August 28/2015

International Scientific Conference Held in the Land of Innovation and Honey

Last week, Israel was host to over 400 young, emerging scientists from 71 countries and 15 Nobel Laureates, from around the world, who came together to participate in WorldScience Conference (WSCI).  In the words of Nobel Laureate Professor Roger Kronberg, chairman of WSCI’s Academic committee, conference provides “a platform for inspiration, dialogue and discussion between promising young talents and the attending Nobel Laureates and eminent scientists” in areas ranging from physics, chemistry, life sciences and math.

Meeting inspirational Israeli researchers, working on a scientific poster in multi-national groups and presenting to Nobel laureates, watching multicultural presentations from all over the world - these are only part of the things theparticipants experienced at the WSCI.

Alongside the activities for the young scientists, the WSCI included special sessions that brought together the Nobel laureates and eminent members of the academia together with leading figures of the industry from Israel and abroad, discussing mutual connections between fundamental science and its applications.

The WSCI in Israel was designed to emphasize the strengths and advantages of the "Israeli spirit” that applies creativity and groundbreaking thinking to successfully combine basic and applied science.

The initiative to hold this unique international event in Israel goes hand-in-hand with Israel's leading global role in areas of science and it’s commitment to channel its innovative energy towards making the world a better place. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

August 21/2015

Saying Goodbye and Hello

This week a dear friend and colleague, that I had the distinct pleasure of working with for the past three years, is returning to Israel upon termination of his diplomatic posting as Deputy Consul General Of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic region. I feel extremely fortunate to have had a such a great partner for our work at the Consulate. Elad Strohmayer is professional, knowledgeable, experienced and above all - staunchly committed to fostering Israel's relations with the U.S.

For the past three years, Elad carried out Israel’s mission tirelessly and as I and all of you can attest, with a great deal of talent, devotion and passion. Elad is a true Mensch and a dear friend. For his partnership, friendship and invaluable work here at the Consulate, I deeply thank Elad, and wish him and his husband, Oren, a bright and sunny future as they return home to Israel.

I am equally delighted to welcome the incoming Deputy Consul General, Moran Birman, and his wife, Dana, who arrived at Philadelphia this week. I am confident that Moran, a smart and gifted diplomat with a unique skill set and an engaging personality, will be highly successful in carrying out our core mission - fostering deep and meaningful relations between Israel and the United States.

As we depart from Elad and welcome Moran, I look forward to continue working with all of you to jointly fulfill the highly important mission. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

August 14/2015

Israel’s committed to a safer and better world - Our Love and Care for Flood Victims of Myanmar 

For all the right reasons, Israel’s diplomatic efforts at this critical point in time are focused on preventing Iran from embarking on a nuclear path that ends with a bomb, a path clearly paved in the agreement signed with Iran last month. These efforts reflect Israel’s deep commitment to making the world a safer and better place. A crucial aspect of making the world safer is preventing dangerous actors on the world stage, like Iran, from putting the world in danger through their acts of aggression.

A key aspect of Israel’s commitment to making the world better is lending a helping hand to countries and communities in need, in the face of natural or manmade disasters. A majority of the time these activities occur behind the scenes and go unnoticed by the general public. An example of such a disaster that by and large went unnoticed is the severe flooding that occurred this week in the country of Myanmar, devastating many villages and impacting countless people. It didn’t go unnoticed in Israel as we provided assistance and emergency aid to the floods many victims. Trucks were loaded with food, medicines, and mosquito nets as a robust Israeli delegation headed to the hard hit Thayarwaddy delta area. Israel plans to continue the work of helping the flood victims, including supplying additional resources, including much needed water purification tablets. Local residents and the Myanmar government received the Israeli assistance with open arms and a great deal of appreciation. This is one of the many regions in need where Israel is engaged and living up to its commitment to make the world safer place for all of us.

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region

August 07/2015

Playing for Peace

This week I had the pleasure of participating in an amazing event in Philadelphia.  It was an event that I believe gives us all hope for a possible co-existence in the Middle East.  A group of 6 Israeli teenagers came to play tennis with American teens.  That sounds exciting, right?  Well, the story is much more than that.  The Israeli teenagers were compiled of 3 Jewish teens and 3 Arab teens.  They came here through the Israel Tennis Center Foundation, an organization helping to build bridges in Israel between communities and provide recreational activities for teenagers and children from underprivileged areas.  Here, in Philadelphia, they play tennis, not with Jewish teenagers, but with teenagers from the Legacy Center, an organization that serves all ethnic groups.  Last month the Israelis hosted the Americans in Israel, and now the Israelis are hosted here.

This is a true example that if engaged in a positive activity, you can help build bridges for understanding and peace.  On the T-shirts the players wore it was written: “Playing for Peace.”  They found a common language despite many disagreements and cultural gaps.  These teenagers are our future.

I wanted to share this is because of the ongoing debate regarding the Iranian Nuclear Deal.  Many things have been written and said about the deal.  I want to refer to one of the many reasons I oppose this deal.  While the teenagers playing tennis for co-existence here in Philadelphia are the future, Iran’s regime and this nuclear deal are the past.  With this deal we give Iran the financial means to continue to sponsor terrorist organizations, and spread fear and instability in our region.  Iran will continue on the opposite path of what we stand for: freedom and liberty.

This has been a profound week: the more time goes by, more and more people, including our elected officials, oppose the nuclear deal with Iran.  The more we read and the more we hear differing opinions, and the more that details of the agreement come to our attention, it becomes clear that this is a bad deal.  More and more leaders, Democrats and Republicans, are speaking out against this deal.  It’s not a political issue.  It’s not a partisan issue.  Even in Israel, the head of the opposition, Yitzhak Hertzog, said that on this issue he is backing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

I don’t trust Iran.  I don’t trust a country that helps export terrorism and doesn’t respect basic human rights.  I urge you to read what New York Senator Chuck Schumer (D) had to say about the deal. Opposing this deal is a must if we want to strengthen the moderate forces in the Middle East.  Opposing this deal is a must so Israeli Arabs and Jews can continue to play tennis together, and maybe one day it will be possible with other nations in the Middle East.  Giving Iran a prize like they are being given now makes this day farther and farther away for us.

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Elad Strohmayer
Deputy Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region