In Media, Politics and our communities, we spend so much time debating our differences. Doing so, we focus our energy on what divides us, rather than what we have in common and unites us. What special role Israeli-American may play in changing the conversation. The leaders on this panel have decades of experience – success and failures in building our future together. We will hear some of the major takeaways we can all learn from and incorporate in our communities. Please come prepared with thought-provoking questions!

• Rabbi Marc Baker President & CEO, Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP)
• Diana Anderson Founder & President, Zeff Kesher Foundation. Chair FRD committee, Jewish Agency for Israel
• Shira Ruderman Director, Ruderman Family Foundation & IAC Council Member, Boston
• Jacob Solomon President & CEO, Greater Miami Jewish Federation
• Moderator: Ben Pery Council Member

This session will outline ground-breaking scientific approaches to design and innovative potential therapeutic interventions. Recognizing that cancer biology is a complex, multifaceted set of mechanisms, we will discuss how novel potential cancer treatment approaches are being designed to “re-program” cancer biology mechanisms. Prof. Machluf will focus on “fooling cancer cells” using the ghost cell approach. Dr. Shacham will describe how focusing on restoring a central cancer cell guardian function can lead to the development of novel agents.

• Prof. Marcelle Machluf Dean of the Faculty of Biotechnology & Food Engineering at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
• Dr. Sharon Shacham President & Chief Scientific Officer, Karyopharm. IAC Council Member, Boston
• Moderator: Dr. Hila Korach Israeli Journalist, Television Hostess, Radio Presenter & Physician

Israel is considered a developed country, although it has substantial poverty and large income gaps. Israel has a highly developed technology sector. Except for China, Israel has the most companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange outside of the United States. In 2014, Israeli tech companies had 18 initial public offerings (IPOs) that generated $9.8 billion. yet, there is a lack of uniform distribution of human development across the entire population. Israel’s Inequality is concider to be the highest in developed contries, not all of Israel’s population has the same access to education, health care, and income. Can Israel stay stronger than ever in years to come?

• Jake Cohen MIT Sloan School of Management, Senior Associate Dean
• Naty Saidoff Owner, Shikun & Binui & IAC Board Member
• Major General (Ret.) Moshe Kaplinsky CEO, Nesher Israel Cement Enterprises
• Israel Maimon President & CEO, Israel Bonds and Former Cabinet Secretary for the Israeli Government
• Moderator: Yasmin Lukatz Founder & Executive Director, ICON

What does it mean to be a Jew in the "Space Age"? How do we stay connected to Judaism when we’re "off-world"? Astronaut Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman has thought about these questions and more. As the first Jewish-American man in space he took a Torah made for travelers with him onto the Columbia space shuttle. Join educator Rachel Raz and IAC Eitanim student Tal Keshet in a conversation with Dr. Hoffman, discussing how to adapt Jewish rituals for leaving Earth, how Jews have traditionally dealt with religion on the road, and where the Jewish journey may take us next.

• Dr. Jeffrey A. Hoffman Former US Astronaut. Professor in MIT’s Aeronautics & Astronautics Department
• Tal Keshet IAC Eitanim Student
• Moderator: Rachel Raz Executive Producer of “Space Torah”, and Director, Early Childhood Institute, Hebrew College, Newton MA.

David Zalik immigrated to the U.S. from Israel at age four when his father, a mathematics professor, got a job at University of Rhode Island. A serial entrepreneur, he built his first company, MicroTech Information Systems, at the age of fourteen while attending college at Auburn University. As the cofounder and CEO of financial technology company GreenSky, a $1.2B dollar company.

• David Zalik Chairman & CEO GreenSky, LLC
• Moderator: Lior Yehuda Co-Founder MasonCo Inc, Branch Managing Partner – FIMC & IAC Council Member, Los Angeles

Cities are central to the development of our world. By 2030, urban areas are expected to house 60% of the world’s population and generate up to 80% of global economic growth. How can cities fight isolation, loneliness, poverty, and crime, and while also being a place where independence flourishes, identity is reinvented, and where people can flourish and grow. How do we make cities a source of innovation and creativity, while bringing people together in new and unexpected ways?

