Nir Barkat

"On November 11th, 2008, Nir Barkat was elected the 9th Mayor of Jerusalem..

"He founded Snuneet, a non-profit organization and the largest educational website in Hebrew and Start Up Jerusalem, which encourages the creation of jobs in Jerusalem through economic growth and marketing guidance. He was also a founding member of New Spirit, an organization that works to change the demographic map of Jerusalem by focusing on deepening the connections that students have to Jerusalem so that they will remain to build their homes and raise their families in the city. New Spirit connects students to the city both emotionally and physically, by involving groups of students in areas of Jerusalem most in need. Mayor Barkats philanthropic leadership combined with his business background when he helped found the Israel Venture Network, a venture capital network that invests in social initiatives throughout Jerusalem...

Th"His early successes as Mayor are rooted in his business methods and entrepreneurial approach to City Hall. In 1988, Mayor Barkat co‐founded BRM Technologies, a pioneering software house and later venture capital firm that developed and marketed ground‐breaking anti‐virus software now standard on personal computers throughout the world. His leadership and business acumen brought him to the position of global chairman of one of BRMs largest venture projects.

"Mayor Barkat received the rank of Major during his six years of service in the Israel Defense Forces, during which he was wounded. As a paratrooper, he led soldiers inside enemy territory during the First Lebanon War. He is married to Beverly, with whom he has three daughters. Mayors Barkats parents moved to Jerusalem almost fifty years ago in the hopes of raising their children in a blossoming city, full of opportunities for young people to raise a family. Every day, Mayor Barkat works to continue this dream for his family and the future generations of Jerusalem."

• Jerusalem Foundation
• Member, World Zionist Organization