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When studying the recent trends in Aliyah, it emerges that more and more young singles are realizing that their future is in Israel. However it appears that a staggering number of young Diaspora Jews have little to no knowledge or even a slight connection with Israel.

Recognizing the vital need to help maintain awareness of Israel identity and Jewish peoplehood among the Diaspora communities, a wide array of organizations are working together with Nefesh B’Nefesh to produce and promote ‘Think Israel’ – a special summit addressing future trends of Israel and Aliyah. Geared for Jewish students and young professionals, this day of interactive workshops, panels, and presentations is scheduled to take place at the UJA-Federation of New York in Manhattan on Sunday, November 20th.

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The initiative comes on the heels of “Innovation Israel – Shaping Israel’s Future Today” – a recent week-long road trip that was organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh and PresenTense to engage Israel-conscious members of the Diaspora community in discussion about social change in Israel through innovative entrepreneurship. The program’s success, incorporating live events in five cities, remote live webcast, and an active twitter discussion, obviated the need to continue to generate programs of this nature.

The ‘Think Israel’ summit, which is expected to draw hundreds of attendees and many more via a  live webcast, will open with a special panel on ‘Our Visions for Israel’ with David Breakstone, Vice-Chairman of the World Zionist Organization and William Darroff, Vice President for Public Policy Jewish Federations of North America. It will also feature interactive workshops, panels and presentations designed to engage participants in discussion about Israeli identity, Aliyah and trends in Jewish peoplehood. Topics to be addressed in the various breakout sessions will include social justice, Israel advocacy, careers in Israel and Aliyah.

A wide array of organizations are working together with Nefesh B’Nefesh to create and promote the initiative, including: the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the American Zionist Movement, the World Zionist Organization, MASA, The Israel Project, Stand With Us, Yeshiva University, the Torah Activities Council, Bnei Akiva, ROI and Habonim Dror of North America.

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Laura Ben-David is an Israel-based writer and is the Nefesh B’Nefesh social media coordinator. She is author of “Moving Up: An Aliyah Journal” (Mazo) 2007. For more information, visit http://www.nbn.org.il/thinkisrael Twitter hashtag #thinkisrael