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Charity trains caregivers to feel empathy for patients with dementia; Jewish-Arab friendship started on soccer field, lasts 60 years; recycling program raises funds for special needs children; and much more!

By Michael Ordman

ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Friendship born on the soccer field

Nice story about Motke (“Berko”) Berkowitz and Mohammed Einan who have been friends for over 60 years, having played on Hapoel Nahariya’s soccer team in the 1950s and 1960s. Each week, Berko drives from Shavei Zion to the coastal village of Mazra’a to have coffee with Einan.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-sixty-year-friendship-of-muslim-and-jew-born-on-the-soccer-pitch/

In their shoes

The Israeli charity In Their Shoes (ITS) trains caregivers to better serve patients with compassion. ITS’ Virtual Dementia Tour allows participants to feel the effects of dementia – hence “In Their Shoes”. ITS also conducts the Music and Memory Program for residents in nursing homes.

http://www.intheirshoes.org.il/

Recycling fair funds special needs program

Israeli mum Ayelet Sanens launched the Ashdod Environmental Preservation and Recycling Fair. Toys, cosmetics, costume jewelry, clothing, household items etc. were sold to raise funds for Israeli charity Ezer Mizion’s special summer program for special needs children in Ashdod.

http://www.ezermizion.org/blog/special-childrenspecial-parents/

New Israeli town to support special needs kids

I reported previously (19th Aug) about the new community named “Daniel” being built in the Negev that will provide home care for children (mainly Bedouin) with severe medical and therapeutic needs. Here is a much more detailed article on the new town and its aims.

https://unitedwithisrael.org/israeli-town-aids-families-of-children-with-special-needs/

Israeli-Arab captain of women’s basketball team

Shahd Abboud, who plays for the Hapoel Petah Tikvah women’s basketball team in Israel, opened the 2018/19 season as their new captain, making history as the first female Arab captain of a professional Israeli basketball team.

https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-israels-1st-female-arab-israeli-basketball-captain/

Bahrain invites Startup Nation Minister

Israel’s Economy Minister Eli Cohen has received an invitation from Bahrain to participate in its “Startup Nations Ministerial” – an international high-tech conference. Cohen will join global leaders aiming to boost bilateral technology initiatives and partner on policy initiatives.

https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/188308-181109-israel-s-economy-minister-invited-to-high-tech-conference-in-bahrain

Trade with Arab states

Despite lack of diplomatic relations, trade between Israel and Morocco was worth $37 million in 2017 ($149 million since 2014). Israeli drip irrigation specialist Netafim even setup a $2.9m subsidiary in Morocco last year, having operated there unofficially since 1994. Opportunities abound!

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/open-secret-israeli-moroccan-business-growing-813168914

https://www.facebook.com/NetafimMorocco/   http://www.arabnews.com/node/1398206

Five new ambassadors

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin received diplomatic credentials from the new Ambassadors to the State of Israel of Croatia, Jordan, Czech Republic, Egypt and Mongolia.

https://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=37&ARTICLE_ID=110253

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