RCK, a start-up based in Kibbutz Ruhama, welcomed Dutch Ambassador Hans Docter last week. Ruhama, which was founded in 1911, is considered the first modern settlement in the Negev. RCK, which specializes in genetic technologies and the cultivation of new strains of hybrid cannabis seeds, has signed a multi-million dollar agreement with Dutch company SeedTech, to provide a breeding plan dedicated to the development of unique cannabis strains. for medical and commercial purposes, such as cosmetics. and the food. Docter naturally took an interest in RCK technologies.

After an information and inspection visit, Docter commented that the innovative advances in the breeding of stable cannabis strains and hybrid seeds are impressive, and it has not gone unnoticed in the Netherlands, as indicated. the R&D agreement between SeedTech based in Eindhoven and RCK. “This Dutch-Israeli collaboration could further improve the production of medical cannabis and pave the way for the development of new drugs, for the benefit of patients around the world,” he said.

â–  Nested IN what was once Budapest’s Jewish ghetto, the long-abandoned and recently restored Rumbach Street Synagogue reopened earlier this month for education and public use. The historic building was largely destroyed by the Nazis during their occupation of Hungary in the 1940s. President of the World Jewish Congress Ronald Lauder visited Hungary for the official reopening, joining MAZSIHISZ, the Federation of Communities Hungarian Jews affiliated with the WJC, to celebrate the reopening of the historic synagogue which was originally built in 1872.

“Without this synagogue, I wouldn’t be here,” Lauder said. “My grandparents moved to Budapest to get married and celebrated their wedding in the very space we are currently celebrating. They eventually moved to Vienna and then New York as anti-Semitism grew throughout Hungary. And if they did not take this step, I would not be here today, let alone as part of this historic celebration commemorating a very positive step forward for the Jewish community in Hungary.

Lauder exhibited a stone that was part of Rumbach’s original synagogue, which he took with him throughout his travels as WJC president. It was passed down from his grandparents to his mother and then to him. He explained how this stone has represented a symbol of good luck as the WJC works to combat the rise of anti-Semitism around the world.

Even before the fall of the Iron Curtain, there were restorations of synagogues in Hungary. The late actor Tony Curtis, born Bernard Schwartz in New York City of Hungarian immigrant parents, was heavily involved in raising and contributing funds for the restoration of the famous Dohany Street synagogue complex, which is the largest in Europe, dating from the 1850s, it was badly damaged but was not destroyed during the Holocaust and post-Holocaust periods. Its surrounding garden includes a cemetery for the victims of the Holocaust.

Jamie Lee Curtis – the famous actor’s daughter and a well-known Hollywood actress in her own right – is currently in Budapest to shoot a movie. She attended the pre-opening of a new memorial museum in Masteszalka dedicated to her father and containing various Tony Curtis memorabilia.

In an Instagram post, Jamie Lee Curtis wrote that the museum is located down the street from the synagogue his grandparents worshiped in. She intends to make the restoration of the synagogue a personal project.

About 68 years ago, Tony Curtis played the title role of Harry Houdini, a famous Hungarian-born escape artist who also happened to be Jewish, and whose final resting place is in Machpelah Cemetery in New York. York.

In Israel, the Municipality of Ramat Gan, in collaboration with the Hungarian Embassy, ​​opened an exhibition of photos of Hungarian Jewish life before WWII at Yad Lebanim in Ramat Gan.

The opening hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibition will remain visible until July 1.

â–  On the eve of stepping down last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Health Yuli Edelstein attended their last public event together in their respective former roles in a ceremony recognizing the work of the Ministry of Health. Health and various public service organizations and volunteers in the fight and overcoming COVID-19 Presenting a certificate of appreciation to ZAKA Tel Aviv in recognition of the multiple activities of ZAKA during the crisis, Netanyahu said: “You stayed by our side day and night. You have acted with determination and you have recruited hundreds of new volunteers. You were angels who helped us through these difficult times. ZAKA Tel Aviv CEO Tzvi Hussid said Netanyahu’s encouraging words enabled ZAKA to continue its mission to save lives in Israel.

â–  DURING HIS recent visit to Israel, AIPAC President Mort Fridman met with former head of the National Security Council, Major General (retired) Uzi Dayan to discuss how to proceed. advance research into shell shock and post-traumatic stress disorder from which so many IDF veterans suffer. Pain. Fridman said he came to Israel to see for himself how the Israelis are dealing with these issues and to determine how Israel and the United States could cooperate in this research to help military veterans in the two countries to overcome their fears and nightmares. Dayan praised the cooperation with the United States to find ways to enable these veterans to lead normal lives.

â–  With the exception of the weekend, not a day goes by without outgoing President Reuven Rivlin saying goodbye to various organizations and institutions. He’s been doing this for the past few months, both in person and on Zoom. Sometimes representatives of organizations and institutions come to the President’s residence, and sometimes Rivlin does visit – especially in the case of IDF units, but not just IDF. Last week’s various farewells included a discussion on Zoom with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is also retiring from public life; a visit to the Israel Security Agency known as Shin Bet or Shabak in Hebrew, where he was escorted by outgoing leader Nadav Argaman, who Prime Minister Naftali Bennett asked to stay a little longer; and at the Supreme Court, where he met past and present Supreme Court justices, including former presidents, some of whom are his personal friends. One of them, Aharon Barak, was actually his professor at the university when Rivlin was studying law at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In his meeting with ISA senior management, Rivlin said:

“I am always amazed by your activity, your daring, your courage, your creativity and your refinement, but no less, by your preparation, your prudence and your sensitivity.

“We owe you a huge debt. Most Israelis don’t know what size. Over the past seven years, I have been informed of your extraordinary and different activities. Sophistication, innovation, unique capabilities. In the last round of combat, Operation Wall Guard, I learned your new abilities again. We have seen how important your work is. How vital. How cooperation between you and other civil security organizations is an important force multiplier, a decisive factor in the prevention and fight against terrorism. You have reached new heights thanks to the intelligence you have gathered and your ability to ease tensions within the country. It is a mission requiring exceptional sensitivity, insight and precision and you have accomplished it with nobility.

Rivlin stressed that the Israel Security Agency is considered one of the best and most efficient in the world. “Thanks to the means, thanks to the technology – but above all and always – thanks to the people, men and women,” he said. “Thank you. Thanks to the unique set of values ​​you bring with you on every mission. Rivlin also took the opportunity to thank the ISA Close Protection Unit who escorted him through the years. years and who, “with sensitivity and consideration, protected every one of my travels in Israel and abroad”, and added a personal and loving appreciation to Argaman, congratulating him for “reaching new heights of achievement.”

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