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- Written by Technion Spokesperson's Office
All students on Israel’s Chemistry Team won medals at the International Chemistry Olympiad – including Israel’s first gold medal in the last decade.
Israel’s Chemistry Team that was trained at the Technion has been awarded a gold medal, two silver medals and a bronze medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad, which recently took place online due to COVID-19.
Over the past week, 240 young girls and boys from 60 countries around the world participated in the 52nd International Chemistry Olympiad, hosted this year by Turkey. The event was held via Zoom due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The State of Israel has been participating in the Olympiad since 2006. This year’s achievements were outstanding - all team members won medals and for the first time in a decade, and one student won gold.
The four high school students who formed Israel’s Chemistry Team were:
Roi Peer from Gan Haim – Gold
Bar Sheffer from Ein Vered – Silver
Ron Shprints from Ashdod – Silver
Ward Yahya from Taibe – Bronze
Since 2017, Israel’s Science Teams have operated under a joint venture between Israel's Ministry of Education and the Maimonides Fund’s Future Scientists Center, who together have supported and managed Israel’s participation in the International Olympiads for high school students in four disciplines. The Chemistry team was trained at the Schulich Faculty of Chemistry at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.
The team was selected over a year-long process overseen by Professor Zeev Gross of the Technion's Faculty of Chemistry, who also serves as Dean of the Unit for Continuing and External Studies, as well as heading a variety of national youth programs in chemistry, together with the team’s head coach, Dr. Izana Nigel-Etinger. The training process was also assisted by ex-medalists Raz Lotan, an undergraduate student in mathematics, Assaf Mauda, who holds a B.A. and M.Sc. in chemistry and is currently a master’s student in computer sciences, and Ron Refaeli, an undergraduate student in chemistry, all at the Technion.
Education Minister Yoav Galant congratulated Israel’s Chemistry Team: "Israeli students, the country’s future generation, reach extraordinary international achievements in science competitions time and time again – even during this complex period. The Ministry of Education will continue to invest in and support training Israel’s Science Teams. This goes hand-in-hand in developing and boosting capacities of all Israeli students throughout the country, and providing equal opportunity for all students to maximize their potential across a range of fields."
Amit Edri, Director General of the Ministry of Education: "Israel's education system is recording another impressive achievement in science. The victories of the students at the International Olympics in Chemistry and the European Competition in Physics place Israel at the forefront of the world of science. And on this front, we would like to see a broader representation of female students later on. Given the importance of the issue, I intend to advance this important goal. I congratulate our students on their impressive achievements, and would like to thank the dedicated team of coaches who worked tirelessly to reach this important moment. "
Dr. Ofer Rimon, Deputy Director Computer Communication: "Israel’s Chemistry Team has represented the State of Israel and our education system with great honor. The team is a model for excellence in which we will continue to invest, in order to provide our students with the best tools to enable them to conquer mountains and allow Israel to be amongst the world’s leading countries. "
Eli Fried, Director General of Maimonides Fund’s Future Scientists Center: "I congratulate the students in Israel’s Chemistry Team, who have brought much pride to the State of Israel. Notwithstanding the challenging times we face, our students stayed the course throughout the year, demonstrating an extraordinary level of perseverance and determination that ultimately paid dividends. The Maimonides Fund’s Future Scientists Center, together with the Ministry of Education, will continue supporting the highly gifted students that participate in Israel’s Science Teams, as an investment in the future of Israel’s scientific leadership."
Professor Zeev Gross, Technion's Faculty of Chemistry and Head of Youth Programs: "Congratulations to our students who bravely shouldered the high preparatory demands and took on the maximum in real-time: a 5-hour theoretical test of more than 100 questions. Extensive and in-depth training efforts were led by Dr. Izana Nigel Etinger.
Schulich Faculty of Chemistry Dean Professor Moris Eisen and his head of administration Hanna Olshtein, program coordinator Shirley Kaplan and laboratory engineers Gabriela Halevi and Emma Gretz, also assisted in this comprehensive effort. Special thanks to former Olympiad medalists and current Technion students - Assaf Mauda, Raz Lotan, and Ron Refaeli - who contributed their experience and time."
The abovementioned four pupils alongside Michael Balgola from K'far Hayarok and Itamar Steinitz from Ramat Hasharon also participated in the Asian-European Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad (online). The competition took place 10 days earlier and was joined by representatives from 27 countries. The Israeli team won 2 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Photo credit: Future Scientists Center
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- Written by Prime Minister's Office and the Health Ministry
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, yesterday evening (Thursday, 16 July 2020), convened the Cabinet to discuss and decide on interim steps to prevent a general lockdown in light of the sharp increase in the morbidity of the coronavirus.
For the Prime Minister's remarks at the start of the meeting, please click here.
The Cabinet decided on the following restrictions – which were approved as an order to amend and uphold the validity of "Emergency Regulations (Restricted Activity) -- on the recommendation of the Health Ministry and the National Security Council:
The order takes effect at 17:00 today (Friday, 17 July 2020). Pending Knesset approval, and pursuant to law, the restrictions will take effect today as per the above.
