Sharing pandemic insights from Israel
Joint online event from Australia’s two biggest Jewish schools explores Israel’s pathway out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
THE Moriah Foundation partnered with the Mount Scopus College Foundation to hear from an eminent panel of Israeli professors from Tel Aviv University who shared their insights into Israel’s pathway out of the pandemic on October 11.
Welcoming more than 150 guests, Moriah Foundation president Judy Lowy shared her delight about partnering with the Mount Scopus College Foundation.
“Moriah and Mount Scopus are Modern Orthodox Zionist schools with so many shared values and goals,” she said.
“We are two of the largest Jewish day schools in the Diaspora and together we have produced thousands of well-educated Jewish Australians who have gone on to lead rich Jewish lives steeped in our traditions and Zionism.”
Professors Ariel Porat, Ariel Munitz and Ady Pauzner shared in-depth insights into Israel’s swift response to COVID-19, from the outbreak in 2019 to present-day approaches, and discussed future plans to live with the virus.
Stepping up to contribute their knowledge and skills to resolving the crisis, they created virtual platforms for hundreds of researchers throughout Israel to study key issues including the true mortality ratio, the cost of lockdowns, the efficacy of vaccinations, unemployment policies and research from other countries.
Identifying an exit strategy that would not exceed their health care capacity, and using smart mechanisms for mass testing, Israel was able to lead the way in introducing vaccinations and other measures to reduce infections.
Applying innovative thinking, they also suggested a policy that can reduce the risk of vaccine-resistant variants by dividing countries into smaller regions so that vaccinations could be administered sequentially and in high concentrations.
Their remarkable journey, pivoting quickly to create think tanks, open labs, collaborating with other universities, work with Mossad and liaising with policy makers, was described as inspirational.
Moriah Foundation board member Cheryl Bart moderated questions from the audience, engaging with the professors on a range of issues including the effectiveness of boosters, new vaccines, children getting vaccinated and their views on Australia’s extended lockdown.
Mount Scopus College Foundation president David Gold shared Lowy’s positive sentiments about the schools collaborating and sharing more opportunities in the future and thanked the distinguished panel and supporters for assisting our children to build better futures.
To learn more about the Mount Scopus College Foundation, contact Mark Joel at mjoel@scopus.vic.edu.au or 0418 133 300.
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