How do you connect a 10-year-old who writes for "Maariv for Kids" and interviews Chaim Yavin, a tank commander in the 401st Brigade, a tax attorney, a parliamentary advisor at the Knesset, and someone who today leads multi-million-dollar philanthropic campaigns across Europe?

Meet Rafi Hoyman, the living definition of a portfolio career. Today he heads the Trusts and Estates division at Keren Hayesod, while completing a master's degree in law, technology, and innovation at Reichman University. In a special interview for the community, Rafi shared insights on managing a flexible career, connecting traditional worlds with advanced technology, and the business opportunities Israelis are missing in Europe.


The Kid Who Doesn't Take "No" for an Answer

From a young age, Rafi understood the power of boldness and initiative. As a Swiss-Israeli child (he was born in Switzerland and immigrated to Israel at age 9), at 11 he found himself on a family trip trying to land an exclusive interview with Israeli soccer player Avi Tikva, who had just signed with FC Zurich.

"I'm 11 years old, calling the Swiss club's spokesperson from a public phone, explaining to him what 'Maariv for Kids' even is. In the end, they set up an interview for me that became the player's first-ever exclusive interview with Israeli media."

That event became a guiding principle in his career: never take "no" as final. In the world of global philanthropy, "no" comes up far more often than "yes." The ability to pick yourself back up, sharpen your message, and find a way to turn a rejection into an opportunity is a critical skill Rafi still applies today with potential donors around the world.

The Art of the Zigzag: A Career of Opportunities

Rafi's path is the complete opposite of a linear, planned career. He arrived at almost every professional stop by chance, except for his job at the Knesset, which was a childhood dream. After three demanding years as a parliamentary advisor, he looked for a change.

A job listing led him to the Ministry of Defense in Berlin, and later another listing led him to a position as a Keren Hayesod emissary in Germany - a world he didn't know at all and never planned to enter.

Rafi's insight:

  • "I believe that in the world of careers, you need to listen to your intuition, keep your mind open to opportunities, and not be afraid to leave your comfort zone. I wasn't afraid to go with my gut, and today I find it hard to picture myself outside this world."

Philanthropy Meets AI: Disrupting a Conservative Field

Rafi's title - "head of the Trusts and Estates division" - might sound heavy and old-fashioned, but behind it hides a genuine technological revolution. The job involves finding people around the world who want to leave part of their estate to the State of Israel, or setting up endowments whose returns fund projects forever.

Rafi's combination of studying technology and innovation with his actual role produces a fascinating impact:

Streamlining bureaucracy: Using AI and legal-tech tools to simplify processes and paperwork around complex estates abroad.

Reading the data: Smart analysis that helps understand when and how to approach each donor in the most precise way.

  • Live simulations: Instead of presenting a dry legal document, using technology to show donors the enormous impact their money will have 20 or 30 years from now.

The Bridge to Europe: Why Do Israelis Fail in Germany?

After living 6 years in Berlin and running Keren Hayesod's fundraising operation in Germany and Austria, Rafi identifies a huge missed opportunity for Israeli companies in the European market.

Many flock to the American market and skip over Germany, even though German investors admire Israeli innovation. The problem? Cultural gaps.


"I was present at a meeting between an Israeli entrepreneur and a group of German investors, and within 20 minutes he was alone in the room. The language, the slang, and the confidence that might work in the Israeli or American market simply don't come across well in Germany. He could have succeeded with his product if he'd known how to properly adapt it to the right audience."

The secret to success there lies in the ability to sharpen your message, tell the story, and adapt the phrasing of your ask precisely to the local culture and the audience in front of you.

Busting Myths in the Philanthropic Bottom Line

As someone who lives in the world of philanthropy, Rafi wants to bust the biggest myth in the field: the demand that 100% of a donation go directly to the cause.

That mindset, which treats operating and overhead costs as "waste," in practice starves organizations and keeps them from growing, recruiting talent, and creating long-term impact. "Professional, well-run philanthropy is measured by the change and results an organization creates on the ground, not by how little it spent on its own operations," he explains.

Rapid-Fire With Rafi:

When do your best ideas come to you? During a game of tennis or padel, in the shower, or while traveling.

A recommended book on your nightstand: "The Nvidia Way" - fascinating to read about the decision-making of the company's CEO, Jensen Huang, in the early days.

  • A childhood dream at age 5: To be a tennis player who wins Wimbledon, or a prime minister.

Rafi Hoyman shows us that a successful international career is built through listening, flexibility, and the desire to bring real value by connecting different worlds - government, law, philanthropy, and technology.

If you're a philanthropist looking to create impact, an entrepreneur looking to break into the European market, or a nonprofit that needs advice on fundraising - Rafi is the person you want in your corner.