherlands, Argentina, Guatemala, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus and others.
Riding for resilience. More than 100 bicyclists are participating in the ninth annual Geerz “Israel Charity Ride” from March 23-25 - a two-day mountain-biking event aimed at raising funds to offer relief and resilience-building opportunities for 450+ children affected by trauma due to the war.
New hotels open in a war. In 2024, despite the war and thanks to grants provided by the Israel Ministry of Tourism to entrepreneurs, 483 new hotel rooms were added to the hotel supply across the country, and four new hotels were established, expanded, or converted. During 2025, 18 new hotels are expected to be added.
https://www.israel21c.org/new-hotels-opening-in-israel-this-year/
Using horses to treat trauma patients. Israel’s Brothers of Jonathan provides support to soldiers and their families experiencing early to mid-stage post-trauma symptoms to prevent chronic PTSD. It uses horse therapy and trained personnel to help IDF veterans relax, dissolve anxieties, and encourage personal growth and change.
https://my.givingtech.org/en/fundme/BrothersOfJonathan_Oct_2024 https://brothersj.com/
Amputees still enjoy soccer. Many brave young Israelis have sustained life-altering injuries while battling Hamas terrorists in Gaza, yet they refuse to let their wounds stop them from enjoying life.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-amputee-idf-soldiers-enjoy-soccer-despite-war-injuries/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlWu5OZ8xJg
Former hostage opens pancake house. Before Oct 7 2023 Keith Siegel would make pancakes for his family. Now he has been freed from his hostage ordeal, he has opened Keith Siegel’s Pancake House, at Sarona Market in Tel Aviv. And it’s certified kosher.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/more-than-the-taste-israelis-flock-to-former-hostage-keith-siegels-pancake-house/ https://worldisraelnews.com/former-hostage-keith-siegels-opens-pancake-house-in-tel-aviv/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
More stem cells for bone-marrow regeneration. An international research team led by scientists from Tel Aviv University and Sheba Medical Center has used mRNA technology to activate adult stem cells from human bone marrow. It boosts bone marrow regeneration and construction of new blood and immune systems.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41590-025-02087-w?s=08
The immune system & the future of medicine. Prof. Shai Shen-Orr of Israel’s Technion Institute uses AI tools and innovative methodologies to explore the immune system. His work includes immune age, nutrition, AI for predictive therapy discovery, the Human Immunome Project, CytoReason, and personalized medicine.
Helping combat children’s eating disorders. After Onn Manelson’s 13-year-old daughter developed the eating disorder Anorexia, he decided to found Israel’s Thrive Together (see here previously) - a digital app that combines AI with evidence-based practices to help parents navigate their child’s treatment.
https://www.israel21c.org/helping-parents-fight-their-childrens-eating-disorders/
https://www.thrivetogether.health/
2,000+ female volunteers. Israel’s emergency medical NGO United Hatzalah now has 2,081 women volunteers (medics, psycho-trauma specialists, midwives, and others) in its Sandberg Women’s Unit. The unit brings together women of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, to save lives in Israel.
https://israelrescue.org/program/womens-initiative/
Lightning reaction by Israeli nurse saves Israeli tourist. An Israeli nursing student vacationing in Sri Lanka helped save an 50-year-old Israeli tourist who was injured by a lightning strike while on the beach. Tal Danan (26), is a fourth-year student at the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo and had served as a medic in the IDF.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-nursing-student-saves-tourist-in-sri-lanka-after-lightning-strike/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Thousands of Good Deeds. Thousands of Israelis participated in some 8,000 volunteer activities on the 18th annual Good Deeds Day - an international initiative started by Israel, promoting giving and community. They renovated damaged buildings, packaged food, worked with children and the sick, cleaned beaches and more.
https://www.jns.org/israelis-give-back-on-annual-charity-drive-marked-by-war/
Haredi IDF battalion commander speaks. Interesting article about Maj. (res.) Yossi Levi (see here previously) who believes he is the first Haredi battalion commander in the Israel Defense Forces, integrating ultra-Orthodox soldiers into the country’s military. See the link above which indicates he is not the first!
https://www.jns.org/historic-first-haredi-officer-takes-command-of-idf-battalion/
The rise of ultra-orthodox feminism. Haredi women are challenging exclusion from ultra-orthodox political parties. In 2015, their movement was officially registered as an organization under the name "No Voice, No Vote" (in Hebrew: “Lo Nivcharot Lo Bocharot,” and has now been renamed "Nivcharot" ("Chosen").
