Hasbara Fellowship Speakers Bureau
Below is the current Speakers Bureau of Hasbara Fellowships. To find out information about these speakers or to inquire about bringing them to your campus, please contact director@israelactivism.com.
Khaled Abu Toameh, Israeli-Arab Journalist for the Jerusalem Post
Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning, independent Israeli-Arab journalist who has been covering Palestinian issues in the West Bank and Gaza for over two decades. He began his journalism career as a writer for an official PLO newspaper while attending Hebrew University. He now writes for the Jerusalem Post, and works frequently with NBC and TV-2 Denmark television.
Mr. Toameh speaks out against the lack of free speech and press within the PA controlled areas and its effect on the foreign press' coverage on Israel, as well as the biased opinions within the foreign press' coverage. As a veteran journalist, he has knowledge of the behind-the-scenes action within the PA and other Palestinian organizations.
Mr. Toameh will be on tour during mid-October.
Please contact director@israelactivism.com to bring him to your campus.
Contact The Speaker
Professor Jonathan Adelman, Denver University
Professor Jonathan Adelman is a full professor at the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver and is a frequent and popular speaker regarding Israel.
Professor Adelman served as the doctoral dissertation adviser to Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice and is currently a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies in Washington. The State Department has sent him on 14 international speaking tours to a dozen countries, including Russia, Spain, Japan and India.
Professor Adelman is the author and editor of ten books and has recently returned from Israel where he lectured at the Israeli Foreign Ministry and for Hasbara Fellowships in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Professor Adelman speaks on a variety of topics, including the Palestinian Authority: its terrorism, corruption and incompetence; anti-Israel professors; and anti-Semitism in Global Perspective.
You may reach him at jadelman@du.edu
Contact The Speaker
David Baker, Senior Foreign Press Coordinator
David Baker is the Jerusalem-based Senior Foreign Press Coordinator of the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. A native of Queens, New York, David liaises between the Prime Minister's Office and the international press corps, explaining the Prime Minister's policies, presenting Israeli government spokespeople to the international media, and serving on the front lines of Israel's media battleground. David has also spoken extensively in the North America, both on university campuses and within the Jewish community.
Prior to his work in the Prime Minister's office, David worked as a writer and editor for the Ministry of Education's international relations division and as a journalist for several English-language publications in Israel. He graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo and made Aliyah to Israel in 1985.
David holds the rank of Captain as a reserve officer in the IDF Spokesperson's Unit. His duties as the Senior Foreign Press Coordinator include analyzing foreign media trends, briefing foreign journalists and proposing and implementing information policy for the international media.
Baker will be on tour:
April 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12
June 6-13, 2008
Contact The Speaker
Noam Bedein, Sderot Media Center for the Western Negev Ltd.
Noam Bedein, 25, is director of the Sderot Media Center, www.SderotMedia.co.il, a media advocacy center which presents the human face of Sderot and the Western Negev under siege to the Israeli and international media.
In his position, Noam gives tours of Sderot and the Western Negev to foreign diplomats, government officials, student groups, and other visiting organizations from all over the world.
Noam most recently helped produce a segment for n EuroNews, a major European broadcasting outlet with over 200 million viewers, and was featured in a weekend edition article in Sunday Times Magazine of London. In early January, 2008, Noam helped the bureau chief of the New York Times, Steve Erlanger, prepare a front page feature for the New York Times about the situation in Sderot, which appeared on January 9th, 2008.
In addition, Noam has published investigative news stories about the situation in Sderot and the western Negev on Israel's leading investigative news site, nfc.co.il, and he has published numerous news articles in the Jerusalem Post, Israel Insider magazine, and Israel National News.
In addition, Noam has made presentations at the Hebrew University, the IDC in Herzliya and to Jewish and Christian communities in Los Angeles and in New York.
Last summer, Noam made arrangements for 19 children from Sderot to spend their summer vacation at summer camps in New England.
Noam, a native of Tzfat, grew up in Efrat, Israel with his American born parents, Sara and David, who made Aliya from Cleveland and Philadelphia respectively, in 1966 and 1970.
After finishing the Beit El Yeshiva High School, Noam learned at the Hemdat Pre Army training program in the Jordan Valley. After that, Noam served for three years as an IDF staff sergeant for an artillery scout unit on the Lebanese border.
After his army service, Noam served as shaliach for the Jewish Agency in Boston and traveled to the Far East for one year.
Upon his return to Israel, Noam relocated to Sderot to pioneer the “Sderot Media Center for the Western Negev Ltd".
