Israeli Innovation
Stories from the heart of the Start-Up Nation
June 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 7:30 pm ET
Israel has fostered a culture for innovation that permeates all levels of society – it is the stuff of legend. We’ll hear from insiders about the ways this culture has manifested into success – both in high tech and far beyond. Meet a successful Israeli start-up CEO, hear how an Internship non-profit is encouraging that creative culture for Palestinians, explore Israel’s lead role in the fraught landscape of Cyber Security, and finally, hear from Prof. Stephen Berk on one of the key factors driving it all – Olim (immigrants) new and old.
PROGRAM: All programs Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. EST
- Genetics of an Israeli Start-Up –
Dr Doron Behar – CEO, Igentify Health Care - Bringing the Start-Up Nation to Palestinian Entrepreneurs –
Anna Gol-Dekel – Exec. Dir, Palestinian Internship Program (PIP) with special guest - Israel’s CyberSecurity Innovation Ecosystem –
Deborah Housen-Couriel – Chief Legal Officer Konfidas Digital Ltd - The Olim Edge: How Immigration Impacts Israeli Innovation –
Prof Stephen Berk, Ayelet Scholar in Residence
DETAILS:
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- Featuring Live moderated chat, and post-talk Q&A with presenter each session
- Program Cost: $80 for ALL FOUR SESSIONS
- Registration size limited
- Sessions are recorded – view missed sessions via private link (youtube/google log-in required)
REGISTER NOW!
Deep Dive Details:
June 7: Genetics of an Israeli Start-Up
Since the Human Genome Project completed sequencing the entire human genome in 2003, genetic research has evolved dramatically, and the pace of innovation continues to astound. Investments in Israeli Digital Health companies crossed a BILLION dollars for the first time in 2021, more than in 2020 and 2019 combined! The presentation will explore the evolution of digital applications and the role of Israeli innovation in this space. We’ll look particularly in the field of genomics, an area in dire need of scalable solutions as the demand for services such as genetic counseling far outstrips supply.
Dr. Doron Behar is the CEO and Founder of Igentify. Dr. Behar is a serial entrepreneur, holding an MD in internal medicine, critical care medicine and medical genetics, and a PhD in population genetics.
June 14: Bringing the Start-Up Nation to Palestinian Entrepreneurs
Founded in 2014 by venture capitalist Yadin Kaufmann, Palestinian Internship Program (PIP) provides young Palestinian professionals with work experience placements at leading Israel-based companies. In Summer 2020, PIP Inc. launched its sister program, the Palestinian Mentorship Program (PMP). Through PMP, Palestinian entrepreneurs are matched with Global Experts, especially in the fields of tech, business, and finance for hands on mentoring. PIP aims to empower Palestinian professionals in developing and building their careers, and establishing themselves as business leaders, thereby stimulating innovation, investment, and opportunity in the Palestinian tech ecosystem. Our Mission is to provide young Palestinian professionals with high-level internships and mentorships so that they can better contribute to the development of the Palestinian tech sector.
Anna Gol-Dekel is the Executive Director for the Palestinian Internship Program and Palestinian Mentorship Program, responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization. Born in New York City and raised in Toronto, she holds a B.A. in Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies from the University of Toronto’s Munk School. Upon completion, she worked as the Campus Director and Educator for the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center in Toronto, where she ran social justice workshops for middle school and high school students. Anna received her M.A. in Conflict Resolution from Tel Aviv University in 2016, along with her certification in Mediation. During the course of her studies, she also worked as a research intern at the Jerusalem Center for Justice.
June 21: Israel’s Cyber Innovation Ecosystem
Israel’s innovative society and culture, robust governmental engagement with the economy, and globally-aware market approach are some of the factors that contribute to the global impact of Israeli innovation. In one area in particular, cybersecurity, Israel has consistently “punched above its weight” globally, as a consistent market leader for cyber services, products, and national cyber defense. For example, according to the, approximately 40% of private global investment in cyber security funding rounds are in Israel. In this program we will explore Israel’s cyber ecosystem – the companies, people, national resources, and social factors – and the synergies between these that help us to answer the question: Why is Israel so innovative in the field of cybersecurity?