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1ppj0631e
Pakistani delegation visits Israel. Israeli NGO Sharaka (“partnership” in Arabic) brought a delegation of 10 Pakistani journalists and educators to Israel. Journalist and documentary film director Sabin Agha said, “I am not surprised to find the complete opposite of what the state narrative of Muslim countries was.”
https://www.jns.org/rare-pakistani-delegation-visits-israel/ (Please read the full article or watch the video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buognvR6Btk
1,500 Jordanian daily workers. Stuart Palmer’s blog included a little-known fact. For over a decade, at 6am each day, 1,500 Jordanians cross the border from Aqaba to Eilat to work in the hotels, returning in the evening. It is a very successful arrangement and the harmony amongst the staff is first class.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l-3z1milhRxwG48gBuWcPpjcpITutzdI/view
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-allows-1500-jordanians-to-work-in-eilat/
One of Israel’s closest Muslim allies. The South Caucasus nation of Azerbaijan has positioned itself as one of Israel’s most significant partners. The Shi’ite Muslim-majority country has maintained warm and steadily growing relations with Israel, fostering cooperation in energy, trade, and security.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-846963
Voice of the People summit. (TY Yanky) Israel’s President Isaac Herzog inaugurated a global initiative titled “Voice of the People” (see here previously) at a five-day summit in Haifa, seeking “to unite and empower Jewish communities worldwide.” 150 delegates attended, including 50 from Israel and 50 from North America.
https://www.jns.org/herzog-launches-voice-of-the-people-council/
https://www.voiceofthepeople.network/about/
Fighting for Israel to the end. (TY Yanky) Just two weeks before he passed away, ex-World Boxing champion George Foreman III wrote an article for the Washington Examiner entitled, “The black community must support Israel against Hamas”. Rest in peace, George.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/op-eds/3343346/black-community-must-support-israel-against-hamas/
A Yemeni is shocked about Israel. (TY Yanky) Sweden-based Yemeni social media influencer Louie Ahmed relates his experience of Yemeni education about Jews. His turning point was his first encounter with an Israeli and the impact it had on him. His first visit to Israel was also an eye-opener. Watch the video of him at the UN.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SL97iUxIBs
https://www.m100potsdam.org/en/we-combat-extremism-by-showing-the-third-narrative/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzraVl786hY
Aid delegation to Thailand. Israel’s National Security Council is sending a delegation of experts to Thailand following a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that rocked the country and neighboring Myanmar. The commander of Israel's National Rescue Unit and 21 additional officials were set to fly after Shabbat.
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-848050
https://www.jns.org/israeli-rescue-team-heading-to-thailand-after-powerful-quake/
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Partners in agrotech. Ambassador Niki Haley launched a partnership between South Carolina’s Clemson University and Israel’s Sapir College and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It aimed to promote agricultural innovation and sustainability to stimulate economic growth in Israel’s Negev.
https://www.jns.org/clemson-hebrew-u-sapir-partnership-a-perfect-match-nikki-haley-says/
Seeing smells. Scientists at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University have “cracked the code” as to the parts of a dog’s brain responsible for its enhanced ability to distinguish odors. They used laser-based speckle pattern detection and a high-resolution camera to avoid invasive equipment or sedation. Now humans can see what a dog smells.
https://www.biu.ac.il/en/article/583307 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jbio.202400501
Solar observatory in Druze town. Israel’s Innovation, Science, and Technology Ministry and the Israel Space Agency have established Solaris – Israel’s first national solar observatory, in the northern Druze town of Isfiya. Students study solar flares 93 million miles away. Educational programs are in Arabic as well as Hebrew.
The Technion for a BSc in Engineering or Science. At Israel’s Technion Institute, undergraduates can study in English for their first year while learning Hebrew at an intensive ulpan. The second and subsequent year(s) will be taught in Hebrew. Watch the video to discover why it’s great to study for a degree at the Technion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOCfa7CmbFQ
Expanding higher education. The University of Haifa is preparing to receive the first intake of 64 6-year students to its new Herta and Paul Amir School of Medicine. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv’s Afeka Academic College of Engineering and Jerusalem College of Technology have been building new campuses.
https://www.jns.org/israel-is-on-the-cusp-of-a-revolution-in-higher-education/
Lab for battery technologies. Bar-Ilan University has launched a NIS 30 million research lab complex for the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly battery storage devices and fuel cells.
