Stressing the vitality of Israeli companies

To connect companies in Israel with potential customers in the U.S., several synagogues and Jewish organization collaborated to hold what organizers are calling Long Island’s first Israeli Technology & Innovation Fair on May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre in East Rockaway.
The fair is expected to have as many as 18 Israeli firms in the industries of medicine, agriculture, health, transportation, energy, science and areas where Israel is advancing technology and creativity throughout the world. Nadav Kidron, chief executive officer of Oramed Pharmaceuticals will deliver the keynote address “How Israeli Technology is Transforming the World” at 11 a.m.
Harold Kislik, president of the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre, said his synagogue is proud to be hosting the fair, which is the largest event in a year-long celebration of Israeli culture the temple calls “Year for Israel” a celebration of the nation’s culture, history and life.
Kislik said that it is vital to stress and recount what he called “the extraordinary accomplishments that Israelis contribute to the betterment of society.” “Attendees to the fair will learn about some of the many ways that Israeli companies are on the cutting edge of innovation and creativity,” he said. “Participating companies will have the opportunity to teach about and publicize their products and services in a direct one-on-one setting.”
Nili Shalve, Israel’s economic minister to North America was instrumental in persuading four of the businesses to attend the fair. The mission of Israel’s Economic Mission is to help Israeli companies gain access to the U.S market, Shalve said. “We introduce companies to potential investors, partners and clients to help them shorten the time it takes them to get to the market,” she said.

There are more than 600 Israeli businesses that have offices on the East Coast, according to Shalve, and some market directly to customers. For those type of firms this kind of event could provide valuable contacts and insights, she said. “We are, of course, fortunate to have the opportunity to interact with vibrant Jewish communities, such as those on Long Island, that are interested in technological advancement in Israel and would like to explore how they can get involved,” Shalve said.
The National Council of Jewish Women, Peninsula Section is one of the 14 sponsors and supporters of the fair. Incoming co-President Laurie Stone Brofsky thinks that attendees will be astonished to learn what is being accomplished by Israeli companies to help improve the quality of life.
She said that the NCJW’s mission of fostering progressive change in the U.S. and Israel that “supports education, promotes the empowerment of women and works to bridge the gaps in society for vulnerable women, children and families meshes with the goals and ambitions of these businesses. “NCJW, Peninsula Section supports the innovative work that Israeli tech companies are doing to help improve the quality of life for poor, disadvantaged, sick and disabled people the globe,” Brofsky said.
In addition to the Israel Economic Mission and the NCJW other sponsors and supporters include, the Brandeis School and Temple Israel both in Lawrence, Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere, Temple Beth El the Sephardic Temple both in Cedarhurst, Temple Hillel in North Woodmere, the Bayswater Jewish Center in Far Rockaway, Temple Am Echad in Lynbrook, the Barry & Florence Friedberg JCC and Temple Beth Shalom both on Oceanside and the Solomon Schechter School of Long Island in Jericho.