Israel’s News Blog Magazine: Daily Stories Video and Photos

It’s a holiday week here and people are out having a good time. This is one of those holidays where families go traveling across the country, the weather is mild and not too hot and most of the upcoming workdays next week are half days. We are also going to take it easy in the next couple of days. So y’all have a great break and if you are working - then watch this at work
Hat tip: Nick A.

For many who are not aware, Wednesday, April 2nd was World Autism Awareness Day. Many media programs have devoted some of their viewing time to include informative public awareness programs dealing with this world-wide developmental problem that afflicts more than 35 million people worldwide. Due to the fact that autism seems to be on the increase, international health organizations finally convinced the U.N. to create an annual day in which this scourge will finally be put before the public eye.

Autism is defined as a moderate to severe mental developmental disorder which prevents children from being able to make normal personal contact with others, develop normal language skills, and engage in interpersonal communication. There are a wide range of autistic conditions, which cause it to be known as a “spectrum disorder” since it can range from almost normal behavior to something at the opposite end of this range, or spectrum. As of mid 2007, around 3,000 people in Israel were diagnosed with this affliction, affecting around 1 in every 250 births. In countries such as the USA, however, the percentage of children born with autism is even higher at 1 in 150 births. Male children are 4 times more likely to be born autistic; and those conceived by men aged 40-49 are 5.5 times more likely to be autistic (children from men 50-60 are 9.4 times more likely to be autistic!).

What causes autism in children, especially boys, has not yet been discovered. But the fact that older men are more likely to father autistic children, may be why the ratio of autistic born children in North America is higher than in other countries (including Israel) since people are marrying in the USA and Canada at a much older age than in other countries. The reason that the condition is more prevalent in boys than in girls is still a mystery, and is perhaps linked to the fact that male sperm containing chromosomes more likely to produce boys is more prone to such conditions.

The success in being able to teach autistic children to speak and interact with other people depends on the seriousness or “degree” of the disability. Many people who are autistic can be taught to take care of themselves and even work in certain careers. The amount of assistance and/or supervision they require is connected with what level of autism they are diagnosed with.

There are several organizations in Israel that deal with providing therapy and education to children who are autistic. These include the TOMI organization, started by a couple whose own child was diagnosed as autistic; and the Meir Autism Treatment Center, that uses the well known Son-Rise Program that concentrates on teaches autistic children a variety of basis skills, including social skills, language and conversation, eye contact and attention span (a big problem with many autistic children) as well as academic and self help skills.

Although much progress has been made in assisting autistic people, there is still a lot more to be done, and one of the most important things is early diagnosis of the condition in order for the right treatment to be started. Many autistic children, especially those who are considered as “borderline” between being autistic and having some other kind of learning disability ,such as ADD (attention deficit disorder) for example, can be taught to live an almost normal life and be contributing members of their communities.

With Autism Awareness Day, this tragic and often misunderstood condition, is finally receiving to attention it so much deserves.

Israel environmental activists, together with government officials are hoping to bring young Diaspora Jews closer to their Israeli counterparts. Young Diaspora Jews in North America have shown less interest in giving support to Israel, and this trend will hopefully be reversed by sponsoring environmental awareness projects that will help young people in both Israel and abroad find a common ground that will bring them closer together. And that common ground appears to be in dealing with issues that affect both groups, especially environmental ones.

Being a small country with limited natural resources, Israel presently has numerous environmental problems, including air, water, soil and noise pollution. Air pollution is presently the number one environmental problem that Israel faces, due to over all traffic congestion on the country’s roads, as well as in major cities. Following this is water pollution, where Israeli water department officials have made recent warnings that the country’s main fresh water sources, Lake Kinneret and the Coastal and mountain aquifers are so low that they are in danger of becoming irreversibly polluted.

