Birthright Israel Unveils Global Business Summit to Connect Investors and Local Executives

Birthright Israel will host its first Taglit Global Business Summit in Tel Aviv next week. The three-day event, titled Shaping Our Future Together, takes place from November 1 to 3 at the Hilton Tel Aviv. The organization aims to connect global investors and executives with local leaders. It marks the first business-focused gathering in the group's 26-year history.

More than 350 business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists are expected to attend. Over 100 participants will travel from more than 15 countries. Delegations will arrive from Argentina, Australia, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. They will meet Israeli executives to discuss innovation, philanthropy, and the country's economic future.

The event opens with a Gala Evening of Recognition on November 1. This session will honor the leadership and financial support behind the organization. Dr. Miriam Adelson, a long-standing supporter, will be recognized for her contributions. President Isaac Herzog is expected to address the attendees. He will speak alongside supporters from Israel and abroad.

Key figures attending the gala include Meir Shamir, chairman of the Israeli Board of Donors. Josh Nash, the international chairman of Birthright Israel, will also be present. Nash is the managing member of Ulysses Management. Business representatives from NVIDIA, Wiz, Elbit Systems, El Al, and monday.com will join the gathering.

The main conference program runs on November 2. Speakers from technology, investment, and public life will present. Sir Ronald Cohen, a pioneer of impact investing and co-founder of Apax Partners, is on the schedule. Eyal Waldman, founder of Mellanox, and Yinon Costica, co-founder of Wiz, will also speak. Sean Rad, founder of Tinder and a Birthright alumnus, is another scheduled speaker.

Amit Krig, NVIDIA's Israel site leader, will participate in the discussions. Former Mossad director Yossi Cohen is also on the list. Yasmin Lukatz, founder of ICON, and Shelly Landsmann, former Microsoft Israel CEO, will join the panel. Dr. Micah Goodman, Danna Azrieli Hakim, and Angela Homsi, co-founder of Ignite Power, round out the speaker lineup.

The agenda highlights alumni who have become entrepreneurs and investors. Avinatan Or, an NVIDIA engineer, will attend. Hamas abducted Or from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. He was released after 738 days in captivity. Moran Samuel, an Israeli Paralympic basketball player and world champion rower, will also take part.

Gidi Mark, 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 is a powerful statement of confidence in its future. Ethy Levy, Vice President of Global Resource Development, noted that conversations at the event could lead to business partnerships or investments.

On November 3, attendees will visit Israeli companies and innovation centers. They will also engage with communities involved in recovery and rebuilding since October 7. Participants 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 participated in Birthright programs. The organization estimates its activities added about $2.6 billion to the Israeli economy over 26 years. A March 2026 study by Brandeis University found that connection to Israel rose 60% among politically liberal Birthright participants. That figure fell 26% among applicants who did not take part.