Noam will be on tour:
Oct 21 - Nov 18 (maybe Nov 25)
Contact The Speaker
Elliot Chodoff, Military and Political Analyst
Elliot Chodoff is a political and military analyst specializing in the Middle East conflict and the global war on terror. He has presented and published papers on the subjects of Deterrence and US Military Manpower Policy, Cultural Relativism and Nuclear Deterrence Policy in the Middle East, and Israel's Changing Defense Posture Following the Invasion of Lebanon. His paper on Combat Motivation in Infantry Units is on the recommended reading list of the US Army War College.
While in Chicago, Elliot was Director of the Speakers Bureau for the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. Elliot moved to Israel in 1983, and was inducted into the IDF and reached the rank of Captain. He is a graduate of the Home Front Command Senior Commanders Course and presently serves as the Population Behavior Officer for the Northern District of Israel.
His specialties include military, political, and organizational sociology, international terrorism, military strategy and tactics, social change and conflict. He teaches and lectures on the topics of the Middle East Conflict, Terrorism, the Military Aspects of International Conflict, Sociology of Modern Israel and Zionism. Additionally, Elliot is co-founder of the website www.me-ontarget.com.
Elliot will be a visiting professor at the University of Memphis and will have time to travel for speaking engagements.
Elliot will be on tour September 7 - 22
If you would like to bring Mr. Chodoff to your campus contact him at: ellichod@hotmail.com
Contact The Speaker
Ambassador Yoram Ettinger, Ambassador for Israel
Yoram Ettinger is a consultant on US-Israel relations as well as the Chairman of Special Projects at the Ariel Center for Policy Research. Formerly the Minister for Congressional Affairs to Israel's Embassy in Washington, D.C, Ettinger also served as Consul General of Israel to the Southwestern US.
He is a former editor of Contemporary Mideast Backgrounder and is the author of the Jerusalem Cloakroom series of reports which is featured on the ACPR website.
Mr. Ettinger will be on tour:
September
End of November
Mid-December
If you would like to bring Mr. Ettinger to your campus, contact him at: yoramtex@netvision.net.il
Contact The Speaker
Bob Feferman, Historical Analyst
Over the past 7 years, Israel has repeatedly come under attack in the media for defending itself against terror. Too often, events are taken out of their historical context. Former editor of the Jerusalem Post, Brett Stephens, called this phenomenon "Getting it right while getting it wrong." The facts may be correct, but the context is missing. Missing context has done great harm to Israel's image.
Come and join Bob Feferman in learning the history and geography of this complex conflict through a 60 minute power-point presentation. Advocates for Israel will find that this presentation provides the essential information necessary to defend Israel's cause. Bob Feferman lived in Israel for 11 years, served in the Israel Defense Forces and now teaches social studies to middle school students at The Montessori Academy in Mishawaka, Indiana.
To bring Mr. Feferman to your campus, you may email him at rfefe@comcast.net.
Contact The Speaker
Mike Fegelman, Executive Director of HonestReporting Canada
Mike Fegelman is the executive director of HonestReporting Canada, an organization dedicated to promoting fair and accurate coverage of Israel in Canadian media.
HonestReporting Canada has over 18,000 members across Canada working together to monitor and improve coverage of Israel in Canadian newspapers, TV, radio and the Internet. HonestReporting Canada is a non-profit organization supported by personal donations, large and small, from individual Canadians.
A graduate of Carleton University's renowned journalism program, Mike specialized in broadcasting and international reporting and was a former editor and writer for Centretown News (a local Ottawa weekly newspaper), former lead anchor and reporter for both CUTV (Carleton University's television news station) and CKCU's Midweek program (a 90-minute variety news program).
Mike has been at HRC for over 4 years now and has helped build HonestReporting Canada into the successful organization it is today.
If you would like to bring Mr. Fegelman to your campus, please contact him at:
mike@honestreporting.ca
Contact The Speaker
Brigitte Gabriel, Director of American Congress for Truth
Brigitte Gabriel is a Lebanese Christian and Middle East correspondent. She speaks of her experiences of losing her country of birth, Lebanon, to militant Muslim fundamentalists.
In 2002, Ms. Gabriel founded American Congress for Truth (ACT) to provide information about the Middle East conflict and to give a platform to Americans, both Jews and Christians, who have lost their voice to political correctness.
Gabriel has written a book entitled, "Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America." She speaks profoundly and passionately from the heart.
