Birthright Israel Targets 350 Attendees for Tel Aviv Economic Summit

The organization behind one of the world's largest Jewish travel programs is preparing for a major economic gathering in Israel. Birthright Israel will host its inaugural Taglit Global Business Summit from November 1 to 3 at the Hilton Tel Aviv. The event is designed to connect international capital with the local market. It marks the first time the group has organized a dedicated business conference.

Organizers expect more than 350 participants to attend the sessions. These attendees include investors, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists. More than 100 of them will travel from over 15 countries. Represented nations include Argentina, Australia, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. The agenda focuses on innovation, philanthropy, and the future of the Israeli economy.

The opening evening on November 1 serves as a Gala Evening of Recognition. This segment will honor key supporters of the organization. Dr. Miriam Adelson, a leading long-term supporter, will be recognized for her commitment. President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to speak alongside other international and local figures. Meir Shamir, chairman of the Israeli Board of Donors, will also participate. Josh Nash, the international chairman and managing member of Ulysses Management, is listed among the prominent attendees.

Business figures from NVIDIA, Wiz, Elbit Systems, El Al, and monday.com will join the gala. The main program on November 2 features speakers from technology, investment, and public life. Sir Ronald Cohen, co-founder of Apax Partners, will present on impact investing. Eyal Waldman, founder of Mellanox, and Yinon Costica, co-founder of Wiz, are also on the speaker list. Sean Rad, founder of Tinder and a Birthright alumnus, will share his experience. Amit Krig, NVIDIA's Israel site leader, will represent the tech sector.

Additional speakers include Yossi Cohen, former Mossad director, and Yasmin Lukatz, founder of ICON. Shelly Landsmann, former Microsoft Israel CEO, and author Dr. Micah Goodman are also scheduled. Danna Azrieli Hakim, a developer and philanthropist, will speak on community initiatives. Angela Homsi, co-founder of Ignite Power, rounds out the main program. The agenda highlights alumni who have become successful executives and investors. Avinatan Or, an NVIDIA engineer released after 738 days in captivity, will participate. Moran Samuel, a Paralympic basketball player and world champion rower, will also join the discussions.

Gidi Mark, 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. Ethy Levy, Vice President of Global Resource Development and Partnerships, noted that conversations at the event could lead to business partnerships or investments. She emphasized the potential for new initiatives in Israel's next generation of companies.

On November 3, participants will visit Israeli companies and innovation centers. They will also engage with communities involved in recovery and rebuilding efforts since October 7. Attendees can volunteer alongside current Birthright Israel participants. The summit builds on the group's existing Business Forum, which includes nearly 60 Israeli companies. Since 1999, nearly one million young Jewish adults from 70 countries have joined the program. The organization estimates its activities have added about $2.6 billion to the Israeli economy. A March 2026 Brandeis University study found a 60% rise in Israel connection among liberal participants.