1. 21st May 2012
CROSSROADS
Rotary Club of Singapore Vol. 48 / 42
“Remarks about Israel’s economy and beyond”
Speaker : Her Excellency (H.E.) Mrs. Amira Arnon,
Ambassador of Israel to the Republic of Singapore
Lunch meeting of the 16th May 2012
Find your bulletin on the Facebook page of “Rotary Club of Singapore”
Joke of the week !
“How is business ? Asked the boss.
“Fifty-fifty” replied the manager. “in the morning, we get orders. In the
afternoon they are cancelled”
From the book of Humour compiled by Rewa Mirpuri
HAVE MANY LAUGHS AND HELP THE NEEDY
http://www.rotary.org.sg/bookofhumour.html 1

2. Introductory remarks Toast
President Tapan Rao called the 42nd Club meeting
to order and called on members to join him in Sergeant-at-Arms, Rtn. Robert Craiu noted that it
welcoming Honorary Members, Her Excellency was customary for the Club to raise a toast to a
Mrs. Amira Arnon Ambassador of Israel and His Rotary Club coupled with a toast to Rotary
Excellency Mr. Antony Phillipson, British High International. He invited visiting Rotarian,
Commissioner. President Elect Jim Young to address the Club. We
learnt that the Rotary Club of Richmond was in
Honorary members District 5160, formed in 1920 and had 68
members. PE Jim thanked members for the warm
President Tapan was pleased to present to H.E. Mr. reception and spoke of his town’s involvement in
Antony Phillipson with a Rotary/Singapore pin, a ending the World War II conflict by the building of
Club banner and a copy of the “80 Years & all ships used during that period.
Beyond…Service Above Self” book, and invited
High Commissioner Phillipson to say a few words.
High Commissioner Phillipson added that it was a
pleasure to visit the Club again, the last time he did
so was about six months ago, and he thanked
members for the hospitality and warm welcome.
High Commissioner mentioned that he would be
addressing the Club at the weekly meeting of 11th 2
July.

3. Welcome of visiting She was appointed Ambassador of
Israel to Singapore in August 2009.
VP Brigitte Holtschneider warmly
thanked Ambassador Arnon for her
Rotarians and guests Rtn. Haider noted Ambassador talk which gave an excellent insight
Arnon’s vast professional experience of Israel and to the mindset of her
Rtn. Dr. Thomas Perkmann and stated that it was indeed an people. She called upon
welcomed our guests and visiting honour to have her speak to the Ambassador Arnon to come forward
Rotarians Club. to receive the Club’s mementos.
Ambassador Arnon advised that she
- Guests : would steer away from controversial
Honorary Member, H.E. Mrs. topics and speak on Israel’s
Amira Arnon economic successes which turned
Honorary Member, H.E. Mr. the country into one of the biggest
Antony Phillipson hubs of innovations and highly
Mr. Nico Francken (Rtn. Irina’s developed technology. She shared
husband) some facts and figures about Israel's
Mr. David Wynne economy and its standing within the
global economic picture.
Visiting Rotarians :
Ambassador Arnon, noted that it
PE James & Linda Young –
was not easy to identify any one
Richmond, USA reason for the country’s economic
Prof. Dr. Randolf Hanke – Furth, miracle, however, she gave few
Germany answers to why Israel became such
an economic miracle. One of the
Speaker of the week answers, Ambassador Arnon cited
was Government policies. She
further explained the significance of
The privilege and honour of Israel’s Defence Forces which
introducing H.E. Ambassador Arnon became an engine behind
fell to Rtn. Haider Nawaz. He innovations. As an example of
advised that Ambassador Amira military service and civilian life,
Arnon received her BA, Ambassador Arnon introduced and
International Relations and further distributed samples for members’
Graduate studies, Young Diplomats viewing, of the PillCam- the
special program on Middle Eastern endoscopy capsule- invented by an
Affairs from the Hebrew University Israeli company named "Given
in Jerusalem. She also graduated Imaging" – which was a pill that
with honour from the Military replaced invasive endoscopy.
College for National Defense-Israel Ambassador Arnon continued her
and completed her obligatory talk, highlighting the Jewish
military service in the Israel education and Israeli character. She
Defense Forces Air Force. HE also gave an overview of the Israeli
Ambassador Amira Arnon joined banking system, and concluded her
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in talk with a few words on Israel-
1970, and has served in many Singapore relations. (A copy of
countries including Norway, Nepal, Ambassador Arnon’s speech is
Turkey and USA. available from the Secretariat.)