Israeli environmental organizations, such as the Society for the Protection of Nature (SPNI) are now working on projects that can be coordinated jointly with similar organizations in the Diaspora, such as the American Environmental Protection Agency and the American Environmental Movement. One of the most serious environmental “time bombs” currently present in Israel is the Ramat Hovav hazardous waste site which is located less than 30 kilometers from the city of Beer Sheva. Young Jewish environmentalists are being invited to visit Israel and help participate in projects that are co-sponsored with Israeli environmental awareness organizations. The Ramat Hovav Industrial Waste Site is now threatening to pollute underground aquifers not only in Israel’s Negev region but in other areas as well.

For its part, SPNI has a wealth of material printed in English, French, and other languages on serious environmental issues in Israel. The organization sponsors nature trips and other outings to visitors and is promoting family memberships for the price of $55 per year. Foreign members will receive the organization’s quarterly magazine as well as being updated on environmental activities occurring during the year. The organization is also seeking volunteers form abroad to work in the country’s national parks and nature reserves as well as help clean up the country’s sea shores and other natural recreational facilities. Donations from Jews and others living abroad are being ear marked for such projects as bird watching sanctuaries in the Hula Valley and near Eilat, as well as other nature projects.

By becoming personally involved, especially as volunteers, it is hoped that many young Diaspora Jews will eventually make Aliyah to Israel.

Who thought Israel would serve as a shelter for a Palestinian from Jenin?

This week Israel has granted a residency permit to a 33-year old gay Palestinian who asked to stay with his partner in Tel Aviv. This is not the first time that a Palestinian gay man asks for residency permission, claiming his life is threatened in their hometown.

Under the Hamas regime, the lives of Palestinian gays and lesbians have become more difficult than ever. According to the Palestinian law, homosexual sex is a serious offense punishable by law. The accusations lead to further charges such as spreading the HIV virus. Ten years ago, a Palestinian officer was executed for having sex with a younger man. Next to that, any act of homophobia in Israel looks like a walk in the park!

The lives of gays who live at the West Bank continue to be in constant danger. As part of Israel’s strict security policy, applications on the basis of sexual orientation are typically denied. The Defense ministry does not allow Palestinians to formally unite with their Israeli partners within its territories. This policy applies to both heterosexual and gay couples.

Peter Lerner, spokesman for the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories says: “In this case the man’s lawyer said his life was in danger because of his sexual preference. On this basis we issued the temporary permit”.

Why the apologizing tone? Finally we can say that we have something to be proud about! There is nothing wrong with showing human decency in front of our neighbors and the rest of the world.

The recent attention given by the news media to our water problems in general, and to the warning by Israel’s national water authorities about the seriousness of the present situation, clearly points out and emergency situation in which the country’s three major water sources are fast approaching the point of being too low to be safe for public use. This crises recalls a poster I saw in awhile back that read: “ The Next War in the Middle East Will be Over Water”. Although the poster really had nothing to do with this subject (it was advertising surfing clothing and accessories), the reality of our water problems is one for everyone’s concern.

With all publicity dealing with the ever decreasing water levels, desalinization plants and the like, one of the real problems stems from the very wasteful water usage of both agriculture and industry in Israel, and especially among the general public. I am amazed at how many times I have seen water irrigation and sprinkler systems in full operation either during or after a major rain storm. The only “logic” from this phenomena is that the kibbutzim and moshavim have to use their water “allocations” from Mekorot within a certain time-frame – or lose them. Or, in the case of parks, apartment buildings, etc., the water system is operated by a time sequence, and programmed in advance to dispense the water without any connection to what is happening via Mother Nature.

The growing of crops, such as cotton, consume large quantities of water (even if it is non-potable), and at subsidized prices, is a luxury that will have to be altered drastically or even eliminated. On the subject of growing cotton, I think this country can continue progressing very nicely without one single dunam of cotton being grown! We can purchase all the cotton we need from other countries (incl. the USA and even Egypt).

Another water using phenomena that has increased dramatically in recent years are both private swimming pools and automatic car washes. While both use recycled water (swimming pools filter the same water over and over), they still use water that can be allocated to other uses. When I came to Israel over 25 years ago, I could count the number of car washes in Tel-Aviv on the fingers of one hand. Now, it’s like having to use a computer data-bank to keep track of them.

Finally, the main problem hits closer to home, i.e., all of us and how we use water. When the water conserving publicity started drawing attention, I decided to begin my own personal water conservation “project”, and during the past several months, I calculate that I have personally conserved at least 6 –8 liters of water per day by engaging in the following practices:

1. Heating and using water that would have been thrown away ( from mineral water bottles, etc.,) for kitchen uses, shaving, etc.

2. By not flushing the toilet each time (depending on the reason for usage).

3. By careful use of water during teeth brushing, shaving, washing before bed or in the morning (not shower usage).

4. By never taking a bath (in a tub), and by “soaping down” in the shower before turning the water back on.

5. By forgoing at least one shower per week - it’s not the end of the world to not shower once a day (some people do this twice a day!).

6. By going back to the practice of using buckets to wash that Mazda that the
software company has given you as a job perk.

Now, I realize most, if not all, of the above practices seem a bit Draconian, but, the day may come when we will all think of the “good old days” when the stuff coming out of our taps could actually be drunk without using some kind of expensive filtration device – if anything comes out at all!

While awaiting our government to institute measures to solve our water problem in the “long run”, we can certainly help our “short run” situation by using some or all of the measures as noted above.

After all, if I, one person, can save an average of 165 liters of water per month, think of how much 1,000,10,000, or even 100,000 people will save. And, our personal life-styles will only be slightly altered.

We can either do this on a voluntary basis now or a forced basis later on. The choice is ours.

Heres an age-old, yet continuous phenomenon that continues to plague Jews in Israel and throughout the world. I just listened to the news about two Hollywood celebrities who are now doing a film project together. Scarlett Johanssen and Natalie Portman, two beautiful women and divas on the stage and screen. Portman, born in Jerusalem and raised in Long Island, New York grew up with a strong Jewish identification. A graduate of the Jewish “Day School” system (not sure which one, yet this is what I heard from more than one reliable source), Portman hit stardom at the age of 13 when she landed the leading role in the Broadway adaption of “Anne Frank, A Diary of a Young Girl”. From then on, she blossomed into a Queen of Stage and Screen.

Golden Globe nominee and Native New Yorker Scarlett Johannsen began her career in the Off-Broadway production of “Sophistry” with Ethan Hawke. A daughter of a Danish father and Jewish mother, Johanssen identifies as being a Jew and wears the title of “Jewess” proudly. During the many years of assimilation and intermarriage, many of her counterparts who were the product of a Jewish mother and non-Jewish father, tend to lose the identification and consider their Jewish identity as irrelevant. Yet, it is evident that many still consider themselves Jews.

Now, back to the phenomenon. For many decades, Jews around the world have been intrigued and fascinated by other Jews who have achieved celebrity status. Though many other ethnic groups may share this nostalgic feeling, it seems to me that Jews have the monopoly here. Adam Sandler’s famous hanukkah songs with a list of tens of Jewish celebrities are proof of the pudding (or should I say “borscht”). People roared with laughter the first time his song was played on the radio and since its during and before hanukkah, it always coincides with Christmas (which happens to be the birthday of another Jewish man, yet I won’t go there).

So there you have it. Is it pride? Is it intrigue or is it a little bit of both? Fact is, the intrigue and nostalgia behind the statement, “She’s Jewish, y’know”… seems to be more unique in Jewish circles than in others.

Several days ago, following her sensational capture to no less than 5 Grammy awards, probably the most any singer has ever accomplished at one presentation, this blog had an article dealing with Amy Winehouse, one of the most talented music artists of all time. But with all this in mind, and in light of the 24 year old artist’s strange and kinky personality, many people are trying to find out just what makes Amy tick.

