Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest

Today marks my one-year anniversary as the Director of Academic Affairs and Media Relations at the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. Despite a quiet first few months, it has been a difficult year for me. The last nine (nearly ten) months have been filled with profound loss, sadness, and a multitude of other emotions. The consulate and all the employees here have worked so hard. We had the opportunity to host families of hostages and other delegations from Israel. We facilitated interviews for parents who lost their children at Nova and put on tens of Nova documentary screenings. The Consul General and I visited the leadership of nearly every major media outlet in Chicago to discuss their coverage of Israel, October 7th, and the subsequent war. All of these experiences, and hearing the stories, have had a profound impact on me. It has also been a year of learning and resilience, coming together and strengthening communities, and being strong and proud Jews and supporters of Israel. I was thrilled to host the Consulate's first-ever Israeli University College Fair. I have had the opportunity to visit almost every major university in our jurisdiction, meeting with everyone from students to university system presidents. I have met some of the most interesting, inspiring, and truly inspirational people at the Consulate, whether they be my coworkers, contacts, or guests. I would be remiss to end without thanking my coworkers: Yinam Cohen, Delphine Gamburg Ph.D., Itai Biran, Adir Pahlavani, Renie Schreiber, Mike Warren, Ethan Ramer, Jesseliy Centeno, Grace Keathly and Hannah Giesen. We have stood shoulder to shoulder on the worst days and the best days. We have been through every range of emotions together. I could not ask for better people to work with.

It was a pleasure to host young rabbis from across Chicagoland today. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss our mutual challenges and opportunities during this defining moment. Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest

We are #hiring! Come join the BEST team in the Midwest as our new Director of Commercial and Economic Affairs 🇮🇱🤝🏼🇺🇸

I was so delighted to have put on the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest’s third annual #socialimpactgrant , its first in #Chicago. The consulate awarded a total of $25,000 in Social Impact Grants to five community organizations from the south and west sides of Chicago! It was an honor to celebrate with the award recipients and hear their inspiring stories as they shared their missions and dedicated work. Congratulations once again to our recipients: Chicago West Community Music Center, Growing Home Inc., Male Mogul Initiative, OWLS Lacrosse, and Southside Blooms. We are thrilled to contribute to your positive impact on the Chicagoland community. I would like to extend my thanks to the Consul General of Israel, Yinam Cohen for initiating the Social Impact Grants, alongside Delphine Gamburg Ph.D., Jesseliy Centeno, Elisha S. Breton, MA, Hannah Giesen, and the team at the consulate who made this event possible.

🌈 Happy Pride, Chicago! 🌈 Today, our Consulate marched alongside thousands of LGBTQ Chicagoans and allies in the 53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade! From the Midwest to the Mideast, we are PROUD to be a beacon of freedom and equality for the world. In Israel, like the U.S., you are free to love anyone you choose and fully express your authentic self. Today, more than ever, we are reminded of that freedom. Am Yisrael Chai! 🇮🇱🏳️🌈🇺🇸

🌈 Happy Pride, Chicago! 🌈 Today, our Consulate marched alongside thousands of LGBTQ Chicagoans and allies in the 53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade! From the Midwest to the Mideast, we are PROUD to be a beacon of freedom and equality for the world. In Israel, like the U.S., you are free to love anyone you choose and fully express your authentic self. Today, more than ever, we are reminded of that freedom. Am Yisrael Chai! 🇮🇱🏳️🌈🇺🇸

🌈 Happy Pride, Chicago! 🌈 Today, our Consulate marched alongside thousands of LGBTQ Chicagoans and allies in the 53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade! From the Midwest to the Mideast, we are PROUD to be a beacon of freedom and equality for the world. In Israel, like the U.S., you are free to love anyone you choose and fully express your authentic self. Today, more than ever, we are reminded of that freedom. Am Yisrael Chai! 🇮🇱🏳️🌈🇺🇸

❗ MORE PRIZE MONEY: Startups now have the chance to win up to $5,000 in grant prize money ❗ 🌟 EXTENDED DEADLINE: Applications open through July 31 🌟 🏙️ Calling all tech startups for the 3rd Annual Tech Pitch Competition: Promoting Industry Innovations - apply for our pitch competition in partnership with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at 1871 on September 12 for the chance to win up to $5,000 in grant funding for your startup! 🏙️ Israel is the start-up nation. We want to share this Israeli spirit of innovation to foster cross-cultural connections and showcase groundbreaking technologies! 💼💡 Startups: Applications for early-stage tech startups are open now through July 31 for the opportunity to pitch to a room full of Chicagoland potential investors, customers, and ecosystem stakeholders. Application link in the comment section below. ⬇ Friends and partners: We want you to join us on September 12 at 1871 for this amazing pitch competition! Complimentary food and beverage will be served for those in attendance. Stay tuned for sign-up details. 😋 Don't miss out on this amazing event! 💫

Today was truly inspiring as we hosted our third annual Social Impact Grant Competition, this time right here in Chicago! I had the privilege of listening to the incredible stories and missions of our five winners who are tirelessly working to create social impact in their communities on Chicago’s south and west sides. A huge shout-out to our winners: Southside Blooms, Male Mogul Initiative, Growing Home Inc., Chicago West Community Music Center and OWLS Lacrosse. Like Israel, each of these organizations view challenges as the catalyst for growth and change. I eagerly look forward to seeing the positive impact that their endeavors will make on this city and its future generations. Together, we will help make Chicago communities stronger and deepen the Chicago-Israel partnership to generate more meaningful and long-lasting change. Delphine Gamburg Ph.D. Grace Keathly Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest

Today, I had the pleasure of organizing a reception for the only Israeli Nascar driver, Alon Day! 🏁🇮🇱 Many thanks to the 80 young professionals who joined, including many social media influencers from across the Chicagoland area. I want to also extend my thanks to Consul General Yinam Cohen and the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest for supporting me to help put on this successful event, and especially to my wonderful coworkers who make up the dream team together. (Delphine Gamburg Ph.D. , Itai Biran , Ethan Ramer , Hannah Giesen , Elisha S. Breton, MA , Mike Warren , Jesseliy Centeno , Renie Schreiber , Naama Elazar and Grace Keathly) Lastly, I want to thank Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) - Neil Book and Shahar Azani, Cathy Hershcopf and Myles Fuchs for their wonderful partnership. Good luck Alon!