For more information on Brigitte Gabriel and her activities go to: AmericanCongressForTruth.com
If you would like to bring Ms. Gabriel to your campus, email her at: actforamerica@aol.com
Contact The Speaker
Caroline Glick, Managing Editor of the Jerusalem Post
Caroline Glick was born in the United States and made Aliyah to Israel immediately after graduating from Columbia University. She worked in the IDF's Judge Advocate General division during the First Intifada in 1992, and while there edited and co-authored an IDF-published book, "Israel, the Intifada and the Rule of Law."
She retired from the military with the rank of captain at the end of 1996. In 1997 and 1998 she served as assistant foreign policy advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Caroline returned to the US to get her Master of Arts in Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, in 2000.
Upon Caroline’s return to Israel, she became, and remains, the chief diplomatic correspondent for Makor Rishon newspaper, for which she writes a weekly column in Hebrew. She is also the deputy managing editor of The Jerusalem Post for which she writes two weekly syndicated columns. Her writings have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, the National Review, The Boston Globe, the Chicago Sun-Times, The Washington Times, Maariv and major Jewish newspapers worldwide.
She has appeared on MSNBC, Fox News Channel, Sky News, the Christian Broadcasting Network, and all of Israel’s major television networks. She also makes frequent radio appearances both in the US and Israel.
If you would like to bring Caroline Glick to your campus, contact her at: cbglick@zahav.net.il
Contact The Speaker
Ambassador Dore Gold, President, Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Ambassador Dore Gold is President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. He was the eleventh Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations (1997-1999).
Previously he served as Foreign Policy Advisor to the former Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. Ambassador Gold has served as an advisor to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, and accompanied his entourage to Washington and to the 2003 Aqaba Summit with President George W. Bush. He was a member of the Israeli delegation at the 1998 Wye River negotiations between Israel and the PLO, outside of Washington.
He negotiated the Note for the Record, which supplemented the 1997 Hebron Protocol, and in 1996 concluded the negotiations with the U.S., Lebanon, Syria, and France for the creation of the Monitoring Group for Southern Lebanon. In 1991, he served as an advisor to the Israeli delegation to the Madrid Peace Conference. From 1985 to 1996 he was a senior research associate at the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies, Tel Aviv University, where he was Director of the U.S. Foreign and Defense Policy Project.
Dr. Gold received his BA ('75), MA ('76), and PhD ('84) from Columbia University. Ambassador Gold has written numerous books and articles on the Middle East, including U.S. Military Strategy in the Middle East (Tel Aviv: Ministry of Defense Publications, 1993); Hatred's Kingdom: How Saudi Arabia Supports the New Global Terrorism (Washington: Regnery, 2003); and Tower of Babble: How the United Nations Has Fueled Global Chaos (New York: Crown Forum, 2004).
His articles have appeared in Asahi Shinbun, Commentary, Daily Telegraph, Die Zeit, Ha'aretz, Jerusalem Post, New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Ofra, and their two children, Yael and Ariel.
Read more of his articles on his website: www.jcpa.org
Contact The Speaker
Aryeh Green, Director of MediaCentral
Aryeh Green is director of Media Central, a Jerusalem project providing services to the foreign media in Israel, and has an extensive background in strategic communications in both the public and private sectors. For many years, he has been a senior advisor to Natan Sharansky, former cabinet minister and Member of Knesset, working to support Israel on campuses and to combat anti-Semitism as well as to promote democracy in the region. His provocative talks on Sharansky, Human Rights & Freedom in the Middle East have helped to set the record straight on Israel's human rights record on campuses across North America and Europe.
Since 1990, Green has worked or served as a business consultant for leading companies in Israel and abroad, including ECI Telecom, Aladdin, Audiocodes, Finjan, Lannet, Moto Guzzi, Pfizer, Bank HaPoalim and others. He is a noted public speaker and has lectured in universities and before numerous groups in Israel, North America and Europe.
Green is originally from Washington D.C. and San Francisco, and moved to Israel with his wife, Katie, from London, in 1984. He holds a BA in psychology from UC Berkeley, an MA in international relations from Hebrew University, and an MSc in business management from Boston/Ben Gurion Universities. He has been published in Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post, Israel21C, Washington Jewish Week, SF Northern California Jewish Bulletin, Israel Insider, and on his blog at
http://aryeh-israel.blogspot.com
Aryeh will be on tour in North America on the following dates:
September 7 - 16: East Coast
September 17 - 19: Toronto
September 21 - 25: San Francisco area
Aryeh's email is aryeh.green@gmail.com
Contact The Speaker
Amos Guiora, Professor of Law and Director of Institute for Global Security Law and Policy
Amos N. Guiora teaches and develops courses and labs on the legal and policy aspects of counterterrorism. He incorporates innovative scenario-based instruction to explore national and international security issues.
