Solution Nation

An Introduction to the Israeli-American Civic Action Network

There are public interest groups for Mexican-Americans, Indian-Americans, Chinese-Americans and just about every other ethnic group besides Israeli-Americans. That is, until Dillon Hosier founded ICAN: Israeli-American Civic Action Network.

ICAN, an extremely efficient organization, is active in educating, informing and lobbying city councils, state legislators and U.S. representatives on a wide array of issues that impact Israel. ICAN has worked tirelessly to remove antisemitic and anti-Israel libel in ethnic studies teaching materials. ICAN has taken the position that the BDS movement impedes Israelis of color of the right to make a living and violates the civil rights of Israeli-Americans. The groundbreaking organization has successfully lobbied against diluting Holocaust teaching in schools and has allied with the Persian expat community in explaining to legislators of the importance of restricting Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons.

You won’t want to miss this session on breaking issues of importance to the Israeli-American community as well as to learn how a small organization can consistently make a profound difference.

Jeff Hoffman is one of America’s greatest entrepreneurs, business leaders and investors. Most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders only excel in one industry. Jeff has had amazing success in online commerce, music, film, publishing and professional sports—to name just a few. When Jeff speaks, it pays to listen.

During our unique podcast, Jeff Hoffman offers sage advice on issues such as:

Allocating HR budgets to the best performers

The importance of patenting inventions

How much tolerance to have when portfolio companies pivot

How to release tranches from escrow accounts when milestones are met

Setting, dispersing and weighting milestones

Whether to be a first mover or fast follower

The importance of leverage and deadlines in negotiations

Jeff Hoffman – Founder, uBid.com & Co-Owner of the Miami Marlins

Jeff Hoffman is one of the original creators of the now $80 billion company, Priceline.com (aka Booking.com). After Priceline, Jeff became a founding partner, Chairman, and CEO of Black Sky Entertainment, an independent production company in the film and music industries that produced the independent horror film “Cabin Fever,” a $1.3 million project that has grossed over $100 million to date. 

He also has produced concerts with Elton John, NSYNC, Beyonce, Brittany Spears & the Backstreet Boys. Jeff is the producer of a Grammy winning jazz album, an Executive Producer of an Emmy Award winning television show. He has founded several other successful companies including uBid.com, another multibillion-dollar company. He is the co-author of the best-selling book SCALE. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Entrepreneurs by the International Association of College Entrepreneurs in 2010. 

Jeff built a sports company and bought the Miami Marlins with Derek Jeter. He is one of the founders of GiveForward.com that has raised $5 billion.

Filing patent applications around the world isn’t easy or inexpensive. Patent applications have to be drafted. Prior art searches performed. Filing fees paid. Translations commissioned. Small and innocuous errors can be not only costly, but catastrophic in terms of enterprise value diminution.

Don’t miss this critical podcast on International Filing Strategies. The following are among the issues discussed:

Timelines for filing under the auspices of the Patent Cooperation Treaty and subsequent national phase filings

Benefits of filing with the USPTO first versus under the PCT first

Filing languages and required translations

Quality of prior art searches and examiners at the USPTO versus through the PCT

Ability to have interviews with examiners at the USPTO versus through the PCT

How developed must provisional patent applications be in order to obtain early priority dates

The extent to which NDAs extend grace periods for filing patent applications

About Frederick Spaeth

Frederick A. Spaeth has been serving clients for more than twenty years in the areas of intellectual property law and commercial transactions, including preparing and prosecuting patent, trademark and copyright applications in the U.S. and abroad, and advising clients on questions about validity and infringement. He provides counseling in connection with the formation of R&D-based joint ventures, intellectual property licensing, patent landscape studies, brand protection and enforcement of trademark rights, and a variety of commercial transactions and agreements. Fred has worked closely with in-house general counsel and intellectual property managers, and his experience spans a wide range of industries. He also has experience assisting in various aspects of intellectual property litigation. With an educational background that includes a BS degree in Chemistry, study in engineering, a JD degree and an MBA, Mr. Spaeth is well prepared to address a diverse range of legal, technological and business issues.

Architecting the Abraham Accords

Jason Greenblatt is one of the few individuals in the world who can be credited with bringing peace to the Middle East. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to listen to Jason discuss the brilliant negotiations leading up to the Abraham Accords as well as present day ramifications to those groundbreaking peace agreements.

Why did new negotiating strategies have to be deployed?

Why was it counterproductive to over-study the history of strife in the Middle East?

Why was it better for the United States to act as a smart broker rather than an honest or fair broker?

What was the key reason for moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem? Should the United States have pressured Israel for a related concession?

What did the Abraham Accord negotiators propose to the Palestinian Authority in terms of access to holy sites in Jerusalem and control of Judea and Samaria?

What were the consequences of peace with Muslim countries preceding achieving peace with the Palestinian Authority?

What were the main motivators for Muslim countries to sign on to the Abraham Accords?

Could the Abraham Accords have been achieved without Iranian belligerence?

