Some 120 Israeli and overseas businesspeople took part in the Jewish Agency's second "Business-to-Business" special sub-track within in the framework of the Globe's "Israel Business Conference" on December 13 & 14, 2008.  Gary Heiman, the CEO and President of Standard Textile was the Chair of the B2B initiative.

The B2B sub-track included several components. One of the highlights was a Jewish Agency panel discussion "From Profits to People: Economic and Social Models for the Positioning of Israel", which explored how cooperation between the Israeli business community, the global business sector and world Jewry be maximized? How Israel and overseas business community's strengths and weaknesses complement one another? How economic investment based on social value is created. The panel was held in the presence of Zeev Bielski, Chairman of the Executive, Jewish Agency for Israel. Keynote speakers included  Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Iscar Chairman Eitan Wertheimer. Respondents included a distinguished line-up including American-Israel Chamber of Commerce Southeast Region Director Tom Glaser, Portland Trust Israel CEO Eival Gilady, Israeli Public Service Venture Fund Chair Yadin Kaufmann. The session was chaired and facilitated by Gary Heiman. 

The session was followed by in-depth roundtable discussions which at which the participants examined avenues of cooperation. All the ideas have been summarized and the Partnership Division will be developing ways to translate these directions into action.

Partnership 2000 Co-Chair Raya Strauss Ben-Dror hosted participants for concluding event at the Ilana Gur Museum in Jaffa

Photos by Gil Hadany

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