A psycholinguistic analysis of Amy’s words reveals a deep seated fear of planning for the future. Not a fear of the future itself, just planning for it. This fear is so wide and deep that it manifests itself in major decisions as well as trifle ones. She refuses to be involved in any marketing decisions concerning her new CDs because these decisions address forthcoming events. According to Amy: “I just wrote the songs, and I sing them. That’s pretty much it for me. I guess the rest of it’s all record company stuff, right?” Note the words “just,” “it,” and “all” in the phrases “just wrote the song,” “that’s pretty much it for me,” and “the rest of its all record company staff.” She detaches herself from anything that involves planning for future events.

When interviewed not long ago, she was asked what she would do if she was working in a position like a secretary (something she did try once with disastrous results) and he boss asked her to order some new stationary:

“Well, I was the sort of secretary where it’d be, ‘Amy, make me a cup of tea’, ‘No, fuck off’. You should call Rymans (a UK specialist supplier of Stationery and Office Products). for their catalogue Hang on, are you taking the piss out of me? You fucker! Really? Call Rymans. Or.. Are you being serious? Just go to another secretary and get her to order it. You were taking the piss, weren’t you?”

Amy’s reaction to being asked to perform such a mundane task as this is just part of her complicated makeup that also includes a strong fear of any kind of planning for the future, which includes even something like ordering something.

The future, or planning for the future, seems to be scare Amy so much that she is said to do the exact opposite, rather than even think about making any future plans. This might explain her escapism into both drugs and alcohol, both of which are often used by people wishing to escape reality.

Amy’s pre-occupation with past includes her personal fashion including 1960’s style “beehive” hairdos, as well as a liking for music and singers from that period, including groups like the Supremes and the Shangri-Las. Amy’s Jewish background has resulted in her considering an album of “cool Jewish Hanukah songs” as she said recently that there weren’t “any cool Hanukah available for Jewish kids”. Maybe this idea is going against the grain of her disdain to make future plans.

Liking things from the 1960’s isn’t anything to be ashamed of, as that period is one that many people, especially that of a large group known as “baby boomers”, still have fond memories for. For one thing, the music from that period still excites and turns people on. Maybe with this in mind, Amy has a good point in preferring that period, compared to what is going on in our ‘Brave New World’.

Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert has announced a new plan to bring Israeli and Diaspora Jewish communities closer together. The plan, announced at a special meeting held in the P.M.’s office last Wednesday, involved the establishment of a special tack force to devote itself to helping to bridge the present gap between Jewish communities in the Diaspora, especially in America, and Jews living in Israel. Recent findings that young Jews living abroad are becoming alienated from their Israeli brethren have become more evident in the decline of Jewish visitors to Israel, as well as the numbers of Jews who come to settle in the Jewish State.

“U.S. Jewry is in a crises due to a decrease in Jewish education and identity which is resulting in increased intermarriage and decreasing support for pro-Israel organizations. This is being especially felt in the decrease of donations on behalf of Israel” said an official in the Prime Ministers Office.

Indeed, young American Jews who are under increasing financial pressures, seem to be more concerned with their own well being now days. American Jews in particular do not like having their religion forced upon them like it is in Israel where national policy dictates nearly everything from education to national holidays. Some progress has been made concerning bringing young American Jews to visit Israel, including the very successful Birthright Program; and immigration programs like Nefesh b’Nefesh are not only bringing North Americans, but British and French Olim as well on assisted settlement programs. But in regards to the sheer numbers of American Jews who still have never even visited Israel, these programs has only scratched the surface of these Diaspora communities.

In order to make these plans work, the task force is planning to stage more joint cultural and education projects between the two communities including the establishment of an on-line “Jewish University” that will give Diaspora students academic credits in Jewish Studies at Israeli universities and other academic institutions. The creation of new Jewish organizations are also planned to go beyond the activities of current ones such as the World Jewish Congress and World Zionist Organization.

“Until now, the Jews in the Diaspora invested in Israel; now it’s time for us to “invest” in assisting Jewish Culture abroad” the official said.

Despite the recent terrorist attack in Dimona and continued Qassam missile attacks on Sderot, Israel police say they actually have more time now for conducting what they consider to be normal police activities. New Head Police Inspector General Dudi Cohen disclosed that in the year 2007, the number of murders actually decreased in Israel by 21%. Although many serious crimes such as aggravated assault, robbery, and rape have not shown significant deceases, at least murders have, according to Cohen.

While murders have decreased, assaults such as stabbings by youth have increased, however; and this area is one in which the police are trying to put more efforts into. Another area in which the police will be putting more attention in is the increasing numbers of traffic violations and serious accidents, many resulting in death and serious injuries. Hardly a week goes by without these accidents being shown on TV. Many are caused by young drivers as well as by those with a history of serious traffic violations. The police are already putting more officers on the roads to give citations for traffic offenses. This might be something that senior police offices should make themselves examples of as it was just the other day that the Inspector General himself was shown driving at speeds in excess of 140 km per hour.

Another new unit, called the Magen anti-drug enforcement unit is working on combating narcotics smuggling from Egypt to Israel. Some of their new equipment includes specially equipped helicopters to spot smugglers on the ground and thus call in mobile units to apprehend them. One of their top officers, Chief Inspector Kobi Mor is the police office who killed the second terrorist in the attack in Dimona. His unit was not far away when alerted to the scene of the terror attack.

Inspector General Cohen was appointed to his post after his predecessor was forced to resign following a number of serious allegations dealing with his connections with crime figures. The police force has had problems with other high ranking officers as well, and one of Cohen’s chief tasks has been improving the image of the police in Israel.

It hasn’t been an easy task. Cohen and other high ranking police and security officials attended a special conference a few months back dealing with finding ways to improve the police and security forces in Israel. The conference, entitled: To Protect and to Serve – Police and Policing in an age of terrorism and beyond, was also attended by law enforcement officials from the USA. It is hoped that new efforts and concepts will improve the efficiency of all departments of the police force in Israel.

The months of January and February are always periods to be on the lookout for one of winter’s worst “visitors”, the flu. Also known by it more formal name, the influenza virus, this highly contagious disease is much more serious than a common cold, and can lead to dangerous and sometimes fatal complications. Recent publicized warnings are advising people in Israel, especially older people and small children to take extra precautions, and many health authority officials are saying that stains of this year’s “flu bug” seems to be more aggressive and widespread than ever.

There are three prevalent kinds of “bug” or influenza, which go by names of Spanish flu, Asian and Hong Kong flu, and combinations of the three. Although vaccinations, such as Tami Flu are offered to people annually, it is usually impossible to guarantee that the given vaccination will be effective against the particular virus “visiting” a country or region each year. Other serious viral diseases that have been given considerable attention in recent years is the Avian of “bird flu” and a condition known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome of SARS. Although both SARS and bird flu have resulted in a number of deaths world wide, their combined total to date have been far less that the mortality rate of a single influenza season which usually results in thousands of deaths, even in countries like the U.S. and Europe, who claim to have to best health care systems.

This year, it has been reported that the largest flu outbreaks in Israel are in the major population centers; especially Jerusalem and the heavily populated central region, stretching from Ashdod to Netanya. Since many people work in large buildings, such as those in the high tech industry, and with many frequenting shopping malls and traveling on modes of public transport, such as buses and trains, the likelihood of getting “bitten” by the flu bug is much more possible since the virus is also an airborne one, as well as one that is transmitted by touching things that already contaminated people were touching, such as door knobs and even computer keyboards. Schools, hospitals and nursing homes are also especially vulnerable to outbreaks of flu, and small children in nurseries and day care center often pass the “bug” from one to another.

This year, many cases of flu seem to be accompanied by high fevers and various body aches and pains, in addition to the normal symptoms, such as headaches, nasal and lung congestion, as other respiratory problems. Anyone with high fever, feelings of stiffness in the neck, and especially feelings of nausea should see a doctor immediately as they could have something more serious such as meningitis. Flu can also develop into conditions such as pneumonia, especially in small children and people over age 50. Although an average case of flu usually runs its course in 5 to 7 days, come cases last considerably longer and develop in to these and other complications.