Sylvan Adams, a Canadian-born businessman, philanthropist and amateur cycling champion, made Aliya, immigrating to Israel in 2016. Adams previously served as CEO of the Montreal-based real estate firm Iberville Developments, and was the sole shareholder of Summit International Bank.

Since immigrating to Israel, Sylvan has devoted himself to serving his adopted country – His business card reads: “Self-appointed Ambassador at large for the State of Israel”. Sylvan is the only Israeli member of the Giving Pledge, an organization established by Warren Buffet together with Bill and Melinda Gates for wealthy people who commit, as signatories of the Pledge, to giving away the majority of their wealth to philanthropic pursuits.

Sylvan’s philanthropic investments are focused on two themes:

1. Promotion of Israel both abroad and internally, through innovative, non-polemical means, such as sport and cultural activities.
2. Promotion of Jewish identity in the diaspora, or as he likes to call it “ensuring Jewish grandchildren”.

Sylvan made the largest gift ever to a Faculty of Education in Canada to McGill University.

Additionally, Sylvan is a Governor and Vice-Chair of Tel Aviv University (TAU), and a member of the cabinet of TAU’s Global Campaign.

Sylvan’s tagline, when asked what his next project will be is “JUST. GETTING. STARTED.”