What is the Biden administration doing to jeopardize the Abraham Accords?

Which countries could be the next (or last) signatories to the Abraham Accords?

What should you know about proposed legislation to solidify and expand the Abraham Accords?

Are China, Europe and Russia favorable, unfavorable or neutral on the Abraham Accords?

About Jason Greenblatt

Jason Greenblatt is a former White House Middle East Envoy. Jason was a Chief Architect of peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors. He is the Founder and CEO of Abraham Venture and is the author of In the Path of Abraham.

This extremely thorough and extremely insightful podcast discusses Israel’s recent elections and presumptive incoming coalition government. Alex Traiman of the Jewish News Syndicate provides an overview of the composition of Israel’s ballots and Israel’s voting procedures.

The Israeli Political Scene

This extremely thorough and insightful podcast discusses Israel’s recent elections and presumptive incoming coalition government. Alex Traiman of the Jewish News Syndicate provides an overview of the composition of Israel’s ballots and Israel’s voting procedures.

This podcast also provides a rare opportunity to learn about the composition of Israel’s Supreme Court, its interaction with Israel’s Knesset (parliament) and proposed reforms. Finally, the session covers Israel’s agreement with Lebanon for extracting natural gas from the nearby Mediterranean Ocean.

Among the questions answered by this podcast include:

• How much time does the political party with the most seats have to form a new government? What happens if a new government is not formed within that deadline?
• Which political parties are likely to form a coalition government with Likud? Which portfolios will such political parties be responsible for?
•  In what ways is the Biden administration meddling in Israel’s internal affairs?
• How are Israeli elections administered? How much elasticity is there in voting in Israeli elections in terms of time and place?
• How are Israeli Supreme Court Justices selected?
•  To what extent can the Israeli Supreme Court override legislation? To what extent can the Supreme Court require the Knesset to promulgate legislation?
• To what extent can NGOs put cases before the Israeli Supreme Court? To what extent does the Israeli Supreme Court look to foreign precedent?
•  What is the history and likely economic and political consequences of Israel’s new agreement for natural gas production with Lebanon?

 Alex Traiman, CEO & Jerusalem Bureau Chief, The Jewish News Syndicate

The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) is the fastest-growing news agency covering Israel and the Jewish world. JNS provides briefs, news, features, opinions and analysis to as many as 100 print newspapers and digital publications on a daily basis.

Over the past two decades, Jacob Rothman built a thriving manufacturing business in China. He has also established manufacturing presences in Cambodia, Vietnam and India. Jacob has researched opening factories in points as disparate as the Philippines, Turkey, Mexico and South America.

There are advantages and disadvantages associated with manufacturing in every country. Many companies are now considering divesting from China. However, Jacob points out that one should think twice about uprooting manufacturing from China. China has first-class infrastructure, a dedicated workforce, a deep supply chain and the ability to scale. Also, when one invests in a new plant, thought should be directed to the ability to sell that factory if need be.

Don’t miss this fascinating conversation that discusses the pros and cons of manufacturing in China, Cambodia, Vietnam, India and Turkey. Issues such as addressable markets, inflation and currency controls are broached with respect to many of the aforementioned countries. As a bonus, Jacob also shares a few insights into the history of Jews in China and Shanghai’s contemporary Jewish community.  

Jacob Rothman – Co-CEO, Velong Enterprises

Jacob is largely responsible for growing Velong Enterprises into a leading manufacturer of innovative and sustainable grilling and kitchen products. Velong maintains 11 factories, introduces 500 new products each year and employees 1,600 people. Velong’s products are sold to the likes of Weber (the grill maker) and Walmart.

Israel is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Israel also has more than its share of traffic accidents: Israel’s police received 11,554 reports of traffic accidents resulting in casualties during 2021, a 6.6% increase from the previous year. As a result of its high incidence of traffic accidents and congested roads, Israel is making tremendous investments in smart mobility.

This unique podcast covers the gamut of Israeli Smart Mobility. Listeners will learn about Israel’s shared mobility, scooters, light-rail initiatives, electric vehicle policies, autonomous vehicles, and connected cars. Among the specific issued addressed in the podcast are:

What is the schedule for the roll-out of light rail services in Israel’s largest cities?

How do Israeli scooter sharing companies balance the deposits and availability of scooters?

Why is the availability of electrified bicycles especially important given the heat during Israeli summers?

Why is charging of electric vehicles especially challenging given typical Israeli living situations?

What incentives for the adoption of electric vehicles exist in terms of taxes on new vehicles and fuel?

How do Israeli shared ride hailing services differ from those in the United States?

What is the thinking behind launching autonomous driving with public transport?

Which factors account for Israel so quickly becoming a hub of automotive innovation?

What can be learned from the demise of Better Place?

