Environmental Protection Ministry ensures vital funding for animal rescue associations, shelters

The Environmental Protection Ministry has pledges NIS 2.9 million (roughly $750,000) in State funds for Israel’s animal rights groups.

The majority of animal rights groups is Israel depend on donations for their operations, making State funds crucial.

The funds will be distributed through the ministry’s Animal Welfare Foundation. A sizeable part of the fund’s budget is derived from fines imposed in animal abuse cases. This will be the first time they are diverted to animal rights groups.

A ministry statement said that the funds will be distributed between 34 groups.

“In a time when we are seeing a disconcerting rise in animal abuse cases it is imperative that we support this groups, which are performing incredibly important services and carrying for the helpless,” Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan said.

Source: Ynetnews.com

An Israeli college student is kicking off a cross-country US bike tour to raise money for Israeli cancer research.

Maybe you already wear a yellow Livestrong wristband supporting Tour de France cyclist Lance Armstrong’s foundation for cancer survivors. Now you can add a blue Bike for the Fight (BFF) bracelet in solidarity with Tom Peled, a 24-year-old Israeli planning to pedal across the United States to benefit the Israel Cancer Research Fund.

Peled went to Europe last summer in search of a mental and physical challenge to help him cope with his grief following his father’s cancer death in January 2011. While cycling his way solo across 3,000 miles and six countries, the idea of biking for a cause began to take shape.

“The more I progressed in Europe, the more I felt what it was doing for me in a positive way, and the effect on people I met on the way, who connected to my story and invited me to sleep and eat in their homes,” Peled tells ISRAEL21c.

“Every day and every experience convinced me to take what this journey did for me and spread the word, to harness the amazing energy that was around me all the time in Europe. The thing I most connected to was cancer, and the place to raise the most was the United States.”

BFF rolled out with a June 1 Tel Aviv ride organized by the Interdisciplinary Center-Herzliya (IDC), where Peled is studying governmental strategy and diplomacy. On June 4, BFF supporters biked to the Rothschild Foundation “Save A Life Day” health fairs throughout Israel.

About 28,000 Israelis are diagnosed with cancer annually, and some 10,000 die from some form of the disease, making cancer Israel’s No. 1 cause of death.

Continue reading via Israel21c

MDA, Veterinary Services’ joint project sees pet owners donate blood to both human, pet hospitals

Cats and dogs owners were invited to a special blood drive last week – the first human/pet blood drive in Israel, meant to boost blood banks in both human and pet hospitals.

The special pet blood drive project was initiated by the Beit Dagan Veterinary Hospital and Magen David Adom emergency services and saw MDA crews take blood donations from pet owners, while the veterinary hospital’s team, headed by Dr. Eran Siton, did the same with the pets.

For some reason, most people are unaware of the fact the just like humans, dogs and cats often need a blood transfusion to treat cases of trauma, various diseases, poisoning, snake bits and other emergencies.

The veterinary hospital has been managing a pet blood bank for several years, and occasionally its calls on the public to bring their pets and donate. The donation procedure is painless for the pet and does not require anesthesia.

The donating pets receive a full physical examination by a veterinarian, including a blood panel. In addition, they also receive six-months insurance from the blood bank in case they need a transfusion.

“This is a very important initiative,” said director of veterinary services in the Petah Tikva Municipality, Dr. Tika Brown. “We hold a special pet blood drive every year around June 14th, which is the International Blood Drive Day”. Dr. Brown added that in addition to all registered pet owners in the municipality, the teams welcome anyone who chooses to come and donate blood with their pets.

Source: Ynetnews.com

200 players made up 18 teams for this year’s ScotiaBank Pitch for Israel, together, they raised $60,000. This year’s profits  will be allocated to educational scholarships for the children of prison wardens killed in the 2010 Carmel Forest fire and provide summer camp programs for children with special needs and Israeli victims of terror.

In 5 years, Pitch for Israel raised over $565,000! CONGRATULATIONS!

ABOUT THE PITCH FOR ISRAEL

The Scotiabank Pitch for Israel is an annual Jewish softball fundraiser based in Toronto, ON. and features Men’s, Women’s and Co-Ed softball tournaments. Established in 2008, the Pitch for Israel has become one of the largest annual Jewish sports fundraisers in Canada, raising over $500,000 since its inception. 100% of funds raised annually go to support Jewish families in need through valued charitable partners that have included: One Family Fund, JNF, UJA of Greater Toronto.

For more information about the event, check out  www.pitchforisrael.com 

PICTURES FROM THIS YEAR’S EVENT

Tomer/Tomerika. His dream is a reality, at least in pictures. (Photo: Rachel Herman)

Aviad and Rachel Herman post Facebook challenge that results in photography exhibition exploring courage of the disabled. Another show displays the fruitful collaboration of two mentally challenged artists, one from Israel and one from Britain

Tomer is a young man who more than anything wanted to become a woman. But his dream couldn’t come true – not because of the usual reasons, but because he has cancer. The treatments made his dream almost impossible.

Tomer’s story is one of many presented in “Swan Lake,” a new photography exhibition that focuses on courage and freedom in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

The exhibit curators, Aviad and Rachel Herman, were inspired to launch the exhibition through their friendship with Tomer. They realized that plenty of people needed some inspiration to pursue their own dreams.

How to go about it? The Herman siblings spread the word on Facebook, urging photographers from all over the world to send in pictures of people who lived life to the fullest, despite mental or physical disabilities. The response was rapid, and the exhibition quickly took shape.

Everyone involved in the project, including the photographers, volunteered their time and effort.

“When my brother first told me about the idea, I saw its potential to touch people, change their lives,” said Rachel Herman. “I was really

excited, and I devoted myself to making it a reality.” Rachel took the pictures of the Hermans’ friend Tomer that appear in the exhibit.

“Tomer and I connected immediately. When we talked about what to photograph, and what he dreamt of being, he got excited at the thought that his dream could come true in pictures. On the day of the shoot, ‘Tomerika’ was revealed, stronger than ever.”

Another photo by Lior Eldad portrays a group from Amihai – an association of people with various disabilities who work together to achieve their dreams. Nimrod Kapeluto chose to focus on Eitan Oved, who lost his leg in a car accident at age 20 but who kayaks across the Sea of Galilee every Friday.

Other photographs included a mentally challenged girl who began indoor climbing; a group of breast cancer patients; and an AIDS patient from Sweden.

“We decided to create a photography exhibition… that would inspire courage, freedom, personal expression, and a love for life. Everyone is welcome to come visit,” said Rachel and Aviad Herman.

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HAVANA is the name IDAHO takes in Israel. Each year, groups of activists around the country mark the day in various ways, under the impulse of a dedicated team of core IDAHO activists who run the national anti-homophobia HAVANA.org.il website.

The main event will take place at the Tel Aviv Gay Center. An inter organizational committee prepares the evening’s program.

An academic paper contest will take place for the second year running. The minister of education might be present at the awards ceremony.

An academic conference on the subject of transphobia will be held at Tel Aviv-Jaffa College.

“I’m also Gay Friendly”

Mostly in Hebrew… Promo for HAVANA (AKA IDAHO)

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