ISRAEL: MUCH MORE THAN JUST GOOD WEAPONS
Israeli ingenuity is responsible for some of the world’s most amazing medical advances.
Whether they’re futuristic, such as Given Imaging’s PillCam capsule endoscopy or Itamar Medical’s fingertip monitors for sleep disorders and cardiac issues — or cleverly simple, such as First Care Products’ Emergency Bandage – blue-and-white inventions are changing the face of healthcare in hospitals, doctors’ offices, homes and even battlefields worldwide.
About 1,000 Israeli companies are in healthcare or life-science products, including 700 in medical devices. Mergers and acquisitions involving Israeli healthcare companies totaled around $1 billion in the past year.
Just 12 of the newer Israeli medical innovations:
1. ApiFix system to correct severe curvature of the spine (scoliosis) minimizes risks, scar size, complications, recovery time and cost. The miniature ratchet mechanism has successfully been implanted in 15 patients so far.
2. Argo Medical Technologies’ Rewalk robotic exoskeleton from was featured on the hit TV show “Glee” and enabled paraplegic runners in London and Tel Aviv to complete marathons. The ReWalk Rehabilitation model currently is used by patients in rehab centers from New York to Dusseldorf. ReWalk Personal, for everyday home use, is available throughout Europe and awaiting FDA clearance in the United States.
3. Gamida Cell is developing stem-cell therapy products to treat blood cancers, solid tumors, non-malignant blood diseases such as sickle-cell anemia, autoimmune diseases and genetic metabolic diseases. On Sept. 9, the first patient was successfully transplanted at Duke University Medical Center (North Carolina) in the second Phase I/II study of NiCord, Gamida’s experimental treatment for blood cancers.
4. GI View Aer-O-Scope disposable colorectal cancer screening device, now in US trials, will make lifesaving colonoscopy screenings cheaper, safer and more accessible worldwide. The self-navigating, flexible Aer-O-Scope removes the risk of perforating the colon, provides superior imaging and can be used by a trained nurse or technician so a gastroenterologist does not have to be present.
5. IceCure Medical’s IceSense3 has been used by US doctors since 2011 to remove benign breast lumps in a 10-minute ultrasound-guided procedure that penetrates the tumor and engulfs it with ice. The system is being clinically tested over the next few years against small malignant breast tumors as well. The procedure is done in a doctor’s office, clinic or breast center, and the patient can get up and leave afterward with no recovery .
6. InSightec’s ExAblate OR uses MRI-guided focused ultrasound to destroy tumors and uterine fibroid cysts without surgery. The company has begun a Phase III trial of its next product, ExAblate Neuro, to cure essential tremor — a common movement disorder – using the same non-invasive technology to significantly lower risk of infection, hemorrhage and brain damage.
7. IonMed’s BioWeld 1 bonds surgical incisions using cold plasma — instead of painful stitches, staples or glue – within minutes, sealing and disinfecting the wound with minimal scarring and recovery time. The CE Mark is expected in October, with European sales and US FDA approval process starting in early 2014.
8. Nano Retina’s Bio-Retina, a tiny implantable device inserted into the retina in a 30-minute procedure, turns into an artificial retina that melds to the neurons in the eye. Activated by special eyeglasses, the device transforms natural light into an electrical impulse that stimulates neurons to send images to the brain. The prototype is advancing quickly through clinical trials.
9. NanoPass Technologies’ MicronJet is a unique, FDA-approved single-use needle for painless delivery of vaccines into the skin using semiconductor technology. The product has been proven to generate superior immune response with less vaccine, because it does not go past the skin level. Licensed last year to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, MicronJet is being used by the US Center of Disease Control (CDC) in a large trial of polio vaccine for infants in Southeast Asia.
10. OrSense’s NBM-200 non-invasive blood monitor is relied upon by blood donation centers in 40 countries for continuous and spot measuring of potential donors’ hemoglobin level (to check for anemia) and other blood parameters. This device eliminates the need for finger pricking as well as biologically hazardous equipment and waste. Studies show that donors screened this way are more likely to become repeat blood donors. OrSense recently completed successful trials using its technology to detect hemorrhage and anemia in pregnant women.