General restrictions (seven days a week, effective at 17:00 today, Friday):
* Closure of gyms and studios for exercise or dance, except for use by competitive athletes, as defined in the order.
* Restaurants and eateries – takeaway and delivery only, no on-site seating.
* Restaurants and eateries in hotels – The number of people present will be limited to 35% of the maximum number allowed in order to permit the continued operation of the hotel.
Weekend restrictions (to take effect from 17:00 on Fridays until 05:00 on Sunday)
* There will be no restriction on leaving one's home.
* During the weekend, being on beaches shall be prohibited (except for this weekend, 17-18 July, when beaches shall remain open).
* During the weekend, stores, malls, open-air markets, hair salons/barbershops, beauty parlors, libraries, petting zoos, museums and display spaces, pools, tourist attractions and cable cars shall be closed.
This restriction shall not apply to stores providing essential services: Places for the sale of food, pharmacies and stores most business of which is the sale of hygiene products, opticians and labs for the repair of communications devices.
This restriction shall not apply to swimming pools at hotels that are designated for hotel guests only in order to allow hotels to provide the main ancillary services to their guests, during weekends as well).
In addition to the Cabinet decision and pursuant to the policy of reducing gatherings, the following actions were agreed on:
1. The Health Ministry Director General will sign an order prohibiting gatherings that will allow up to 10 people to meet in closed areas and up to 20 people in open areas (except places of work and nuclear families). This will take effect at 17:00 today (Friday, 17 July).
2. The Cabinet authorized the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister / Alternate Prime Minister – following consultation with the ministers of Finance, Health and Education – to decide regarding restrictions on the education system. The decisions, upon being made, will be issued to the public.
3. Reduction of reception at government ministries – transition to online services (subject to legislative changes where appropriate).
4. Government ministries: Reduction to 50% presence in ministries – responsibility of the Civil Service Commissioner and the Finance Ministry Wages Director.
5. Closure of dining rooms at places of work – takeaway service only.
Violation of any of the above restrictions shall constitute a criminal offense.
Photo Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (archive). Photo: GPO/Amos Ben Gershom.
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
An exciting gesture of the Jewish community in Porto to the state of Israel: The Jewish Community of Oporto, Portugal, will donate all proceeds from the Video On Demand film "The Light of Judah" to the Food Bank of Israel.
Supported by B’Nai B’rith International and in memory of Shimon Reem Biton, who died on Ethiopian Airlines flight 302.
Available with Hebrew subtitles and produced by Portuguese director Luís Ismael, The Light of Judah is based on true events, portraying the historic relationship between Jews and Catholics in the Middle Ages, during the Inquisition and in modern times, from the expulsion to the return of citizenship for Sephardic Jews.
The film is part of an interfaith project, in conjunction with the Catholic Diocese of Oporto, to fight anti-Semitism. This initiative has received financial and practical support from Jewish philanthropic families as well as B'nai B'rith International.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in the demand for meals from people who have lost their jobs as a result of the global economic downturn.
Today in the Bishop’s Apostolic Palace, the film and project were presented by the leadership of the Jewish Community of Oporto, headed by the President of the Jewish Community of Oporto, Dias Ben Zion, and the Catholic Bishop of Porto, Dom Manuel Linda. Also attending: the President of the Jewish Community of Lisbon, a Councilman from Porto Municipality, the president of the Food Bank of Porto, and the three catholic charities who will also receive the proceeds from the Portuguese viewings of the film. At the presentation, Prof. Hugo Vaz and Michael Rothwell – from the Community's history Centre – made a brief summary of the film and there will be a moment of remembrance for the memory of Shimon Reem Biton.
On March 10, 2019, a Boeing 737-Max crashed in Ethiopia, causing the death of 157 people, including Shimon Reem Biton, a Sephardic Jew of Moroccan origin, who was in the process of obtaining Portuguese nationality. Even after this disaster, the deceased's sister wanted to fulfill his wish to be Portuguese, but then it was too late. This way the name of Shimon Reem Biton will be forever associated with the film "The Light of Judah”. According to his sister, Yaffa Biton, “Shimon was born on June 2nd, so this is the best birthday present our family can receive”.
B'nai B'rith President Charles O. Kaufman said, "B'nai B'rith endorses its brothers' and sisters' stalwart efforts in Oporto to fight hunger in this beautiful city and Israel in the face of hardships associated with COVID-19. The Jewish community in Oporto is working in the tradition and spirit of emergency services in which our organization has engaged since its founding in 1843. We have proudly promoted and executed recent pandemic relief services throughout the world."
From the board of the Jewish community of Oporto, Gabriela Cantergi said, "We are proud of the work that many people and organizations are doing around the world to remedy this pandemic situation and serve humanity and encourage others to help."
The Bishop, Dom Manuel Linda and the President of the Jewish Community of Oporto, Dias Ben Zion.
Photos Courtesy: CJP/CIP
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- Written by Prime Minister's Media Adviser
PM Netanyahu Convenes Corona Cabinet for Further Discussion of Necessary Restrictions in Light of High Morbidity Data
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Monday, 29 June 2020), convened the Corona Cabinet for further discussion of the necessary restrictions in light of the high morbidity data.
