Date : 10/15/2020 11:44:04 AM
From : "Merav Zafari-Odiz"
To : "Will Ellison"
Cc : "Matan Or"
Subject : RE: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule


Hi Will,

 

The lecture was great. It was very interesting and relevant, and the participants found it very useful.

 

It is a good opportunity to thank you for facilitating the communication with Amb. Ross and making this happen despite the long distance. It is much appreciated.

 

Best regards,

Merav

 

 

 

From: Will Ellison [mailto:WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 6:13 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Cc: Matan Or <OrMatan@mail.gov.il>
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

​Hi Merav and Matan,

 

I'm just checking in to see how the lecture went? 

Thanks,

Will 


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 11:35 PM
To: Will Ellison
Cc: Matan Or
Subject: RE: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Thanks Will. That would be great.

 

Best,

Merav

 

From: Will Ellison [mailto:WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org]
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 10:24 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Cc: Matan Or <OrMatan@mail.gov.il>
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Hi Merav,

 

I discussed your concerns with Amb. Ross - tomorrow he'll discuss both the Gulf and the wider region, discussing the historical evolution of the region and why it has evolved as it has. 

 

All the best, 

Will


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 2:01 PM
To: Will Ellison
Cc: Matan Or
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Hi Will,

Can you please confirm the title for the talk tomorrow? Will it be on the Gulf area? I would like to present it to participants correctly.

 

Thanks,

Merav

 

Get Outlook for Android

 


From: Will Ellison <WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2020, 20:14
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz
Cc: Matan Or
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

​Hi Merav,

 

I hope you're having a nice day.

 

Thank you for your note - I'll convey this to Amb. Ross.

 

All the best,

Will 


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2020 3:52 AM
To: Will Ellison
Cc: Matan Or
Subject: RE: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Hi Will,

 

The lecture itself was very interesting and people enjoyed it. It was also good background for our future seminar and tour (hopefully) in the US, but this will only take place in May-June.

However, I must say frankly that it was a bit out of context in terms of our course on geo-strategy and geopolitics, as it was more historic in nature and it didn't deal with the topic that was agreed on and presented in the course's syllabus.

When we spoke with Amb. Ross we thought the understanding was that the US-Israel relations will be presented as a "test case" for the broader topic of "Geo-Strategic Interests in the Middle East". But the lecture dealt exclusively with US-Israel relations.

For the next lecture on October 14th we would greatly appreciate it if Amb. Ross can cover the above topic, as well as touch upon the Gulf area, which was the original plan for the third lecture.

 

Best regards,

Merav

 

From: Will Ellison [mailto:WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org]
Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2020 5:59 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>; Matan Or <OrMatan@mail.gov.il>
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

​Hi Merav and Matan,

 

I hope all is well.

 

I'm just checking in to see how lecture #2 went? 

Thanks,

Will 


From: Will Ellison
Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2020 9:01 AM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz; Matan Or
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

​Hi Merav,

 

I'm glad to hear it! Thanks for letting me know.


Gmar Chatimah Tovah,

Will 


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2020 7:30 AM
To: Will Ellison; Matan Or
Subject: RE: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Hi Will,

 

The lecture went wonderfully. The participants found it interesting, well put and useful.

I believe more people wanted to ask questions than we had time for, but hopefully they can do so in the other sessions.

 

Gmar Hatima Tovah,

Merav

 

From: Will Ellison [mailto:WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org]
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2020 7:06 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>; Matan Or <OrMatan@mail.gov.il>
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Dear Merav and Matan,

 

I'm just checking in to see how the lecture went? 

Thanks,

Will 


From: Will Ellison
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2020 9:06 AM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz; Matan Or
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Dear Merav,

 

No problem - please find Amb. Ross' short bio attached.

 

Let me know if you need anything else before tomorrow. 

 

Shana Tovah and Gmar Chatimah Tovah,

Will​


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2020 2:16 AM
To: Matan Or; Will Ellison
Subject: RE: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Dear Will,

 

Could you kindly send me a short bio of Amb. Ross, so we can present him properly to the class before he begins?