Business is booming at Cybertech. AI, quantum computing and Google’s planned $32 billion acquisition of Israeli cybertech firm Wiz were the major talking points at the Tel Aviv Expo – the venue of Cybertech Global 2025, Israel’s prestige cybersecurity conference.
https://www.israel21c.org/israeli-cybertech-is-bracing-for-ai-and-quantum-threats/
Superior in-car voice recognition. (TY OurCrowd) The Spatial Hearing AI technology from Israel’s Kardome (see here previously) is now available on the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin in-vehicle computer to enable precise voice recognition and communication. A single microphone array identifies up to six users.
https://www.kardome.com/blog-posts/kardome-mobility-nvidia-agx-spatial-hearing-ai-voice-recognition
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
New Negev airport. (TY TPS) Israel plans, within seven years, to build a new Israeli international airport in Moshav Nevatim near Beer-Sheva. It will create 50,000 jobs and handle up to 15 million passengers. Haifa airport has already been updated and Ramon airport’s capacity will be increased to 4 million by 2030.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/new-negev-airport-plans-move-forward-promising-economic-boost/
https://www.jns.org/israel-plans-international-airport-near-beersheva/
Wiz exit could net Israel $3.5 billion. (TY Yanky) If the US approves Alphabet’s $32 billion takeover of Israel’s Wiz, the country’s coffers would receive at least $3.5 billion of tax revenues. And as Lior Prosor writes, “it’s a watershed for Israel’s tech ecosystem and a guiding light for other promising tech enterprises.”
https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/sk11fo1vhke
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/googles-32bn-wiz-acquisition-israels-facebook-moment/
A beautiful country. Israel is home to approximately 200 beauty-tech companies and is in the world top five of the beauty market. It is famous for Dead Sea products, pomegranates, & almonds. Startups include Nimble Beauty, Sofwave, Ananda Labs, Mistrix, MeNow, Smart Resilin, Fabumin, NS Oils, Clearya, and Greenspense,
https://www.israel21c.org/israels-top-companies-in-the-beauty-tech-field/
https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/beauty-personal-care/beauty-tech/israel https://medivega.com/ (NS Oils)
The most innovative of 2025. Ten Israeli-founded firms were selected in this year’s Fast Company Most Innovative Companies list. They are Axonius, aiOla, MineOS (Data Privacy), Pinecone, AISAP, Percepto, Dazz, Silverfort, WSC Sports, and Zencity. https://www.mineos.ai/
https://www.israel21c.org/fast-company-names-10-israeli-firms-most-innovative-of-2025/
A billion Euros for Israeli research. Israeli researchers and companies have secured over 1.1 billion Euros in grants (2021 – 2024) from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program. The 600+ Israeli researchers and 400+ Israeli companies were honored at Jaffa’s Peres Center for Peace and Innovation.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-researchers-companies-secure-over-1-1-billion-euros-in-eu-grants/
Rafael’s technological and economical success. Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems concluded 2024 with record-breaking sales, plus profits were up 64% at $257 million. And the impending operational deployment of its Iron Beam laser defense system is set to vastly reduce missile interception costs.
https://www.jns.org/rafael-reports-record-growth-as-iron-beam-nears-deployment/
Startup investment – to 30th Mar 25: Island.io raised $250 million; Navina raised $55 million; Utila raised $18 million; Brain.space raised $11 million; Sympera raised $10 million; 257.co raised $9.2 million; Charm Security raised $8 million; Orion Security raised $6 million; Brevel raises an additional $5 million; LimitlessCNC raised $4.1 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
A new Israeli restaurant in London. Israeli chef Ran Shmueli has opened his second restaurant, Claro London, offering a Mediterranean dining experience with Middle Eastern influences. (non-kosher)
https://www.thejc.com/life/food/simply-delicious-claro-london-is-a-total-treat-wgqmhj7f
World Cup soccer. Israel got off to a good start in the first qualifying round for the 2026 soccer World Cup, beating Estonia 2-1 in Hungary. Unfortunately they lost against Norway 4-2 in their next match. Norway’s opening goal was equalized by Israel’s Mohammad Abu Fani, which silenced the booing Norwegian fans.
https://www.jns.org/israel-opens-world-cup-qualifiers-with-2-1-victory-over-estonia/
Season’s best for Avdija. Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija scored a season-high 36 points to fuel Portland Trail Blazers to a 128-109 victory over the Denver Nuggets. He became the first Blazers player since Damian Lillard to record at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists in consecutive wins. Exciting video.
