I would like to start by apologizing to all my loyal fans for my absence last week – that one’s on completely me, I totally forgot to blog. I guess I was just too busy living the dream. If you did in fact tune in last week only to be thoroughly dissapointed, let me know and I’ll be sure to make it up to you however I can.
In the meantime, I have alot to catch you all up on. We’ll start with everything going on at Mobileye ®. These past two weeks, I’ve been hard at work refining my outline for the effectiveness report, and producing my first draft. After getting good reviews on all the information I had gathered, I set out to produce my first draft of the report. Both Ilan, our new Marcom director, and Michal, customer relations manager, said they enjoyed reading my draft and I was off to a good start. After meeting with Ilan to discuss the draft, there are definately a few adjustments that I’ll need to make to the report, however it seems I’m well on my way to producing a concise, yet effective piece that should help the company market the new product. In addition to my report, I have helped to update the CRM (Customer Relationship Management), and learned of my next project here at Mobileye ®, which will be an analysis of the competitors for our product’s different functions. It’s truly been a pleasure working here; everyone here has embraced me, especially Michal and Ilan, and I should leave the internship with great friends in addition to a great experience. Hard to believe I only have three weeks left here.
On the Tamid front, we have had several interesting meetings in the past two weeks. Last week we met with Aharon Hurewitz, one of the founders from Presentense. Tamid got its start at Presentense when co-founder Eitan Ingall was a summer fellow there, so it was interesting to inform Aharon of all the progress that had been made since then and hear more about the organization as a whole. We also got to meet with Eitan’s mentor from Presentense, Ari Gorlin. Ari was great to talk to (and not just because he grew up with my high school’s director of Education, Mrs. Schorr). He gave us excellent insight into the Israeli start-up scene and also bountiful advice on how to fine-tune the financial model we’ve been working on with Hod. Lisa Barkan, CEO of DigitalShtik Marketing, and family hosted us for a wonderful Shabbat lunch this past week. Finally last night, we had a very informative dinner with Bank Leumi’s Avi Ifergan. Mr. Ifergan pointed us to several fascinating conclusions about the Israeli economy, including the high percentage of R&D, short exposure tothe recession, and demographic proof of a very strong Israeli economic future relative to other countries.
Even amongst all of the busyness, I’ve still had time to kick it in a big way. Two weekends ago, we attempted to go to the Laila Lavan festival in Tel Aviv, and although we didn’t even make it to any of the shows, we still had an absolutely epic weekend in the TLV. This past weekend we stayed in Jerusalem for a very relaxing weekend and shabbat, including a very enjoyable friday night meal at Nate’s brothers place in the German Colony. Some other highlights include a free Mosh Ben-Ari concert, watching the world cup with Nico, Ephraim, and Yossi, chilling with my brother Jeffrey’s girlfriend Hannah and her friend Ally during their visit to Jerusalem, and of course BURGERS BAR…LIKE FIVE TIMES.
I’ve had a chance to meet with a lot of friends from all over the place, and I’ve also had the oppurtunity to make new friends. Speaking with people in this country is so interesting because everyone’s got a story, and they’re always willing to share it. The best part about this place is that whether in a bar, a restauraunt, or a coffee shop, they don’t voluntarily bring you your check. When you’re ready for it, you ask and they bring it. In other words, nobody is trying to kick you out of places. Establishments here understand that its not about the activity, but about the people, the relationships, and the experience. Yes, the so-called “standard of living” is lower here in Israel than numerous other places. Diminished salaries produce less spending power and the house, car, and tv you would be able to buy in the states, you wouldn’t be able to afford here. But as Mr. Ifergan said to us last night, the quality of life is undeniably better, and I couldn’t agree more. People are happier here because televisions, video games, and cars cannot truly bring joy into your life, only people can. And that’s the emphasis here. Everyone knows everyone and everybody is friends. It’s all about the people. What a wonderful lifestyle – I sure have enjoyed being a part of it.
Coming up next week, an update on a brand new work week and a weekend in Haifa. In case you were wondering, the rhymes are flowin’, and we have one song completed with another three on the horizon. I’ll keep y’all posted.
In the spirit of this weeks post, I would like everyone to take one hour where they would have otherwise watched television, and call an old friend who you haven’t seen in a while to invite him or her for a bite to eat. You won’t regret it. Have a wonderful shabbat everyone. Until next time….
July 17, 2010 at 3:43 am |
Dear Jonathan,
Great blogs. Jeffrey showed me how to get to the blog and I’m really enjoying reading them. Maybe you could post some pictures next week.
Love,
Mom
July 17, 2010 at 7:51 pm |
Sounds great, Jonathan! Remember your uncle is a project management expert (in case you need any help in planning drafts, and so forth).
Update on the solar front: the homeowner’s association’s “architectural committee” — which differs, of course, from its “green committee” — had the canonical crabby lady who said the my beautiful solar panels (to be) were “ugly.” But the younger woman with the British accent kept reminding her that Maryland state law says the HOA cannot prevent us from putting up the panels. All of which is to say that there’s been a slight delay as we give them a couple of alternative designs, but I will try hard to have the party when you can make it, perhaps on one of your trips back from school if we do not have them up by the end of the summer.
Update on the bicycle front: my new Cervelo R3 has put an almost permanent smile on my face and taken a couple of pounds off the rest of me as I attempt to be worthy of it.
Keep up the good work! You’re making us all proud.
– Uncle Denis
P.S. By posting a comment, I can check the box that says “notify me of new posts,” so now I’ll get them hot off the presses.