Levi Abramson
University of Pennsylvania
Interned at Pitango VC
Karl Bach
Washington University St Louis
Interned at Plenus Funds
Ashley Bender
Northwestern University
American University School of Law
Interned at Compugen
Lauren Bilow
Yale University
Interned at CEVA DSP
Michael Bloch
UC Berkeley
Interned at Genesis VC
Sam Block
Northwestern University
Interned at Nice Systems
Jessica Borenstein
Cornell University
Interned at Israel Corp
Caroline Brand
University of Pennsylvania
Interned at Giza VC
Peter Cohen
Yale University
Interned at Venture Capital Firm
Sherri Deckelboim
University of Pennsylvania
Interned at Check Point Software Technologies
Blake Dickstein
University of Florida
Interned at Retalix
Samuel Doniger
Harvard University
Giza VC
Jason Fish
University of Vermont
Interned at Ernst & Young
Matthew Fisher
Duke University
Interned at Genesis VC
Reena Glaser
Princeton University
Interned at Compugen
Lisa Goldman
Princeton University
Interned at Ernst & Young
Zachary Goldstein
Harvard Universit
Interned at Trigger Foresight
Hallie Greitzer
Washington University St Louis
Interned at KCPS and Company
Abigail Jablansky
University of Pennsylvania
Interned at Shaldor
Nicole Kohansamad
University of Southern California
Interned at a Global Bank
Evan Kramer
University of Pennsylvania
Interned at a Global Bank
Danielle Kutasov
Princeton University
Interned at Whitewater
Alexandra Levitt
Emory University
Interned at KCPS and Company
Zachary Myers
Northwestern University
Interned at Magma VC
Ira Rickman
University of Maryland
Interned at a Global Bank
Coleman Shear
Dartmouth
Interned at a Global Bank
Spencer Silverman
University of Virginia
Interned at Vintage Investment Partners
Benjamin Sklar
Amherst College
Interned at a Global Bank
Justin Starr
University of Pennsylvania
Interned at Allot Communications
Daniel Trauner
Middlebury
Interned at Radware
Rachel Uhlman
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Interned at Frutarom
Guy Viner
University of Pennsylvania
Interned at Ernst & Young
Lisa Wallce
Stanford University
Interned at BRM Group
Jonathan Weinstein
University of Virginia
Interned at Tnuva
Bryant Wolf
Georgetown University
Interned at Carmel Ventures
2011 Participants
Todd Arfman
University of Pennsylvania
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Interned at Ernst and Young
My name is Todd Arfman and I was born and raised in Syosset, New York where I spent my elementary and high school years. I am currently a rising junior at the University of Pennsylvania where I am completing an Independent Major in Financial Systems Analysis and Management along with minors in Math, and Engineering Entrepreneurship. Outside the classroom whether working at Starbucks or helping organizations, I have always been drawn into positions of leadership. I enjoy and get enormous satisfaction by establishing goals and setting objectives for an organization and then leading others to achieve those goals. I am very involved on campus as a Lead Mentoring and Public Relations Intern for the Jewish Heritage Program, where I organize mentoring trips and community service events for interns on campus and lead weekly meetings. I am also very active on campus through my fraternity where as a freshman in Alpha Epsilon Pi I was selected as the President of my pledge class, and grew from that position to be Rush Chair my sophomore year, and now Vice President.
This summer I had the opportunity to intern for at Ernst & Young (E&Y) in Tel Aviv as a Performance Improvement Advisor through the Birthright Israel Excel Fellowship Program. In that position, I assisted the finance team in evaluating global shared service initiatives for multiple clients through market research and cost analysis. The experience of working abroad in a global firm was initially a little intimidating, I have never lived abroad nor have I ever held a position in a firm like E&Y. However, the experience has been professionally inspiring and broadened my view and understanding of the world. The internship provided me the ability to observe and understand how business is conducted both from an American and international point of view. I was included in strategy and planning meetings, I prepared research and presentations for large Israeli global companies and gained invaluable experience and knowledge about the consulting business. In addition to the professional experience, Birthright Israel Excel provided the unique opportunity to live in the vibrant city of Tel Aviv from which I was able to tour the amazing country, get to know the people, and establish incredible relationships. I believe this experience will help shape my professional and personal goals and will forever tie me to Israel.