Daniel Zucker – Founder, Smart Mobility Consultancy Service

Daniel Zucker was a leader for the Smart Mobility Initiative within the Office of the Prime Minister. Daniel formulated and orchestrated the Israeli national plan for smart mobility, a governmental resolution allocating 250 million NIS in order to make Israel a world leader both in R&D and implementation. He also led complex regulation and legislation processes regarding Electric Vehicles, Autonomous Vehicles and Ride and Car Sharing.

Several hundred Israeli companies are developing food technology solutions in view of the unfolding food crisis. That is good because farmers, especially small farmers, are under siege. Consumers worldwide are feeling the pain too. Given the unavailability of food staples and skyrocketing prices of essential food, weekly visits to the supermarket have turned into traumatic events.

COVID-19 can no longer be blamed for barren shelves. At the time of the production of this podcast, Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine was not restricting the export of that much of Ukraine’s harvest. More mendacious factors are at work. The genesis and potential severity of worldwide food insecurity are the subjects of this highly informative podcast. Topics discussed include:

How are progressive policies resulting in soaring prices for diesel fuel, which farmers need to run their equipment and truckers need to deliver food to the stores?

Why is the war on fertilizer a horrible development for sustainable food production?

Why are rising levels of carbon dioxide a positive development for crops’ reliance on water?

Why does the Orwellian named “Inflation Reduction Act” pay farmers not to farm?

Why is the SEC telling private farmers to track their emissions?

To what extent are banks withholding credit to farmers?

How is the Biden administration withholding water from farmers by broadening the definition of “Waters of the United States?”

To what extent is China instigating the war on America’s farmers?

How was the deadly deprivation of baby formula a consequence of misguided liberal policy?

What is the Right to Repair all about?

Dr. Bonner R. Cohen, Senior Fellow, National Center for Public Policy Research

Dr. Bonner concentrates on energy, natural resources, and international relations at the National Center for Public Policy Research, where he serves as a Senior Fellow. He also serves as a senior policy adviser with the Heartland Institute, senior policy analyst with the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, and as adjunct scholar at the Competitive Enterprise Institute.

Articles by Dr. Cohen have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investor’s Business Daily, New York Post, Washington Times, National Review, Philadelphia Inquirer, Detroit News, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Miami Herald, and dozens of other newspapers in the U.S. and Canada. He has been interviewed on Fox News, CNN, Fox Business Channel, BBC, BBC Worldwide Television, NBC, NPR, N 24 (German language news channel), Voice of Russia, and scores of radio stations in the U.S.

This is your opportunity to learn about the history of the Israel-Brazil relationship. You will also gain insight into the current diplomatic, economic, and research relationships that the two countries enjoy. 

The following are among the issues discussed during this fascinating podcast:

• Was Brazil supportive of Israel gaining statehood?
• To what extent does antisemitism exist in Brazil? How strong is the BDS movement in Brazil?
• How will Brazil’s pro-Palestinian Authority president affect relations between Israel and Brazil?
• How large is the Jewish community in Brazil? To what extent is there intermarriage?
• Which Brazilian companies have situated research facilities in Israel?
• Which of Brazil’s industries are of most importance to Israel? Which Israeli technology is of most interest to Brazil?
• Which Israeli universities have research alliances with Brazilian universities and companies?
• How frequently does Brazil vote with Israel at the United Nations?
• How should Israelis negotiate with Brazilians?
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Speaker:

Marcia Zeitoune Janzen, Founder, Zeitoune Janzen Legal

Mar-see-yah Zeye-tune Jan-sen

Marcia Zeitoune Janzen is a senior business lawyer with a master's degree in Corporate Law from the University of Bonn. Marcia has more than 25 years of work experience in Brazil, Germany, and Israel in the areas of corporate, international commercial contracts, fintech, high-tech, finance and banking. She has worked in-house for banks and in the international department of law firms in the areas of industry such as High-Tech, Chemical, Insurance, Oil & Energy, Import-Export, Maritime, Engineering, Printing, and more.  

Solution Nation contains fascinating and rigorously researched profiles of 62 of Israel's most promising companies. In addition to developing and commercializing cutting-edge technologies, all of the companies included in Solution Nation are dedicated to solving intractable challenges. Learn how the world's most disadvantaged and destitute people stand to benefit from Israeli ingenuity. Readers are introduced to Israeli companies that are detecting cervical cancer and heart failure, preventing amputations and auto accidents, helping the blind see, enabling the paralyzed to stand, purifying water in the wake of natural disasters, taming starvation, and rescuing people from burning buildings.

DAVID WANETICK

David Wanetick is the CEO of the Institute for Strategic Negotiations, which maintains the world’s largest library of negotiating courses. David teaches the Enhanced Negotiating Strategies courses offered through the Institute for Strategic Negotiations. Senior executives from all over the world attend these courses. David’s unique approach to negotiating encompasses his expertise in understanding clients’ business models and valuation issues. His clients include some of the largest Fortune 500 companies as well as start-ups, universities and private equity firms. David is author of The Strategic Negotiator: A Manual for Negotiating at the Elite Level, the world’s most voluminous book dedicated to strategic negotiations.