At the initiative of ROIers themselves, and specifically, organizers Dana Sender and Talia Gorodess (both participants of the 2011 ROI Summit), approximately 50 ROIers arrived at TLV Hub on Tuesday, November 15. TLV Hub is one of those funky open-plan offices that give the impression that working there would be somewhat akin to starring in a quirky and clever office-based sitcom. The feeling of fun and the buzz of creative energies was certainly palpable and the night proved to be more than just a wonderful union of ROIers. I use the word “union” as opposed to “reunion” since many attendees were in fact meeting co-members for the very first time (in person that is). There were ROIers who had joined the Community over a range of years, some as early as the first Summit in 2006. In fact, for a few ROIers, this was their first time back in the same room as, what I consider, the vatikim (for lack of a better translation, veteran-gang), AKA Justin Korda and Beto Maya.

As people entered the room and pinned name-tags to their jackets, greetings were exchanged; hellos often followed by friendly introductions. There was also plenty of hugging (I think Beto set the record for “most hugs”, probably receiving more hugs than the number of people in the hugs as occasionally there were multiple hugs from the same person)!

Once settled (and fed – mmm, Tal Bagels), we sat, 5 ROIers to a table, and waited for our TLV Hub facilitators to direct us in discussion and brainstorming that would lead to tachles. The aim of the evening? At the initiative of ROIers, this event was arranged to kick-start a variety of activities that will bring ROIers in Israel together on a more frequent basis, serving both professional and social ends.

At our first round-table discussion, each person spoke about an influential or memorable personal experience where s/he felt a sense of belonging and community. We then went around the table picking out key elements that were common to all these experiences. After sharing our major points with the entire room, we all stood up, and switched tables, making sure to mix things (or, more accurately, people) up.

While our second round-table chat was also of a general nature, discussing what we feel inspired by or passionate about in our lives right now, our final group was where we honed in on the practical aspects of this gathering of minds, ideas and shared or common motivation.

We proceeded table-by-table, around the room, suggesting in turn various initiatives members would like to realize for benefit of all ROIers in Israel. Individuals in the room agreed to assume leadership roles in “making things happen”, for example, one person agreed to coordinate dates for events and functions, another took on the role of creating an online database of services members can offer and/or receive, and so on.

The event proved not only fun but also heartwarming and reassuring; by attending and participating, members demonstrated a shared firm belief in the importance and value of "community". 

For more information about the event and the practical outcomes or to become involved in helping to organize future opportunities for ROIers in Israel, feel free to contact me.