Penn State University
Smeal College of Business
Interned at DSP Group
My name is Benjamin Birnbaum, and I am in a combined Bachelor/Master’s degree program for Accounting in the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University, with minors in International Business and Sociology. From Cherry Hill, New Jersey, I wanted my college experience to break my small town bubble and to get exposed to the world. Extracurricularly, I’ve served as Vice President of Nittany Cooperative, managed the Northeast region of Campus Ambassadors for Pearson Education, given back to my studies by teaching a recitation for 60 students taking Intro to Financial/Managerial Accounting during my 4th and 5th years, and multiple leadership roles in ΣAM fraternity.
Unfulfilled in my bigger bubble at Penn State, during sophomore year I studied abroad in Maastricht in the southern Netherlands. After a summer 2010 internship for Pearson Education and taking the spring 2011 semester off to work for PwC in Manhattan to expand my professional perspective, I was fortunate to have been awarded the Birthright Israel Excel Fellowship. I felt an immediate connection with the program, yearning to strengthen my connection with Israel and gain invaluable international business experience. In Israel, I am interning with DSP Group, a global provider of wireless chipset solutions, working with their corporate executives to find, research, and evaluate potential M&A opportunities.
While the internship experience is irreplaceable, my experiences outside of the office have really helped me grow during my time in Israel. Becoming accustomed to living in another international city has given me additional perspective as a student of the world to have a deeper understanding about what Israel means to Israelis and the Jewish population internationally. While I used to long for the day that I could pop my tiny bubble and feel totally exposed to the world, I have learned during the Birthright Israel Excel Fellowship to appreciate my worldly curiosity and hope now to never lose it. Post fellowship, I intend to continue to spread my passion for creatively challenging our own personal limits both on campus during my final year of school and upon embarking on my professional career. It will always remain a priority of mine to help strengthen Israel as a country and the Israeli-American relationship through support of future Israel focused programs and social entrepreneurship.
Alex Cohen
Yale University
Interned at Giza Venture Capital
Hi I’m Alex Cohen. I’m from Chevy Chase, MD and I go to Yale University At school I usually keep myself far busier than I should, but I’m happy that way. I’m majoring in philosophy and if I’m not studying, there's a good chance you can find me on the 7th floor of the gym, fencing epee for Yale’s Varsity Fencing team which I’ve done since I came to Yale. I love fencing because it combines tactical strategy and mental discipline with a good physical workout. To keep everything in balance, I also volunteer with an organization called Ready Set Launch that was started at Yale 2 years ago and mentors high school juniors to help them get into college. This is rewarding because I get to put my knowledge of applying to college to good use, and I get to build a meaningful relationship with students who I can help. When I have any free time, in favor of sleeping (that glorious activity that never seems to happen enough) I like to hang out with my friends and chill with my brothers in SAE.
I love learning new things, having new experiences and solving problems. I’m happiest when I’m travelling, staying up late talking with people about life and philosophy, and eating dark chocolate. And I’m lucky—Birthright Israel Excel has given me a chance to do all three! I’ve been interning at Giza Venture Capital working for their mobile internet/social networking desk screening companies, building investment memos, doing market and product research, and learning about VC in general. I joined Birthright Israel Excel because I have always, always wanted to visit Israel and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do so, especially since it was coupled with the chance get my hands dirty in the mobile tech industry—a field I have had a personal interest in since as early as I can remember (when I used to take apart any and all technology in the house, to the great dismay and, I hope, secret pleasure of my parents).
