Informing
Policy
for Progress

April 2022

How did Russian oligarchs get their wealth?

Shlomo Maital

Kleptopia is the visceral enemy of democracy and well-being and the lifeblood of despots.
The world is very late in awakening to the problem, but better late than never.

Prof. Shlomo Maital explains how the Russian oligarchs obtained their wealth.

April 2022

Israeli artist David Gerstein creates his works with people in mind

Shlomo Maital

David (Dudu) Gerstein is one of Israel’s best-known artists. At 77, he continues to invest 10-hour workdays, producing marvelously creative works known and loved throughout the world.

Link to the full article on JP

January 2022

Welcome to the real-unreal: Life in the Metaverse

Shlomo Maital

Prof. Shlomo Maital is getting real with Metaverse, trying to understand whether it’s good for humanity – or bad…

Link to the full article on JP

January 2022

Always look on the bright side: What have we learned from COVID-19?

Shlomo Maital

Prof. Shlomo Maital reflects on the Monty Python’s song while reflecting on the wrenching two years we’ve been through since the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Israel, concluding with the proven benefits of optimism as a key driver of resilience.

Link to the full article on JP

December 2021

Small country, big dreams: Israel’s moon lander 2.0

Shlomo Maital

 

Prof. Shlomo Maital brings us the inside story of Israel’s moon lander

Link to the full article on JP

December 2021

How can we harness the energy of the Earth’s sun?

Shlomo Maital

The world has an enormous appetite for energy – and it is growing.
According to MIT scientist Prof. Washington Taylor, the Sun’s rays that strike the Earth every second comprise 10,000 times the world’s total energy use.
Prof. Shlomo Maital interviews Eran Tal, Co-founder of Volta Solar, to ask him how they harness the Israeli sun.

Link to the full article

December 2021

This is the link between the shrinking of the human brain and Israel’s budget

Shlomo Maital

Brain size in humans today averages 100 to 150 cubic centimeters smaller than it was in around 1,000 BCE.

Prof. Shlomo Maital explains why our brains shrank, how it is possible to know that they shrank, and what is the connection to ants and the Israeli budget.

Link to the full article

November 2021

Healthy Israelis, ailing healthcare: Inside the paradox

Shlomo Maital

Recent shortages that occurred due to the pandemic severely stressed healthcare facilities and those who work in them.

Prof. Shlomo Maital interviews Dr. Jesse Lachter, head gastroenterologist for Meuhedet.

Link to the full article on JP

October 2021

Israel’s COVID vaccine: Yes, we can!

Shlomo Maital

Prof. Shlomo Maital brings the story of Israel’s coronavirus vaccine. Warning: It may not have a happy end.

Link to the full article on JP

September 2021

How the US slashed child poverty: Lessons for Israel

Shlomo Maital

Israel has neglected its poor children for decades, while in recent months, in one fell swoop, the US has slashed child poverty by 40% or more.

How did the US do this? And what can Israel learn from it?

Link to the full article on JP