 

Thanks,

Merav

 

From: Matan Or
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2020 7:59 AM
To: Will Ellison <WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org>; Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Cc: yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: RE: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Good morning,

 

Attached a link for tomorrow's meeting:

 

Matan Or is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

Topic: INDC Meeting - Amb. Dennis Ross

Time: Sep 23, 2020 04:00 PM Jerusalem

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/98606952335

 

 

Meeting ID: 986 0695 2335

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,98606952335# US (Germantown)

+13126266799,,98606952335# US (Chicago)

 

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 986 0695 2335

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abRsGv0AnA

 

Regards,

 

 

 

Matan

 

 

 

From: Will Ellison <WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org>
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2020 8:55 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz
<Merav@mail.gov.il>
Cc: Matan Or
<OrMatan@mail.gov.il>; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Dear Merav,

 

I hope you had a nice chag! 

 

I just wanted to check in to see if you have a Zoom link ready for Wednesday's lecture? 

Thanks,

Will​


From: Will Ellison
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2020 12:32 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz
Cc: Matan Or; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

​Dear Merav,

 

I'm happy to confirm 8:30 am works! Thank you for your patience.


Best,

Will 


From: Will Ellison
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:06 AM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz
Cc: Matan Or; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Okay I'll let you know about 8:30 am. ​

 

Best,

Will 


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:05 AM
To: Will Ellison
Cc: Matan Or; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

It may but it complicates things for us as we will have to move a few other lecturers.

 


From: Will Ellison <WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2020 4:59:21 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Cc: Matan Or <OrMatan@mail.gov.il>; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il <yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il>
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

​Hi Merav,

 

I think October 14th at 8:30 am would work, let me please get back to you with confirmation. Just so I know, would 9:00 am on the 14th work? 

Thanks,

Will 


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2020 7:50 AM
To: Will Ellison
Cc: Matan Or; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: RE: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Will,

 

Regarding potential alternative dates, we could examine the possibility of holding the third session on the 13, 14 or 20 of October, but it would be much preferable if we could start at 8:30 DC time on those dates.

Please let us know if either could work for Amb. Ross.

 

Best,

Merav

 

From: Will Ellison [mailto:WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org]
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2020 2:20 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Cc: Matan Or <OrMatan@mail.gov.il>; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Re: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Dear Merav,

 

Great, thank you very much for your flexibility, it is so greatly appreciated by both Amb. Ross and myself. Amb. Ross has a good deal of flexibility the week after the week of September 30th (and the weeks after that), let me know what works on your end and we'll figure out a time.

 

In terms of the Zoom link, it can please be sent to me at this email. As for a phone number, Amb. Ross' cell is 202 714 1992. Although I will not physically be with Amb. Ross when the lectures take place, my cell is 914 588 4527.

 

Thanks again, and Shana Tova,

Will 


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2020 1:59 AM
To: Will Ellison
Cc: Matan Or; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: RE: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Hi Will,

 

OK, we will make this adjustment for the 23rd and 30th, but we'll have to get back to you to see when it would be possible to arrange for a third session.

 

Whom should we send the link to the zoon to for the 23rd? And please provide us with a phone number in case there are technical difficulties in real time.

 

Thanks very much'

Merav

 

From: Will Ellison [mailto:WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org]
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 7:18 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Cc: Matan Or <OrMatan@mail.gov.il>; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Restructuring Amb. Ross' lecture schedule

 

Hello everyone,

 

I hope all is well and that everyone's having nice days.

 

I'm incredibly sorry to ask this but Amb. Ross has asked that we please rearrange his lecture schedule slightly, so that the first lecture is on September 23rd, the second lecture is on September 30th, and the third lecture is at a later point. If you could please confirm that this works that would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you very much,

Will 

 

Will Ellison

Research Associate and Personal Assistant to Ambassador Dennis Ross

Washington Institute for Near East Policy

(202)-759-9467 | WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org


From: Will Ellison
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2020 10:26 AM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz
Cc: Matan Or; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Re: Follow up

 

Great, thanks.


Best,

Will 


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2020 1:32 AM
To: Will Ellison
Cc: Matan Or; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: RE: Follow up

 

Absolutely.