Sam Gardenswartz
Yale University
Interned at Giza Venture Capital
My name is Sam Gardenswartz. I was born and raised in Boston, am double-majoring in Computer Science and Religious Studies at Yale University, and had the great privilege of interning at Giza Venture Capital this past summer. While I have been to Israel many times before, I loved the opportunity this summer to get a taste of the now hot-button high-tech world. Each day was a treasure. The mornings and afternoons were spent on the twelfth floor of the Ramat Aviv Mall Office Building; my office was an exciting, happening place with incredibly welcoming and encouraging venture capitalists, and I was thrilled to be in their midst for two months. The evenings and nights were spent taking a bus into Tel Aviv, wandering through its leafy boulevards, appreciating the beauty of each street, trying out all the different cafes, and becoming close with our trip’s Israeli counterparts. I enjoyed finding my own niche in the city. As an avid reader I loved Israeli book week and subsequently dragging my new novels to quiet green areas in the city for a quick read; as an amateur chef I loved picking out the freshest fruits and vegetables at Shuk Hakarmel; and as a beach enthusiast I loved lounging in the sand on the weekends. In the states I am active in my college’s Hillel, and I am eager to share my experience with others this coming year.
Max Gilbert
Amherst College
Interned at Aurum VC
My name is Max Gilbert and I am from Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. I am double majoring in honors biology and an interdisciplinary major in bioethics at Amherst College. My internship is at Aurum Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in cutting edge Israeli medical science and technology. I have been working with the managing director of life science investments on the development of an exciting pharmaceutical drug-delivery technology. The project has introduced me to the financial side of the scientific world, which has given me a new perspective on the dynamic relationship between research and development. In addition, the processes of clearing regulatory hurdles, planning clinical trials, and securing freedom of operation all present a host of bioethical issues that have challenged my critical thinking in new ways.
I love to experience new things, meet new people, see new places, learn new facts, eat new foods, and to immerse myself in all that this world has to offer. I swam competitively for many years, including one season on the Amherst Men’s Swim Team. It was a tough decision, but I decided to discontinue my swimming career to explore other interests. I am the founder and president of the Amherst Yoga Club, which offers free Yoga classes to students four times a week. After experiencing Israel on Birthright last summer and reconnecting to my Jewish roots, I came back to campus and became very active in Jewish life. I was the editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper, and at college write a weekly food column for the Amherst Student called Max’s Munchies. Finally, Amherst employs me as a Resident Counselor as well as a teacher’s assistant in biology and chemistry.
My willingness to keep an open mind has led me to have some life-changing spiritual experiences while in Israel. I have fallen in love with this country, its ideals, its people, and the vibrant, palpable pulse that permeates this unique place. I look forward to spending a semester abroad here next year to strengthen these ties and see how they will shape my future.
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Emmett Gilles
University of North Carolina
Interned at Paytech
I believe that a name says something about a person, so I’ll start by telling you mine: Emmett. Like me, my name is rooted in family and faith. I am named after my great uncle Emmett, the brother of my father’s father. He was Irish, and his name came from the Old English word for ‘industrious ant.’ In that sense, my name is a mantle. By accepting it, I embrace the tradition of thoughtfully invested labor that has passed down to me through my family. The second source for my name is the Hebrew word emet, truth. In the Bible, truth means more than avoiding lies and deceptions. It is the gift of divinity that unites and transcends us, making possible our attempts to reproduce justice, wisdom and mercy on a human scale. In this sense, my name is a mantra. It reminds me that I belong to something greater than myself.
In particular, I am fortunate to belong to three wonderful communities. One is where I’m from: Highland Park, Illinois. Another is the place I did most of my growing up: West Hartford, Connecticut. The third is my home away from home, Chapel Hill, where I study Classics and Comparative Literature at the University of North Carolina. I have carried these places with me to Israel, and I will carry part of Israel back to them. Working at Playtech this summer has been both challenging and instructive, and I have grown through the difficulty of finding a place for me within the company. The Excel group and our Israeli peers have been a constant source of camaraderie and inspiration. My experience in Israel has especially encouraged me to consider the power of returning- first to Israel, and second to my family and friends at home.
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Ben Goldhaber
Georgetown University
Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Affairs
Interned at Pitango Venture Capital
I'm Ben Goldhaber, a student at Georgetown University who is studying Science, Technology, and International Affairs. As an active member of the Georgetown community I'm involved in a number of organizations, including leading my fraternity and working for our student government. I'm passionate about my studies, which focus on the intersection of policy and technology development in the international community, specifically in regards to networks and biotechnology. Having studied abroad in China I've a real love for Asia and all of the exciting things happening in that region. Working for Pitango has been a great opportunity to take what I've learned, both in school and in life in general, and apply it to the fast paced, competitive capital markets. This is the kind of internship you'd never be able to get in the States, and my time in Israel has made me hope that my future travels will bring me back to this great country.
