Last week, the National Art Museum of Romania hosted the opening of sculptor Idel Ianchelevici's exhibition. The public can admire works of the artist that are kept in Louvire (Belgium), Maisosns-Laffite (France) and Goudriaan (Holland).

Idel Ianchelevici was born in 1909, in Leova (Moldavia). In 1928, he settled in Belgium in order to dedicate himself to his love for sculpture and drawing. He came back to Romania for his military service, then he returned to Belgium, where he attended the Fine Arts Academy in Liege. In 1933, he received his first prize for sculpture. In the following period, he took part in designing the Romanian pavilion for the International Exhibition in Brussels. He held personal exhibitions in Brussels, Tel Aviv, Paris, Amsterdam and in other cities. In 1945, he became a citizen of Belgium, and his famous statue, "The Call", was unveiled. In 1950, he moved to France, where he remained until his death, in 1994, at the age of 86. An art reviewer, writing about Ianchelevici, said he turns the characters that he sculpts in beings born out of stone who seem to breathe…

At the invitation of the Romanian Academy, addressed by dr. Marius Iosifescu, vice-president of the Academy, dr. Akiba Segal, main researcher at the Weizmann Science Institute in Rehovot, made a work visit to Romania between August 28 and September 6. The visit is a part of the scientist exchanges made by the Science and Humanities Academy of the State of Israel and the Romanian Academy.

Dr. Segal - an internationally renowned expert in designing the optics for the solar power plants with solar tower - was warmly welcomed by Academy member Marius Peculea, former Secretary General of the Romanian Academy, and by other members of the institution. The Israeli guest also met dr. Emilian Dragulescu, general manager of "Horia Hulubei" National Institute for Nuclear Physics and Engineering in Bucharest-Magurele. The two of them talked about ways of cooperation between the Romanian and Israeli scientists in the field of unconventional, non-polluting power sources, such as solar energy. At this institute, dr. Segal lectured on "Advanced research in using the solar energy concentrated at high temperatures". A round table was held after the lecture on the ways of using the solar energy in Romania. Dr. Segal answered the questions of the Romanian experts. In Iasi, the city where he graduated from the "Al. I. Cuza" University, the Israeli guest was welcomed by dr. Stefan Ungureanu, manager of the Local Agency for Energy Efficiency and Environment (ALGEPEM), and was received by the mayor of Iasi, dr. Constantin Simirad. At ALGEPEM, dr. Segal presented the results of his activity and the experience he gained in the 17 years of life of the Solar Energy Research Center affiliated to the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot.

After the conference ended, dr. Segal talked with experts from higher education and with entrepreneurs interested in using high-temperature solar energy. He also gave an interview to the national TV station TVR1. At "Al. I. Cuza" University, the Israeli researcher was welcomed by professor Mitachi Strat, dean of the Faculty of Physics, professor Ioan Merches, head of the theoretical physics department, and Ioan Gottlieb, former scientific coordinator of dr. Segal for his PhD.

At the end of dr. Segal's visit, Academy member Marius Peculea underlined the interest aroused by this visit and expressed the hope that the cooperation relationships established during it will prove to be fruitful.

Our newsletter prepared a list with the Romanian-born Israeli octogenarians and nonagenarians, based on the materials published these last years in newspapers, magazines and books. Its publication was postponed to give us the time to ask those who were regarded by the initiative if they agreed to have their names on the list. In the talks I had with some people, I unsuccessfully attempted to find out if there was any person over 100 among the Romanian-born Israeli. But now I found out - there is! His name is Schnaider - Shamir Carol, 104, from Tivon; Zitta Blustein wrote an article about him in "Tribune Kraiot" bulletin, the September issue.

Apparently, Carol Schnaider Shamir is the oldest Romanian-born Israeli. He was born on December 2, 1899. He met his wife, Elisheva, at a youth sporting club in Timisoara: she was a volley-ball player, he was a coach. They emigrated in December 1947, aboard the "Pan York" ship. He was the main cashier at the Rambam Hospital in Haifa, where he celebrated his 100th birthday four years ago. Their elder son, Ahron Shamir, is an expert in pianos. The other sons, Nahum and Gyl, are electrical engineers, both holding PhD's.