https://www.jns.org/deni-avdijas-career-night-powers-blazers-past-nuggets/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyDhhL9t3zQ
Shalosh Garzon. (TY Scott) Israel’s Yarden Garzon plays for Indiana University’s women’s basketball team. Her specialty is scoring three-pointer field goals from long-distance. When she does this at home games, the announcer shouts “Shalosh Garzon” – Shalosh being Hebrew for “three”. He has called it over 200 times.
https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/03/18/grief-resilience-and-the-story-behind-shalosh-garzon/
THE JEWISH STATE
The altar of Joshua. Video of 3,000-year-old Joshua's Altar on Mount Ebal in Israel, by General Avivi (Res) founder of Israel's Defense and Security Forum. Hear what was found at the site.
https://www.israelunwired.com/the-archaeological-proof-that-closes-the-case-against-the-so-called-palestinian-arabs/ (intro by Yishai Fleisher and video – 10 mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSQWwdnoPWU (5 min video only by Gen Avivi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpL9TXFJKKM (35 min full archeological video)
Ancient Syrian-Greek site discovered. A huge, 2,200-year-old pyramidal structure from the Ptolemaic and Seleucid period is being unearthed in the Judean Desert, north of Nahal Zohar. The findings include papyrus documents in Greek, bronze coins of the Ptolemies and of Antiochus IV, weapons, wooden tools and fabrics.
https://worldisraelnews.com/mysterious-ancient-pyramidal-structure-unearthed-in-israel/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/405887
Ship of the desert. A clay jug estimated to be 1,200 years old, bearing distinctive camel decorations, has been unearthed at the archaeological site of Horvat ‘Anim in the Yatir Forest near Hebron. The site also includes a Byzantine synagogue, showing the area was the religious center for the Jewish population living there.
https://www.jns.org/1200-year-old-clay-jug-with-camel-motif-found-in-israels-yatir-forest/
Prayer shawls in IDF unit colors. (TY Yanky) Mishkan Hatchelet, Israel’s leading manufacturer of prayer shawls (tallitot) is customizing them in the colors of IDF units. For example, a purple design for Givati Brigade soldiers, green for the Nahal Brigade, maroon-red for paratroopers and brown for Golani Brigade soldiers.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bkibalvnjl
Converting in the IDF. Some consider that those who complete the IDF’s conversion to Judaism program are not sincere. This IDF soldier’s behavior seems to refute that criticism.
How to help Israel. Here are some sites where newsletter readers can donate to Israeli organizations that provide vital help to Israelis at this difficult time. Many thanks to those who have already contributed and to those who are helping by donating their own valuable time and resources.
Friends of the IDF (US donors): https://www.fidf.org/
or IDF Soldiers Fund in Israel: https://www.ufis.org.il/en/donation-en/ (select the English speakers’ option)
American Friends of Magen David Adom (US donors): https://afmda.org/
or Magen David Adom (Israel): https://www.mdais.org/en/donation
Zaka (US donors): https://donate.zakatelaviv.org/give/525578/ or (Israeli donors): https://charidy.com/zaka
or (Canadian donors): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/bellevue-foundation/
United Hatzalah: https://israelrescue.org/campaign/israel-at-war-2/ or Canada https://www.uhcanada.org/
Donate a medic bag, save a life https://israelrescue.org/campaign/medicbag/
Leket Food Israel: https://www.leket.org/en/
JNF USA - https://my.jnf.org/gaza-emergency/Donate or Canada https://jnf.ca/
Orthodox Union - https://www.charidy.com/ouisraelcrisis
Schneider Children’s Hospital: https://www.fos.org.il/en/donate (Israelis)
https://system.smartgiving.org.uk/charities/8530/make-donation (UK)
https://chaischneider.org/donate/ (USA)
Rambam Medical Center (Haifa) https://aforam.org/ways-to-give/ (US)
https://www.rambam.org.il/en/support_rambam/donate_now/ (Rest of the World)
Hadassah Hospital Israel: https://www.hadassah.org/
Laniado Hospital (Netanya) https://my.israelgives.org/en/fundme/EmergencyLaniado
Buy Israel Bonds to support the Jewish State. (TY Larry B)
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/state-of-israel-bonds
USA - https://www.israelbonds.com/
Europe - https://israelbondsintl.com/
Canada - https://www.israelbonds.ca/