Ethan Goldsmith
University of Michigan
Ross School of Business
Interned at Playtech
My name is Ethan Goldsmith and I am currently a rising junior in the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. In addition to my studies, I work for Kaplan Tutoring as a campus representative, am currently serving as president of my social fraternity, and worked as a research assistant in a social psychology lab. Along with turning me into an avid Michigan Football fan, my experiences in and outside of the classroom have taught that the best way to learn is through integration and active participation.
As a participant in the Birthright Israel Excel program, I have had the opportunity to integrate in the Israeli work environment, working as a strategy and operations intern for Playtech Ld., a gaming software development company. This has not only allowed me valuable work experience, but also exposed me to the on-the-fly, fast-paced, and sometimes chaotic, way Israelis conduct business. In addition, the conversations we have had with prominent leaders and thinkers during our time in Israel has allowed me to understand, through different perspectives, how Israel has been so successful, and the challenges it still faces on economic, social, religious, and geopolitical issues. I look forward to taking what I have learned home to continue the discussions started in Israel with my peers, and hopefully help to resolve some of these issues through my involvement in the international business community in the future.
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Kim Gordon
University of Pennsylvania
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Interned at Ernst and Young
I am Kim Gordon from Tenafly, New Jersey. I am studying Mathematics and Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and I am working at Ernst & Young this summer in Tel Aviv in the Hi-Tech Assurance department. More about me: I love Psychology, I am involved in Microfinance projects at school, and I collect playbills from every production I am lucky to see.
I was first prepped for a trip to Israel as a counselor at a Jewish sleepaway camp in New York. I was just as eager as my campers to learn about the memorable sites and all the flavors of Bamba. Once I finally arrived to Israel for myself, my immediate reaction was to the historical significance of basically everything I saw. On another level, I have gathered many different perspectives about economic and political factors affecting Israeli life from the prominent speakers which have made this internship program unique. My favorite encounter was Ilana Dayan's intense interview with Jibril Rajoub at Shimon Peres' annual Presidential Conference in Jerusalem. I just sat listening, analyzing, and taking in the exchange in a state of awe.
I was overwhelmed by the hospitality and education we were given since the reception we attended right from the airport at the Discount Bank—not to mention the fact that I have never felt more like a celebrity. With all of these thoughts streaming at all times, I was relieved to be able to meet my Israeli "soulmate" and all of the other soulmates who were matched up to the other Excel participants. Spending time with them has been one of the best components of the program. These friendships, as well as those with my coworkers at E&Y, have made my experience in Israel meaningful.
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Liz Gordon
Brown University
Interned at KCPS and Company
My name is Liz Gordon, from Harrison, NY, and I am one of the participants of the inaugural Birthright Israel Excel Fellowship Program. After returning from my first trip to Israel in January 2011, I knew that I wanted to return to this unique and ambitious country. While interning at KCPS & Co., an investment management firm, I have had the opportunity to work hands on in the financial industry, learn from highly successful people, and better integrate myself into the Israeli community. As an applied math and economics major at Brown University, I have been inspired by my female mentor at KCPS, as well as other prominent female figures that I have heard speak during my time in Israel, such as American economist Abby Joseph-Cohen and politician Tzipi Livni.
While I am hardworking and truly enjoy an intellectual challenge, my life would not be complete without good friends, strong connections, and having fun. Whether it was reconnecting with soldiers from my Birthright trip, spending Shavuot with an Israeli family, or going out with my Israeli counterparts, I have constantly felt welcomed by the Israeli people into this fun and adventurous country. Without a doubt, my experience with Birthright Israel Excel and my time in Israel have proven to satisfy these aspects of my life and fully exceed my expectations.