Deborah Housen-Couriel, the Chief Legal Officer and VP Regulation for Konfidas, a leading Israeli cyber incident response and cybersecurity firm, Deborah’s expertise focuses on cybersecurity law and regulation, as well as cyber incident response. Her experience at the international level includes her work as a member of the International Group of Experts that drafted the 2017 Tallinn 2.0 manual on state activity in cyberspace. Deborah is currently a member of the advisory board for the Hebrew University Cyber Security Research Center; and a research fellow at the IDC Herzliya’s Institute for Counter-Terrorism. She teaches at Hebrew University Law School and Reichman University, and has served as a guest lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Exec Ed Program on Cybersecurity: The Intersection of Policy and Technology.
June 28: The Olim Edge: How Immigration Impacts Israeli Innovation
Immigration has been a part of the Israeli experience since the state was founded. Among the most significant, the wave of Russian immigration starting in the 1980s gave Israel a brain boost, the benefits of which are still felt today.
Prof. Stephen M. Berk is a Professor of History at Union College in Schenectady, New York, Chair of the Department of History, Director of the Program in Comparative Communist Studies and Faculty Advisor to the Jewish Student Organization. He is author of Year of Crisis, Year of Hope: Russian Jewry and the Pogroms of 1881-1882 (Greenwood Press, 1985). At the present time Professor Berk is writing a book entitled, Our People Are Your People: American Jewry and the Struggle for Civil Rights 1854-1965. The book provides an interesting discussion of an extremely important chapter in the history of the civil rights movement and attempts to dispel the myths and misunderstandings that surround the Black-Jewish relationship. Professor Berk is also the author of many articles on Russian History, Russian Jewish History, anti-Semitism and American Policy in the Middle East. Professor Berk is frequently consulted by newspaper reporters and by television and radio stations including the BBC. He has lectured in numerous universities in countless cities and towns in the United States and Israel and is a primary speaker for the UJA, Israel Bonds and B’nai B’rith. Professor Berk is considered an absolutely superb lecturer and teacher. Touring with him has been compared to attending a “traveling university…his lectures are outstanding.” He is always informative, interesting and entertaining. He has lectured as scholar-in-residence for us on many trips to Russia, Spain, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Europe and Israel. It is a privilege to have him with us!
Feedback from the past series:
June 7: Genetics of an Israeli Start-Up
Since the Human Genome Project completed sequencing the entire human genome in 2003, genetic research has evolved dramatically, and the pace of innovation continues to astound. Investments in Israeli Digital Health companies crossed a BILLION dollars for the first time in 2021, more than in 2020 and 2019 combined! The presentation will explore the evolution of digital applications and the role of Israeli innovation in this space. We’ll look particularly in the field of genomics, an area in dire need of scalable solutions as the demand for services such as genetic counseling far outstrips supply.
Dr. Doron Behar is the CEO and Founder of Igentify. Dr. Behar is a serial entrepreneur, holding an MD in internal medicine, critical care medicine and medical genetics, and a PhD in population genetics.
June 14: Bringing the Start-Up Nation to Palestinian Entrepreneurs
Founded in 2014 by venture capitalist Yadin Kaufmann, Palestinian Internship Program (PIP) provides young Palestinian professionals with work experience placements at leading Israel-based companies. In Summer 2020, PIP Inc. launched its sister program, the Palestinian Mentorship Program (PMP). Through PMP, Palestinian entrepreneurs are matched with Global Experts, especially in the fields of tech, business, and finance for hands on mentoring. PIP aims to empower Palestinian professionals in developing and building their careers, and establishing themselves as business leaders, thereby stimulating innovation, investment, and opportunity in the Palestinian tech ecosystem. Our Mission is to provide young Palestinian professionals with high-level internships and mentorships so that they can better contribute to the development of the Palestinian tech sector.
