The purifiers were flown out of Israel and installed in various Chabad synagogues and dining halls across the globe. The deliveries were made possible thanks to donations by Chabad members who wanted to commemorate their deceased family members.
While these purifiers were given out worldwide, the installations mainly took place in areas with high morbidity rates.
"Unlike the 'end of the pandemic' atmosphere we have in Israel, they still suffer from the continuous spread of COVID-19 with high numbers of infections and deaths in those countries," according to a statement by Aura Air CEO in North America Roei Friedberg, who led the operation. "Therefore, the leaders of those communities were looking for a solution that will allow them to host the holidays together in a safe and healthy environment.
"We intend to extend the cooperation with synagogues, yeshivas and other educational institutions of the Jewish communities abroad further."
The technology behind the purifiers works by means of a combination of its patented Copper HEPA Filter, a patented Sterionizer air purification device and a UVC light, which is being tested to also better filter and negate coronavirus droplets in the air. The system has been shown to be 99.99% effective at eliminating COVID-19, among other pathogens.
The start-up's air purifiers have a proven track record of success. In November 2020, following a month-long pilot at Sheba Medical Center, the system began to see widespread use.
In December, Aura Air signed a $30 million deal with Japanese distributor J-TEC to supply the Japanese market with its purifiers, with the agreement including the Japan Karaoke Box Association and other major clients in Japan, such as SMBC Trust Bank and JTB Corporation, one of the largest travel agencies in the country.
In January 2021, the company also helped outfit 400 tourist buses-turned-frontline-worker carriers in the United Kingdom and Ireland with its purifiers.
Tara Kavaler/The Media Line and Maya Margit/The Media Line contributed to this report.