(Jerusalem, 24 October 2012) A special ‘Think Israel’ conference organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh and The Jewish Agency for Israel, took place at the UJA-Federation of New York in Manhattan this week. The conference, which was geared for Jewish students and young professionals, focused on careers and life in Israel, and featured various workshops addressing Jobs in Israel, Higher Education, Building your Community, Social Justice, Israel Engagement and more. The event also included an Israel Fair where people considering Aliyah were able to meet with potential employers as well as a special workshop for physicians.
The ‘Think Israel’ conference which drew hundreds of attendees, incorporated various breakout sessions covering a wide array of Aliyah and Israel-related topics, including breaking into the Israeli job market, higher education and social action in Israel, army service in Israel, and exploring The Jewish Agency’s Masa programs.
A special Tweetup focusing on “Challenges in Online Israel Advocacy” was held during the conference, featuring a lineup of popular Jewish social media personalities, including Lisa Alcalay Klug, award-winning journalist, author of Cool Jew and Hot Mamalah; Bethany Shondark, Social Media Associate at Commentary Magazine; Josh Yuter, Rabbi of the Stanton St. Shul, Top 10 Jewish influencer and award winning blogger; Seth Mandel, Assistant Editor at Commentary Magazine and Laura Ben-David, Social Media Coordinator of Nefesh B’Nefesh.
In addition to the sessions, a special webinar was broadcast from the event focusing on Nefesh B’Nefesh’s Go North program, as part of the Negev & Galil Development Project that the organization conducts in cooperation with Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL) to encourage Olim to move to Israel’s periphery.
About The Jewish Agency for Israel:
Investing in a vibrant Jewish future, The Jewish Agency for Israel continues to address the greatest challenges of our People in every generation. We connect the global Jewish family, bringing Jews to Israel- and Israel to Jews. We build a better society in Israel- and beyond- energizing young Israelis and their worldwide peers to rediscover a collective sense of Jewish purpose. At the same time, The Jewish Agency continues to be the Jewish world’s first responder, prepared to rescue and bring Jews home to Israel from countries where they live at-risk. More information can be obtained at: www.jewishagency.org.
About Nefesh B’Nefesh:
Founded in 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh in cooperation with the Israeli government and the Jewish Agency for Israel, is dedicated to revitalizing Aliyah from North America and the UK by removing or minimizing the financial, professional, logistical and social obstacles of Aliyah. The support and comprehensive social services provided by Nefesh B'Nefesh to its 33,000 newcomers, has ensured that 97% of its Olim have remained in Israel. www.nbn.org.il