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Steven Greitzer
Stanford University
Interned at Checkpoint
My name is Steven Greitzer and I will be a Junior at Stanford University this fall. A California native hailing from Los Angeles, I grew up playing volleyball on the beaches in SoCal and Skiing in the mountains of NorCal. I plan to major in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on Product Design. I have a passion for finding and implementing creative solutions to real world problems, and have enjoyed further developing these skills during my internship at Check Point this summer. Check Point is a highly esteemed and successful security software company. It boasts a culture and atmosphere similar to the Silicon Valley firms I hope to one day lead.
A vast majority of my extra curricular activities, academic interests, and personal attributes all gravitate to the same central obsession; I am devoted to connecting with the people and communities that surround me. I love meeting people, schmoozing, and working to have a positive impact on my environment. This year I have had the honor to serve in a leadership role within my community, recently finishing my term as a Sophomore Class President at Stanford University.
I joined this program and came to Israel so that I could foster a greater personal connection to this land. I have strengthened my relationship with Israel, have begun to understand its role in my still developing Jewish identity, and am leaving with a deeper connection to the land that has become my second home.
By far the greatest take-away from the program that I am returning home with are my amazing new friends from across the US. I am confident that these friendships will only continue to grow, and I am looking forward to one day becoming a Jewish business leader alongside 19 other impressive individuals.
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Rebecca Haft
Cornell University
College of Human Ecology
Interned at Tnuva
My name is Rebecca Haft. I’m from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and I’m studying Policy Analysis and Management at Cornell University. This summer I’m working in the Business Development department of Tnuva, Israel’s largest dairy company. This has been a dynamic summer for Tnuva, which was one of the targets of a nation-wide, Facebook initiated boycott of cottage cheese. After a few weeks of the boycott, which was front page news all over Israel, Tnuva agreed to lower prices and its two competitors followed suit. The boycott was the first of its kind in Israel. Interning for Tnuva during the boycott has given me first hand exposure to the power of the consumer and a close look into a historical moment in Israel’s economy. I could not have asked for a better time to be working here.
The Birthright Israel Excel Fellowship has allowed me to connect to this country in a way that no traditional Israel travel experience could. The immersion into Israeli culture has added another element to my already strong Jewish identity. As the Chair of Finance for Cornell Hillel, I continuously have the ability to reinforce my ties to the local Jewish community and hone certain business skills. However, I have always craved the opportunity to expand my ties to Israeli society. This summer in Tel Aviv has provided me with the ability to achieve these goals as well as the opportunity to experience the adaptation that is necessary when integrating oneself into an international business environment. I now have an unbreakable bond with Israel that is based on wonderful memories, great personal and professional relationships, passion for the local culture, and the knowledge that I’ll be welcomed back to my home away from home with open arms in the future.
Brett Liebowitz
Princeton University
Interned at KCPS and Company
Hi, my name is Brett Leibowitz. I am from Las Vegas, Nevada, and attend Princeton University. Due to my love of math and science, I major in Operations Research and Financial Engineering. When I am not studying or working as Director of Sales for my campus radio station, I enjoy staying active. In high school I played four years of both varsity football and basketball for State Championship winning teams and continue my passion for football by playing Varsity Sprint Football for Princeton. As a dedicated scholar athlete, I was announced the National Winner of The Wendy’s High School Heisman Award; and honored as the Outstanding Jewish High School Scholar Athlete by the The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Another exciting moment was being presented with the Key to the City of Las Vegas by the Mayor in recognition for the pride I brought to my hometown.
By nature, I am a curious and adventurous person with an affection for travel and scientific research. To highlight, I did biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health in Baltimore, Maryland and ecological research at the Kol Biostation in Kamchatka, Russia in efforts to protect the world-wide salmon population and their ecosystem. Out of the many countries I have explored, my favorite destinations are the beach cities of Barcelona and Tel Aviv. My internship for Birthright Israel Excel is with KCPS, an international investment management firm. My entire fellowship with Birthright has been amazing. All of the people I have met, from the other Excel Fellows; to our Israeli soldier friends or soul mates as we like to call them; to the inspiring Jewish leaders from the hi-tech, financial, and political arenas that came to speak with our group have truly made an everlasting impact on me. These ten weeks in Tel Aviv have inspired me to strive to also become a Jewish leader, thereby contributing to the Israeli community and Jewish people worldwide.
