FOCAL POINT

The premier Jewish gathering for people passionate about global development

Join us at Focal Point 2024
FOCAL POINT

The premier Jewish gathering for people passionate about global development

Join us at Focal Point 2024

Connect, collaborate, and learn

OLAM’s annual Focal Point conference is an exclusive opportunity for Jewish and Israeli practitioners engaged in international development, humanitarian aid, and global service to network, discuss key issues in the field, share about your work, learn from experts, hear diverse perspectives, and celebrate their shared commitment to serving the world’s most vulnerable individuals.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Focal Point 2024

May 28–29  |  New York City
REGISTER NOW
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
AFTER THREE YEARS OF ONLINE AND HYBRID EVENTS, FOCAL POINT IS BACK IN PERSON!
REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Focal Point is for

Check out speakers
from previous years

Full name
Job title
Full name
Job title
Full name
Job title
Full name
Job title
Full name
Job title
Full name
Job title
Eric Fingerhut
President & CEO
The Jewish Federations of North America
2022
Rabbi Yaffa Epstein
Director, Wexner Heritage Program
The Wexner Foundation
2024
Rabbi Sir Ephraim Yitzchak Mirvis KBE
UK Chief Rabbi
2024
Alon Tal
Member of Knesset
2022
Rabbi Shai Held
President & Dean
Hadar Institute
2022
Ruth Messinger
Social Justice Consultant & Global Ambassador
AJWS
2024
David Horovitz
Editor-in-Chief
Times of Israel
2021
Caryl M. Stern
President & CEO
UNICEF USA
2017
Lisa Eisen
President & CEO
Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies
2024
Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis
President
Former Prime Minister of Haiti / Fokal
2021
Michael Nyenhuis
President & CEO
UNICEF USA
2022
Kenneth Dsouza
Director, India, Planning & Development
Gabriel Project Mumbai
2019
David Wallace-Wells
Columnist & staff writer
New York Times
2024
Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield
Executive Vice President
Shalom Hartman Institute of North America
2023
Mandie Winston
CEO
UJIA
2020
Paul Anticoni
Chief Executive
World Jewish Relief
2022
Robert Bank
President & CEO
AJWS
2023
Larry Garber
International Development Independent Consultant
2019
Dr. Dorit Nitzan
Regional Emergency Director
World Health Organization
2020
Carly Maisel
Global CEO
Kirsh Foundation
2021
Tigist Girma
Director of Localization
HIAS
2023
Yosef Abramowitz
CEO
Energiya Global
2021
Andrew Quinn
Director, Aspen New Voices
Aspen Institute
2018
Ariel Dloomy
Chair/Executive Director
SID-Israel/AJEEC-NISPED
2017
Nic Hailey
Executive Director
International Alert
2022
Ron Kampeas
Washington Bureau Chief
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
2021
Rabbi Aderet Drucker
Executive Director
The Den Collective
2019
Dr. Steve Cohen
The Earth Institute, Columbia University
2017
Leora Klapper
Lead Economist
World Bank
2023
Leora Ward
Gender in Emergencies Director
CARE USA
2023
Robert Beiser
Director of the Strategic Initiative on Sex Trafficking
Polaris
2023
Katherine Raphaelson
President & CEO
SID-US
2023
Danny Kahn
Chair
NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief
2019
Susie Galler
Director of Marketing and Communications
Global Fund for Children
2018

What people are saying
about Focal Point

“This opportunity would not have been an option without OLAM. NALA’s network increased drastically from the visit, and it completely changed the way I think about engaging with the Jewish community in North America. The encounters really helped ‘fill my battery’ after an intense period that left me somewhat drained.”

Jacob Sztokman, Founding Director, Gabriel Project Mumbai

“This opportunity would not have been an option without OLAM. NALA’s network increased drastically from the visit, and it completely changed the way I think about engaging with the Jewish community in North America. The encounters really helped ‘fill my battery’ after an intense period that left me somewhat drained.”

Jacob Sztokman, Founding Director, Gabriel Project Mumbai

The opening plenary gave me a great overview of who's in the room and the big issues they are facing. I especially appreciated the fact that everything was framed in the context of Jewish text and values. It was inspiring to see how many Jewish organizations are doing this humanitarian work, and I am left wanting to learn more about each one's unique contribution.

Rabbi Dina Brawer, World Jewish Relief USA

I came away energized after spending time with truly dedicated professionals. I also gained new insights on climate-related disasters and our responsibilities in that field, even if climate is not a primary focus of my organization.

Debra Slonim, Israel Trauma Coalition

Focal Point was a fantastic space to connect with other professionals and colleagues, and to talk about the pillar issues that concern us all.

Jesica Scheimberg, AJEEC-NISPED

Focal Point was an enriching experience that allowed me to learn from experts, network with Jewish peers, and apply the latest trends to my work in bridging development and the private sector in Africa.

Desiree Zwanck, OLAM Individual Member

I learned so much about professional development at Focal Point, while also gaining knowledge from like-minded people - tools that have proven super helpful when I deal with certain issues within my own organization.

Nicole Collins, JBN Foundation, Jewish communal professional

I learned about the Jewish world's beautiful impact across the globe, what motivates the people involved, the challenges they face, and the ways they overcome those challenges. I now have a better understanding of how I can do more, and how to get the people I work with involved.

Chani Kolan, The Jewish Agency

Focal Point Galleries

Focal Point 2023

2023 Photo Gallery
2023 Video

Focal Point 2024

2024
Photo Gallery
2024
Video

Focal Point 2023

2023
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2023
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Focal Point 2022

2022
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2022
Video

Focal Point 2021

2021
Photo Gallery
2021
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Focal Point 2020

2020
Photo Gallery
2020
Video

Focal Point 2019

2019
Photo Gallery
2019
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Focal Point 2018

2018
Photo Gallery
2018
Video

Focal Point 2017

2017
Photo Gallery
2017
Video

Focal Point 2016

2016
Photo Gallery
2016
Video

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