Focal Point 2024 Navigating a New Tomorrow, Together
Against the backdrop of October 7th and amidst other global challenges, let's come together to re-envision our commitment to supporting the world's most vulnerable people.
Join us at the premier Jewish gathering for people passionate about international development, humanitarian aid, and global service.
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What's in store for Focal Point 2024?
The impact of Oct. 7 on our network
Join meaningful conversations about the war in Israel and Gaza around issues unique to our network: re-engaging donors who've shifted funding, the long-term impact on Israeli partners, whether Jewish and Israeli humanitarians have a role to play in providing humanitarian aid in Gaza, navigating challenging relationships with colleagues and international institutions, and more.
Sector-specific networking
Meet others working in your field and sector, and explore potential collaborations within the OLAM network, for impactful projects across the globe.
Hear from leaders in the field
Meet and learn from leaders in international development and influential members in the Jewish community on a wide array of topics - localization, climate crisis, engaging the Jewish community in global service, and more.
Exclusive Spaces
Join pre-conference meetups specifically tailored for participants from Israel and for those engaged in global service programs, and take part in conference sessions designed for CEOs, Jewish philanthropists, and other groups in our network.
Self-care strategies
Explore strategies to prioritize your well-being in this changing and challenging world, so that you can thrive and continue making a positive difference.
And so much more!
Confirmed Speakers
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Who is Focal Point for?
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Global Development Practitioners
Join OLAM's individual members, staff members of our partner organizations, and other practitioners. We'd love to see staff at all levels, including CEOs, program staff, local staff who can bring important perspectives, communications staff who can engage in discussions around how to tell your story, and staff who are new to the field.
Meet others working in your sector and geographic region, to discuss partnerships, share challenges and successes, and more.
Jewish Leaders & Funders
Meet, share dilemmas, and network with other Jewish leaders, foundation professionals, and philanthropists supporting some of the most vulnerable populations.
Think together about Jewish global responsibility, and the Jewish community's role in addressing the climate crisis, refugees, and more.
Students & Young Professionals
Network with practitioners on all levels and from all sectors, as you learn about the fields of international development, humanitarian aid, and global volunteering.
Meet potential mentors, get practical tips on job searching within OLAM’s network and beyond, and meet the people who can become your peers, colleagues, and counterparts.
Registration Rates
OLAM partners & individual members
$250
Everyone else
$350
The registration fee is non-refundable and covers conference attendance and meals. (If you are traveling from Israel or other war-affected areas and an escalation in the war prevents you from attending Focal Point, OLAM will reimburse your registration fee, minus a $50 non-refundable administrative fee.)
Partners that send 3 or more staff members to Focal Point are eligible for a group discount of 15% – to be reimbursed to the organization after Focal Point.
Thanks to the generous support of OLAM’s funders, we are able to offer two nights of accommodation in a double-occupancy room at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel for the first 80 partners and individual members who request it on the registration form. Please note this is only available to those outside of the NYC area.
The subsidized nights are Monday, May 27 and Tuesday, May 28. Details can be found on the registration form.
A limited pool of need-based travel subsidies is also available. See Focal Point Info Hub below for details on both subsidies.
Focal Point schedule
May 28 - Registration opens at 11:00 AM; Opening session: 12:00
May 29 - Focal Point ends at 5:00 PM
Check back in for the list of speakers and the Focal Point agenda.
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What people are saying
Rabbi Dina Brawer, World Jewish Relief USA
Debra Slonim, Israel Trauma Coalition
Jesica Scheimberg, AJEEC-NISPED
Desiree Zwanck, OLAM Individual Member
Nicole Collins, JBN Foundation, Jewish communal professional
Chani Kolan, The Jewish Agency
Focal Point Info Hub
The conference will take place in Midtown Manhattan (you will receive the exact address once you register).
OLAM will cover up to 2 nights of accommodation in a double-occupancy room at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel (1335 Avenue of the Americas) for the first 80 partners and individual members who register. There is an option to upgrade to a single room for $135/night. Details can be found on the registration form.
The subsidized nights are Monday, May 27 and Tuesday, May 28. Please note this subsidy is only available to those who live outside of the NYC area.
If you receive a hotel subsidy, OLAM will book the hotel for you. You do not need to call the hotel to make a reservation. All other participants are responsible for their own accommodations, at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel or elsewhere.
Contact focalpoint@olamtogether.org for questions about the hotel accommodation.
Travel to and from Focal Point is the responsibility of each participant. However, as OLAM is committed to making Focal Point as accessible as possible, we have procured a limited pool of need-based travel subsidies for partners and members.