 

From: Will Ellison [mailto:WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org]
Sent: Monday, August 24, 2020 5:10 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Cc: Matan Or <OrMatan@mail.gov.il>; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Re: Follow up

 

Hi Merav,

 

I hope you're having a nice day.

 

Thanks re confirming the elaborations of each lecture.

 

In terms of reading materials, if the participants could please read the attached article for the first lecture that would be much appreciated.​

 

Thanks,

Will 


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Monday, August 24, 2020 5:52 AM
To: Will Ellison
Cc: Matan Or; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: RE: Follow up

 

Hi Will,

 

Thanks for the confirmation of the titles. We took note of the clarifications regarding the elaboration of each lecture. This is fine of course.

 

One other thing is that we would like to know if Amb. Ross has any suggestions for some reading material for the participants prior to his talks. It's not mandatory of course, but if there is a relevant paper or an article that he can suggest, we can provide it to them.

 

Best,

Merav

 

From: Will Ellison [mailto:WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org]
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2020 12:49 AM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Cc: Matan Or <OrMatan@mail.gov.il>; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Re: Follow up

 

Hi Merav,​

 

I've consulted with Amb. Ross and he's happy to approve those titles. He wanted to note that for the first lecture, he will discuss not only the United States' rise as a global power, but also the current state of America's global role and the competing schools of thought outlining what America's role in the world should be going forward. Moreover, for the second lecture he will emphasize the US-Israel relationship as a prism through which to view American interests in the region. 

 

Thanks very much,

Will 


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2020 2:03 AM
To: Will Ellison
Cc: Matan Or; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: RE: Follow up

 

Hi Will,

 

We suggest the following titles for Amb. Ross' consideration:

 

22/9 - The Rise of the US as a Global Power

 

23/9 - Geo-Strategic Interests in the Middle East

 

30/9 - Geo-Strategy in the Gulf

 

Best,

Merav

 

 

From: Will Ellison [mailto:WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org]
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 4:30 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Cc: Matan Or <OrMatan@mail.gov.il>; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Re: Follow up

 

Hi Merav,

 

Great, thank you very much.

 

In terms of the titles, do you have suggested titles, based on your conversation with Amb. Ross, that I can then run by him? 

 

Thanks,

Will


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 3:48 PM
To: Will Ellison
Cc: Matan Or; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Re: Follow up

 

 

Hi Will,

Great. I confirm then both the additional date and the honorarium.

What we need now to complete the program is titles for each of the sessions: 22, 23, 30 September.

Thanks,

Merav


From: Will Ellison <WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 10:21:39 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Cc: Matan Or <OrMatan@mail.gov.il>; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il <yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il>
Subject: Re: Follow up

 

​Hi Merav,

 

September 22nd 9:00 am-10:30 am DC time would work. Please let me know if you can confirm.

 

In addition, since we had discussed a $1000 honorarium for two lectures, Amb. Ross asked me to ask if it could be $1500 for three lectures? 

 

Thanks very much,

Will 


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 6:38 AM
To: Will Ellison
Cc: Matan Or; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: RE: Follow up

 

Hi Will,

 

Possible dates for an additional session would be: 22 September (most preferable), 13 of October and 14 of October (least preferable).

 

Please advise whether any of these dates could work.

 

Best,

Merav

 

From: Will Ellison [mailto:WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org]
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2020 9:22 PM
To: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Cc: Matan Or <OrMatan@mail.gov.il>; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Re: Follow up

 

Hi Merav,

 

I hope all is well.

 

No problem - I've consulted with Amb. Ross, and he asked me to ask you what the dates would be if he does 3 lectures?

 

Thanks very much,

Will ​

 

Will Ellison

Research Associate and Personal Assistant to Ambassador Dennis Ross

Washington Institute for Near East Policy

(202)-759-9467 | WEllison@washingtoninstitute.org


From: Merav Zafari-Odiz <Merav@mail.gov.il>
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2020 6:57 AM
To: Will Ellison
Cc: Matan Or; yossib@univ.haifa.ac.il
Subject: Follow up

 

Dear Will,

 

In our conversation with Amb. Ross he expressed his willingness to consider giving 3 sessions and not just 2.

 

Could you kindly check with him if he has made a final decision on this, as we would like to finalize our plan for the course?

 

Best regards,

Merav