Speaking to Israel National News from the CPAC and Tel Aviv Salon's International Conservative Conference in Tel Aviv, produced with Shibolet and Sela Meir publications, Jonathan Javor, Director of the Tel Aviv International Salon, explains the idea behind his speakers forum bringing anglo events to Israel.

“Since our inception in 2009, the Tel Aviv International Salon is the largest speakers forum in Israel, bringing together leaders and speakers from the entire array of the political spectrum, the business spectrum and the diplomatic spectrum to engage in real and genuine discourse in English that happens here in Tel Aviv,” he says.

It started with a need from the growing angle community in Tel Aviv for a place they could call relate to each other in English.

“Tel Aviv is by far the the coolest city that we have in Israel today, and 10 to 15 years ago there was a massive influx of young English speakers who were coming here and the idea was to to give them community where they feel comfortable to engage in the topics of the day so they feel connected to what's going on,” he explains.

“If you're connected you're more likely to stay here in Israel, and if you're more likely to stay here in Israel, you're more likely to find a job and more importantly build a family. Israel is not just the place you live, it's your home but for it to be your home it's not just a place where you pay, your bills it's where you're connected culturally as well as financially.”

The conferences put on by Tel Aviv International Salon not only give attendees information and knowledge but they connect people.

“We're doing events for the left the right, the religious, the secular. The idea is even if you disagree with the speaker come and listen to what they have to say, come and engage in the event because you'll be better informed, you'll hear it from their mouths, not just from a post on Facebook or on Twitter,” he says.

“Be engaged, come and hear what's going on and form your own opinions based on the knowledge that you've developed, not through influence by someone else. That's all we're doing. We're an honest broker. We are a not-for-profit organization. We don't take a stand. We're here to give you an ability to find out for yourself and and thankfully over the last 15 years that we've been doing it, we've grown and grown and grown and [we are] the largest speakers forum in Israel today.”