West Palm Beach, FL. (March 31, 2022) - More than 250 local and national business and community leaders gathered Sunday at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach for an exclusive Friends of the IDF (FIDF) VIP briefing and cocktail reception in support of FIDF's Mamriot program, a unique initiative dedicated to providing life-changing tech education to teenage girls.
The event featured a keynote speech from Yossi Cohen, former Mossad Director, and Head of Softbank Investment Advisers in Israel. Harry Gross, a longtime FIDF supporter and National Executive Board member, handed Cohen a special award. FIDF CEO Steve Weil and FIDF National Director, Major General (Res.) Nadav Padan were also in attendance.
Cohen was appointed as the Mossad Deputy Director in 2011 and promoted to Director during his tenure. He was selected by Prime Minister Netanyahu to serve as Israel’s National Security Advisor and Head of the National Security Council in 2013. Cohen served as the lead for one of the agency’s most daring operations: the seizure of the Iranian Nuclear Archives. The intelligence gained from this mission was the impetus for the United States withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal. He also led the negotiations between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain, and played a significant role in the signing of the historic Abraham Accords. He was most recently named Head of Softbank Investment Advisers.
Aligning with the IDF’s requirements for cyber and tech units, Mamriot provides young girls from diverse socio-economic backgrounds unique educational opportunities in the cyber and tech space they may not otherwise have been able to receive.
In his speech, Cohen spoke in detail about the program, which is operated by Israel’s Ministry of Defense and was developed by Israel’s Cyber Education Center and the IDF Intelligence Corps. “Growing threats to Israel underscore the need for more high-tech workers and equipping young women to enlist in IDF technology units is critical for gender equality and to strengthen the country’s economic resilience,” said Cohen. “Mamriot will be instrumental in closing the gender gap in the tech space and driving significant new talent into the IDF and Israeli job market.”
The event was made possible thanks to Spencer Partrich, a longtime FIDF supporter and a National Board Member, and the preparations were led by Tamir Oppenheim, Vice President of FIDF's Central Region, and his team.
FIDF CEO Steve Weil was proud to hand Partrich an award recognizing his leadership and noted his ongoing dedication to FIDF. “We are pleased to present this award with deep appreciation for your long-standing leadership and dedication to Israel’s brave soldiers and our Jewish homeland,” said Weil. “On behalf of the FIDF Family, we salute you!”
Below find photos from the event. Photo Credit: Erez Kashy
