Why the Story of Israel’s Global Reach Must Be Told – and Retold

After more than two decades in philanthropy and development, I have come to believe that the most powerful driver of giving is not proximity – it is purpose. My career has been split almost evenly between two worlds that, at first glance, might seem distinct: the Jewish communal sector and international development. In reality, they have always been deeply intertwined.

I have had the privilege of working and volunteering with extraordinary organizations – from Americares to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee to American Jewish World Service to Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion. Each experience deepened my understanding of the responsibility we share to improve lives, reduce inequality, and expand opportunity. Whether in a Jewish or non-Jewish context, my guiding principles have remained constant: to further humanity, to address poverty and injustice, and to act in service of something larger than ourselves.

In my current role as Chief Development Officer of the American Technion Society, I see those same principles brought to life in the Technion – one of the most dynamic institutions in the world. The Technion stands at the intersection of innovation and impact, advancing breakthroughs that benefit not only Israel and the Jewish people, but communities across the globe.

This is why a central question must continually be asked: How do we translate Israel’s global impact in ways that inspire Jewish philanthropy worldwide?

From Local Identity to Global Impact

Jewish philanthropy has long been rooted in tradition, identity, and community. But today’s donors – particularly the next generation – are increasingly motivated by global relevance. They want to understand not only what institutions mean to the Jewish people, but also how they contribute to solving the world’s most pressing challenges.

For the Technion, that story is both compelling and expansive. It is a story of engineers and scientists developing technologies that improve healthcare, address climate challenges, and shape the future of artificial intelligence. It is a story of academic collaboration that transcends borders and of partnerships that redefine what a small country can achieve on the world stage.

When we successfully communicate that story – when we connect the dots between Israel’s innovations and global progress – philanthropy flourishes.

Partnerships That Tell a Story

Consider the Technion’s deep relationships with global industry leaders. Companies like Nvidia and Boeing are not simply collaborators; they are validators of Israel’s role as a hub of transformative innovation. Nvidia’s investment in Northern Israel underscores the region’s emergence as a center of the AI revolution and its concentration of top-tier academic and engineering talent birthed at the Technion, while Boeing’s work with the Technion on sustainable aviation fuels speaks to a shared commitment to tackling climate change.

But just as important as these corporate partnerships are the individuals and families who power the Technion’s mission. Most philanthropic support comes from people who believe in the University’s vision and invest in it over time. At its core, this work is about relationships – about trust, shared values, and a belief in what is possible when we work together.

A Truly Global Academic Ecosystem

The Technion’s global reach is also evident in its academic collaborations. The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech in New York City stands as a powerful example of what can happen when Israeli innovation intersects with American entrepreneurship. It is not just a partnership; it is a model for how universities can drive economic growth and technological advancement in the heart of a global city.

Across the Atlantic, the Technion’s participation in the EuroTech alliance places it alongside Europe’s leading technological institutions, including TUM in Munich, EPFL in Lausanne, and others. Even during challenging political circumstances in recent years, these relationships have endured. Faculty exchanges, joint workshops, and collaborative research continued, reinforcing a vital truth: scientific progress does not pause in the face of adversity – it adapts and persists. These collaborations are not simply academic exercises. They are bridges that connect ideas, people, and solutions across continents.

Innovation That Scales

The Technion’s impact is perhaps most visible in its role as a catalyst for entrepreneurship. Research has shown that the Technion has a 25-times greater likelihood than any university outside the United States to produce a US unicorn – a privately held startup valued at over $1 billion.

Companies like Wiz and Armis exemplify this phenomenon. They are not just business successes; they are case studies in how Technion education and research translate into real-world solutions at scale. They demonstrate how Israeli innovation moves from the lab to the marketplace – and ultimately, to global consumers and industries. For donors, these are not abstract achievements. They are tangible proof that investment in the Technion yields results that resonate far beyond Israel’s borders.

The Work Ahead

If there is one lesson I have learned over the past 20 years, it is that philanthropy is most powerful when it is connected to meaning. Our responsibility, as fundraisers and storytellers, is to ensure that the extraordinary work happening in Israel is understood, appreciated, and supported by Jewish communities worldwide.

That means moving beyond familiarity and toward relevance. It means showing how Israel’s innovations are not only a source of pride, but a force for global good. And it means building relationships – one conversation, one connection, one shared vision at a time.

In the months ahead, I look forward to exploring these themes in greater depth: how we communicate impact, how we engage donors across generations and geographies, and how institutions like the Technion can continue to inspire investment in a better future.

When we succeed in translating Israel’s global impact, we do more than raise funds – we build a community of partners committed to changing the world.