Two key representatives of the Israeli NGO Tsofen (http://www.tsofen.org/?lang=en), Dr. Ramzi Halabi, Chairman and Smadar Nehab, Executive Director, will be travelling in the US in November (bios below).
- November 9-10 - DC/Baltimore
- November 11-12 and 16 - NYC area
- November 15- Pittsburgh
They are available to meet and share more about their unique mission dedicated to increasing the participation of the Arab citizens in Israel into the Israeli high tech industry and to extending the benefits of these industries to Arab communities in Israel. In this way, Tsofen - comprised of Jewish and Arab Israeli citizens - helps Israel to become a more genuinely shared society.
By bringing the industry to the geographic and cultural vicinity of the Arab citizens of Israel, Tsofen reduces barriers to their integration into the industry. Higher-income industry in Israeli Arab communities contributes to the community's economic prosperity and creates a reality of shared society that is so precious for Israeli society in general. 2010 was a year of breakthroughs for Tsofen. They have placed over 110 Arab graduates in high-tech businesses, including 85 first-timers to the industry; 70 are Tsofen course graduates. In addition, they are creating a critical shift in the perception of high-tech companies regarding the potential of locating in Israeli Arab cities. When Tsofen first came to Nazareth, only small high-tech groups operated there. Today, three companies (MITSoft, Babcom and Galil Software) are employing Israeli Arab graduates and are growing considerably. In the coming period, Tsofen plans to expand its operations to Israeli Arab women graduates and to replicate its successful model in an additional Israeli Arab community.
Please be directly in touch with Smadar Nehab if you are interested in coordinating a meeting -- smadar.nehab@tsofen.org or 011-972-54-4830418.
BIOS
Dr. Ramzi Halabi, Tsofen Chairman. Dr. Halabi is a lecturer in Tel Aviv University and an economic consultant in the Arab community in Israel. He is an expert and active in promoting economic equal opportunities for the Israeli Arab sector. Among his former roles are: former Mayor of the Regional Council of Daliat-al-Carmel, Director of the Arab Business Club, head of the IDF Salary and Pensions Department. Dr. Halabi holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences from Tel Aviv University.
Ms. Smadar Nehab - Executive Director. Smadar is a technology entrepreneur and has held key positions in leading technology. She brings broad experience in the initiation, the creation and management of technological organizations, and in organizational and technological consulting. Smadar earned a BA in Mathematics & philosophy of Science from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and M.Sc. in Computer Science form the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot.