Israel's growing opiod problem; Haifa's flag-bearing Catholics

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. Health reporter Renee Ghert-Zand and religion reporter Canaan Lidor join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast. Ghert-Zand discusses new research regarding Israel's growing opiod problem, which reached these shores later than in the US and other countries and is now being grappled with by doctors, HMOs and the health ministry. Lidor speaks about his interview with Jewish Federation chairperson Julie Platt following last week's General Assembly in Israel, with interruptions and cancelations caused by the ongoing protests against the government's planned judicial reform. Ghert-Zand talks about Sheba Hospital and its collaborative efforts with Dr. Anthony Fauci, in his soon-to-be former role as director of US infectious diseases institute. Lidor looks at an unexpected glimpse of interfaith communal efforts in Haifa, where a Catholic march celebrating the Virgin Mary brought together Catholics and Moslems and Israeli and Palestinian flags. Discussed articles include: Now world’s no. 1 opioid consumer per capita, Israel faces addiction epidemic JFNA Chairwoman Julie Platt ‘inspired’ by protesters despite Israel confab disruption Sheba Medical Center presents Dr. Anthony Fauci with award for COVID cooperation In Haifa, Catholics fly Israeli flags at mass march celebrating Virgin Mary IMAGE: A teacher leads his students at the Virgin Mary Procession in Haifa, Israel on April 30, 2023. (Canaan Lidor/Times of Israel)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.