Israel

Israel’s Weizmann Institute to Launch a Satellite to Explore the Origins of the Universe and Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Thursday, November 18, 11:00 am – Zoom
Virtual Event, open to the community

On November 18, join Roee Ozeri, VP of the Weizmann Institute, as he and his colleagues explain and illustrate the power and potential of Israeli space exploration using technologies and equipment engineered in Israel.

The Universe is everything, from the tiniest particles to the largest galaxies, to the very existence of space, time, and life itself. At the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, experts are exploring both ends of the scale in a new flagship initiative: Frontiers of the Universe.

Integrating research that stretches from the origins of the Universe to the smallest particles that make up everything in inner and outer space, Frontiers will advance Weizmann physicists’ global leadership. It will serve as Israel’s premier launching pad for the Weizmann Space Program which will oversee science-driven space missions, beginning with ULTRASAT—a small satellite weighing half as much as a horse now being developed in cooperation with global space agencies and Israeli industry.

The Frontiers Initiative will reaffirm the Weizmann Institute’s leadership in the emerging Israeli space program. ULTRASAT (launching in 2024) will detect ultraviolet emissions from black holes and exploding stars to better understand the origins of the Universe—this can only be done from space because the Earth’s atmosphere blocks most UV light. Data beamed continuously from ULTRASAT to mission control and an astrophysical computation facility at the Weizmann Institute will be analyzed using advanced AI technologies. The Weizmann Space Program will share emerging discoveries with observatories all over the world, and will serve as an educational center for Israeli Youth.

Coupled with ULTRASAT, Weizmann is in the process of building its ground-based Weizmann Astrophysical Observatory, which will employ an array of telescopes under the clear, dark skies of Israel’s Negev desert. These coordinated, linked telescopes will collect data regarding the most likely planets for life outside our galaxy by characterizing stars in solar systems that provide the proper amount of heat and light for life to exist. The unique combination of land-based and space-based exploration will open a new window into the Universe and help investigate age-old questions of life’s origins and whether life exists elsewhere.

Israel Action Committee – Please Join Us!

The Israel Action Committee fulfills one of Congregation Emanu-El’s Core Missions of:  “strengthening the connection of our members to the State of Israel and worldwide Jewry.”  

Israel Action Committee (IAC) Mission Statement

The IAC was established to increase not only our congregation’s but the broader community’s engagement with the state of Israel through education, celebration and dialogue. The committee presents Israel related programs to the congregation, including political, cultural, social, economic and religious interests.  The IAC works to promote connection with Israelis, including those from our community, who have made aliya and those who are living here.

We want to inspire active support of the progressive Jewish movement in Israel including: synagogues, schools, and kibbutzim. We wish to foster the celebration of Yom Ha’Atzmaut – Israel Independence Day throughout the Temple, including our religious and preschools.

The Israel Action Committee of Congregation Emanu-El is committed to creating an atmosphere where our members can engage passionately and respectfully about their views, perspectives, hopes and dreams for the State of Israel

Questions?  Please contact Ariana Estoque at [email protected] or 415-750-7552