Interim Assembly Program
Sunday, March 5
1:00 PM REGISTRATION OPENS
2:00 PM WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
Opening remarks: Dr. Francine Stein, Biennial Assembly Co-Chairman
Greetings from the State of Israel
PLENARY 1 – The Future of Nationhood in Israel
Professor David Passig , Leading Israeli Futurist,Bar-Ilan University
Round Table Discussions – introduced by Rabbi Paul Golomb, Biennial Assembly Co-Chairman
Panel and Break-outs on the Following Subjects:
Israel: Center, Partner or Theme Park. A discussion of Zionism in the Diaspora
Professor Sylvia Barak Fishman
Why Zionism is Not a Four-Letter Word. Retrieving a working understanding of Zionism in the 21st Century for a New Generation of Leadership
Rabbi Josh Weinberg
Challenging the Three Nos: Anti-Zionism, Anti-Semitism, Anti-Israel Policy and Action
Dr. Elana Heideman, Executive Director, The Israel Forever Foundation
Talking About Israel: How to Conduct an Inclusive Conversation
Dr. Yehezkel Landau
6:15 PM CELEBRATORY DINNER RECEPTION
7:00 PM PROGRAM & DINNER
Dinner Co-chairs: W. James Schiller and William D. Hess
Main Speaker: Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
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Monday, March 6
8:15 AM BREAKFAST
8:45 AM PLENARY 1
2017: A Year of Anniversaries
Presentation of World Zionist Organization (WZO) resources and materials in celebration of 120 years since the first Zionist Congress and other anniversaries
Speakers to be announced
10:00 AM PLENARY 2
Engagement in Zionism versus Pro-Israelism
How do we differentiate between Zionism and support for Israel? Many people believe they are one and the same; however this is not true. Zionism is not Aliyah to Israel, nor a specific political approach to the conflict. Zionism is based on the deep connection to the people and the land of Israel which endures beyond politics. It is AZM’s responsibility to engage American Jews in the process of finding their personal connection to Jews around the world and Israel, and to challenge our community to envision a personal and enduring nation in its historical homeland. In 2016 AZM leadership created a Strategic Plan as road map to engaging American Jewry in understanding and embracing Zionism. In this session, leadership will introduce the Strategic Plan and Panelists will present their vision and tools for engagement of target populations
Professor Steven M Cohen, Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion
10: 45 AM PRESENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN — Kenneth Bob and Sondra Sokal
11: 00 AM PANEL AND BREAKOUTS
Engaging the American Jewish Community in Zionism – Cheryl Fishbein
Engaging the Next Generation – Sara Zebovitz
Israel in a Digital Age — Gerald Ostrow
Followed by Breakouts
11:45 AM BUSINESS SESSION
Business:
Credentials Report
Nominations report
Membership report
Election of Officers
Election of National Board
Election of Tribunal
Presentation to Rabbi Kurtz: Marlene Post
Discharge of Outgoing Officers and Farewell remarks: Rabbi Vernon Kurtz
Introduction of the New AZM Executive Director
12:45 PM CLOSING LUNCH
Installation of President and Officers – Seymour D. Reich, Installing Officer
President-Elect Acceptance:
2:30 PM ASSEMBLY CLOSE/Leadership Meeting with
Past Presidents, Incoming and Outgoing Cabinet & Officers