Israeli Women Build Tech Pathways for Immigrants

When Julia Selow moved to Israel from Luxembourg, navigating bureaucracy and finding work felt nearly impossible. So she built an AI platform to solve the problem for everyone else.

Habaita started as Selow's personal apartment and job search tool. Now it's a full relocation platform connecting immigrants with Israeli mentors who guide them through cultural adjustment and workforce entry. "I did not want it to go the same way," Selow said about her difficult first immigration experience.

Her approach reflects a growing movement. Women across Israel's tech sector are not just joining the industry. They're building the bridges that help others cross over.

Meygan Aflalo founded Olim Matslihim to help new immigrants land jobs in hi-tech. She's watched more women step into leadership roles as team leaders, VPs, and directors. At her organization, women now make up 57% of participants.

Aflalo emphasized that women bring unique strengths to client-facing tech roles. "There's something very powerful in the way that a woman can build trust and relationships," she said. But she stressed that opportunity should expand for everyone, regardless of gender.

Jenyfer Jerbi co-founded Women in Tech Israel to connect women at every career stage, from students to executives. The organization runs programs through four pillars: advocacy, business, education, and social impact.

The Ripple Effect

These efforts reach far beyond individual success stories. Women in Tech Israel connects local members to a global network through an annual summit and 24-hour world tour. Immigrants particularly benefit from the community feeling that eases integration.

The organization also works with minorities and underserved communities across Israel's regions. Jerbi pointed to Israel's startup ecosystem as a natural advantage. "We're being called the nation of tech. So I think there's a positive precondition," she said.

Selow believes early exposure makes the difference. Though she studied fine arts, her father taught her programming as a child. "Parents need to push their kids, to bring them closer to technology from a young age," she said.

She also sees immigrants as valuable assets, especially for companies focused on global services. "Olim have a lot of knowledge. They could be a huge asset to the company."

These women prove that barriers become opportunities when met with persistence and a commitment to lifting others along the way.