Last month, the Israeli people voted in their fifth election in four years. A ruling government led once again by Benjamin Netanyahu will soon take power in the Knesset. This new government will bring together a mix of traditional right-of-center political parties, the ultra-orthodox parties, and the political parties representing far right Jewish nationalists. There are some questions and concerns about issues at the top of their agenda — the future of a two-state solution, Jewish conversion and Jewish immigration, Jewish pluralism in Israel — which are especially important to the American Jewish community. In partnership with Adat Ari El, Sinai Temple, Temple Beth Am, Temple Israel of Hollywood and Valley Beth Shalom, we are bringing together activists and experts in Israeli society for a community discussion about these vital topics Monday December 5, 2022, 10:30 AM PST.  We will reflect on the subtle voting changes in this election as well as what it means for the future of Israel and the Jewish community.

HAVIV GUR

Senior Analyst, Times of Israel

A veteran Israeli journalist and analyst, Haviv has covered Israel’s politics, foreign policy, and relationship with the Jewish diaspora since 2005, reporting from over 20 countries. He served as Director of Communications for the Jewish Agency for Israel, Israel’s largest NGO. He lectures on Israeli politics, the US-Israel relationship, the peace process, modern Jewish history and identity, and Israel-diaspora relations. Haviv lives in Jerusalem with his wife and two sons.

TALI NIR
Executive Director

121 — Engine for Social Change

Tali is a social entrepreneur, jurist, and journalist. She is the founder and executive director of 121 — Engine for Social Change, a direct advocacy organization working to build and strengthen public services across Israel. Previously she served as Deputy Director of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and has also served as assistant to the State’s Attorney, legal reporter, editor and presenter on Israel’s Channel 2 and Galei Tzahal radio. She holds an LLB from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a European Masters in Law and Economics and a Masters in International Public Law, with honors, from the University of Amsterdam.

DR. YIZHAR HESS
Vice Chair, World Zionist Organization (Mercaz Olami)

Following his military service, Yizhar earned a BA in Political Science and Hebrew Literature at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. A member of the Israeli Bar, his law degree is from the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya. He holds an MA in Jewish Studies from the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem and a PhD in Sociology and Education from Sussex University in Brighton, England.

After holding the Deputy Director position at the Shorashim Center for Jewish Studies, Yizhar served as the Jewish Agency’s community shaliach to Tucson. He regularly contributes to the Israeli press on the subjects such as religion and state and is the co-editor of the book, Questions About God, published by Ma’ariv.

Yizhar lives today in Modi'in with his wife Yael, a former colonel in the IDF, and their two children Achiad and Mica.