18 Reasons to Attend the IAC National Conference

by Tal Zmiri / September 27, 2017

  1. It’s basically Birthright, only in America!

Is Birthright too much of a time commitment to take off from your first full-time job? Instead of schlepping to Israel, this time let Israel come to you. IAC National Conference will have Israeli food, music, companies and, well, Israelis themselves.

  1. Let’s share a L’Chaim! Or two…

The IAC National Conference isn’t all business, all the time. With social hours every night and an IAC Young Professionals sponsored after-party, everyday of the conference will give you the chance to schmooze or get schwasty.

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  1. America’s capitol, our conference’s host, your playground

Washington D.C. is undisputedly an awesome city to hang out in. Museums, nightlife, and constant buzz of activity make it a destination worth exploring over the course of the conference.

  1. Kibbitz (network/chat) like a pro – with the pros

At events from small panel discussions to workshops, you’ll meet established business personalities, successful entrepreneurs, and fellow young professionals, and you’ll also have the chance to swap ideas and contact details with all of them.

  1. Lookin’ for love after Tu B’Av

If you want someone special in your life, try attending something special. IAC National Conference attracts hundreds of Jewish and Israeli-American 20-30 something-year-olds. It’s safe to assume you might attract one of them too.

  1. Connect with your Jewish identity

If you only make it to services for High Holidays (or not at all), or if you’re more Jew-ish than Jewish, and you’re looking for something more, we can help.

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  1. Get your nosh on!

Looking to move beyond a bagel and shmear? We’ll have four days of gourmet Israeli food for you to explore to your heart’s content.

  1. Put your kvetching (complaining) to good use

IAC‘s activities reflect the priorities of our members. Through Mishelanu or G’vanim (IAC pro-Israel programs), you can make what you’re passionate about part of IAC’s agenda. Environmentalism, justice, and philanthropy are all central to both Jewish and Israeli identity, and IAC understands the call to action on the most pressing issues today.

  1. Meet your mishpocha (family)

No matter your nationality or ancestry, you share a powerful bond with every other Jew. Exploring that bond seated next to Jews from different places, even different countries, is a powerful experience. You can trust us on that, we’ve been doing this since 2014.

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  1. Looking for a few good mensches (role models)

IAC’s programs for college students, recent graduates and young professionals aren’t just about finding a place in the Jewish and Israeli-American community. They also provide extensive leadership and communication training so that you can also achieve your goals outside of our community.

  1. Dance your tuches off

Forget Coachella. IAC has brought you the real rock stars. Grammy winner Miri Ben-Ari, Einat Sarouf and Rami Kleinstein will all be in attendance. If you’re unacquainted with our lineup, then we recommend getting started listening through their discography. You’ll want to be familiar enough to sing along when they play your faves.

  1. Meet your hero!

There are over 100 confirmed speakers at IAC National Conference, from the realms of politics, diplomacy, business, technology and philanthropy. No matter what your field or interest, there is someone attending that will inspire you, and give a few pointers on how to follow in their footsteps.

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  1. Panels, panels, panels

Regardless of your reason for attending, IAC offers a wealth of panels to attend. With sessions covering ancient traditions and modern practice, the problem won’t be finding an event that’s interesting to you; it’ll be fitting all of them in your schedule.

  1. Dust off your Hebrew

Are you looking to move beyond “shalom”? Or are you already fluent and looking to schmooze with your fellow Ivrit speakers? No matter your background or comfort level with Hebrew, the IAC National Conference will be the best place to bust it out.

  1. It will make your Bubbe proud

Has your Bubbe been on your case lately to attend services? Find a nice Jewish partner? Finally learn that brisket recipe so that it can be passed down from generation to generation? The IAC National Conference might only offer one of those (see point 5), but just attending will be sure to at least win some brownie  – or “Bubbe” – points.

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  1. Avoid FOMO

With speakers, panels, musicians, and parties of this caliber, your friends are probably thinking of attending. And even if your current friends aren’t there, the friends you will make by attending will certainly be at the conference.

  1. Be a bridge for the American-Jewish and Israeli-American communities

One of IAC’s highest priorities is joining these two together into a greater, united community. Your mission, should you choose to accept us, is to help create that bridge. As these communities plan their shared future, it’s only fair that 20-30 year olds take a seat behind the steering wheel.

  1. Join the fastest growing Jewish organization in the US

Find new friends, get involved in great causes, and expand your professional skillset and network, all through programming designed for students and young professionals, by your peers. IAC will always offer something worthwhile to anyone looking to engage with their Jewish or Israeli identity — now that’s something to kvell (brag) about!

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Learn more and sign up to attend the IAC National Conference in DC from November 3-6 here.

About the Author: Tal Zmiri is the National Director for IAC Mishelanu, a program that works with Israeli-Americans and Jewish Americans on college campuses around the country.  Prior to working at the IAC, Tal was the Educational Director for Israel Experience Ltd. in Israel. She lives in New York with her partner and their two children.

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