Israel a Rising Star in Space and Satellite Technology by ADAM ABRAMS Into Space
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Jewish Federation of NEPA Non-profit Organization 601 Jefferson Ave. U.S. POSTAGE PAID The Scranton, PA 18510 Permit # 184 Watertown, NY Change Service Requested Published by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania VOLUME X, NUMBER 21 NOVEMBER 2, 2017 Wisconsin the latest state to introduce anti-BDS legislation BY PAUL MILLER do not just attack the Jewish state. This fed up with BDS and excited to act to stop antisemitism watchdog group AMCHA JNS.org propaganda campaign is also the basis it,” said CUFI board member David Brog. Initiative examined more than 100 public During the week of October 9, two for newly emboldened and destructive “In Wisconsin, our local leaders were able and private colleges and universities from Republican state lawmakers in Wisconsin antisemitic attitudes.” to join with the Jewish community to make January to June of 2016. It found that introduced legislation to prohibit business- “Israel stands as the only democracy a powerful pro-Israel team and secure the 287 antisemitic incidents occurred at 64 es from engaging in boycotts of Israel as in the Middle East, offering a voice not introduction of a strong anti-BDS bill. schools, compared to 198 occurrences a condition of any state contract. only to the Jewish citizens of Israel, but We look forward to working with our during the same period the previous year, In recent years, more than 20 U.S. states to all citizens of Israel regardless of their partners to ensure that this bill becomes reflecting a 45-percent increase. have passed legislation condemning BDS age, race, sex or religion,” Kooyenga said. law and Wisconsin becomes the 23rd state The study revealed a rapidly growing or prohibiting government business with “This bill demonstrates that Wisconsin is to stand up to BDS.” correlation between antisemitism and entities that boycott Israel, with additional serious about standing with Israel, as our The BDS campaign against the Jewish BDS activism. states – including Wisconsin – expected to republic has since Israel’s founding nearly state began in 2005, claiming to be a form of Paul Miller is president of the Haym follow before the end of the year. 70 years ago.” “non-violent” resistance against Israel’s so- Salomon Center news and public policy Released by State Sen. Leah Vukmir Peggy Shapiro, Midwest director of the called “settler colonialism, apartheid and group Haym Salomon Center. Follow and State Rep. Dale Kooyenga, the bill pro-Israel education organization Stand- occupation over the Palestinian people.” him on Twitter @pauliespoint and @ is currently being circulated among both WithUs, recalled that she “met with Wis- A study conducted last year by the salomoncenter. chambers for co-sponsors. The measure consin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisc almost states that it “prohibits any state agency two years ago, and she was adamant about or other body in state government and protecting Israel-Wisconsin’s relation- House lawmakers pass series of any local governmental unit, including ship, and making sure… taxpayers were a special purpose district, from adopting not complicit in acts of antisemitism.” a rule, ordinance, policy, or procedure “Today, StandWithUs is very proud bills targeting Hezbollah, Iran that involves the state agency or local to see Wisconsin engage in a bipartisan BY JNS STAFF as Defenseless Shields Act; and H.R. 3329 governmental unit in a boycott of Israel rejection of antisemitism and discrimi- JNS.org – Hizbollah International Financing Preven- or a person doing business in Israel or in nation against Israel,” Shapiro told the The U.S. House of Representatives on tion Amendments Act of 2017. a territory under Israeli jurisdiction.” Haym Salomon Center. October 25 passed a series of bills targeting The Iran bill imposes additional sanc- It also “requires contracts for mate- Joining StandWithUs and other groups both Iran and its Lebanese terror proxy Hez- tions on individuals or entities that help the rials, supplies, equipment, and services to advance anti-BDS legislation in Wis- bollah. In a voice vote, a unanimous majority Islamic Republic develop ballistic missiles between state purchasing agents and consin is the self-described largest pro-Is- of Democratic and Republic lawmakers and other conventional weapons. The bill nongovernmental entities to include a rael organization in the country, Christians approved three bills and one resolution: is a follow-up to sanctions passed against provision that the nongovernmental entity United for Israel. With the backing of its H.R. 1698 – Iran Ballistic Missiles and Iran, as well as North Korea and Russia, is not currently participating, or will not nearly 3.6 million members, the group’s International Sanctions Enforcement Act; in July. The October 25 resolution would for the duration of the contract participate, lobbying arm, the CUFI Action Fund, said H.Res. 359 – Urging the European Union expand those Iran sanctions, and requires in a prohibited boycott.” it played a significant role in bringing this to