11. Surpass Medical’s NeuroEndoGraft flow diverters redirect blood flow from a brain aneurysm (a bulge in a weak artery wall), so that a stable clot can form and the potentially fatal aneurysm no longer is in danger of rupturing. The family of devices has the CE Mark and has been used successfully in dozens of patients. US medical device manufacturer Stryker acquired Surpass for $100 million in October 2012.
12. VitalGo Systems’ Total Lift is the world’s only hospital-grade bed that can elevate a patient from a lying to a fully standing position — and all points in between — for treatment and transfer with no lifting required of the caregiver. Two major companies are distributing Total Lift in the acute-care and home-care markets in the United States.
A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
Contributed by Helen Cherry
Here are some excerpts from “The Optimist Sees the Bagel, the Pessimist sees the Hole”
If you can’t say something nice, say it in Yiddish
WASP’s leave and never say goodbye, Jews say goodbye and never leave.
Israel is the land of milk & honey; Florida is the land of milk of magnesia.
Where there’s smoke, there may be smoked salmon.
Never take a front-row seat at a bris.
No meal is complete without leftovers.
Laugh now, but one day you’ll be driving a big Cadillac & eating dinner at 4 in the
afternoon.
The roots of stand-up comedy can be found in the ‘shpil’, a skit performed at 16th century Purim festivities.
Classic Jewish Jokes:
A banker, who had converted to Christianity, was walking along the street with a hunchback when they passed a synagogue.
“You know, I used to be a Jew,” says the banker.
Replied his friend, “And I used to be a hunchback.”
A Jewish mother is at the beach with her 3 year old son when a giant wave sweeps the boy out to sea. The hysterical mother prays: “God, if you return my son I’ll keep a kosher home, go to temple every week & be a pious wife.”
A second giant wave sweeps in & deposits the boy at his mother’s feet. The mother looks up at the sky & exclaims: “He was wearing a hat!”
A skeleton walks into the doctor’s office. The doctor says, “NOW you come to see me!”
Izzy & Moe go to Hyman’s funeral. Izzy looks down at the coffin & says: “Doesn’t he look wonderful?”
“Why not”, says Moe, “He just came back from Miami.”
Knowing We Are Blessed: What Abraham Can Teach Us Every Day of Our Lives
How can we recognize the blessings in our lives, even in the most difficult times? Learn with Rabbi Charles A. Kroloff how Abraham and other figures in the Book of Genesis help us recognize and value our blessings despite any challenges we face.
Date/Time: Tuesday, December 3, 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Register for the webinar at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/932604136
Rabbi Charles A. Kroloff, past president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and of ARZA, is Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Emanu-El, Westfield, New Jersey. He is vice-president for special projects at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and author of When Elijah Knocks, A Religious Response to Homelessness, (Behrman House) and Reform Judaism, A Jewish Way of Life, (Ktav).
NOT IN OUR TOWN!
Not In Our Town is a documentary series and campaign that combines public television broadcasts with grassroots events, educational outreach and online activities to help communities battling hate talk to and learn from each other.
The Not In Our Town project was launched in 1995 with a national PBS special that told the story of how citizens of Billings, Montana joined forces to respond to hate crimes in Billings. The story helped create a new “model” for community response to bigotry and intolerance. Not In Our Town and its follow-up programs have been used in hundreds of communities during times of crisis. NIOT has recently expanded again into Not In Our World with chapters in South Africa, Ireland, Czech Republic and Ukraine.
In addition to the NIOT-Billings’ annual Summit on Hate to be held this November 16, the Billings group will also commemorate the events of 1993 on December 4, 2013 and host a national gathering in Billings this next June.
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http://www.religioustolerance.org/menorah.htm#
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2005/12/The-Town-That-Fought-Hatred.aspx
http://www.facinghistory.org/explore/exhibit/stories/niot/read
http://www.beingjewish.org/magazine/winter2005/article4.html
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http://www.papercandles.com/
http://www.papercandles.com/Song-Selection.aspx
http://www.papercandles.com/PuppetShow.aspx
http://www.nizkor.org/ftp.cgi/orgs/ftp.cgi?orgs//american/montana/billings.001
YAHRZEITS — NOVEMBER 2013
RAM’s HORN POLICY FOR LISTING YAHRZEIT MEMORIALS:!
