Photo: Ynhockey / CC BY-SA 4.0 (2022 archive)
Birthright Israel concluded its first Global Business Summit in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, bringing together about 350 people from more than 15 countries for discussions on technology, investment and philanthropy, The Jerusalem Post reported, citing the organization.
The invitation-only, three-day gathering at the Hilton Tel Aviv connected international donors with Israeli business leaders. Birthright described it as the first time its global network of supporters had gathered together in Israel in a single event.
The summit opened Sunday with a gala attended by President Isaac Herzog. Miriam Adelson received Birthright’s Lifetime Champion Award for two decades of support; she and her late husband, Sheldon Adelson, began contributing to the organization in 2006, according to Birthright.
AI and investment anchor business discussions
Mellanox founder Eyal Waldman and Nvidia Israel site leader Amit Krig discussed artificial intelligence during Monday’s program. Former Mossad director Yossi Cohen took part in a session on the economic implications of the Abraham Accords, while Sir Ronald Cohen and Danna Azrieli discussed investment and social impact, the Post reported.
Entrepreneur Yasmin Lukatz and investor Gigi Levy-Weiss addressed building companies under pressure. The gathering linked those business conversations with Birthright’s effort to broaden support for its programs, rather than announcing a new investment fund or financing round.
Broader donor base, not a fundraising total
Birthright’s vice president of resource development and partnerships, Ethy Levy, told eJewishPhilanthropy that the event did not include a specific fundraising appeal, according to the Post. She said the organization wanted to double fundraising in Israel to help pay for Israeli participants who join visiting groups. That goal is not a statement of money raised at this summit.
The final day included company visits and volunteering alongside current Birthright participants. Organizers said the activities included communities supported by the organization since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks.
Birthright says nearly one million young Jewish adults from 70 countries have joined its programs. Its estimate that those activities contributed about $2.6 billion to Israel’s economy is the organization’s own figure, not an independently verified total in this report.
The conclusion follows JBizNews’ October 26 preview of the gathering and its plan to connect business collaboration with support for Israel.
JBizNews Desk | Tel Aviv
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