350 Business Leaders Gather in Tel Aviv for Three-Day Summit

Business executives from 15 countries will arrive in Tel Aviv next week to participate in a three-day conference hosted by Birthright Israel. The event, titled Shaping Our Future Together, begins on November 1 at the Hilton Tel Aviv and concludes on November 3. Organizers expect more than 350 attendees, including investors, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists from Israel and abroad. More than 100 participants will fly in from nations such as Argentina, Australia, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.

The opening ceremony on November 1 serves as a Gala Evening of Recognition. It honors the leadership and philanthropic efforts behind the organization, specifically acknowledging Dr. Miriam Adelson, a long-standing supporter. President Isaac Herzog is expected to address the crowd. Other notable figures attending the evening session include Meir Shamir, chairman of the Israeli Board of Donors, and Josh Nash, the international chairman of Birthright Israel. Representatives from NVIDIA, Wiz, Elbit Systems, El Al, and monday.com will also join the gathering.

The primary business agenda unfolds on November 2. Speakers from technology, finance, and public life will present to the audience. The roster includes Sir Ronald Cohen, co-founder of Apax Partners; Eyal Waldman, founder of Mellanox; and Yinon Costica, co-founder of Wiz. Sean Rad, founder of Tinder and a former participant in the Birthright program, is also on the list. Additional speakers include Amit Krig, NVIDIA’s Israel site leader, and former Mossad director Yossi Cohen. The lineup features Yasmin Lukatz, founder of ICON, and Shelly Landsmann, former CEO of Microsoft Israel.

The program also highlights alumni who have transitioned into leadership roles. Avinatan Or, an NVIDIA engineer who was held captive for 738 days after his abduction on October 7, 2023, will share his experience. Moran Samuel, an Israeli Paralympic basketball player and world champion rower, will also participate. These sessions aim to illustrate how the organization’s ten-day educational trips create lasting professional networks.

Gidi Mark, the Global CEO of Birthright Israel, described the summit as a natural extension of the group’s mission. He stated that bringing global leaders to Israel is a powerful statement of confidence in the country's future. Ethy Levy, Vice President of Global Resource Development and Partnerships, noted that conversations at the event could evolve into business partnerships or investments in Israel’s next generation.

On November 3, attendees will visit Israeli companies, innovation centers, and communities involved in recovery efforts. Participants can volunteer alongside current Birthright travelers and meet with groups supported since October 7. This final day builds on the group’s existing Business Forum, which currently connects nearly 60 Israeli companies.

Birthright Israel has operated since 1999, hosting nearly one million young Jewish adults from 70 countries. The organization estimates its activities have contributed approximately $2.6 billion to the Israeli economy over 26 years. A March 2026 study by Brandeis University found that among politically liberal young Jews, connection to Israel rose 60% among Birthright participants, while it fell 26% among those who did not take part.