• Mayor Gabriel Groisman City of Bal Harbour, Florida
• Mayor Haim Bibas Mayor of Modi'in Maccabim Reut Chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel
• Mayor Dan Gelber City of Miami Beach, Florida
• Moderator: Yoav Limor Senior Defense Correspondent, TV Host & Columnist

• Yochi Brandes Award Winning Author
• Rabbi Dr. Benny Lau Noted Scholar, Author & Founder of the 929 Initiative
• Dr. Analia Bortz Rabbi-MD-Bioethics
• Ido Grinberg Creative Manager and Founder of the @mismas Brand
• Moderator: Sophy Turkea Yurman National Director, IAC Gvanim Limmud

• Dr. Shula Recanati Chairperson Educating for Excellence, Israel
• Niv Efron CEO, Restart Global
• Bat - Galim Shaer Educator & Founder Sonshine Organization
• Moderator: Yuna Leibzon News Correspondent, Channel 2 News

• Elan Carr United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism
• Steven A. Rakitt President, Genesis Prize Foundation (GPF)
• Session Lead: Dr. Rachel Fish Founding Executive Director, Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism

Yonatan Winetraub, Co-Founder, Space IL  A Journey to the Moon

Sivan Ya'ari, Founder & CEO, Innovation: Africa Bringing Light and Clean Water to Millions Across Africa

Prof. Shai Efrati, Director of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine & Research, Shamir Medical Center Targeting Aging Like other Reversible Diseases

Natalie Artzi, PhD, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School; co-Founder, BioDevek  A New Paradigm for Cancer Therapy

• Sivan Ya'ari Founder & CEO, Innovation: Africa
• Prof. Shai Efrati Director, Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine & Research, Shamir Medical Center
• Yonatan Winetraub Co-Founder, SpaceIL
• Prof. Natalie Artzi Assistant Professor Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard medical School. Principal Research Scientist, Institute of Medical Engineering & Science at MIT.
• Moderator: Asaf Hochman Product Growth Manager, Facebook & Chairman, IAC EDGE NY

יצירתה של יוכי ברנדס הופכת את התרבות היהודית לפרוזה עברית עכשווית ומתמקדת במהפכות הגדולות של עם ישראל מאז תקופת התנ"ך ועד ימינו. אולם ספריה אינם מתבססים על המקורות של הזרמים המרכזיים, אלא דווקא של הקבוצות שהפסידו את ההיסטוריה, כמו: בית שאול, בית שמאי, ראשוני החסידים, וכמובן הנשים. הסופרת יוכי ברנדס בשיחה עם פרופסור ורדית רינגוולד תספר לנו על האתגרים והסערות המלווים את יצירותיה ועל הספרות כאמצעי השפעה

• Yochi Brandes Award Winning Author
• Moderator: Dr. Vardit Ringvald Director of the Middlebury School of Hebrew, and C.V. Starr Research Professor of Language and Linguistics at Middlebury College

ההיסטוריה היהודית ידעה תהפוכות ואתגרים. בתוך ים סוער של אירועים ידעו מנהיגים יהודים להוביל את בני קהילתם תוך קבלת בחירות מוסריות, ערכיות מורכבות. בסשן זה נתמקד במספר צמתים היסטוריים ובבחירות המנהיגותיות השונות, תוך התבוננות בהשלכות של אותן בחירות לחיינו אנו בארה"ב ובישראל. בין השאר נעסוק בדמותו של חזקיה מלך יהודה אל מול האימפריה האשורית. בזו של רבי יוחנן בן זכאי שבחר ליצור את "עם הספר" על חשבונה של ירושלים, במייסד התנועה החסידית ובמאבקו במורשת הרבנית בת זמנו, ובבחירותיו המנהיגותיות של הרב עובדיה יוסף והחזרתה של מסורת יהדות המזרח במדינת ישראל

