The State Comptroller's report revealed escalating living costs in Israel, particularly within the dairy and housing industries. The price of raw milk is estimated to be 24% higher than the average in the EU, with shortages notably during Jewish holidays. Despite these challenges, Israel boasts the highest annual milk yield per cow globally, an impressive achievement. Housing shortages persist due to disorganization and ineffective planning, with the housing price index surging by 208% from 2007 to 2022. Amidst these economic challenges, Feed Israel, a dedicated organization, offers assistance to those most affected, demonstrating the enduring strength of community support in Israel.

In an unprecedented move, New York's Yeshiva University will host a ground-breaking Jewish studies conference in Dubai at the Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, marking the first such event in an Arab nation. The conference, titled "Interacting Philosophies, Shared Friendships," is set to shed light on the social dynamics and mutual influences between Islam and Judaism, with a specific focus on Maimonides, a renowned medieval Jewish scholar. Coordinated by YU's Rabbi Dr. Stuart Halpern and former UAE Federal National Council member Ahmed Almansoori, the event aims to strengthen bonds and foster shared learning among academic colleagues, Muslim and Jewish communities. Post-conference, YU students will tour the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, underlining the event's commitment to interfaith dialogue and understanding.

Sheba Virtual Hospital's "Beyond" is revolutionizing preventive medicine in Israel with its innovative virtual hospital system. Developed in partnership with Mpcheck, the technology allows individuals to conduct a wide range of medical examinations, such as blood tests, urine tests, and early detection tests for cervical cancer, at work or at home, all in just 30 minutes. The system was recently integrated into Teva Pharmaceuticals, enabling employees to conveniently perform periodic medical tests. The results are then sent to a dedicated system at Sheba, where they are cross-referenced with the patient's medical file. By facilitating preventive testing in a convenient and efficient manner, "Beyond" aims to encourage more people to take charge of their health, leading to early detection and more effective treatment of diseases.

NIKKI HALEY