On September 24, 2024, the Heartland Initiative hosted a highly anticipated Masterminds meeting at The Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem. This exclusive gathering of pro-Israel leaders and professionals across various sectors focused on laying the foundation for future cooperation and collaboration. This meeting was part of a closed and private group led by Uri Gobey and others, with the event made possible by the hard work of Navah Edelstein, an independent consultant, and Daniel Voicek, CEO of Friends of Zion Museum. Under the leadership of Gedaliah Blum, Heartland Initiative continues its mission of building global connections that strengthen Israel and foster strategic partnerships.

Concept and Structure: Building Relationships for Long-Term Impact

The Masterminds meeting was not designed to generate solutions in a single day. Instead, the goal was to initiate a long journey of cooperation by bringing leading pro-Israel executives together in one room. The event allowed these professionals to meet one another, learn to like each other, and recognize the unique value each could bring to future collaborations. This initial gathering laid the groundwork for deeper connections and future cooperative efforts, with the understanding that meaningful solutions through collaboration take time.

The Event’s Structure

The event unfolded in two main sessions:

Session 1: Industry-Specific Problem Solving
Participants were grouped based on their industries to discuss specific challenges they face. This session was an opportunity to dive deep into sector-related issues, with the aim of developing tangible solutions that could be implemented in real-world scenarios. Discussions covered topics such as public diplomacy, Israel’s international relations, technological innovation, and community building.

Session 2: Cross-Industry Collaboration
In the second session, participants were grouped across industries to mix perspectives and encourage out-of-the-box thinking. Each person shared their unique expertise—referred to as their ‘superpower’—and worked together to address a selected challenge. This approach allowed for creative problem-solving that crossed traditional boundaries, fostering new ways of thinking about complex issues.

Organizations Represented

The Masterminds meeting brought together a diverse range of organizations, each contributing unique perspectives and expertise. Among the organizations represented were:

• Ministry of Diaspora Affairs
• Follow Team Israel
• Israellycool Israel Advocacy (R.A.)
• Simon Wiesenthal Center
• The Jerusalem Post
• Perspectives Magazine, by Jewish Futures
• HonestReporting
• Middle East Insight
• UN Watch
• ILTV News
• CAMERA
• TheMossadIL/Builders for Tomorrow
• Forest Rain Media
• MediaCentral
• The Weekly Squeeze Podcast
• Moore Connected Communications
• Pulse of Israel
• NGO Monitor
• Warlows Legal
• ADA Consulting; The International Institute for Diplomacy
• Documenting Israel
• Noticias de Israel by Dovi
• Alma Center
• Gazawood
• Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs
• Ariel University
• Second Draft

Survey Insights: Post-Event Reflections

According to the follow-up survey, participants rated the overall experience of the event as “Very Good” to “Excellent.” Most respondents indicated that the meeting exceeded their expectations in terms of content, collaboration, and the venue at The Friends of Zion Museum.

Some key takeaways from the survey included:

• Breakout Sessions: Participants enjoyed the discussions and collaborations but suggested improvements, such as more focused topics and better group organization. Many also mentioned the value of additional time for discussions and introductions to better understand each attendee’s background.
• Actionable Ideas: A majority of attendees left the event with three or more actionable ideas and strategies to implement. While some found the time constraints limiting, others highlighted the importance of networking and follow-up connections made during the event.
• Future Activities: Participants expressed strong interest in future collaborative projects, themed discussions, peer-to-peer mentorship, and quarterly or bi-annual Masterminds meetings. There was notable enthusiasm for covering topics like Pro-Israel media strategies, lawfare, diplomacy, and social media activism in future events.

A Hub for Strategic Collaboration

The Masterminds meeting exemplified Heartland Initiative’s core values of collaboration and proactive problem-solving. The Friends of Zion Museum, which serves as a symbol of unity, was the perfect setting for such an event. Thanks to the efforts of Navah Edelstein and Daniel Voicek, the event ran smoothly, and the atmosphere was conducive to forging lasting relationships and sparking long-term cooperative efforts.

Heartland Initiative’s Role: Leading Through Connection

Gedaliah Blum, Director of Heartland Initiative, has long been at the forefront of fostering relationships that benefit Israel. The Masterminds meeting reflects his vision of creating platforms where leaders can gather, innovate, and collaborate for the greater good. By bringing together diverse perspectives, Heartland Initiative continues to be a key force in advancing Israel’s interests and building bridges with international partners.

Future Outlook: Building on Success

The success of this Masterminds meeting lays the groundwork for future collaborations. Heartland Initiative plans to continue hosting these sessions, where professionals from various fields can unite to develop solutions that have a tangible impact. As the challenges facing Israel and the world grow more complex, the need for innovative, cross-sector collaboration is more important than ever. Through events like the Masterminds meeting, Heartland Initiative is leading the way in creating meaningful partnerships and driving change, all while reinforcing Israel’s strength and resilience.