Page 29 - Jewish News_June-July-2021

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD June/July 2021 29A

73 fun facts about Israel...continued from previous page
48. A revolutionary “human on a chip” called a sponja: flooding the floor BRIEFS
developed at Hebrew University with copious amounts of water
aims to replace animal testing for and using a long-handled squeegee HOW ISRAEL HELPS administration should have every
new pharmaceuticals. to push the dirty water outside or interest in preserving and ensuring
49. When Israel was founded in 1948, down the nearest drain. DEFEND AMERICAN is as effective as possible.
there were only 806,000 residents. 64. Israeli toilets have two handles: a INTERESTS IN THE ‹ Israel also has taken the lead
The population reached two mil- smaller one that releases less water MIDDLE EAST against Iran on the ground. In
lion in 1958, and is expected to to flush down #1, and a larger one ‹ Israel plays an indispensable role Iran’s shadow wars across the re-
reach 10 million in the next three that elicits more water to get rid of in helping defend American inter- gion, Israel alone has mastered
years. #2. ests in the Middle East, serving as gray-zone combat, conducting
50. In 2020, 28% of Israel’s popula- 65. Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset, a stabilizing bulwark in a danger- more than 1,000 strikes against
tion was under the age of 14, and has 120 seats because it’s mod- ous region that remains vitally im- Iranian-related targets in Syria,
only 12% older than 65. eled after the Second Temple-era portant to the U.S. Iraq and the surrounding seas, al-
51. In Israel, people regularly stumble Knesset HaGedolah (the Great ‹ Israel’s determination to prevent a most single-handedly crippling
on amazing ancient finds while out Assembly), a leadership body of nuclear Iran represents significant Tehran’s master plan to turn Syr-
hiking. 120 sages, prophets and scribes. leverage for American diplomats ia into an Islamic Revolutionary
66. In Israel, there’s hardly such a in negotiations with Tehran. If Guard Corps fortress and forward
thing as a gift registry for wed- wielded skillfully by American ne- operating base.
dings and bar mitzvahs. Instead, gotiators, this leverage can play an ‹ For the U.S., it’s hard to put a
people come to the parties bearing essential role in pressuring Iran to price on the value of having a lo-
envelopes full of cash. dramatically curb its nuclear ambi- cal partner with the power and skill
67. Matzot Aviv in Bnei Brak baked tions. to operate so effectively. (Michael
the world’s largest matzah this ‹ Should talks fail and Iran’s march Makovsky and John Hannah, Na-
year: 13.2 pounds (6 kilograms), toward the bomb continue, Israel’s tional Interest)
nearly 20 feet (six meters) long, ability to act decisively is a unique
3.5 feet (1.06 meters) wide and strategic asset – one that the Biden continued on page 32A
0.16 inches (4 millimeters) thick.
68. The Israel Start-Up Nation cycling
Imri Elya with an ancient tablet and certificate of
recognition from the Israel Antiquities Authority team’s roster for the 2021 season
(photo courtesy of IAA) includes 32 riders from Israel and
52. Archeologists recently discovered 16 other countries, including four-
the world’s oldest woven basket, time Tour de France winner Chris
in the Judean Desert. Froome from Great Britain.
53. The oldest-ever cave tool, dating 69. Tel Aviv University recently
back 350,000 years, was found in launched the world’s only Center
Israel. for Combating Pandemics, aim-
54. The field of video therapy was ing to create best practices for in-
invented at Jerusalem’s Ma’aleh fection containment, vaccine and
School of Television, Film and the treatment development, and social
Arts. and economic resilience.
55. In a tech first, Israeli scientists 70. Israeli companies raised a re-
made a robot hear using a dead lo- cord-breaking $10 billion in in-
cust’s ear. vestments during 2020, despite the
56. In Israel, people are taught from an uncertainty and instability caused
early age to turn off the tap while by the worldwide pandemic.
they brush their teeth to save pre- 71. 85% of Israeli households get hot
cious water. water from rooftop solar heaters,
57. In Israel, a meal without a salad is compared to less than 1% in the
not a meal. Even breakfast. United States.
58. Tel Aviv has over 4,000 Bauhaus 72. An Israeli scientist’s invention to
buildings, the largest concentration instantly turn dog droppings into
of Bauhaus buildings of any city in odorless, sterile fertilizer powder
the world. is starting to revolutionize how an-
59. An Israeli company has developed imal and human waste is disposed
the world’s first autonomous bee- of.
hive. It can house up to 40 bee 73. Israel has more than 300 wineries, APA_21_JNF5x5_MECH.indd 1 5/4/21 1:56 PM
5/4/21 1:56 PM
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colonies (around two million bees) 70 of which harvest at least 50 tons
and take care of their health and of grapes per year. Approximately
upkeep with a simple app. 60,000 tons of wine grapes are har-
60. Israel was the first country to ban vested in Israel annually.
underweight models from partici- Special thanks to Abigail Klein
pating in fashion shows. Leichman, Naama Barak, Danya Bel-
61. During Passover in Israel, super- kin, Tess Levy and Mariano Mann, who
markets are not allowed to sell all contributed their favorite random
chametz (forbidden foods like facts about Israel to this article.
bread and cakes), and if you bring Nicky Blackburn, Editor and Israel
the products to the checkout, they Director, has worked extensively as
cannot be scanned. Large sections a journalist and editor both in Brit-
of the shops are covered in plastic ain and Israel for a range of nation-
sheets. al and international publications Our prime meats and fresh seafood are perfect for your
62. In Hebrew, Happy Christmas is including The Cambridge Evening backyard barbecue. Ask about our custom cuts and
Chag Molad Sameach, which News, London News, Travel Weekly,
means Happy Festival of the Birth. Israel High Tech Investor and The pre-marinated ready-to-cook items. From ribeye steaks
63. In Israel, the most common way to Times of London. and gourmet burgers to wild salmon and whole chickens,
mop the floor is by doing what’s trust Morton’s for your summertime cookouts!
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