June 18th Experts' Panel in NYC: Integrating Israeli Arabs i...

Please join the Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues, Ms. Ifat Baron, CEO of ITWorks, Ms. Anat Saragusti, Executive Director of Agenda, and Dr. Boaz Tamir, Chairman of Agenda for a luncheon on June 18th from 12:00-2:00 pm at JDC offices in New York. The speakers will present their work bridging critical social and economic gaps between Israel?? Jewish and Arab citizens. Panelists will discuss models for matching Arab high tech professionals with employers and reframing perceptions of Israeli Arabs in Israel?? mainstream media while integrating talented Israeli Arabs into the field. We hope you can join us. The luncheon will be held at JDC offices on Monday, June 18th from 12:00-2:00 pm. Bios have been included below. Please RSVP to Michal Cohen at [email protected] or (212) 885-0825 to attend. Location details will be provided upon RSVP. Space is limited. *** Bios Ms. Ifat Baron CEO, ITWorks Named the person ??ith most influence in IT Education in Israel today??by the Ministry of Education, Ifat Baron is an innovator and leader in the field of technology skills training, professional development and job placement in Israel's leading economic sector. As founder of ITWorks, an Israeli NGO providing technological skills for quality job placement for marginalized groups throughout Israel, Baron has worked assiduously since 2006 to change the employment map of Israel. By providing empowering frameworks through which to impart technologically tailored curricula to meet local business needs, ITWorks provides new opportunities for unskilled workers to integrate into Israel's thriving social-economy, opening new vistas for skilled employment in branches of Israel's leading technological, hi-tech and communications firms. Ifat established ITWorks when working for Cisco System?? Networking Academy, a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility programming. Noting the significant number of economically underdeveloped communities untouched by Israel's high-tech boom, she was compelled to create programs based on curricula that at the time were relevant only to hi-tech employees. Creating new programs that would be accessible for all prospective employees in the technology, communications and hi-tech sectors, the organization now serves working-age adults eager for employment but without access to resources for technical training or tools for obtaining and maintaining skilled positions. Since its inaugural pilot program for Arab women in Baqa el Garbia and Netanya, taught by the founder herself, ITWorks has expanded its target base to include Druze, Circassian and Arab communities, new immigrants from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopians, ultra-Orthodox Jewish men and women, youths-at-risk, adults with cognitive disabilities from all backgrounds and can now boast a 75% employment rate for its over 1,800 graduates. Ms. Anat Saragusti Executive Director, Agenda- Israel?? Center for Strategic Communication Agenda is a unique not-for-profit center working to reprioritize and reframe social change issues within the Israeli public debate and media. Ms. Saragusti, an experienced journalist, runs the organization. She started her professional carrier as a photojournalist, worked in the print media and in television as a correspondent, content editor and on managing positions. Ms. Saragusti is also a director of documentary films, a media specialist, and active in organizations for human rights, and women?? rights. She has a master degree in law and society. Dr. Boaz Tamir Chairman, Agenda- Israel?? Center for Strategic Communication Boaz Tamir, Founder and President of Israel Lean Enterprise Institute, holds a Ph.D. in Political Science & Business Administration from MIT, USA. With extensive experience in entrepreneurship, company management and academic activity, Tamir has contributed his knowledge to the development of the business and marketing of some of Israel's most successful organizations, including Clal Industries-Electronics, Elite Industries and Paz??il and Gas Company. Boaz is a founding and managing partner of Montefiore Partners Venture Capital fund, and Worldview.biz, a research team focusing on the global business economy and the value based investment methodology practices. Boaz was also a founding partner and director of Romold Group, a multinational company specializing in environmental technologies, focused on development and production of infrastructure products for water and waste-water management and telecommunication. Additionally, Dr. Tamir founded and directed, with PWCL Accountants, Ya??d Business Development Ltd. a leading consulting company and was the founder and CEO of Be-Connected ??Telecom Company.