BGU & YOU | Spring 2025

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from diverse professional backgrounds — entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and community leaders — united by a shared passion for Israel’s future and BGU’s pivotal role in shaping it. Each cohort returns home as ambassadors, sharing their insights and strengthening global engagement with Israel’s innovative spirit. Their enthusiasm is contagious, often inspiring others to join the next generation of Halutz pioneers. Friends Bring Friends One of the most powerful aspects of the Halutz Initiative is how personal connections drive participation. Friends,

colleagues, and mentors who have experienced the program firsthand become its strongest advocates, creating an ever expanding network, extending the program's impact across borders and generations. Jonathan Sacerdoti, a member of the first Halutz cohort, exemplifies this ripple effect. After his transformative experience, he nominated individuals for the second and third cohorts, who in turn recommended others. “I was delighted to become acquainted with BGU’s work and community through my participation,” he shares. “It was equally gratifying to introduce others whom I

We recently welcomed the fourth cohort of BGU’s Halutz Initiative for Global Leadership for an intensive and transformative visit, following an equally dynamic visit of the latest cohort of the Zin Fellows Leadership Program. This year, sixteen Halutz fellows from eleven countries arrived in Israel at a particularly critical moment. Their immersive experience provided them with a deeper understanding of BGU’s importance to the Negev’s recovery, as well as its groundbreaking research and innovation. Since its inception, the Halutz Initiative has attracted participants