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Brett Levine
University of Pennsylvania
Wharton School of Business
Interned at Magma VC
My name is Brett Levine and I am originally from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. I am currently a rising junior at the University of Pennsylvania and I am studying Finance in the Wharton School. Since my earliest days, I have always had a strong affinity towards technology. I marveled in the opportunity to tinker around with computers, frequently breaking and fixing them for my own curious enjoyment. As I grew older, I developed a more sophisticated appreciation for technology but still struggled to find a connection between this hobby and my academic/professional interest in business. Even Wharton, which has provided me with an unparalleled education and a breadth of opportunities, struggled to bridge this disconnect in my life.
Considering those circumstances, Birthright Israel Excel naturally felt like a necessary step in my personal and professional lives. Israel has coupled business with technology perhaps better than any other nation in the word, a fact increasingly apparent to me in my work at Magma Venture Partners. Magma, one of Israel’s leading early stage venture capital firms, has exposed me to the expanding world of business and technology in an internship that is virtually impossible to replicate in the United States. My internship has allowed me to see and connect to Israel through a novel lens that has brought me tremendous cultural and professional perspective. Similarly, the programming outside of the internship has given me the opportunity to engage in dialogue with prominent Israeli leaders from all walks of life; these experiences have further broadened my knowledge and understanding of Israel’s culture, economy, and society.
I could not be more satisfied with the opportunity this program has provided me and I am eager to experience the post-fellowship phase upon my return to the US.
Jeff Lowenstein
University of Pennsylvania
Interned at Trigger Foresight
Hi, my name is Jeff Lowenstein, I am a junior at the University of Pennsylvania and I grew up in Armonk, New York. I am always up for a challenge, whether it be intellectual or physical; I played high school football and lacrosse and push myself on the ski slopes every chance I can get. I am an avid NFL fan and took this passion to the next level as an intern in the league office last summer. My 8 years at Camp Greylock in the Berkshires (camper and counselor), and my life as an active brother of AEPi at Penn have provided the camaraderie and deep friendships that I cherish.
This summer, my experience with Birthright Israel Excel in Israel has been an incredible gift. My Jewish identity has been deepened and my curiosity about Israeli issues and culture has been elevated above and beyond my experiences at Jewish Heritage Programs (JHP) at UPenn. I look forward to taking lessons in leadership back to campus to help accelerate JHP’s on-campus presence. Forging friendships and lasting memories with 19 other remarkable students along with our Israeli peers all the while engaging in a unique Birthright experience will stay with me for life. Interning at Trigger Foresight, Israel’s premier management consulting firm has been an impactful and huge growth opportunity for me both personally and professionally. I am looking forward to continuing to develop these relationships as we return home and far into the future.
Jason Lupatkin
Stanford University
Interned at Ernst and Young
My name is Jason Lupatkin and I'm a sophomore at Stanford University. Before starting college on the West Coast, I had lived my entire life in Manhattan, New York. For me, elementary and high school were spent at Hunter College Campus Schools, a four story building in the middle of the city that resembles a castle more than a school. I am currently a history major planning to minor in English. When I'm not working or training as a member of the Stanford Varsity Rowing team and have some free time, I enjoy listening to all types of music, reading anything, and hanging out with my friends.
After spending last summer cycling cross-country, from San Francisco to Boston, for the AIDS relief organization FACE AIDS, I knew that this summer would see my transition to the traditional working environment. Having grown up extremely cognizant of my Jewish identity and Israel, I was immediately drawn to the Birthright Israel Excel Fellowship. I have been to Israel twice before—once with my family and another time as a member of the Write-On for Israel Program.
This summer, I am working at Ernst & Young Israel in the Transaction Advisory Services department. In my role as a financial consultant I have been tasked with compiling data, writing and critiquing business plans, building presentations, and aiding in corporate due diligence projects. I have gained invaluable insight into and mastery of the tools and skills needed to be successful in the consulting and, to some extent, financial worlds. Additionally, the multitude of seminars we have attended, from the President’s Conference to meeting with leaders in the Israel Hi-Tech Industry have proven extremely informative and thought-provoking, making the Birthright Israel Excel trip a truly invaluable experience.