designate Hizbollah in its entirety as a the Trump administration to create an Vukmir said in a statement, “Boycotts issue to the forefront. terrorist organization; H.R. 3342 – Sanc- implementation plan. of Israel must be fought because they “CUFI members across the country are tioning Hizbollah’s Illicit Use of Civilians See “Iran” on page 8 SPOTLIGHT Israel a rising star in space and satellite technology BY ADAM ABRAMS into space. Currently, Israel has 17 civilian “Our satellites’ performance per kilo- JNS.org satellites orbiting the Earth, two-thirds of gram is the best in the world,” he said. Adding to Israel’s existing reputation which are communication devices. “For example, the Venus satellite is 250 as the “start-up nation” and a major “Israel is one of the few countries that kilograms (550 pounds). In comparison, hub of innovation, the Jewish state has has the entire chain of satellite capabilities, other satellites in its class weigh at least been called “a rising star in space and which means launch, design, construction two or three times as much.” satellite technology.” and operation,” Avi Blasberger, director Besides being able to condense a large Several key developments in recent general of the Israel Space Agency at the amount of technology into a small space years highlight Israel’s growing contribu- Israeli Science Ministry, told JNS.org. – much like the modern state of Israel tions in the field, including the successful “It’s an entirely self-sustained program. itself – other Israeli satellite innovations launch of the Venus satellite on August Israel is one of the few countries in the are being developed in the private sector. 2. Venus, a micro-satellite weighing 550 world that can be proud of this.” With the global civilian satellite tech- Israel’s first nanosatellite, BGUSAT, pounds, was jointly designed by Israeli Preceding the launch of Venus, Israel nology market worth an estimated $150 which was launched in mid-February as and French aerospace firms for the pur- launched its first nanosatellite, BGUSAT, billion a year, Israel hopes to corner at least part of an academic initiative by Ben- pose of monitoring climate change. The in mid-February as part of an academic 10 percent of that sector, and is aiming Gurion University of the Negev. (Photo cutting-edge satellite observes 110 sites on initiative by Ben-Gurion University of the to earn as much as $15 billion in space courtesy of Ben-Gurion University) five continents every two days, and closely Negev that enables researchers to study technology exports annually. “Currently, monitors the impact of human activity on climate change as well as agricultural and we have several Israeli start-up companies vegetation, water and carbon levels. other scientific phenomena. with innovative ideas for space technology The micro-satellite was built as part of Slightly larger than a milk cartoon, the and services, which we hope will be on the Federation a collaboration between Israel Aerospace nanosatellite is outfitted with a visual and cutting-edge of technology in this sphere Industries and France’s space agency, short wavelength infrared camera and hovers within the next few years,” said Blasberger. CNES. Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense at 300 miles above the Earth’s surface – al- While Venus and BGUSAT are two on Facebook Systems provided the micro-satellite’s elec- lowing researchers to study a broad array examples showcasing Israel’s prowess The Jewish Federation of Northeast- tric propulsion system and Elbit Systems of environmental phenomena, including in space technology, these public-facing ern Pennsylvania now has a page on manufactured its high-resolution camera. atmospheric gases like carbon dioxide. initiatives fall under the smaller of two Facebook to let community members Israel is the smallest country in the world In line with the nanosatellite launch, separate organizations that comprise the know about upcoming events and keep to launch its own satellites, and is also Blasberger said one of the Jewish state’s Israeli space program. “The Israeli space connected. one of only 11 nations with the ability to greatest feats in the field is its “very strong” program is supported by two government independently launch unmanned missions capability for “miniaturizing satellites.” See “Star” on page 4 Candle lighting INSIDE THIS ISSUE November 3................................. 5:37 pm Yiddish theater saved November 10 .............................. 4:29 pm Innovation in Israel Preserving the past November 17 ............................... 4:23 pm Bucharest’s Jewish State Theater Israel hopes to become a “ramp- Librarians at Coimbra U. continue was saved by the actions of its up” nation with a new approach to preserve Jewish texts hidden PLUS actors and public outcry. to technological innovation. there during Portugal’s Inquisition. Opinion .......................................................2 Story on page 6 Story on page 7 Story on page 9 D’var Torah ...............................................8 2 THE REPORTER ■ NOVEMBER 2, 2017 A MATTER OF OPINION Speaker at Center for Jewish History violently denounces Israel BY STEPHEN M.