Over the course of the 5-day gathering, participants presented their projects, exchanged experiences, gained new skills through peer-to-peer sessions, and took part in a range of other events including formal ceremonies, networking activities and more. Some of the highlights included the following program components:

 

The Summit opened with a keynote address from serial entrepreneur and visionary, Shai Agassi, who gave a riveting talk about the practicalities of turning big dreams into reality. The second day was highlighted by a Day of Service where ROI'ers rolled up their sleeves to paint and improve the common areas at the Mevaseret Zion Absorption Center together with local Ethiopian immigrants. The official opening ceremony of the conference was held at Mount Herzl, where the celebrations were dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel. CLI’s signature Open Space session took place at 2C, on the 49th floor of the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv, where participants also took time out to remember Charlie Award Recipient and ROIer, Dave Burnett Z”L, who tragically passed away in January 2008. During the Summit, Lynn Schusterman & Sandy Cardin announced the creation of two new ROI Grant Funds totaling over $400,000. The closing session of ROI, which included an open forum with simultaneous translation, took place at Yad Ben-Zvi, the former residence of the President of Israel.

 

Above all these amazing events, the success of the Summit was all about the people. The track sessions, structured around 7 thematic tracks – Arts & Culture, Service, Visions of Israel, Content & Technology, Global Jewish Community, Environmentalism and Youth Programs – served as the platform for participants to focus the conversation around their fields of interest and explore possibilities for collaboration.

 

Click here for videos, pictures, and the program of the 2008 ROI Summit.