Changing the Conversation

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: