This year Israel’s entry to the Eurovision Song Contest Harel Skaat is daring to dream about winning the competition. The young singer could be set to walk in the footsteps of Dana International with his song ‘Words’. Skaat is confident that he can pass the semi final stages and is praying to even win the competition.

The original full manuscript of Albert Einstein’s groundbreaking theory of relativity has gone on display in its entirety for the first time.

This is the greatest document in physics and it’s exciting news (even to someone like me who finds most equations challenging). Based on what I hear – the display is made easy to comprehend and people are lining up to read it. The display shows the manuscript in the context of the theories presented – giving the difficult concepts a point of relativity – so the viewers can connect at any level.

Whether its black holes, the Big Bang or the famous equation of E=MC² – Einstein’s manuscripts will amaze as they demonstrate an expanding universe and show how gravity can bend space and time.

As Hanoch Gutfreund (former president of Hebrew University and chair of its academic committee for the Albert Einstein archives) says, ” This changed our understanding of space, time, gravitation, and really the entire universe.”

Rothberg International School Science Train

What were Einstein’s breakthroughs? Who developed cherry tomatoes? Can a spinning top rotate in the air?

To mark National Science Day (and Einstein’s Birthday) on March 14, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Israel Railways are organizing a ‘Science Train’ traversing Israel from Beer Sheva to Haifa, as part of the monthly ‘Scientists on the Trains’ lecture series.

Commuters on the train will be treated to lectures on the contribution of Albert Einstein to humanity; will meet one of the scientists who developed cherry tomatoes and learn how a scientist develops an invention; and will witness physics experiments during their train journey.

Prof. Hanoch Gutfreund, physicist and former president of the Hebrew University, will talk about Albert Einstein’s contribution to science, whose birthday on March 14 is marked by National Science Day. “In Einstein’s life, there were two years during which he made scientific breakthroughs that changed our outlook on the world forever and influenced not only modern physics but also our daily lives,” says Prof. Gutfreund. “Thanks to his understanding of the essence of light and its interaction with matter, many technologies have been developed – from the elevator door to ballistic missiles.”

Prof. Haim Rabinowitch, former rector of the Hebrew University, will talk about the development process of cherry tomatoes, which he developed with Prof. Nachum Kedar. “We were looking for a way to slow down the quick ripening of regular tomatoes, a phenomenon that is typical for large tomatoes in hot countries. After a great deal of work over many months, in 1973 we succeeded in identifying the appropriate genetic combination to slow down maturation, and developed a way to exploit the genes to enhance the tomatoes,” explains Prof. Rabinowitch.

Cherry tomatoes will be distributed to passengers on the train during the lecture.

Yehonadav Bekenstein, physicist and instructor in the Hebrew University’s youth science courses, will be demonstrating experiments to passengers that deal with the questions: What do mountain trains, nuclear submarines and riding bikes have in common? Why doesn’t a car turn over when it takes a sharp turn? And how is this related to planetary orbits around the sun? Can a spinning top rotate in the air? Newton’s law, angular momentum, centripetal force, centripetal acceleration, coriolis affect, inertia principal and movement without friction.

The first lecture by Prof. Gutfreund will take place on the train departing from Beer Sheva Central at 10:27 a.m., and the physics experiments will take place on the same line at 11:15 a.m. The lecture by Prof. Rabinowitch will take place when the train departs from Tel Aviv University towards Haifa at 12:20 p.m. At 1:28 p.m., Prof. Rabinowitch will give another lecture on the train leaving Haifa Hof HaCarmel to Tel Aviv.

In that period, both the Hebrew University and Oxford, with 11 such grants, were exceeded only by Cambridge University — which had 12 for that period – among all of the universities in Europe and Israel which were eligible for such financial grants. The ERC starting grants are intended to provide support and encouragement for young research scientists.

The 11 starting grants to the Hebrew University have a total value of 13,720,482 euros and were awarded to the following researchers: Adi Mizrahi, Assaf Friedler, Tsachik Gelander, Reem Sari, Sigal Ben Yehuda, Yuval Shany, Ariel Knafo, Edit Tshuva, Eran Sharon, Noam Berger and Yaacov Nahmias.

The Hebrew University led both the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, which had  nine such grants for the two-year period, and the Weizmann Institute, which had eight.

“As opposed to some other surveys that purport to measure university attainments on a non-scientific basis, these figures provide a solid confirmation of what we have known all along – that the Hebrew University is and will continue to be the leading research institution of higher learning not only in Israel but also as compared to some of the most outstanding universities in the world,” said Hebrew University President Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson.

Added Prof. Isaiah Arkin, director of research and development of the university: “This, in fact, establishes the Hebrew University as the second best university in Europe (tied with Oxford) as far as ERC starting grants are concerned.”

This status is testimony to the quality of the material submitted by Hebrew University faculty for research grants, he stated. Now, “it is upon us to make sure that they prosper,” said Arkin of the university’s top-ranked, young research personnel.

Additionally, ten Hebrew University scientists also received European Research Council advanced grants totaling 15,644,521 euros for 2008-2009.  The advanced grants, given to senior scientists, went to Alex Lubotzky, Nir Friedman, Tsvi Piran, David Kazhdan, Aner Shalev, Sergiu Hart, Alex Levitzki, Bianca Kuehnel, Uri Banin and Yechezkel Barenholz.

In 2009, the Hebrew University received more than 50% of all ERC advanced grants awarded to Israeli universities.

All told, the Hebrew University received the impressive sum of 29,365,003 euros in both starting and advanced European Research Council grants in the last two-year period.

The beach in Vancouver at sunset

Nine weeks ago I moved back to Jerusalem after spending over three years in Vancouver. I cannot remember any decision being as agonizing as that to move back home. Considering the fact that it was such a big decision to leave Israel to begin with, it’s interesting that the decision to move back was even harder.

But it makes sense, I suppose. I arrived in Vancouver in the beginning of September 2006. I had never been there and I knew no one. Fast forward three years: I have met hundreds of people from the Jewish community. I’ve had so many interesting and exciting experiences. I’ve built myself a community and have survived both wonderful and very difficult times. I did it! I succeeded in building a very nice life for myself in a city where I knew no one. And now what? I’ll just leave it all behind?

Although I supposedly had so much going for me in Vancouver, it seemed it was time for me to move on. There were certain things I just couldn’t accomplish there and I wanted to be back near my family.

And here I am, in Jerusalem.

The Old City of Jerusalem

To think that three months ago I was agonizing over what is now, so naturally, my life. To think I was considering staying in Vancouver just a bit longer because the extent of this life change was paralyzing me. To think that I chose, instead, after much distraught discussion, days immobilized from fear and many, many tears, to arrive back in Israel on the eve of Rosh HaShana so that I could have a clean, exciting, new start in Israel on the Jewish new year…

People say that if you feel certain about your decision, you know you’re making the right choice. I say, know your personality. I never feel certain about a decision because I see decisions as complex things. But certain concrete factors helped push me and I chose to make the leap. I’m not quite certain I’ve landed yet but if I have, I’m definitely standing on two feet.

Vancouver served me well. I’d never lived in such a place. Being surrounded by breath-taking views – the mountains, the ocean, the huge trees… Call me crazy but I even love the rain. And even so, it’s wonderful to be home.

The Old City of Jerusalem

I’m very impressed that Deb Singer (I don’t know you but kudos to you) had the courage to write an honest post about spirituality – or lack there of – in her Israel experience. She had certain expectations which, from what I understand, were not exactly fulfilled.

I think that first of all the honesty in that post is so important for Deb and for people reading hebrewyou.com. Honesty with oneself is the path to all good things.

In this case, the good thing, in my opinion, would be yes, having a spiritual experience in Israel. If someone is not feeling the spiritual elevation they want to be feeling or think they should be feeling, if they just continue doing whatever they’re doing while pretending they’re feeling fulfilled spiritually, there’s no chance for things to change for the better.

As for Israel and spirituality, this lovely place does not automatically spiritually lift any Jewish person who chooses to come and spend some time here. It’s an unbelievable spiritual resource and can help many in that realm but for some people it will not be what they need in the present time.

I know this from experience. I grew up in Jerusalem and I was one of those people who anything but appreciated Jerusalem. I was blind to its beauty and its vibrancy. I was stressed by its pulsating life. I was pressured by the religiosity of the city.

I needed to get away and I did. Four years ago, being in Jerusalem was the last thing I needed for my spiritual growth. Crazily enough, what I needed was to be in one of the least religious cities in Canada – Vancouver – where I could chill, be part of a laid-back Jewish community, and figure out what I needed for myself.

Today, I view Jerusalem through different eyes. And it’s a place with so much spiritual opportunity… when it’s right for you.

I believe it’s important for each person to figure out where they’re at and what they need (and want). It’s also important to try different things. Someone might have heard amazing things about Shira Chadasha but, in fact, find their comfort in Ramban Shul or Shir Chadash. Someone might have thought they’d spend some time learning Torah in one place but find it’s too much of something they didn’t count on, or didn’t realize wasn’t for them. And then, as hard as it is, it’s time to be open to trying something else. Or if that is too stressful, it might be time to just take a break from trying.