Professor Guiora directs the Institute for Global Security Law and Policy, which was created in 2005 to provide key knowledge and guidance on the most pressing security problems facing U.S. and foreign governments; the public; students; and the business, legal, and law enforcement communities in the post 9/11 environment. A grant application recently submitted by Professor Guiora for a Cross-Training in Counterterrorism (CTC) program was approved and funded for $250,000 by the Department of Justice.
Author of the first of its kind casebook in the field, Global Perspectives on Counterterrorism (Aspen Publishers, forthcoming 2008), Professor Guiora writes and lectures extensively on counterterrorism issues. He has published on global perspectives on counterterrorism, torture, targeted killings, rule of law and terrorism, the security aspects of employment, judicial activism in armed conflict and morality in armed conflict. Furthermore, he is involved in research projects concerning financing of terrorism, cost-benefit analysis of counterterrorism, cyber terrorism, and religion and terrorism.
As an expert commentator, he is frequently interviewed and quoted and has been published in the national and international media, including CNN, The Washington Post, PBS, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, BBC, C-Span, The Christian Science Monitor, Fox TV, the New York Daily News, KQV Newsradio Pittsburgh, and Minnesota Public Radio.
For 19 years, Professor Guiora served in the Israel Defence Forces, retiring at the grade of Lieutenant Colonel. He held a number of senior command positions in the IDF and was involved in counterterrorism legal and policy issues, such as the capture of the Palestinian gun-smuggling ship the Karine A.
In addition, he was deeply involved in the peace process with the Palestinians as he negotiated the Safe Passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the implementation of the Gaza-Jericho Agreement, and of the Interim Agreement. Professor Guiora also had command responsibility for development of an internationally recognized interactive video teaching IDF soldiers an 11 point Code of Conduct based on international law, Israel law, and the IDF Code.
Mr. Guiora is available on Mondays and Tuesdays.
To contact Mr. Guiora, email him amos.guiora@case.edu
Contact The Speaker
Dr. Tawfik Hamid, Professor of Law and Director of Institute for Global Security Law and Policy
Though terrorism dominates the news today, few understand its root cause. Medical doctor, educator and former terrorist, Dr. Tawfik Hamid, explains the source of terror from a unique perspective. As a medical student in Egypt, Hamid joined an early Islamic terror group, Jemahia Islamia.
His mentor, Dr. Ayman Al Zawaheri, is now the number two man in Al Qaeda. Hamid prayed with Al Zawaheri, admired his gentle style, and was inspired by his strong speeches. Swayed by the teachings of Zawaheri and other Jemahia Islamia leaders, Hamid found that the violent images of these teachings filled his thoughts day and night. But when the time to implement his violent plans of action neared, he experienced intense personal conflict and began distancing himself from the group.
Shortly after leaving Jemahia Islamia, Hamid developed his own Islamic sect that is peaceful and promotes love to every human being irrespective of his or her race, gender, class or religion. As a charismatic speaker in mosques, he offered an alternative to the violent Salafi teachings that were becoming increasingly prevalent. Threats on his life, however, eventually forced him to flee Egypt.
"If the West is to win the so-called War on Terror, Westerners must learn the truth about terror's roots," Hamid says.
Dr. Hamid is flexible regarding touring dates but needs 3-4 months advance notice.
Contact The Speaker
Gil Hoffman, Political Correspondent for The Jerusalem Post
Gil Hoffman is the chief political correspondent and analyst for The Jerusalem Post. Well connected to Israeli and Palestinian political leaders, Hoffman has interviewed Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, former prime ministers Sharon, Peres, Barak and Netanyahu and every major figure across the Israeli political spectrum.
He has been interviewed by top media outlets on 6 continents and is a regular analyst on CNN, BBC and other foreign news outlets. Called "The most optimistic man in Israel" by Israel Television, Hoffman's frequent television appearances and popular column provide a behind the scenes look at the intrigue and humor in the Israeli political arena.
Hoffman also frequently covers diplomatic issues, traveling with the prime minister and reporting on efforts to achieve Mideast peace and other key international developments. Hoffman, who was raised in Chicago, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northwestern University's School of Journalism and wrote for the Miami Herald and the Arizona Republic before moving to Israel. A corporal in the IDF's Spokesman's Unit (Dover Tzahal), he has given lectures in 18 American states, Washington DC, Canada, England and Australia on five successful international speaking tours.
