Maintaining Israel’s Competitive Advantage

April 5th, 2007 | Categories: Israel | Tags: Israel

The topic of maintaining Israel’s competitive advantage is constantly “top of mind” for me. During the Pesach break I’ve had more time than usual to think about this topic. The common approach for people who comment on competitive advantage is to focus on Israel’s technological advantage and need for massive investment in technology based start ups in order to ensure that Israel maintains its edge. (See this presentation on The Benefits of VC on Israel’s Economy)

However I believe that as in any society, the foundations for innovation are not in well funded organizational structures. In fact as Israel has demonstrated, financial stability is by no means a key ingredient for innovation. Israel has succeeded despite lack of financial support. I humbly propose that its our unique social structure that has allowed us to produce tremendous technological innovations. Lev Leviev commented on this topic several months ago and pointed to the need to invest in Jewish education since Jewish education has been Israeli society’s key ingredient for thousands of years and has ensured the moral fiber, national vision and intellectual foundation for generations of Israelis to succeed regardless of the circumstances.

Policy makers of Israel should head the words of one of Israel’s finest business personalities. Leviev is deeply routed in Jewish tradition and education and understands the unique ingredients such an education provides our new generation. I am always amazed that so many of the successful business people I meet on a daily basis concur with these thoughts. So many successful Israeli business people refer to their Jewish upbringing subconsciously and regardless of their level of observance.

Money is everywhere! Technology is everywhere! Only in Israel are there all the ingredients for a full Jewish education. This is our competitive edge and we should view it as such.

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