The Corona Cabinet ministers decided unanimously on the following steps to restrict social gatherings:
* Event halls and cultural events: Up to 250 in attendance
* Circumcisions and funerals: Up to 50 in attendance
* Weddings:
Until 9 July 2020 – Up to 250 in attendance.
The public and hall owners are called upon to hold weddings in open spaces as much as possible.
From 9-31 July 2020, up to 250 in attendance in an open area. Indoor venues may be used up to 50% capacity and no more than 100 people.
* Houses of worship and other gatherings – up to 50 people.
* Higher education – Transition to online exams (except for instances agreed to between the Education Ministry and the Council for Higher Education.
* Work in the public sector – 30% work from home (as per the arrangements to be determined by the Civil Service Commissioner and with administrative flexibility for ministry director generals).
Photo Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (archive). Photo: GPO/Amos Ben Gershom
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- Written by Technion Spokesperson's Office
Technion scientists mobilized in the worldwide effort to find solutions for the current global health crisis
Researchers in more than 20 Technion labs are working round the clock to help fight the spread of COVID-19. Their research includes early detection and diagnosis of the virus, development of a vaccine and therapies, and designing robotic solutions for remote monitoring and care of patients.
“Technion is at the forefront of science and technology worldwide, and during this time of crisis, we are collaborating closely with the health system and the hospitals in order to find immediate solutions to the challenges they are facing,” said Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan. “We are working on advanced diagnostic techniques, personalized medical treatment, technologies that enable pinpointed drug delivery, treatment protocols based on machine learning and artificial intelligence, data mining and Big Data management, developing robots for remote medical care, and more. Technion’s added value is apparent in the close interaction between medicine and engineering at our university, and in the interdisciplinary collaborations that are generating rapid and sophisticated solutions to help fight COVID-19.”
Technion emergency projects include:
Diagnostics
Prof. Hossam Haick, Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering: His lab is developing a diagnostic test for pre-symptomatic coronavirus carriers. Research focuses on two approaches: diagnosing the virus with a breath test, and monitoring the virus with an inexpensive patch adhered to the arm or chest.
Prof. Roy Kishony, Faculty of Biology: Pooling method for accelerated testing of COVID-19.
Prof. Amit Meller, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering: Identifying and quantifying viral RNA using nanopores.
Prof. Moran Bercovici, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering: Innovative and rapid diagnostic test using blood and saliva.
Vaccine development
Prof. Avi Schroeder, Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering: Developing a vaccine for coronavirus based on a vaccine for shrimps, he invented at Technion – and is being commercialized by his Technion start-up ViAqua Therapeutics.
Prof. Zaid Abassi and Prof. Oded Lewinson, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine: Prof. Lewinson is developing recombinant ACE-2 receptors in collaboration with Prof. Ofer Mandelboim of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The aim is to develop antibodies for ACE-2 receptors on which the coronavirus attaches itself to the host organism’s cells.
Therapeutics
· Prof. Josué Sznitman, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering: Innovative technology for delivering drugs to the lungs. Especially suitable for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is the principal cause of death among coronavirus patients.
Prof. Roee Amit, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering: Developing an ointment to treat coronavirus infections.
Prof. Marcelle Machluf, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering: Trapping the coronavirus using the existing nano-ghost technology developed in her lab.
Prof. Avi Schroeder, Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering: Developing a targeted drug for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), based on existing drug delivery methods.
Aids for medical teams
Prof. Eyal Zussman, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering: Developing filters and coatings using nanometric fibers.
Prof. Yotam Bar-On, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine: Virologist specializing in COVID-19 – expert advice to medical teams.
Prof. Shai Shen-Orr, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine: Identifying infected individuals based on their immune response; monitoring disease progression and complications in infected individuals; triage for the aged population and predict those with higher risk of complications or death. Additional collaboration is to develop rapid cell-based diagnostics for infections.
Prof. Shady Farah, Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering: Developing anti-viral disinfectants.
Prof. Shie Mannor, Viterbi Faculty of Electrical Engineering: Artificial Intelligence research to evaluate the patients' condition and the progress of the disease, in collaboration with Prof. Uri Shalit, Davidson Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management and Prof. Joachim Behar, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering.
Prof. Alex Bronstein, Faculty of Computer Science is developing ultrasound for lung imaging. The researchers are adapting inexpensive ultrasound sensors in order to identify infections in the lungs caused by the coronavirus. Prof. Ron Kimmel, Faculty of Computer Science and Doron Shaked of General Electric are collaborating on this project.
Prof. Ezri Tarazi, Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning: Design and produce novel protective equipment for medical personnel using 3D printing; establishing a national network of designers who will plan and produce products for immediate use in the COVID-19 crisis.
In addition, Technion researchers and Rambam Health Care Campus medical staff are working together in high gear on numerous emergency projects. This collaboration is led by Technion VP for External Relations and Resource Development Prof. Alon Wolf, Rambam Director-General Prof. Michael Halberthal and former Rambam Director-General Prof. Rafi Beyar
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