Yahrzeit memorials are listed by consecutive Gregorian month, date, and year, if known, or at the beginning of the list for one calendar year following the date of passing.
Compiled by Aitz Chaim over many years, this Yahrzeit list is maintained by the Ram’s Horn. Please send any corrections or additions to editor@aitzchaim.com
May the source of peace send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
| NAME OF DECEASED | GREGORIAN DATE OF PASSING | HEBREW DATE OF PASSING | DECEASED RELATIONSHIP TO CONGREGANT |
| Josephine Wade Young | Apr 17, 2013 | 7 Iyyar, 5773 | Mother of Ann Grobosky |
| Natalee Holly Kelman | Jul 10, 2013 | 3 Av, 5773 | Daughter of Evelyn Kelman |
| Leonard Weissman | Nov 10, 2007 | 29 Cheshvan, 5768 | Grandfather of David Weissman; Father of Jeff Weissman, Patricia Phillips, Ted Weissman, Sally Weissman, and Gale Rietmann |
| Martin Renne | Nov 14, 2000 | 16 Cheshvan, 5761 | Father of Michael Renne |
| Norman Handler | Nov 20, 2000 | 22 Cheshvan, 5761 | Father of Wendy Weissman |
SAD NEWS
Marvin Langsam, brother of Helen Cherry, died three days after his 72nd birthday near the end of October, 2013, in San Francisco. In a recent e-mail to me, Helen said, “Several members of Aitz Chaim knew my brother. He was a kind soul who never said a bad word about anyone. I miss him very much.” She suggested that donations be made to Aitz Chaim in his memory.
OBITUARY FROM THE GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE
Vicki Claire Sherick Hawkesworth
Seneca, SC —Vicki Claire Sherick Hawkesworth, 47, of Seneca, South Carolina won her battle with cancer on October 12, 2013. She exuded a positive attitude and strength through all she endured, becoming a role model to all.
Vicki was an elementary school teacher and was passionate about helping all children reach their potential. Recently she taught at Oakway Intermediate School in Westminster, SC. She loved family, traveling, Scouting, and playing games.
She earned a BS in Elementary Education from Montana State University in 1988. While in college, Vicki was the president of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and was recognized as the top president in the United States. In 2010, Vicki earned her Masters of Education from Clemson University.
Vicki is survived by her husband, Scot and children Jake, 17 and Rachel, 16, her parents Jack and Diane Sherick of Great Falls, MT, and brother Mike and sister Heidi and families. She has 11 nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 170 Bountyland Rd, Seneca, SC at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19. In lieu of flowers, Vicki requested that donations be made to the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts or Susan G. Komen for the Cure .
Published in Great Falls Tribune on Oct. 18, 2013
CAMP KALSMAN REGISTRATION
Shalom Chaverim,
First, let me briefly introduce myself. My name is Sarah Moody; I am the new Assistant Director at URJ Camp Kalsman. I’ve spent several summers working on the summer staff at camp and am thrilled to join the team full time.
Kalsman opened registration this week.
Thank you for your help and please feel free to be in touch with any questions or concerns.
Looking forward to working with you,
Sarah
Sarah Moody
Assistant Director, URJ Camp Kalsman
425-284-4484
3805 108th Ave Ne #100
Bellevue, WA 98004
smoody@urj.org
URJ Camp Kalsman Summer 2014 Registration is Open!
With the school year in full swing and the High Holy Days already past, summer is fading into memory – but another summer is fast approaching! URJ Camp Kalsman registration is now open! Kalsman offers overnight Jewish summer camp programs for entering 2nd through 12th graders. Start your year off right by registering your child for the summer of a lifetime at URJ Camp Kalsman! Sessions are beginning to fill so register today! To learn more or register online, visit kalsman.urjcamps.org, or give us a call at 425-284-4484.
Are you a graduating high school senior or above? It’s not too late for have an amazing Jewish summer experience! Join the Kalsman staff for a summer of friendship, learning, and changing lives. Apply online today at kalsman.urjcamps.org/staff.
The Aitz Chaim Ram's Horn 