350 Executives Gather in Tel Aviv

Birthright Israel will host 350 business leaders, investors, and philanthropists in Tel Aviv next week.

The organization, which has operated since 1999, is holding the event for the first time under the specific title "Shaping Our Future Together." The gathering is scheduled to take place from November 1 to 3 at the Hilton Tel Aviv. It marks the first dedicated business summit in the group's 26-year history.

The event follows the organization's long-standing focus on bringing young Jewish adults to Israel. Since 1999, nearly one million participants from 70 countries have taken part in its programs. More than 100 attendees for the upcoming summit will travel from 15 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. They will join local Israeli executives and entrepreneurs for discussions on innovation, philanthropy, and economic strategy.

The program begins on November 1 with a Gala Evening of Recognition. President Isaac Herzog is expected to address the crowd alongside international supporters. Dr. Miriam Adelson, a leading supporter of the organization, will be honored for her long-standing commitment. Other dignitaries include Meir Shamir, chairman of the Israeli Board of Donors, and Josh Nash, the international chairman of Birthright Israel. Business representatives from NVIDIA, Wiz, Elbit Systems, El Al, and monday.com will also attend the opening session.

The main conference proceedings occur on November 2. The speaker lineup includes Sir Ronald Cohen, co-founder of Apax Partners and a pioneer in impact investing. Eyal Waldman, founder of Mellanox, and Yinon Costica, co-founder of Wiz, are also scheduled to present. Sean Rad, founder of Tinder and a Birthright alumnus, will join them. The roster further includes Amit Krig, NVIDIA's Israel site leader, and former Mossad director Yossi Cohen.

Additional speakers for the second day include Yasmin Lukatz, founder of ICON, and Shelly Landsmann, former CEO of Microsoft Israel. Dr. Micah Goodman, Danna Azrieli Hakim, and Angela Homsi, co-founder of Ignite Power, will also take the stage. The agenda features sessions with alumni who have advanced into executive roles, aiming to illustrate how the ten-day educational trip fosters long-term professional networks.

Avinatan Or, an NVIDIA engineer held captive by Hamas for 738 days after the October 7, 2023 attacks, will participate in the discussions. He was released after that period. Moran Samuel, an Israeli Paralympic basketball player and world champion rower, will also join the program to share her experiences.

Gidi Mark, the Global CEO of Birthright Israel, described the summit as a natural extension of the organization's mission. He stated that bringing global leaders to Israel at this time serves as a strong statement of confidence in the country's future. Ethy Levy, Vice President of Global Resource Development, noted that conversations at the event could lead to business partnerships or investments in the next generation of Israeli ventures.

On November 3, the group will leave the conference venue for on-site visits. Participants will tour Israeli companies, innovation centers, and communities involved in rebuilding efforts. They will have the opportunity to volunteer with current Birthright participants and visit initiatives supported by the organization since October 7. The summit complements the group's existing Business Forum, which connects nearly 60 local companies.

The organization estimates its activities have contributed approximately $2.6 billion to the Israeli economy over the past 26 years through travel and local spending. A study by Brandeis University's Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies, published in March 2026, found that connection to Israel rose by 60% among politically liberal young Jews who participated in the program. In contrast, that connection fell by 26% among applicants who did not take part.