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4. Highlights of the RI New member
convention
President Tapan gave some President Tapan was pleased to
highlights of the Rotary induct a new member to the
International Convention held in Club. He invited PP Dr. Oliver
Bangkok from 6th – 9th May 2012. Hennedige to introduce his
He advised that about 40,000 candidate, Rtn. Dr. Rupesh
Rotarians attended the Agrawal, who is an
Convention. President Tapan ophthalmologist at Tan Tock
added that he was only in the Seng Hospital. PP Oliver noted
registration line for 2 minutes to that Rtn. Rupesh was passionate
register, which showed the about cricket and eye missions,
fantastic arrangements made. which was a good thing for the
As of 4th May, President Tapan Club, as we conduct several such
was pleased to announce that missions. PP Oliver added that
Rotarians and supporters have during the short time that Rtn.
raised US$215.7 million for the Rupesh has been in Singapore,
US$350 million matching grant he was already bestowed with
from the Bill & Melinda Gates the “Health Care Humanity
Foundation. He added that this Award for selfless service from
challenge runs through June. previous President S R Nathan.
President Tapan was also pleased Rtn. Rupesh’s classification is
to advise that World Health “Medicine: Ophthalmologist”.
Organization (WHO) has taken
India off the list of Polio endemic Upon his induction, President
countries. He noted that with this Tapan invited Rtn. Rupesh to
announcement, 99% of the world address the Club. Rtn. Rupesh
is free from the deadly disease of warmly thanked PP Oliver for
Polio. But actually, President the honour and privilege of
Tapan added that no part of the becoming a member of the
world is free from Polio when Club. He added that Rotary was
there were still Polio cases in not new to him, he was a
some countries. He noted that treasurer of the Rotary Club of
the last 1% is estimated to be the Jalna, and he felt good being
most difficult to eradicate and the united once again to his family,
Global Polio Eradication Initiative which was what Rotary was to
was facing a significant funding him. Rtn Rupesh hoped to live
shortfall for 2012 and beyond. up to the expectations placed
Lastly, President Tapan advised on him, and to do good for
that next year’s RI President society and the needy, through
would be Sakuji Tanaka from Rotary as a platform.
Rotary Club of Yashio, Saitama,
Japan and his theme was “PEACE
THROUGH SERVICE”.
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5. The Guide to Daily Living
MARK YOUR DIARY Before doing the things we COMING ROTARY EVENTS
Birthday celebrants want to do, consider first, the
RC wishes Happy Birthday to precept of the guide. Ask May
celebrants this week: ourselves these 4 questions Community Service Month
May 18th – Uttam Kripalani and act upon them:
First: Have I spent some time June
May 24th – Heinz Frings
in self-examination? Rotary Fellowships Month
May 25th – Vaidy Second: Have I spent quality
Krishnamurthy time with my family? June 2nd – 1300 to 1730hrs
May 27th – Jack Wang Third: Have I given my best to District Vocational Service
Anniversary Celebrants my work?
Seminar at Rotary Family
RC sends best wishes to Fourth: Have I given some
time to someone near and Service Centre
Wedding Anniversary
far?
celebrants this week June 27th
The Guide, in fact,
May 22nd – PP Tan Chin encompasses the 4 parts of Meeting Cancelled in view of
Ngiap & Irene, Dinesh & the Object of Rotary. the Installation Dinner on
Rekha Sharma June 30th
This week Next week June 30th
May 23rd 2012 May 30th 2012 Installation Dinner
Reception Desk duty: PN Dr. July
Shahul Hameed, Keith Reception Desk duty: PP Dr. July 4th
Harrison Oliver Hennedige, Kannan 1st Club Assembly for Rotary
Sunshine Box duty: Tan Krishnan Year 2012/2013
Cheong Ho, VP Brigitte Sunshine Box duty: Erich The Four-Way Test
Holtschneider Vosshage, Philip Kwan Of the Things we think, say
or do:
The Good Samaritan Award * Is it the truth?
Speaker: Mr. Bruno 2012 Presentation * Is it fair to all concerned?
Wildermuth, Founder of
* Will it build goodwill and
Wildermuth Consulting Community Service better friendship?
Topic: “Singapore’s MRT Date: Thursday, 7th June * Will it be beneficial to all
System” Time: 7.30pm concerned?
New Generations Service Venue: To be advised
Hosts: To be advised Queries, comments and
Date: Thursday, 24th May articles request can be
Time: 7.30pm sent to
Venue: 89 Fidelio Street, Jean-Philippe Lionnet
S458465 bulletin@rotary.org.sg
Hosts: Rtn. Louis Lim
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