Tel Aviv Summit: 350 Executives Set for Three-Day Gathering

Birthright Israel will host 350 business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs at the Hilton Tel Aviv from November 1 to 3. The organization, founded in 1999, is holding this event for the first time in its 26-year history.

The summit, titled "Shaping Our Future Together," aims to connect international participants with local Israeli executives. More than 100 attendees are traveling from outside the country. They represent over 15 nations, including Argentina, Australia, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.

The opening gala on November 1 will honor key supporters of the organization. President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to speak. The event will also feature Dr. Miriam Adelson, a long-standing backer of the group. Meir Shamir, chairman of the Israeli Board of Donors, and Josh Nash, international chairman of Birthright Israel, will also be present.

The main conference on November 2 will feature speakers from technology, finance, and public life. Sir Ronald Cohen, co-founder of Apax Partners, will discuss impact investing. Eyal Waldman, founder of Mellanox, and Yinon Costica, co-founder of Wiz, are also on the roster. Sean Rad, founder of Tinder, will speak as a Birthright alumnus.

Other speakers include Yossi Cohen, former director of Mossad, and Amit Krig, NVIDIA’s Israel site leader. The agenda highlights connections formed through the organization’s travel programs. Avinatan Or, an NVIDIA engineer held captive for 738 days after the October 7, 2023 attacks, 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 event as a natural extension of the group's mission. He stated that bringing global leaders to Israel serves as a statement of confidence in the country's future. Ethy Levy, Vice President of Global Resource Development, noted that conversations at the summit could lead to business partnerships or new investments.

On November 3, attendees will leave the conference hall for site visits. They will tour Israeli companies, innovation centers, and communities involved in recovery efforts. Participants can also volunteer with current Birthright travelers. This day 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 have added $2.6 billion to the Israeli economy. A March 2026 study by Brandeis University found that connection to Israel rose 60% among liberal young Jews who took the trip, while it fell 26% among those who did not.