The Culture of Innovation - How Israel’s High - Tech Spirit Was Born — and How to Keep It Alive #1012849

Historical phenomena have deep cultural roots; the same is true of Israeli high-tech. To preserve this success — and even to enhance it — we need to understand its origins, so claim the authors of this book.
There is no theoretical question here. The very existence of the State of Israel and its ability to stand against the many threats it faces depends, among other things, on continued renewal and enhancement of its economic power. High-tech is a central component of the country’s strength, and the ability to maintain and strengthen it is crucial to our future.
They argue that the roots of Israeli high-tech lie in the combination of Jewish heritage and Israeli culture: creativity without fear, a refusal to accept authority blindly, a devotion to knowledge, curiosity, and a need to examine everything. To this we can add the foundational experiences of Israeli society — immigration, security challenges, community life — that produce a boldness that rejects passivity, a willingness to take risks, and an ability to cope with crises. The outcome is a culture that constantly pushes forward, in medicine, agriculture, defence, military, and technology.
The book explores the cultural synthesis underlying Israeli technology through approximately thirty interviews with scientists, innovators, and technology leaders—some among the pioneers who established knowledge-intensive industries, and others young scientists engaged in groundbreaking innovation. Here — the authors argue — lies the key to preserving Israel’s technological, entrepreneurial, and overall success: to continue the cultural heritage and synthesis that created it. The authors identify the dangers threatening future development, and the paths to continue expanding Israel’s innovation.

About the Authors
Gadi Kfir — Jerusalem-born, third generation in Israel. Former IDF officer.
Holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from the Technion.
An iron and stone sculptor, author, researcher and lecturer the Holocaust and Zionism. His works include:
Sculputes and Stories; Zionism of Play: Toys in the Land of Israel, 1900–1948;
and Work Does Not Set You Free.
Worked in industry many years, developed new technologies used in factory production lines.
Dr. Baruch Kahana — Born in Tel Aviv, seventh generation in Israel. Clinical psychologist.
One of the Founders of the Rotenberg Institute for Jewish Psychology. This is his fourth book.
Author of Fracture and Renewal; Lights of the Being and the Soul; and Zeus, Prometheus and God.
He researches and lectures on advanced Torah studies in Hebrew and English.
Editor of Life as Midrash; The Journey to Myself; The Enigma of Suffering