Anna Gol-Dekel is the Executive Director for the Palestinian Internship Program and Palestinian Mentorship Program, responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization. Born in New York City and raised in Toronto, she holds a B.A. in Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies from the University of Toronto’s Munk School. Upon completion, she worked as the Campus Director and Educator for the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center in Toronto, where she ran social justice workshops for middle school and high school students. Anna received her M.A. in Conflict Resolution from Tel Aviv University in 2016, along with her certification in Mediation. During the course of her studies, she also worked as a research intern at the Jerusalem Center for Justice.
June 21: Israel’s Cyber Innovation Ecosystem
Israel’s innovative society and culture, robust governmental engagement with the economy, and globally-aware market approach are some of the factors that contribute to the global impact of Israeli innovation. In one area in particular, cybersecurity, Israel has consistently “punched above its weight” globally, as a consistent market leader for cyber services, products, and national cyber defense. For example, according to the, approximately 40% of private global investment in cyber security funding rounds are in Israel. In this program we will explore Israel’s cyber ecosystem – the companies, people, national resources, and social factors – and the synergies between these that help us to answer the question: Why is Israel so innovative in the field of cybersecurity?
Deborah Housen-Couriel, the Chief Legal Officer and VP Regulation for Konfidas, a leading Israeli cyber incident response and cybersecurity firm, Deborah’s expertise focuses on cybersecurity law and regulation, as well as cyber incident response. Her experience at the international level includes her work as a member of the International Group of Experts that drafted the 2017 Tallinn 2.0 manual on state activity in cyberspace. Deborah is currently a member of the advisory board for the Hebrew University Cyber Security Research Center; and a research fellow at the IDC Herzliya’s Institute for Counter-Terrorism. She teaches at Hebrew University Law School and Reichman University, and has served as a guest lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Exec Ed Program on Cybersecurity: The Intersection of Policy and Technology.
June 28: The Olim Edge: How Immigration Impacts Israeli Innovation
Immigration has been a part of the Israeli experience since the state was founded. Among the most significant, the wave of Russian immigration starting in the 1980s gave Israel a brain boost, the benefits of which are still felt today.
Prof. Stephen M. Berk is a Professor of History at Union College in Schenectady, New York, Chair of the Department of History, Director of the Program in Comparative Communist Studies and Faculty Advisor to the Jewish Student Organization. He is author of Year of Crisis, Year of Hope: Russian Jewry and the Pogroms of 1881-1882 (Greenwood Press, 1985). At the present time Professor Berk is writing a book entitled, Our People Are Your People: American Jewry and the Struggle for Civil Rights 1854-1965. The book provides an interesting discussion of an extremely important chapter in the history of the civil rights movement and attempts to dispel the myths and misunderstandings that surround the Black-Jewish relationship. Professor Berk is also the author of many articles on Russian History, Russian Jewish History, anti-Semitism and American Policy in the Middle East. Professor Berk is frequently consulted by newspaper reporters and by television and radio stations including the BBC. He has lectured in numerous universities in countless cities and towns in the United States and Israel and is a primary speaker for the UJA, Israel Bonds and B’nai B’rith. Professor Berk is considered an absolutely superb lecturer and teacher. Touring with him has been compared to attending a “traveling university…his lectures are outstanding.” He is always informative, interesting and entertaining. He has lectured as scholar-in-residence for us on many trips to Russia, Spain, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Europe and Israel. It is a privilege to have him with us!
“You enrich our lives – just finished listening to your lecture and how full of gratitude Hope and I are to you. We love every session of Ayelet with whoever lectures but Prof. Berk is our idol! Can’t wait to travel with you again.”
– Cantor Beny & Hope Maissner
“Your lecture series have been a bright spot in this pandemic. Now I can’t wait to start travelling to these places again…especially Israel!”
– Anita A.
“I am totally enjoying the series and actually clap when he’s finished even though I’m sitting alone in my office.”
– Felice Z
“Always interested to hear Professor Berk speak. The man is a walking encyclopedia, truly incredible. Would love to go on one of his trips someday”
– Brad G
“Love that man and his incredible knowledge and energy! I am ready for his brain sharing anytime! Thank you to you for organizing this and to Dr. Berk…”
– Suzanne S