An event like this one happens only every 70 years! We have celebrated Israel’s 70 anniversary with the Yedioth Ahronoth Group in a special conference, full of Israeli success stories. Encounters with Israel’s most interesting people took place on the ICC Jerusalem stage, under the title: “Israel, Success Story”.

The conference was hosted by Danny Kushmaro and Yardena Arazi (who hosted the 1979 Eurovision song contest on the same stage), and among the participants were Waze founder Uri Levine, chef and TV star Haim Cohen, five former IDF Chiefs of Staff, World Jewish Congress President Ron Lauder and many more. One of the event’s most special encounters was a heart-to-heart talk between singer-songwriter Shlomo Artzi and President of Israel Reuven Rivlin, on Israel’s achievements, challenges and future vision.

And how could we go without some humor and satire, which make it possible to digest life in this country? Five top stand-up comedians gathered on the stage for a special panel full of Israeli loughs, and there was more: the conference featured encounters with athletes Yael Arad and Miki Berkovich, a performance by singer Sarit Hadad and a tribute show for the late prominent musician and songwriter Naomi Shemer. The moving event ended with an uplifting mass-singing arranged by “Koolulam”, followed by a very tasty Falafel contest.

On top of that, the conference featured an exhibition of Israeli success stories in the fields of defense, agriculture, technology and more. To conclude, the event was a truly happy, larger than life celebration for our country!