Building Bridges - Jews, Israelis and Tech
Following last October and everything that followed since, we think it’s time to bring together two communities that have thrived in parallel for far too long. We invite you to a special evening where the Jewish and Israeli tech communities will finally unite, not just as professionals but as a united family.
This event is more than just networking—it’s about building bridges. It’s a call to connect, collaborate, and create something greater than the sum of its parts. By combining our strengths, experiences, and unique perspectives, we can ignite new ideas and forge partnerships that will shape the future of tech.
Join us as we take this significant step forward. Together, we’ll break down the barriers that have kept our communities separate and build lasting connections that will drive innovation and growth for years to come.
Schedule:
6:00 pm - Gathering & Networking
6:30 pm - Community Leaders Panel, led by Dana Sinay - Dana Sinay is a skilled engagement strategist and consultant specializing in marketing and business development. Honored by Meta in 2019 as a leading community manager in North America, Dana has also been a speaker at international conferences.
Including:
Rabbi Mordechai Lightstone is the co-founder and director of Tech Tribe, a community for Jews in tech and digital media. He hosts the annual #openShabbat meal at SXSW in Austin, TX and is a TED Resident. Follow him on social media: @mottel ; Learn more about Tech Tribe: mytechtribe.org
Asaf Wolff leads together with 15 committee members Bereisheet Tech, the Israeli high-tech community in the NYC suburbs. Established in 2015, and partnering with Valley Bank and Meitar, Bereisheet Tech boasts over 1,000 members and hosts more than 16 events annually, ranging from exclusive founder gatherings to large-scale networking events.
7:00 pm - Founders, Investors, Jews, Israelis, and everything in between. A panel with:
Dr. Maria Blekher- Dr. Maria Blekher is a behavioral scientist, investor, and entrepreneur with deep expertise in mental health tech, consumer behavior, and go-to-market strategies. She is a founding partner of Serendipity Impact VC, investing in disruptive early-stage startups in the neuro & mental health tech sectors. Based in NYC, Maria is a key figure in the Israeli-NYC startup ecosystem. She serves as a strategic advisor for mental health tech initiatives such as the MyWhat/If Foundation and MindGuard, and serves on the advisory board of 97212 Ventures. Maria is also deeply involved in mentoring organizations that promote entrepreneurship and support women in tech. Previously, she was the Founding Director of the YU Innovation Lab, where she created and led a launchpad for early-stage Israeli startups in NYC. A regular speaker on AI and mental health technology, Maria holds both an MBA and a PhD from Ben Gurion University, Israel, and was a visiting scholar at NYU's Stern School of Business.
Adi Eckhouse Barzilai - Adi is a seasoned tech leader and entrepreneur who began her career in consumer products and brand management at P&G. She was a founding team member and head of marketing and business development at Syneron Beauty, which was later acquired by Unilever. Adi then co-founded and was CEO of RealFace, a pioneering face recognition authentication company acquired by Apple. She also co-founded Green Coffee, a date-based coffee company acquired in Israel, and most recently, Present Gaming, which focuses on creating holographic displays for children and families. Today, Adi consults startups globally on go-to-market strategies, business development, and branding. She has worked with numerous innovative startups in both consulting and advisory roles. She is also working on a new company teaching kids how to code using code. Adi holds a degree in Computer Science from IDC and an MBA from Columbia University. She’s a chess player, enjoys running, and loves snowboarding. Adi lives in New York with her husband, four daughters, and their dog.
Dylan Gambardella is an entrepreneur, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and co-founder/CEO of Next Gen HQ, a platform empowering young leaders in the tech and startup world. He has founded companies in the future of work and ed-tech spaces, authored Now That's Momentum, and invested in startups valued at over $100M. A sought-after keynote speaker, Dylan has shared insights on 100+ stages, including TEDx. Featured in Forbes, Inc., CNBC, and more, he is passionate about using technology to drive meaningful impact.
7:45 pm - Networking & Closing
We look forward to seeing you there!
Event Code of Conduct
Attendees must adhere to all venue rules, policies, and applicable laws, as administered by the hosts, while maintaining a considerate and respectful demeanor.
Attendees are expected to consume alcohol responsibly, if at all.
Prohibited behaviors include harassment, discrimination, intimidation, unwelcome sexual advances (verbal or physical), threatening language, demeaning conduct, and unauthorized photography or recording.
By attending, you grant the event organizers and hosts the right to use any photographs, motion pictures, recordings, or any other media captured of you during the event for promotional and marketing purposes, including on the hosts' website, social media, event recaps, and future event promotion, with no additional compensation provided.
Violation of this code of conduct will result in immediate removal from the event and may lead to exclusion from future events.