Gilad Peled Joins the Conversation!

Gilad Peled is the former CEO of the Municipal Authority of Development for Jaffa (Mishlama), and currently serves as a consultant for the Municipality. He works with a population that epitomizes the complexities of the social fabric with which Israel grapples; a mixed population of Arabs and Jews, migrant workers, new immigrants and old-timers, extensive poverty side by side with prosperity. Gilad works with others to transform this community into one which exists in harmony and balance.

In addition, Gilad is a Major in Israel’s Air Force Reserves, and continues to fly on a weekly basis. Come hear Gilad speak of how his experiences exemplify his personal view of Zionism, in part by striving to make Israel a better place to live for all of her citizens.

Four States, Many Opportunities

January 23 – 6:30 PM – Detroit, MI (Community-wide event)
January 24 – 12:00 PM – Ann Arbor, MI (Community-wide event)
January 24 – 3:00 PM – Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) (Community-wide event)
January 25 – 12:00 PM – Milwaukee, WI (Community-wide event)
January 25 – 7:00 PM – Chicago, IL (Young leadership event)
January 26 – 12:00 PM – Chicago, IL (Community-wide event)
January 27 – 12:30 PM – New York, NY (Community-wide event) CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
January 27 – 6:45 PM – New York, NY (Young leadership event) CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

For more information regarding any of these events, please contact Susie Baumohl, AZM’s National Program Director, at sbaumohl@azm.org or by calling (212) 339-6950.

Cafe Israel, part of the Israel Conversation: 2.0 program, is a project of the American Zionist Movement which strives to change the conversation about Israel and Zionism. Americans have the opportunity to engage in discussions with young accomplished Israelis, who exemplify Zionist values through their social activism and professional contributions to Israeli society and the world.

This program is made possible, in part, by a generous grant from the Dorothy and Harold Greenwald Foundation.

Dr. Micah Goodman Joins the Conversation

We regret to inform you of the passing of Dr. Goodman’s grandfather.  As a result, all events listed below have been canceled.  Should you have any questions, please contact sbaumohl@azm.org at any time.  We thank you for your understanding and hope to bring other programs to the Bay Area in the near future.

Learn more about Micah Goodman here.

Three venues, Three opportunities

Palo Alto — November 30, 7:30 PM

Berkeley Lunch — December 1, 12:30 PM

San Francisco — Young Leadership — December 1, 6:30PM — Nosh and Shmooze; 7:30 PM Program

The Israel Conversation 2.0 is a project of the American Zionist Movement to change the conversation about Israel and Zionism, by engaging Americans in discussions with young accomplished Israelis, who exemplify Zionist values through their social activism and professional contributions to Israeli society and the world.

The program is made possible in part by a generous grant from the Dorothy and Harold Greenwald Foundation.

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Social Activists on The Road

Reflect the Light of a New Zionism

In August, 2010, over 400 people came out  across the country to participate in a conversation about Israel and Zionism.  AZM’s new program, “The Israel Conversation: 2.0; Café Israel,” provides an opportunity to hear about Zionism from young, accomplished Israelis who are making an impact on Israeli society, and who see their contributions as an extension of their Jewish and Zionist identities.

Ohad Knoller (l) and Karmit Arbel (r) with WZO Shaliach Shlomo Schwartz in New York.

Two young Israelis rocked audiences in Boston, Detroit, San Francisco, Palo Alto and New York telling their personal stories of social action and the entrepreneurial spirit in Israel — today’s Zionism. Over and over the feedback was that Karmit and Ohad were inspiring, and that they give a new sense of hope and pride to their American audiences.

Karmit Arbel was a resident of the Ayalim Student Village located near the town of Dimona.  The Village houses students committed to increasing the development of this underserved and underprivileged town.  Arbel is responsible for the revival of the Cinema in Dimona, and has brought the best of Hollywood films to the town.

Israeli actor, Ohad Knoller, star of Israel’s hit TV series “Srugim”,  has played in a number of well-known Israeli films including  Yossi and Jagger, Beaufort and The Bubble.  Knoller himself chose to leave the culture bubble of Tel Aviv and head to the Negev, where he now resides in Dimona with his wife, Noa, and their young son.  One of his goals is to help develop an indigenous film and television industry in the desert, thereby strengthening the local economy and the Negev’s presence in Israel.  Knoller speaks of young Israelis who choose to settle underdeveloped regions such as the Negev and Northern Galilee as today’s pioneers who are helping  to enrich the land their grandparents worked so hard to claim and develop.

With speakers such as these, AZM seeks to change the conversation about Israel and Zionism.  Often overshadowed by debates over the conflict and government policies, Israel’s accomplishments and achievements are not well enough known in the American Jewish community.  American Jews will draw strength and pride  from a deeper knowledge of Israelis and Israeli society. First in the Bay Area and Detroit, and ultimately moving to other communities, through these speakers Israel will shine as a light unto nations.

Funding for the tour was provided by the Dorothy and Harold Greenwald Foundation.

Hear sound clips from their New York presentation:

Ohad speaks about living in Dimona

Karmit speaks about Yale and the response to her message on the tour.

For more videos of Karmit and Ohad and other AZM videos, visit our YouTube Channel.

See photos from events on September 1, 2010: