From Crisis to Opportunity: Shaping the Day After
The annual Galilee Panhandle Convention, held in memory of Elad Erlich z”l, was established out of a regional need to bring to the public agenda urgent issues affecting the Eastern Galilee, to foster dialogue, and to promote solutions in collaboration with decision-makers.
Each year, the conference brings together ministers, members of Knesset, senior government officials, heads of local authorities, and hundreds of residents and opinion leaders from across the northern region. This year’s 10th Galilee Panhandle Convention will focus on the theme: "From Crisis to Opportunity: Shaping the Eastern Galilee on the Day After the War."
Over the past year and a half the Eastern Galilee has faced severe challenges resulting from the prolonged war that broke out on October 7th. Thousands of residents were evacuated from their homes, while many others remained in an area under constant rocket fire. The impact of the war continues to resonate and is felt in every aspect of life in the Galilee: employment, economy, education, healthcare, culture, leisure, and more.
This year's convention will explore various aspects of how to emerge from the crisis stronger and how to shape a better, safer, and more stable future for Israel’s northern region.
Convention Agenda
The convention will take place at the Zarnegin Auditorium on Tel-Hai’s eastern campus, Thursday, June 5, 2025, between 9:00-16:00:
9:00-9:45
Gathering
Coffee and pastries
Exhibition: Social Involvement
9:45-10:50
Opening Session
Greetings and Opening Words:
President Isaac Herzog
Eli Cohen, Director General, Tel-Hai – University on the Rise
Atar Razy-Oren, CEO, Beyachad - Carasso Family Foundation
1:1 Interviews:
Minister Ze'ev Elkin
Knesset Member Benny Gantz
The Voice of the Hostages
Dani Miran, father of captive Omri Miran
Kobi Ohel, father of captive Alon Ohel
11:30-12:00
Intermission
Coffee and refreshments
12:00-13:00
The University of Kiryat Shmona and the Galilee and Other Drivers of Development in the Galilee
Minister of Education, Yoav Kisch
1:1 Interview
Minister of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience, Issac Shimon Wasserlauf
Tel-Hai Ensemble
Commemoration and Scholarship Ceremony in Memory of Elad Erlich z”l
13:00-13:40
Lunch
13:45-15:00
Between the Frontline and the Home Front – Civil Society Organizations Supporting the Community During and After the War
Beni Ben Muvchar, Chair of the Eastern Galilee Cluster
1:1 Interview:
Knesset Member Ram Ben-Barak
Discussion Panel: Civil Society Organizations
Habayta, Matzpinim, Lobby 1701, Tel-Hai Student Union
15:15-16:30
Roundtable Discussions
Joint Regional Responsibility – Challenges and Opportunities on the Path to Rehabilitation and Growth
Led by Michal Raikin and Yoram Azoulay
Head of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, Asaf Langleben
Mayor of Kiryat Shmona, Avihay Shtern
Head of the Golan Regional Council, Ori Kallner
Eran Shmueli-David, Israel Director, Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation
Lior Schillat, Executive Director, JDC TEVET
Idit Huberman, Head of Northern Strategy, Israel Land Authority
Rebuilding the Future of Employment in the Eastern Galilee as a Regional Growth Engine
Led by Yiftach Shai and Shani Arbel
Education on a Regional Scale
Led by Liat Cohen Raviv
*Final agenda may be subject to change
We invite you to take part in this conference, aimed at leading the northern periphery toward a brighter future — a future of growth, prosperity, and success.