• Rabbi Dr. Benny Lau Noted Scholar, Author & Founder of the 929 Initiative
• Moderator: Dr. Yakir Englander National Director, IAC Gvanim

The State of Israel and the Zionist idea have been under attack for the past two decades both by intellectuals in general, as well as Jewish intellectuals in particular. On their part, there is a relentless attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel to exist as a Jewish and democratic state. They present Zionism as an illegitimate and immoral national movement. The false claims are stated in academic disguise on campuses, on social media, in op-eds and in the press. Jewish historians who are familiar with the facts and who have studied the history of Zionism and the establishment of the State of Israel hold the necessary academic tools to refute these false claims. In addition, historians have a crucial role in the public discourse to educate and share knowledge of the past.

• Prof. Gur Alroey Director of the Ruderman Program for American Jewish Studies & Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Haifa

מעגלי דיון עירני על אקטואליה ישראלית עם אנשי תקשורת מובילים ופוליטיקאים בהובלה של ה״פרלמנטים״ של דרום פלורידה

In this one of a kind Oneg Shabbat, Saul Blinkoff, Hollywood filmmaker, will share the most important ingredients to achieving BIG dreams and finding fulfillment and serendipity in both career and personal life

How does Israel and the world Jewry engage with each other in the 21st century? How can Zionism still be a resilient and relevant concept? What role does Israeli-Americans play in this process?

• Haim Taib Founder and President of Menomadin Foundation
• Dr. Janice Weinman Executive Director and CEO, Hadassah
• Prof. Uriel Reichman President and founder of the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Hertzelia
• Prof. Yossi Shain Head of Tel Aviv University's School of Political Science, Government & International Affairs
• Moderator: Ariel Ackerman

Zionists are increasingly being asked to check their pro-Israel opinions at the door of progressive spaces, or face exclusion or contempt. It’s time to fight back against the double standard that demands individuals to prove their loyalties to either Israel or social justice. Join us to discuss how we can stand for all that we believe in as Jews, Zionists, and champions of justice.

• Leah Soibel CEO & Founder, Fuente Latina
• Tyler (Tye) Gregory Executive Director, A Wider Bridge
• Moderator: Aviva Klompas Associate Vice President, Israel & Global Jewish Citizenship at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP)

• David Hager Philanthropist and Managing Partner, Hager Pacific Properties
• Rivka Ravitz Chief of Staff to the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin
• Yair Sherki Journalist, News 12
• Orli Baruch News Editor for Arutz Sheva Website

• Netta Barzilai Eurovision 2018 Winner, Singer & Icon
• Moderator: Niv Shtendel Digital Editor & Story Teller at BOLD, Columnist at Mako

בספטמבר האחרון יזם צה"ל תרגיל תקשורתי חסר תקדים: בעיצומה של מתיחות ביטחונית מול החיזבאללה, בעת שהמחבלים ירו טילים אל מוצבי ורכבי צה"ל, הוזנק מסוק חילוץ, לכאורה כדי לפנות לוחמי צה"ל שנפגעו. מאוחר יותר התברר תרגיל ההונאה: אף חייל לא נפגע, צה"ל ביקש להטעות את חיזבאללה, ולתת לו את התחושה שמתקפת הנגד שלו הצליחה. זאת רק דוגמא אחת, למלחמה תקשורתית-פסיכולוגית, אותה מנהל צה"ל בשנים האחרונות, לצד המלחמה בשטח. קרבות המאה ה-21 הם לא רק טנקים ומטוסים, אלא גם מלחמות מתחום הפסיכולוגיה, מלחמות סייבר, ומעל כולם - מלחמה בשדה התקשורתי, המלחמה ליצירת תודעה. עכשיו, בפעם הראשונה ייפגשו על במה אחת תא"ל רונן מנליס, שרק לאחרונה סיים את תפקידו כדובר צה"ל, יחד עם בכירי העיתונאים, גאולה אבן,רזי ברקאי, אלון בן-דוד ועמרי אסנהיים, המדווחים כבר שנים על מערכת הביטחון. יחד ינסו לברר עד כמה, והאם בכלל, המטרות של צה"ל והמטרות של התקשורת משותפות? כיצד נערך צה"ל לשלוט על מציאות בה לכל חייל, לכל אזרח וגם לכל אויב, יש מצלמה? כיצד .וכל הצנזורה להתמודד עם הטכנולוגיה ולהמשיך לשלוט בסודות? כיצד הפך הניצחון בשדה הקרב לחלק קטן בלבד מהניצחון כולל, ומה עושים כדי לנצח

• Alon Ben David Senior Defense Correspondent, Channel 13
• BG (Ret.) Ronen Manelis Former Spokesperson,Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
• Razy Barcay
• Geula Even - Sa'ar Anchor, Israeli TV Chanel ,KAN 11
• Session Lead: Omri Assenheim Senior Correspondent, Uvda (keshet channel 12) & JSK Fellow Stanford University

We live in a world where we can no longer rely on organizations or educational institutions to give us the skills and information we need to succeed. Thinking and acting like an entrepreneur will lend itself to be quite useful for success inside and outside of an organization. How can we embrace the changes and what tools do we need in order to execute it.

• Sylvan Adams Businessman, Philanthropist, Amateur Cycling Champion, and Passionate Zionist Israeli
• Prof. Ariel Porat President of Tel Aviv University
• Moderator: Oded Har - Even Partner & Managing Director, Zag/Sullivan & IAC Council Member, New York

A discussion about the success factors to keeping an organization's business focused, adaptable, organized cohesion, and entrepreneurial culture in an era of exponential changing reality.

• Ellen Rubin CEO & Co-founder of ClearSky Data
• Ehud Danoch CEO, Shikun & Binui Solel Boneh Infrastructure
• Dr. Michal Preminger Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation East North America
• Session Lead: Dr. Michal Vakrat Wolkin Managing Director, Lear Innovation Ventures (LIV), Israel

Let's talk then ACT! Come to a forward-looking conversation on our shared future and present as a Jewish people, nation, and faith. Together, we will identify existing assets and shed light on the available opportunities at our reach. Jewish-American and Jewish-Israeli thought leaders will engage in a pragmatic discussion on shaping our shared future on both sides of the Atlantic, defining the roles of academic institutions, existing institutions, programs, and the Israeli-American community. Prepare your questions and join the conversation.

• Barry Shrage Professor of the Practice, Brandeis University, Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program, Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies
• Prof. Gur Alroey Director of the Ruderman Program for American Jewish Studies & Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Haifa
• Eric Fingerhut President & CEO, The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)
• Irina Nevzlin Chair of the Board of Directors, The Museum of the Jewish People Beit Hatfutsot & President, NADAV Foundation
• Session Lead: Lital Carmel IAC Regional Director, Boston

• Shlomi Kofman Consulate General of Israel, Pacific Northwest Region
• Aviva Klompas Associate Vice President, Israel & Global Jewish Citizenship at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP)
• Roz Rothstein Co-Founder & CEO, StandWithUs
• Dr. Rachel Fish Founding Executive Director, Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism
• Moderator: Denise Tamir South Florida Jewish Lay Leader

Israel is a powerhouse in medical innovation. Israeli ingenuity is responsible for some of the world’s most amazing medical advances, that are changing the face of healthcare worldwide. Join us for an inspiring session about the latest cutting edge Israeli medical breakthroughs in the field of reverse aging, patient care solutions and cancer treatments.

• Prof. Natalie Artzi Assistant Professor Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard medical School. Principal Research Scientist, Institute of Medical Engineering & Science at MIT.
• Nadav Kidron CEO & President, Oramed Pharmaceuticals
• Prof. Shai Efrati Director, Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine & Research, Shamir Medical Center
• Moderator: Dr. Neville Pokroy Nephrologist & IAC Council Member, Las Vegas

