Israeli Tech Workers Share Why They Left High-Paying Jobs for Social Impact Roles
Itamar Weitzman, a former partner at Firstime Ventures, decided to leave his high-paying senior role in the Israeli tech sector to fully dedicate himself to Radical, a nonprofit he founded in 2021 aimed at fostering a new generation of civic leadership. This personal turning point occurred during a trip to Thailand a year and a half ago, when he realized he could not both pursue financial success in tech and drive meaningful societal change. Weitzman describes this as one of his worst financial but best emotional decisions.
To highlight similar stories, Weitzman initiated "Bye Tech," an event where former tech employees share their experiences transitioning to careers in education, agriculture, and social activism. The first event, hosted at Radical’s space on August 6 and moderated by journalist Tzlil Avraham, quickly sold out due to overwhelming interest, prompting plans for additional sessions.
The backdrop to these personal decisions is a broader contraction in Israel’s tech workforce. After peaking at 441,000 employees in 2023, the sector shrank to 424,000 in 2024, losing about 17,000 jobs, with a partial rebound to 435,000 in 2025. The trend continued into 2026, with over 10,000 layoffs attributed to AI adoption and a stronger shekel raising labor costs. Surveys indicate rising employee dissatisfaction, with 38% exploring new jobs and 20.5% considering career changes.
Weitzman emphasizes his choice was not financially driven, noting his upbringing in a single-parent household and understanding of economic hardship. He believes true happiness comes from meaningful work that serves the community, reflecting Israel’s founding values. He acknowledges his personal privilege as a single man without children, which made the transition easier.
Other participants in the event include Or Hakkiyahu, who moved from startup acceleration to animal rescue farming; Oren Lotan, who shifted from the chip industry to urban planning in Jerusalem; and Moran Shabtai, an industrial engineer turned math teacher. Lotan highlights the greater impact and fulfillment found in public sector work despite its challenges, while Shabtai shares her journey from project management to education, finding renewed purpose in teaching and leadership.
Weitzman views his current work as inherently political, emphasizing that societal change requires diverse roles beyond politics, including education, activism, and community projects. "Bye Tech" aims to inspire others to seek meaningful careers that contribute to Israeli society’s future.
