“Thou Shalt Innovate” by Avi Jorisch, Gefen Publishing House, 2018.
Avi Jorisch, who will be speaking at the Jewish Community Center at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, is the author of a page-turner book about the incredible number of ways in which Israeli Individuals have created better methods for improving the world.
To be specific, he examines 15 of the 50 innovations he lists that have made the world a better place. They include a method for getting caregivers to the scenes of emergencies in record time and drip irrigation which assists farmers in arid regions in keeping their crops watered with a minimum of water. He informs readers about Israel’s creation of the “Iron Dome,” which protects civilians from missile attacks.
My favorite chapter in the book is about how Michael Revel discovered a method to fight multiple sclerosis using a protein called interferon. It is a rare protein found largely in the foreskins of penises. Fortunately Revel had an assistant related to the Lubavitcher Rabbi Schneerson who persuaded the rabbi to donate foreskins from circumcisions to the research. Thus began the search for a cure that today helps thousands of individuals suffering from multiple sclerosis.
Every chapter in this book is another tale of a fascinating innovation from Israel. It is well worth reading.