מאז ומעולם הקרב על התודעה היה חלק מרכזי במאבקו של העם היהודי ומדינת ישראל. בשנים האחרונות הקרב הזה עולה שלב עם התעצמות הרשתות החברתיות והכלים הטכנולוגיים. כמות המידע ומעט הרגולציה בתחום מאפשרים למדינות ולארגוני חברה אזרחית לפעול בזירה ולייצר השפעה בקנה מידה עולמי. האם אנחנו מנצחים בקרב על התודעה? מהם האיומים ומי השחקנים (תנועת ה-BDS? איראן? רוסיה?) מהם הכלים וכמה הם מתוחכמים? האם פרשות קיימברידג' אנליטיקה ורוסיה גייט השפיעו גם על המערכה שלנו? ומה העתיד של הקרב המרתק והחשוב הזה עבור מדינת ישראל? על שאלות אלו ועל עוד רבות נקבל תשובות בשיח מרתק וחד פעמי עם מי שהיה עד לפני חודש האדם שאמון על הקרב על התודעה של מדינת ישראל – דובר צה"ל לשעבר רונן מנליס, לצידו בפאנל כותב הספר "מלחמדיה" וחבר הכנסת לשעבר נחמן שי ומגישת החדשות והאקטואליה איילה חסון . את הפאנל יוביל ירדן בן יוסף מייסד Act-IL , חלוץ ומומחה עולמי בתחום ההשפעה באמצעות קהילות.

• Ayala Hasson-Nesher Primetime News Presenter, Channel 13. Radio Anchor & Journalist
• Dr. Nachman Shai Israel Institute Visiting Professor. Institute for the Study of Modern Israel. Tam Institute for Jewish Studies Emory University
• BG (Ret.) Ronen Manelis Former Spokesperson,Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
• Session Lead: Yarden Ben Yosef CEO, Act.IL

Anti-Semitism is rapidly becoming the norm on college campuses. “Apartheid" walls and swastika graffiti disparaging Israel are commonplace. Palestinian maps depict Israel as part of an imaginary state of Palestine. Resolutions to boycott the only Jewish state are frequently debated and passed by student and faculty bodies. Professors refuse to recommend qualified students to study in Israel. According to the campus anti-Semitism watchdog group AMCHA Initiative, there were 578 anti-Semitic incidents on more than 142 U.S. campuses in the year just ended. Jewish students are being targeted, harassed, and physically threatened in blatantly discriminatory ways. In this session, we will hear from students who fought BDS initiatives on their campus and Leaders from pro-Israel organizations that are working to support students in their struggle to create an equitable and balanced reality for Israel on campus.

• Adela Cojab Moadeb Published Author & Israel Activist
• Tyler (Tye) Gregory Executive Director, A Wider Bridge
• David Brog CEO, Maccabee Task Force
• Brooke Goldstein Executive Director, The Lawfare Project
• Moderator: Eden Shirin IAC Mishelanu Fellow

"Never before in history has innovation offered promise of so much to so many in so short a time " (Bill Gates)

While the world is experiencing changes and challenges utilizing existing resources, taking advantage of the technology and innovation and using it to create a growing social impact becomes essential. The implementation of digital infrastructure, advanced thinking, and more effective management capabilities is allowing access to innovative systems and the promise for a quantum leap in the quality of life. During this session we will look at the exciting examples that already exist, discuss the possibilities moving forward and look at the role Israel and the Jewish Community is and should play in this exciting time.

• Sivan Ya'ari Founder & CEO, Innovation: Africa
• Edun Sela CEO of Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM)

Antisemitism is as old as the Jewish story history itself. As Jews, we’ve lived with the threat of radical groups' movements trying to eradicate our people and our Jewish homeland for centuries. From Egypt to Germany to Poland to Persia, the Jews have experienced unbelievable persecution. What are the pro-active measures we must take now to defeat this monster? How it is possible that Antisemism has found its way into the public discourse again? What role does BDS play in this dangerous phenomena?