Someone commented on Deb’s post that visiting Israel is really about connecting to our roots and culture. I think that is true except that it does include the spirituality, if that is important to you and if that is what you want.

You just need to be willing to work for it, like anything important in life. It doesn’t just fall in your lap. But it’s there. Really!

So, when you come to Israel, if one of your goals is on the spiritual realm, admit it to yourself and make sure to put some effort into your goals. I wish you to find only good things while on your journey!

Photo by david55king at flickr.

* In 2004, Raleb Magadla, a Muslim Arab, became Israel’s Minister of Culture.

* The technology used by NASA to transmit videos to earth from the moon was developed by two Israeli scientists.

* The Israeli start-up company TransChip (subsequently purchased by Samsung) developed the first high resolution camera that fits on a single electronic chip for use in cellular phones.

* 33% of Israeli exports are sent to Europe, boosted by the free-trade agreement which Israel concluded with the European Union in 1975.

* Israel imports substantial quantities of grain but is largely self-sufficient in other agricultural products.

* Despite the global financial crisis, Israel’s economy grew an estimated

4.2% in 2008.

* Israel has the third highest rate of entrepreneurship and the highest rate among women and people over 55 in the world.

* Israel is the only country in the world to have simultaneous free trade agreements with the US, Mexico and Canada as well as the European Union and the European Free Trade Association.

Granted, we all have our own lives and our own situations, and mine happens to be really lovely right now: My family lives here, I speak Hebrew (lived here for 16 years already, growing up) and I did what I had to do outside of Israel so I’m just happy to be back. But living as a Jerusalemite can feel quite lovely.

Ah, you need an example? OK.

Right now I’m sitting in one of the many fun, delicious cafes on Emek Refa’im, a bustling main street in the German Colony of Jerusalem. My decaf-”cafe hafuch” (I think that’s a capuchino but all I know is that I love it) came with a heart in it (pictured below). It’s November 12th and my friends in Vancouver are telling me about the snow falling on Grouse Mountain outside of Vancouver (soon to fall in Vancouver proper) while I’m sitting here in a t-shirt and the sun shines outside.

Say it all together: Cafe Hafooch!

Don’t get me wrong. I love Grouse. I love snow. I love Vancouver. But there is something so vibrant about the life here, it’s almost hard to put your finger on it. Maybe it’s like that so that only those willing to come here can experience it for themselves. Come on. Next hafuch is on me.

A group of HU students have decided to fix Israels PR and alleviate medias misinformation by launching a facebook tool – Israelpedia to promote Israel from a more realistic perspective.   The students, currently StandWithUs Fellows, have already signed up 3,000 Facebook friends using the application.

When you think that the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only joined Twitter last week, you’ll figure out how vital this tool is for the country’s PR!  How does it work?  Israpedia takes over your status message on Facebook and makes updates for you with interesting facts about Israel.

Unlike the media circus out there, this news focuses on all the other sides of Israel – the great inventions, brilliant achievements etc… rather than its war statistics.

These students  show Israel and the world that we all have the potential to make this country a better place – that if no-one stands up to tell the world what  an awesome country we are, then how on earth will the world ever find out?

• Did you know? Israel is the second biggest book publisher per capita in the world.
• Did you know? There are over 200 wineries in Israel – of all sizes – producing red, white vintages, and sparkling wines.
• Did you know? The Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel is the only comprehensive, highly specialized care hospital of its kind in the Middle East, dedicated exclusively to the well-being of all children and adolescents

Tell us what you think after you check out their facts page here and join up!

If you are interested in drug research and development this is where some of the new generation of leading scientists in the field of drug research will be flocking.  The IDR will encourages multi-disciplinary research groups to form to advance scientific excellence and will bring together special multi-disciplinary teams to solve complex problems. The IDR will also partner with the pharmaceutical industry in new initiatives, contributing its unique and invaluable experience and knowledge.

As teams and individuals, the institute’s researchers have discovered new drugs and invented novel drug-delivery platforms for the treatment of a variety of clinical disorders. These pathologies include allergies, cancer, age related and neurological diseases, brain trauma, diabetes and drug addiction.

Over the years, 13 start-up companies have been established based on research of the institute’s current research staff. Collectively, the institute’s scientists have registered more than 200 patents, totaling more than 25% of all approved patent applications of the Hebrew University.

Today, four novel drugs, developed by the institute’s researchers and commercialized by Yissum, the research and development company of the Hebrew University, are in the market. The most well-known is Exelon, a drug which delays the onset of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Several other drugs are currently in various stages of development, including clinical and preclinical trials.