From Aliyah to the IDF: In Service of Science and Israel
Presented by the
Ilene & Steve Berger Technion Visiting Fellows Program
An Invitation Only ProgramExclusive Interactive Event for Genesis Circle Members
Join us for a heartwarming and inspiring discussion with the Technion’s most promising students while reconnecting with fellow Genesis Circle members. These three students made Aliyah to Israel, two without their families, and then set their sights on attending the Technion. Chat with these Berger Visiting Fellows about their challenges acclimating to a new country and serving the military as a “lone soldier,” as well as their hopes and dreams, excelling in research ranging from food science to computer science.
Joel Rothman, former ATS president and fellow Genesis Circle member, will moderate the event. Mr. Rothman also serves on the ATS – Chicago Board of Directors and on the Technion Board of Governors.
Featured Speakers
About the Speakers
Ohad Einav ’22 was raised in Palo Alto and Pittsburgh and studied at yeshivas in California and Paris before making Aliyah at age 19 to join the Israel Defense Forces. He served as a “lone soldier,” meaning without family in Israel, and now volunteers in helping prepare Israeli youth to become combat soldiers. Mr. Einav followed his father and uncle’s footsteps to the Technion, where he is in his third year of a bachelor’s program in computer science. Alongside his studies, he works as a data scientist at PayPal.
Alon Romano ’16, M.S. ’18 grew up in San Francisco and immigrated to Israel with his family at age 10. He served in the Israel Defense Forces for seven years, tackling challenging roles in the intelligence division for which he earned military awards. He then decided to pursue a dream that had been taking shape through the years — studying at the Technion. Now working towards his third Technion degree, he is a Ph.D. student in the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, where he recently helped his student team win first prize in a prestigious European food contest. Mr. Romano is married and has three young children.
Yoav Shumacher ’21 grew up in Canada and studied at a theological seminary in Israel before making Aliyah and joining the Israeli Defense Forces as a “lone soldier” in the infantry. Determined to get “the best education possible,” he joined the Technion, where he is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He has given back to the Technion by working in the Visitors Center and currently works in the Turbomachinery and Heat Transfer Laboratory, designing and developing new products.
Professor Ayelet Fishman ’89, M.S. ’92, Ph.D. ’02 is Dean of Students at the Technion and head of the Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Biocatalysis in the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering. Her research focuses on protein engineering techniques and the structure-function relationship of enzymes to address consumer interest in healthy foods and vegetarian protein alternatives. Prof. Fishman earned all three degrees at the Technion, conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Connecticut, and worked in industry before joining the Technion faculty in 2005.
About the Program
One of the American Technion Society’s most popular speaker series, the Ilene & Steve Berger Technion Visiting Fellows Program features the university’s greatest assets: its students. Known as the Berger Visiting Fellows, these select scholars represent the very soul of the Technion. Their visit provides an inspiring glimpse into the lives and minds of those who will help shape the future of Israel and the world.