H EADLINES
ISRAELBRIEFS Israeli Billionaires Take a Hit
ISRAEL’S 10 BILLIONAIRES lost an average of $2.7 billion
through June because of the pandemic, Globes reported, citing
research from Swiss bank Credit Suisse.

Forbes said those billionaires are Eyal Ofer, Stef Wertheimer,
Teddy Sagi, Yuri Milner, Shaul Shani, Idan Ofer, Shari Arison,
Arnon Milchan, Yitzhak Tshuva and Gil Shwed.

Less impacted were the nation’s millionaires, with their total
number only declining slightly — from 157,440 at the start of
2020 to 157,290; Israel ranks 30th overall worldwide in total
number of millionaires. Th e average Israel millionaire holds net
assets of $3.33 million.

Th e average assets of all Israelis was $220,996 through the
end of June. Th e nation ranks 20th worldwide in average wealth
per adult.

Widespread Power Outages Occur in Israel
Power outages occurred across Israel the morning of Oct. 30,
although the Israel Electric Corp. said a cyberattack was not the
cause, Th e Jerusalem Post reported.

Th e IEC said the power loss was caused by problems in the
conduction system that stopped a power station in southern
Israel from working, setting off a chain reaction.

Among the major cities impacted were Jerusalem, Haifa,
Beersheba and Netany. Although IEC said power would be
restored within 15 minutes, residents in numerous cities,
including Jerusalem, said the outages lasted for much longer.

Pilot Study Set to Predict COVID-19 Outbreaks
Through Sewage Monitoring
Israel’s Health Ministry and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
announced an agreement to monitor sewage samples from 14
communities round the country to detect traces of COVID-19,
ynetnews reported.

“We can give a warning of at least two weeks before an outbreak
if virus levels among the population are low,” principal investi-
gator Ariel Kushmaro, a professor in the university’s Department
of Biotechnology Engineering, said. “We can observe virus levels
increasing in wastewater about two weeks before an outbreak.”
A similar program took place in Ashkelon in May — and
predicted an outbreak several weeks in advance.

Th e 14 communities to be monitored are Be’er Sheva, Beit
Shemesh, Binyamina, Elad, Jerusalem, Kfar Saba, Lehavim,
Ness Ziona, Netanya, Pardesiya, Rahat, Ramat Hasharon, Ramat
Yishai and Tira.

Two Israeli tech companies will collaborate with the project.

NUFiltration’s device detects concentrations of coronavirus in
wastewater, while sensors Kando installs in sewage manhole
networks locate COVID-19 hotspots.

Tel Aviv U. Program to Focus on Ethiopian Jewish Scripture
Tel Aviv University said it will launch what it calls the world’s
fi rst academic program that focuses on the holy scriptures of
Ethiopian Jews.

Th e program, which is aimed at graduate students, is titled
“Orit Apprehenders,” referring to the central pieces of scripture
in the Ethiopian Jewish community.

Dalit Rom-Shiloni, the TAU professor leading the program,
called it a “rescue operation” to preserve understanding about
YU VIRTUAL
OPEN HOUSE
WOMEN 11.15.2020
11:30AM EST
MEN 11.22.2020
11:30AM EST
Virtually everything you need to know!
Hear from YU President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman
and distinguished deans
Discover our Torah Studies programs and world-
renowned Roshei Yeshiva and Torah scholars
Meet our world-class faculty, accomplished
alumni and current students
Enjoy breakout sessions with faculty
in your area of interest
Learn how YU prepares you for your
career after college
Find out how affordable a
YU education can be
Join shiurim from YU Rebbeim and Torah scholars
throughout the week following each Open House
RSVP: yu.edu/openhouse
Application fee waived for pre-registered attendees.*
646.592.4440 • yuadmit@yu.edu
*Application fees already paid will not be refunded. Application fee waiver valid for submissions through 1/1/21.

See Israel Briefs, Page 27
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT
NOVEMBER 5, 2020
15