Birthright Israel hosts 350 business leaders in Tel Aviv for global summit

Birthright Israel is hosting its first Global Business Summit in Tel Aviv next week, bringing together more than 350 business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists from Israel and abroad. The summit, titled 'Shaping Our Future Together,' will take place from November 1 to 3 at the Hilton Tel Aviv.

More than 100 of the attendees will be traveling from over 15 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. The event will feature discussions on business, innovation, philanthropy, and Israel's future, with participants meeting Israeli executives and entrepreneurs to network and share ideas.

The opening evening on November 1 is a Gala Evening of Recognition, which will honor the leadership and philanthropy behind Birthright Israel's work. The event will feature a speech from President Isaac Herzog and other prominent participants, including Meir Shamir, chairman of the Israeli Board of Donors, and Josh Nash, international chairman of Birthright Israel and managing member of Ulysses Management.

The main program will take place on November 2, with speakers from technology, investment, finance, entrepreneurship, and public life. The speakers will include Sir Ronald Cohen, a pioneer of impact investing and co-founder of Apax Partners, and Yinon Costica, co-founder of Wiz.

The agenda will also highlight alumni who have become entrepreneurs, executives, and investors, illustrating how a ten-day educational trip can lead to lasting connections. Participants will also include Avinatan Or, an NVIDIA engineer abducted by Hamas from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and released after 738 days in captivity.

On November 3, attendees will leave the conference hall for visits to Israeli companies, innovation centers, and communities engaged in recovery and rebuilding. They will also be able to volunteer alongside current Birthright Israel participants and meet communities and initiatives the organization has supported since October 7.

The summit builds on the group's existing Business Forum, which brings together nearly 60 Israeli companies. Since 1999, nearly one million young Jewish adults from 70 countries have taken part in Birthright Israel programs.