Our Program
Bringing together American Jews and Israelis to create game-changing ideas and relationships that last a lifetime.
What is the Connect Israel program?
Connect Israel is a life-long program that offers a transformational experience for successful mid-career professionals seeking to find greater personal meaning and to accelerate their careers through a mutual exchange of knowledge, expertise, and creative collaboration with their Israeli counterparts in business.
Hear how Connect Israel has impacted
some of our fellows
Meet Adam: A Trip Like No Other
Meet Eden: Becoming a Jewish and Professional Leader
A message from our founder
The Connect Israel program was created as a direct result of research and focus groups with young professionals who have mostly been to Israel with other programs. The message we kept hearing was loud and clear: “Our excitement ended after the trip.” Many participants also found themselves frustrated that there was no “day after” to involve them beyond the trip, nor were there any professional or leadership development opportunities being offered. Except asking them for financial contributions.
We saw just how important it was to foster a new, life-long approach. Connect Israel’s mission is to build the next generation of leaders through creative teamwork, knowledge, passion, and effectiveness.
METUKA BENJAMIN
FOUNDER & CEO
American and Israeli fellows networking.
What to expect?
Connect Israel fellows are rising forces and successful movers-and-shakers within their respective fields – both in the U.S. and Israel – and are carefully selected through a highly competitive process. They are building long-standing global relationships based on collaborations of ambition, creativity, vision, and success.
How does the program work?
Connect Israel is both highly structured and free-flowing at the same time. The schedule and trips are structured. Networking is free-flowing. The creativity, thinking, collaborations, and ideas that emerge from the relationships you create take on their own trajectory. While each of our fellows all work in various fields, there is an expectation that relationships will be created between the American Jewish and Israeli fellows, leading to creative outputs which achieve the goals and responsibilities of the program and result in ideas that are bound to change the status quo.
American and Israeli fellows participating in a session at Deloitte Israel’s offices.
What’s included in the program?
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+ Annual week-long trip
This isn’t your typical sight-seeing trip! Our annual partially subsidized* trip is offered to young professionals who have been to Israel at least once before and includes industry site visits, speaker events, and networking and professional growth opportunities with some of the top industry leaders and entrepreneurs from inside the “Start-Up Nation.” You will get the chance to see first-hand the innovative contributions that Israel has made for itself and the rest of the world across various industries. On top of that, you’ll also be placed right at the forefront of the recent Abraham Accords so you, too, can be a part of the direct impact of peace through business, innovation, and relationships.
*The fellows will be responsible for their airfare costs. The rest of the program will be subsidized by Connect Israel.
+ Regular cohort meetings
These regularly scheduled meetings will be focused on building personal and professional relationships among our American and Israeli cohorts, while discussing topics of interest and nuanced viewpoints. Both the American and Israeli fellows will work hand-in-hand – both virtually and in-person – to brainstorm and innovate together, thus evolving grand new ideas for business, Israel, and the Jewish world. These tailor-made sessions will also provide the space for networking and investment opportunities for you, your business, and your creative ideas.
+ Access to leadership and speaker series
As a Connect Israel fellow, you’ll be provided top-notch education and training in current business challenges and new emerging methodologies, as well as issues arising in Israel and the Jewish world. You’ll also have access to some of the most renowned speakers who are changing the culture and conversations for both the Israeli and American Jewish communities.
Some of the brands and organizations we’ve partnered with across the Israeli spectrum
American and Israeli fellows in discussion at the Mobileye headquarters.
Presentation at the Bank Hapoalim headquarters with Haim Pinto, Chief Technology Officer.
American fellow, Adam, interacting with an Israeli fellow at Bank Hapoalim.
Danny Gold, Creator of the Iron Dome Missile Defense System, speaking to the Connect Israel group at the Blue Rooster in Tel Aviv.
Visit to an Iron Dome Missile Defense System in Israel.
Boardroom presentation at the Mobileye headquarters.
OrCam demonstration at the Mobileye headquarters.