Priorities will be given to:
> OLAM partner organizations with a budget below $1 million USD
> OLAM individual members traveling from outside the US East Coast
> OLAM individual members at the beginning of their careers (up to the age of 35)
As OLAM divides up these subsidies, we will strive for an equal distribution of partner organization representation. However, funds are limited and will be approved on a rolling basis, so we recommend that you complete this travel subsidy request form as soon as possible. OLAM will respond to your request within 1 week.
All travel subsidies will be paid as reimbursements, following Focal Point.
Travel: OLAM is offsetting the carbon emissions all staff flights and encourages participants to do the same. Choose carbon-friendly options such as direct routes and flying with eco-conscious airlines, and then use this emissions calculator to estimate your flight's emissions. Offset the emissions using one of two organizations that we recommend: The Ocean Foundation or Good Energy Initiative.
Food Sustainability: Our menu is fully vegetarian with vegan options, as these have a lower environmental impact.
Reducing waste: We're asking all participants to bring reusable mugs and water bottles to reduce disposable cup use. We are also digitizing conference materials when possible and skipping the distribution of swag items that often end up in the trash.
Learning: Focal Point will feature discussions on ethical climate practices and what practitioners can do to reduce the harmful environmental impact of their work.
Focal Point Steering Committee
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Sponsors & Funders
FAQs
The conference will take place in midtown Manhattan. We will send you the address and directions once you register.
We encourage you to travel to the hotel and conference center by public transportation, when possible.
Directions to the Hilton Midtown Hotel (1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019):
From JFK airport
- From Federal Circle Station, take the Air Train to Jamaica Station
- From Jamaica Station, take the E Train to 7 Av
From LaGuardia airport
- From Terminal B, take the Q70-SBS bus to Roosevelt & 74th Street
- Take the E Train to 7 Ave
From Newark airport
- Take the AirTrain to NJ Transit from Newark Penn Station to NY Penn Station
- Walk and then take E Train to 7 Ave
NYC Subway:
- Red 1 Line to 50th Street
- Orange BD Line to 7th Ave
If you choose to take a taxi/Uber/Lyft, we encourage you to use the Focal Point app to find other participants coming from your area and sharing the car.
OLAM is carefully monitoring the situation in Israel. If an escalation in the war prevents registrants from coming to Focal Point, OLAM will:
- Reimburse the registration fee, minus a $50 non-refundable administrative fee.
- Make all efforts to bring in attendees from Israel virtually, and adjust the conference schedule to account for the time difference.
Those coming to Focal Point from Israel or other war-affected areas around the world are responsible for purchasing travel insurance and/or refundable tickets, in case an escalation in the situation prevents you from traveling. OLAM will not reimburse flights that were cancelled due to the war.
OLAM offers limited subsidies for partners and members, including subsidizing up to 2 nights of accommodation in a double-occupancy room at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel for the first 80 people who request it (on the registration form).
Please note: This subsidy is only available to those who live outside of the NY area.
The subsidized nights are Monday, May 27 and Tuesday, May 28. Details can be found on the registration form.
A limited pool of need-based travel subsidies is also available. Complete this travel subsidy request form to apply. Subsidies are approved on a rolling basis, until the available funds are used up.
In addition, partners that send 3 or more staff members to Focal Point are eligible for a group discount of 15% – to be reimbursed to the organization after Focal Point.
There is no dress code for Focal Point, but we suggest business-casual attire.Please note that weather in New York City in late May is unpredictable, so we suggest you bring layers in order to easily adapt.
Focal Point will be providing participants lunch and dinner on May 28 and breakfast and lunch on May 29.
All food will be vegetarian (with vegan options), strictly kosher, and delicious!
If you receive a travel subsidy from OLAM, you are expected to participate in the full schedule. However, we strongly encourage all registrants to be fully present for the entire conference. Trust us, you'll be happy to not miss a thing!
In order to take part in Focal Point, you must register by the May 19th deadline.
Don't miss out on a reduced early-bird registration rate that goes through April 1!
OLAM’s individual membership is open to Jewish practitioners working in the fields of international development, humanitarian aid, and global service. Members are employees of a non-sectarian (not Jewish) organization or company, or they're independent consultants, entrepreneurs, retired, or in between positions, with a minimum of 2 years of work experience in these fields or have graduated from a degree related to international development.
OLAM offers exclusive opportunities for members throughout the year, not just at Focal Point. Learn more and become a member.
Focal Point offers many opportunities for those in OLAM's network and beyond, to meaningfully engage in international development, global service, and humanitarian aid. Participants benefit from:
- Sessions about current issues that impact our field, such as the effects of the war in Israel and Gaza on our work, climate crisis, localization, trends in global service, and more
- Learning from others who work in your sector, in an intimate setting
- Meaningful conversations about our role as a Jewish community in addressing global issues
- Meetings with NY leaders in international development and in the Jewish community
- Opportunity to hear about job opportunities or potential partnerships
- And much more!
Still have questions?
Email us by clicking the Contact OLAM button below, we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.