for israeli innovation connecting through passion …major eitan balachsan was the esteemed...
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ISRAELI AMERICAN AND JEWISH AMERICAN TEENSCONNECTING THROUGH PASSION FOR ISRAELI INNOVATION
The first program that focuses on connecting Israeli and Jewish American teenagers, with the goal of strengthening their Jewish identity, connection to Israel, and exploring their “Israeliness”
IAC EITANIM
This week I learned a lot about working as a team and making sure everyone is included as well as improving my problem solving skills.This is my first year I got to meet so many new people from all over the United States. Since I moved to the here 4 years ago, I struggled with finding people who love Israel as much as I do.IAC Eitanim has introduced me to a platform in which I can meet Israeli-American and Jewish-American teens, who are just as passionate about Israel as I am.
TAL KESHETIAC EITANIMPHILADELPHIA
• 61% would rather be entrepreneurs than employees
• 72% high-schoolers would liketo start business some day
• 75% want to convert hobbiesto full time jobs
• Attention span of 8 seconds• Prefer storytelling and visual
displays• Communicate amongst themselves
mostly through texting and multiple social-media outlets
CHALLENGES
• Growing gap between Jewish Americanteenagers and both Israeland their Jewish identity.
• DisconnectedIsraeli American teenagersfrom the Jewish American community
CHALLENGES BYTHE PEW REPORT
SPEAKINGTO GENERATION Z
Strengthening connection to Jewish identity, community activism, and Israel
Developing soft skills through innovative educational tools and hands-on learning methods
Connecting Israeliand Jewish American teenagers. Bridging the gap we see in these adult communities today
Promoting leadership, innovative/critical thinking, and problem solving mindsets
OUR MISSION
I consider myself Israeli-American, but this year when I moved to a public school I found that I was not engaged with Israel as much as I would like, until I found IAC Eitanim. IAC Eitanim gave me the opportunity to spend time in an Israeli environment and build connections with other teens interested in the same subjects as I am.This was my second year attending the hackathon.It has become a part of my life and I will be looking forward to the next one.
TAMIR ZIVIAC EITANIM LOS ANGELES
The IAC Eitanim Regional and National Hackathon bring together teens from across the country for a unique experience. Entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, and of course - Israel, are all explored and interacted with. Facilitated by IAC Eitanim experienced staff and outstanding mentors, the Hackathons truly become a hub of opportunity and future community building.
IAC Eitanim Hackathons
600 STUDENTS | 16 GROUPS | 2 HACKATHONS | 10 STATES45% JEWISH-AMERICAN | 55% ISRAELI-AMERICAN
70%Indicated that the program made them better prepared to advocate for Israel.
88%Indicated that the activities they participated in were well designed and creative.
90%Indicated the program increased and strengthened their knowledge about Israeli innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
2017 SURVEY
65%Indicated that the program increased and strengthened their connection to the Israeli/Jewish community.
CONTENTMost engaging topics:
SKILLSMost improved skills:
Entrepreneurship and innovationIsrael's’ contribution to the worldIsrael Advocacy
TeamworkPresentation skillsLeadership
50%JEWISHAMERICANS
50%ISRAELI-AMERICANS
PARTICIPANTS GROUPS
2017
2018600
12002017
201815
30+
50% MALE
50% FEMALE
IAC EITANIM MENTORS
SHANI JACOBSONSeattleProgram ManagerAmdocs
GURI STARKSan DiegoCEO CorTechs Labs Inc.
RAZ YALOVPhoenixCo-Founder and CEOZCast Inc.
DIN LAPIDOTFloridaAmericas Director of Marketing Ellucian
RINA LEVYNew YorkAdvisory Board MemberPodium Technologies
IDAN-UDI EDRYLas VegasCEOCyberSecurity
DANIEL LEONNew YorkFounding President and COOCelsius Foundation
KFIR GAVRIELILos AngelesCo-Founder and CEOTikes
LYRON BENTOVIMNew JerseyPresident and CEOThe Glimpse Group
DAN OSTROFFChicagoFounder and CEODoogma
Oded OuaknineColoradoVice President, Customer SuccessDuda
YONATAN WEINTRAUBSilicon ValleyCo-Founder Space IL
OFFIR GUTELZONSilicon ValleyFounder and CEOKeepy
MITCH SIMONSan DiegoVice President,Client DevelopmentLev Investments, Inc.
BRAD HOWARDLas VegasPresident & FounderTrend nation
YISHAI COHENSilicon ValleyHead of Customer Success BlazeMeter
SHARON RECHTERLos AngelesPresident First Media
DAN OELSNERNew JerseyVP of DevelopmentIzaki Group Investments
CRAIG WEISSPhoenixFounder, President & CEOAladdin Dreamer Inc.
ILANA GOLANSilicon ValleyFounder and CEO Golan Ventures
IAC EITANIM MENTORS
ILIT RAZSan FranciscoCo-Founder & CEOJoonko
YOAV STEINWashington D.C.Development OfficerThe Jewish Federation
NIR NAGARColoradoDirector of IT Operations JEWISHcolorado
DANA KALSKYSan FranciscoHead of Infrastructure and Cyber ProjectsBank Leumi
AYELET MARGOLIN-LEHTMANColoradoProgram Management Leader
AMIT MAYERAtlantaSenior Innovation ExpertSIT - Systematic Inventive Thinking
TAL BARELAtlantaDirector of AccountingAmerican Tower corporation
ANAT KATZIRNew JerseySchool DirectorTemple Beth-Or
SHAI SHERMISTERPhiladelphiaIP ManagerSAP Labs
YUVAL SCHORYPalo AltoProduct ManagerCisco
KESEM ZURSeattleSoftware EngineerSiemens Healthcare
GIL ALLOUCHESan FranciscoCEO Metadata
GIL BARZESKIPhiladelphiaOwner and CEOE-Time System
RONNIE RAVIVChicagoCOOVobal Technologies, LLC
RONALD SETTYAtlantaVice President SalesAmdocs
YANIV CAPELUTOBostonSales Executive InAuth, Inc.
YUVAL SAPIRPhiladelphiaDevelopment ManagerPBLC Inc.
MICHA WEINBLATTWashington D.C.Co-Founder & CEOBetterific
ULI GAL-OZPalo AltoHead of Business DevelopmentMagisto
YOAV ETZIONLas VegasManaging Partner YJE & Company Inc.
Major Eitan Balachsan was the esteemed commander of Sayeret Tzanchanim — the Paratroopers Commando Unit in the Israel Defense Forces. When founding IAC Eitanim, Shoham Nicolet, IAC CEO, said about him - “I had the unique privilege to be one of Eitan's officers in his unit and to serve firsthand with a courageous, inspiring and promising young leader. Tragically, Eitan was killed in Lebanon (1999) while bravely leading us in his last mission.” Eitan’s legacy as a leader and a role model permeated the hearts and souls of thousands of young Israelis and continues to impact them until this very day.
THE LEGACY BEHIND EITANIM
IAC EITANIM honors Eitan’s legacy; his enduring connection to Israel, commitment to education, and strive for leadershipSHOHAM NICOLET, IAC CO-FOUNDER & CEO