Taking the LEAD on doing something great

Recap on this week’s ‘FRIENDS OF LEAD’ kickoff event

Earlier this week, right in the heart of TLV, we held an important event. ?‘Friend of Lead’ kickoff.

Some of my closest friends and colleagues took a few hours from their busy schedule to meet LEAD – the youth organization, that accompanies young adults of 17 for the next 20 years of their life.

?"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

?To date, LEAD’s youth created over 700 social projects. 14 of these became associations. Some of which are well known in the local IL community: Zikaron Basalon (Livingroom memories – by holocaust survivals); Knafayim Shel Krembo (Krembo wings); and Chamaniyot (Sunflower)…and many more.

Hundreds of graduates hold key position in society – and impact our daily lives. But, we’ll get to that later.

?Why the meetup? Simple answer is – do you know LEAD? May so, but likely because you read my previous posts or have an educational background.

But, unfortunately, most people are not aware of this incredible organization!

Small event - big people

I’ve written in the past, how this is a one-of-a-kind organization. But, to see graduates speak, and listen to @ Eliav’s vision, is a unique experience.

?Several 19-year-old graduates spoke about making a difference in the world. They were 100% confidant. Clear. Articulating their messages without doubts. Sharing with us some intimate experience ‘before’ and ‘after’ LEAD.

What it’s like to be with people like you. What it’s like to create impactful projects. And, what it’s like to get this kind of a chance opens up for them.

A love matchmaker too

Roi (Ziko) Tzikorel – an education entrepreneur, and co-founder of #Masterschool, recently raised a $100M seed round. 3 of the 4 co-founders are Lead graduates. His wife too, so he testifies (met at 17).

?“What we were taught at 17, is applied every single day.” He says “After 20 years, I can really see that building a successful startup requires a bunch of tools. Across the organization – from building a product, to QA, to finance, to raising capital.

But, at LEAD we were also taught that sure – take these tools and build something great. Before that, make sure you contribute it back to the community.”

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Impact – a word that kept coming up again and again.

“This youth could have been easily missed” Said Eliav Zakay, CEO of LEAD. Teachers could have categorized them as rebellious. Unfit. “But we saw something different” he continued.

“Leadership is a decision. A life choice. A difficult one, with lots of bumps on the road. We train this youth that being a leader is hard work.

But, the difference is we hand them all the tools to succeed. ?Whilst so, we let the youth decide what path they want to take.”

Being nominated as the Chairman of the LEAD’s Friends Association is a great honor. I want to thank my great friends, Thank you – to my great friends, who took the time to join and listen.? Shlomit Pinkas Elkaiam, Ilan Elkayam, Zvika Kelich, Dalia Peled, Sigal Srur, Sharon Lamberger, Eran Hochman, Sharon Weiss, Amon Argaman, Ronen Kantor, Ofer Eitan, Amnon Argaman, Amir udi and Irit Eilelmore and more.

Bottom line – here is how you can join and be a partner to the success of today’s youth, and tomorrow’s leaders. Sounds cliché, but it really isn’t.

Click here, and the options can be:

MENTORING, JUDGING, DONATING TIME OR FUNDS, MAKING CONNECTIONS, NETWORKING, PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION OR ENDORSMENTS, PRESS AND AWARNESS HELP. You name it.?

What say you?