• Roz Rothstein Co-Founder & CEO, StandWithUs
• Yossie Hollander Co-Founder & Chairman Fuel Freedom Foundation
• Rabbi Marvin Hier Founder & Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Museum of Tolerance
• Moderator: Adam Milstein Chairman of the Board, IAC

• Dr. Osnat Levtzion-Korach MD, General Director, Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh)
• Prof. Zeev Rotstein Director General Hadassah Medical Organization
• Roni Frank Co-Founder and Head of Clinical Services, Talkspace
• Prof. Dror Harats MD Chair of Division for Research & Development & Director of Clinical Trials at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer
• Moderator: Prof. Avi Almozlino, MD Chief of Neurology & IAC Board Member

From a vision to reality. Socials Entrepreneurs from our communities across the US share their story of how they established organizations that impact others and create hopes for those in needs.

• Oded Grinstein Founder of MyChild'sCancer
• Eli Fitlovitz Co-Founder, Families of Lone Soldiers (FLS)
• Avi Cohen Chairman, Larger than Life
• Prof. Amir Grinstein Professor of Marketing at Northeastern U and VU Amsterdam & Co-Founder of 50 50 Startups
• Moderator: Tal Diamant Co-Chair, Colorado Regional Council

• Siggy Flicker TV Personality, Speaker, Author
• Amit Segal Political Analyst Channel 12 News, Yediot Aharonot
• Boaz Bismuth Editor-in-Chief, Israel Hayom
• Assaf Swissa Producer, Coast Productions Creative Director, Superdigital
• Moderator: Yuna Leibzon News Correspondent, Channel 2 News

What are the challenges of preserving Jewish identity and a passion for Israel in the 21st century? Can 3,000 years of old Hebrew language fight antisemitism by turning itself into Jewish pride and strength? What is the connection between a legitimate Israeli state, spoken Hebrew and fighting antisemitism? It’s time to unify forces among Jewish leaders and communities across the US and Israel! We must create a broad strategy and foster collaborations in preserving the next generation's Jewish identity. What are we waiting for?

• Dr. Vardit Ringvald Director of the Middlebury School of Hebrew, and C.V. Starr Research Professor of Language and Linguistics at Middlebury College
• Rabbi David Gedzelman President & CEO, The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life
• Isaac (Bougie) Herzog Chairman of the Executive, Jewish Agency for Israel
• Moderator: Shira Ravin Director of Hebrew programming at Areivim Philanthropic Group and Co-Founder of Celoptics Inc.

בזמן כתיבת שורות אלה אין איש יודע להגיד מה ילד יום בפוליטיקה הישראלית. בוודאי לא מה יקרה בתחילת דצמבר. האם ישראל תצא לדרך לקראת מערכת בחירות שלישית, או שתוקם ממשלת אחדות ומי ינהיג אותה. מצאנו את החבורה הטובה ביותר לעשות לנו סדר, או בלאגן, בתמונת המצב בפוליטיקה הישראלית כפי שתצטייר בזמן הכנס 

• Razi Barcay Daily Radio News Anchor
• Boaz Bismuth Editor-in-Chief, Israel Hayom
• Amit Segal Political Analyst Channel 12 News, Yediot Aharonot
• Yair Sherki Journalist, News 12
• Session Lead: Ayala Hasson-Nesher Primetime News Presenter, Channel 13. Radio Anchor & Journalist

Over the past few years, Israel has been conducting a covert war against its enemies in the Middle East. Under the name MB"M (a campaign between wars) thousands of operations, many of which have been offensive actions that were meant to discourage threats and weaken Israel’s enemies. Mainly executed in Syria, this course of action has now shifted focus to Iran. This includes vast “under the radar” activity away from the public eye.

• Alon Ben David Senior Defense Correspondent, Channel 13
• Yaakov Katz Editor-in-Chief, Jerusalem Post
• Major General (Ret.) Moshe Kaplinsky CEO, Nesher Israel Cement Enterprises
• BG (Ret.) Ronen Manelis Former Spokesperson,Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
• Session Lead: Yoav Limor Senior Defense Correspondent, TV Host & Columnist

• Jimmy Patronis Chief Financial Officer of the state of Florida
• Joseph Sabag Executive Director, IAC for Action
• Moderator: Mayor Gabriel Groisman City of Bal Harbour, Florida