Heartbroken...🧡

“Comfort is the worst addiction”

Welcome back to YKC. No words for the unspeakable tragedy we learned about last week. The Bibas family’s abduction, with haunting images of the red-haired children, became one of the most heartbreaking symbols of October 7th… and is etched in our memory. Their deaths mark another devastating chapter in this ongoing conflict.

May their memory be a blessing.

If you're attending SXSW at the beginning of next week, and want to connect at the festival message me directly.

From Idea to IPO: What VC-Founder Partnerships Look Like in 2025: Join Eyal Bino, Founder Partner of 97212 Ventures in conversation with Micah Rosenbloom General Partner, Founder Collective where they'll discuss early-stage investing and share actionable advice for founders seeking their ideal VC partner. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insider tips and best practices from leading VCs with a proven track record of supporting early-stage startups. Wed, Feb 26th, 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM EST. Have questions? They’ll answer them live! Register here.

LinkedIn Ghostwriting: My team and I have been helping founders, investors, and executives amplify their voice, share their expertise, and build a highly visible personal brand, in order to generate opportunities online and in person. If becoming recognized as a thought leader in your space is something that you would be interested in exploring further, book a time with me. We’ll discuss your content strategy, and do a complimentary audit on your LinkedIn account. To speak with me click here.

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."

-Christopher Reeve

The Shadow Work Journal: A Guide to Integrate and Transcend your Shadows by Keila Shaheen: A book review that is a little bit different, this one about a shadow work journal. I’ve been journaling for years, and aside from documenting my life, I’ve felt the process to be extremely therapeutic. Shadow work is the exploration of the unconscious, and involves examining the parts of ourselves that we usually keep hidden or deny, often referred to as the "shadow self." In order to self-actualize, it’s important to explore hidden aspects of yourself for personal growth… especially when you feel something internally is holding you back.

When writing this, I’ve admittedly lost patience for Gen Z types I’m encountering in a business setting, particularly their lack of resilience, and aversion to lean into difficult emotions (ex., conflict). So, a journal like this, or just the act of taking stock of your emotions (and separating your inner dialogue from reality) could be a good exercise for anyone overwhelmed and challenged with emotional regulation. You still need to go out in the world and put yourself in challenging situations in order to get what you want, but understanding the difficult emotions (your shadow) which arise when you’re dealing with stress is key in integrating those emotions. I’m not a big fan of overly emoting how you feel, unless it benefits others, which is why the sanctuary of journaling is so important for mental health as it serves as a private outlet. When I was younger, I saw aspects of myself that came out under extreme stress, but even back then I was journaling, and I credit that for helping me keep my sanity. The shadow appeared, only later in life did I understand how to address it.

With this journal, integrating the insights gained from daily reflections can help transform your shadow into a source of strength. You may not like some aspects of your personality that appear, but it’s the truth, and you need to address them. And if you know someone struggling right now, a journal like this may help them… but tread lightly, as they’ll have to confront parts of themselves that are buried deeply for a reason.

NEW YEAR, NEW JOB: After a turbulent couple of years, the Israeli jobs market finally looks like it's starting to recover. They recently reached a 12-month high of 1,500 open positions on the Secret Tel Aviv Jobs Board with lots of awesome new jobs in Sales, Marketing, Account Management, Operations, and Product. Check out the Jobs Board for all the latest jobs, and sign up to their weekly Jobs Emails and Jobs WhatsApp Groups to get notified when a new job opens.

Arab Voices For Israel: Join them for an unforgettable event with three remarkable speakers sharing their unique perspectives on peace, activism, and diplomacy. Featured speakers: Dalia Ziada – Author, writer and activist Jonathan Nizar Elkhoury – Israeli Lebanese Chrisitan activist and advocate for Israel Fatema Al Harabi – Peace Activist, and Gulf Affairs Director at Sharaka. Tuesday February 25, 2025 7:30 pm. New York. Location upon registration. Register here.

The Impact of the War on Israel’s Economy and the Job Market: Join them for an eye-opening talk with Hillel Fuld, one of Israel’s leading tech influencers, as he unpacks how the war has reshaped Israel’s economy and job market. A thriving global tech hub, Israel now faces unprecedented shifts in investment, employment, and innovation. Is it all for the good? Hillel will break down what’s changed, what’s next, and how startups, businesses, and working professionals can adapt to this new reality. Starts on Wednesday, February 26 · 7pm IST. Capella Cocktail Bar, Hagag Tower, HaArba’a 28, South Tower, 14th Floor. Register here.

JFE Founder and Investor Dinner: JFE Network is excited to host their first curated Investor and Founder Dinner experience of 2025, bringing together early stage investors and founders across the following sectors: Healthcare, Fintech, Cyber/Civic Tech, and AI/Deeptech. Founders and investors will have an opportunity to meet each other at curated dinner tables segmented by industry and sector focus. Wednesday, February 26th, 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM PST. Register to See Address. San Francisco, California. Register here.

Shaping the Future: AI Trends in 2025. What's Next?: ​AI has quickly emerged as the most influential technology since the launch of the internet. With an explosion of funding rounds and many disruptive applications, it seems like the sky is the limit for tech founders. ​​So.. what's next for AI in 2025 and beyond? 97212 Ventures is excited to host a panel discussion on the topic with some of the most active investors and founders in the space. Wednesday, March 12 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Israel Discount Bank of New York (IDB Bank). New York. Register here.

PURIM IN COLOR at MARQUEE NYC: PURIM IN COLOR 2025 at MARQUEE NY. Party with them on Thursday, March 13th at Marquee - NYC's Most Famous Nightclub. Early Bird Tickets Available for a very limited time. Sounds by Gorj, Akhy & Charel. NYCs Hottest Club - First event here for the YJP Community in over 5 years! 900+ People Expected. NYC's Best YJP Crowd. Open Format, Israeli, Top 40, Hip Hop & House. March 13 · 10:30pm EDT. Marquee New York, 289 10th Avenue New York. Tickets here.

PURIM BALL at SONY HALL: Join them and celebrate Purim Ball at one of NYC’s largest nightclubs Sony Hall. Tickets and tables will be completely sold out for this event do not wait to purchase tickets. Costumes are recommended but are not enforced. EARLY ARRIVAL IS HIGHLY SUGGESTED! DOORS WILL OPEN AT 11PM. March 15 · 11pm EDT. Sony Hall, 235 West 46th Street New York. Tickets here.