Birthright Israel’s first Global Business Summit concluded in Tel Aviv on Tuesday after bringing together international donors and Israeli business leaders for discussions on technology, investment and philanthropy.
Approximately 350 people from more than 15 countries attended the invitation-only gathering at the Hilton Tel Aviv, Birthright Israel said. The organization described it as the first time it had convened its global network of supporters in Israel in a single gathering.
The summit opened Sunday with a gala attended by President Isaac Herzog. Miriam Adelson received the organization’s Lifetime Champion Award, recognizing two decades of support. Adelson and her late husband, Sheldon Adelson, began contributing to Birthright Israel in 2006, according to the organization.
Monday’s discussions brought together figures from technology, finance and public life. Mellanox founder Eyal Waldman and Nvidia Israel site leader Amit Krig discussed artificial intelligence, while former Mossad director Yossi Cohen participated in a session on the economic implications of the Abraham Accords. The program also included a discussion on investment and social impact with Sir Ronald Cohen and Danna Azrieli.
Entrepreneur Yasmin Lukatz and investor Gigi Levy-Weiss addressed building companies under pressure. Tinder founder and Birthright alumnus Sean Rad appeared by video, among alumni whose careers were featured during the gathering, eJewishPhilanthropy reported.
“Now we have brought together the people who made those journeys possible,” Birthright Israel CEO Gidi Mark said in the organization’s statement.
The summit also highlighted efforts to broaden Birthright’s donor base. Ethy Levy, its vice president of resource development and partnerships, told eJewishPhilanthropy that the event did not include a specific fundraising appeal. She nevertheless said the organization wanted to double fundraising in Israel to help cover the cost of Israeli participants who join visiting groups.
The final day’s program took participants beyond the conference venue for company visits and volunteering alongside current Birthright participants. Organizers said those activities included communities the organization had supported since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks.
Birthright says nearly one million young Jewish adults from 70 countries have participated in its programs. It estimates that its activities have contributed approximately $2.6 billion to Israel’s economy, a figure supplied by the organization.