Some American fellows visiting the Deloitte Israel offices.
American fellow, Ariel, speaking with an Israeli fellow at a networking event during the trip.
American and Israeli fellows getting to know each other at a networking dinner during the trip.
American fellow, Joey, speaking with an Israeli fellow at a networking dinner during the trip.
American and Israeli fellows getting to know each other at a networking dinner during the trip.
American and Israeli fellows getting to know each other at a networking dinner during the trip.
American fellow, Ariel, speaking with an Israeli fellow at a networking dinner during the trip.
American fellow, David, in conversation with an Israeli fellow.
American fellows posing for a picture.
American fellows, Beeta and Joey, having fun on the streets of the shuk.
Connect Israel fellows playing with school children at a Kibbutz.
Connect Israel fellows playing with school children at a Kibbutz.
Members of the Connect Israel group with Israeli general and Commander of the Israeli Air Force, Amikam Norkin.
The Squadron simulator presentation.
American fellow, Adam, learning how to fly in the Squadron simulator.
The Connect Israel group with President Reuven Rivlin.
Connect Israel group posing for a picture with President Reuven Rivlin.
Eli Groner speaking with Connect Israel fellows.
Communications workshop in Israel with Frank Luntz.
American fellows enjoying a workshop session during the trip.
American fellows enjoying a workshop session during the trip.
Communications workshop in California with Frank Luntz.
Communications workshop in California with Frank Luntz.
American fellows meeting and investing with Dov Moran, Managing Director of Grove Ventures and Inventor of the USB Memory Stick
American and Israeli fellows in discussion at the Mobileye headquarters.
Presentation at the Bank Hapoalim headquarters with Haim Pinto, Chief Technology Officer.
American fellow, Adam, interacting with an Israeli fellow at Bank Hapoalim.
Danny Gold, Creator of the Iron Dome Missile Defense System, speaking to the Connect Israel group at the Blue Rooster in Tel Aviv.
Visit to an Iron Dome Missile Defense System in Israel.
Boardroom presentation at the Mobileye headquarters.
OrCam demonstration at the Mobileye headquarters.
Some American fellows visiting the Deloitte Israel offices.
American fellow, Ariel, speaking with an Israeli fellow at a networking event during the trip.
American and Israeli fellows getting to know each other at a networking dinner during the trip.
American fellow, Joey, speaking with an Israeli fellow at a networking dinner during the trip.
American and Israeli fellows getting to know each other at a networking dinner during the trip.
American and Israeli fellows getting to know each other at a networking dinner during the trip.
American fellow, Ariel, speaking with an Israeli fellow at a networking dinner during the trip.
American fellow, David, in conversation with an Israeli fellow.
American fellows posing for a picture.
American fellows, Beeta and Joey, having fun on the streets of the shuk.
Connect Israel fellows playing with school children at a Kibbutz.
Connect Israel fellows playing with school children at a Kibbutz.
Members of the Connect Israel group with Israeli general and Commander of the Israeli Air Force, Amikam Norkin.
The Squadron simulator presentation.
American fellow, Adam, learning how to fly in the Squadron simulator.
The Connect Israel group with President Reuven Rivlin.
Connect Israel group posing for a picture with President Reuven Rivlin.
Eli Groner speaking with Connect Israel fellows.
Communications workshop in Israel with Frank Luntz.
American fellows enjoying a workshop session during the trip.
American fellows enjoying a workshop session during the trip.
Communications workshop in California with Frank Luntz.
American fellows meeting and investing with Dov Moran, Managing Director of Grove Ventures and Inventor of the USB Memory Stick
Ready to join Connect Israel?
We’re looking for outstanding Jewish mid-career professionals who:
Are between the ages of 28-45 years old
Have a minimum of five years of work experience
Have a well-established connection with Israel already
Are able to commit to the Connect Israel program beyond the annual trip
If you check these boxes, we want to hear from you!
Want to join this growing network of Jewish professionals?