Avery Rosin
University of Pennsylvania
Interned at BRM Group
My name is Avery Rosin, and I am from Los Angeles, California. I study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics in the PPE Program at the University of Pennsylvania. I have a growing interest in business and technology, and I feel that being a PPE major gives me a solid foundation for understanding why people make certain decisions and how the influence of society plays a vital role in all of our lives. Because I have a very diverse set of interests, I try to get as much exposure to as many of these different areas as possible.
On Birthright Israel Excel, I have been interning at the BRM Group, a private investment house based in Herzliya Pituach. Working with my mentors who are in charge of the Hi-tech investments, I have been learning about the investment process, from the due diligence required when looking at a potential investment to the advising of portfolio companies. This experience has given me a lot of valuable insight into the tech investment industry, both in studying various growing tech markets and in learning about the venture capital industry and what it entails.
Being in Israel for this extended period of time has definitely inspired me to try new things and be open. I try to make the most of new situations, viewing challenges as learning opportunities, and as such I have appreciated that this program has allowed me to learn on the fly and gain valuable experience outside of the classroom. In addition, Birthright Israel Excel has motivated me to think bigger with my ideas and to think globally with my scale. From the U.S., I feel that it is often very easy to lose sight of how large and diverse the world really is. With this understanding, I hope to be able to contribute to the future trajectory of the global economy.
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Marianna Sofman
Carnegie Mellon University
Fulbright Scholar
Interned at Sequoia Capital
My name is Marianna Sofman and I have come to Israel from Allen, Texas. I am a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, where I studied Materials Science & Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, with a minor in History. I plan on the spending the next year in Leipzig, Germany for a Fulbright Fellowship, followed by graduate school at MIT. The Birthright Israel Excel program seemed to be the perfect transition in which I could spend my summer in an enjoyable, yet meaningful way. I am working at Sequoia Capital this summer, where I have gotten a first-hand glimpse into the innovative, fast-paced startup culture that is gaining prominence in Israel. I enjoy swimming, travelling, and eating delicious shawarma; all of which Israel has had plenty to offer me.
From the moment we landed at the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, where we were greeted with a warm welcoming reception complete with fine Israeli cuisine and warm hospitality, the experience has been nothing short of excellent. We have had the opportunity to engage in Israeli society and work culture, as well as be exposed to prominent leaders and notable speakers who have given me a much deeper understanding of the socioeconomic, political, and cultural factors that distinguish Israel on a global scale. I have had the most meaningful interactions with our IDF “soulmates” who have solidified my experience here and have helped me form stronger ties to Israel.
My favorite experience has been attending the President Conference, where I witnessed the likes of Dennis Ross, Lawrence Summers, and Stanley Fischer, among other global leaders, discuss the current and future economic and political dilemmas that Israel and the rest of the world face. Attending events such as the President Conference, the Hi-Tech Conference, and visiting historical landmarks has allowed me to learn and form my own opinions, making this experience one that is both transformative and lasting.
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Maya Yizhaky
University of California Berkeley
Interned at Ritalix
My name is Maya Yizhaky, from Tarzana, CA and I am entering my final year at the University of California, Berkeley and majoring in International Trade and Global Media. I interned at Retalix this summer, a software company where I worked in the Strategy and Corporate Development sector, utilizing my skills in written and spoken communication, long-term vision analysis, out of the box thinking, and Hebrew language.
I’ve worked in a variety of different sectors and fields, from being a marketing intern at Apple to working at the bird department of the Jerusalem Zoo as a zoo keeper. This trip brought the vibrancy of Israeli innovation to life for me, and reaffirmed my dedication to enjoying the little pleasures of life while pushing forth my own aspirations. During the trip I have kept a notebook full of ideas, thoughts, and realizations spurred by all of the opportunities from this fellowship.
I consider myself to be a “global citizen” in that I love to travel (so far all ove Israel, South America, and parts of Europe), learn languages, listen to music from all over the world, and spend time with friends who reflect different spaces and cultures. I love meeting new people and acting as a “connector,” in bringing people together.