He lives in Israel with his wife and daughter.
Gil's Contact Information:
cell phone: 972-50-205-2612
email at: gil@jpost.com or gilhoffman@yahoo.com.
Contact The Speaker
Yaakov Katz, Reporter for Jerusalem Post
Yaakov Katz is a correspondent for The Jerusalem Post. He covers defense issues such as the conflict with the Palestinians, Israel's approach to the Iranian nuclear threat as well as the IDF's relationship with various sectors in Israeli society and particularly the national-religious camp in a post-disengagement reality.
In addition to the daily news coverage, Katz also writes analysis, commentary and a weekly column called "Security and Defense" which give readers a behind the scenes look at the decision-making process in the Israeli defense establishment.
Mr. Katz will be on tour:
October 30 - November 15
You may reach him at yaakovk@jpost.com
Contact The Speaker
Moshe Katz, Krav Maga Self-Defense Instructor
Moshe Katz is a 4th degree black belt in Krav Maga, the only such rank ever awarded by Itay Gil, trainer of Israel's counter terror units. Moshe is head instructor of Israeli Krav International, based in Israel. With over twenty years experience in martial arts, Moshe has developed self defense programs specifically for college students and women's groups. Lessons drawn from life in Israel are weaved into the seminars to make them pro - Israel events without political overtones.
Moshe has brought his unique interactive event to over 80 campuses, drawing many out of the box students who have never been to an Israel event before.
Moshe has trained elite security guards in Jerusalem, paratroopers and police units, as well as men, women and children of all ages. He received a special award from the Jerusalem municipality for his contribution for the advancement of women in martial arts. In the USA and Canada he has trained police officers, prison guards and military personel.
Moshe will be on tour:
November 1 - December 10
November 8 and 12 in Richmond, VA
Contact The Speaker
Gary Kenzer, National USA Executive Director of Honest Reporting
Gary Kenzer of Skokie Illinois the first National USA Executive Director of Honest Reporting began work for the organization in September 2006. Prior to his work with Honest Reporting, he was the National Director for Magen David Adom USA, another Israeli based organization. Other Jewish agencies he has worked with includes the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, and B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO).
Gary believes in knowing his organizations from the inside out. This gives him a deep understanding of the inner workings of his organizations which makes him an effective and dynamic speaker. Kenzer has spoken at national and international conferences over the last ten years. In his first week with Honest Reporting, he traveled to Israel and worked with and learned first hand how senior media editors and other Honest Reporting researchers manage media bias through their research, and reporting.
Gary is also a true lover of Israel on a personal basis. He is a founding lay leader of the Community Foundation for Jewish Education's, Ta'am Yisrael which takes post bar and bat mitzvah young people to Israel for their first experience every February for one week. He has also led numerous missions to Israel in his professional life.
Gary has been in the non profit since 1984 when he graduated from the University Of Illinois Jane Addams College Of Social Work. He is certified by the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW).
Gary and his wife Cynthia are committed members of the Jewish community as well. Both are founding members of a Conservative congregation in their community, Kehillat Shalom. Gary is a member of the Reform and Conservative Jewish Educators associations in the Midwest and nationally a member of the Coalition for the Advancement for Jewish Education (CAJE).
Contact The Speaker
Ishmael Khaldi, Israeli Bedouin
Born and raised in the Galilee of Israel, Ishmael speaks about his family, his upbringing and his adult life in the Jewish state. Israel is constantly attacked for being racist towards non-Jews. Ishmael proves that this is far from the truth as he describes the many advantages minorities in Israel enjoy compared to the surrounding countries in the Middle East.
Ishmael is living in the San Francisco area working for the Consulate. As per the Foreign Ministries Policy, Ishmael will only be able to speak in Northern California, Oregon, Washington State, Montana, Idaho and Alaska.
You may reach him at ish20299@hotmail.com
Contact The Speaker
Aaron Klein, Jerusalem Bureau Chief, Author, Radio Host
Aaron Klein is the Jerusalem bureau chief for the popular news website WorldNetDaily.com, where he files articles almost every day. He is is a columnist for the Jewish Press and is author of the recently released #1 U.S. bestselling book, "Schmoozing with Terrorists," which chronicles Klein's in-person interviews with terrorists.
Klein's news articles during the week are routinely republished in the NY Sun and in Ynetnews.
Klein is known for his regular interviews with Mideast terrorists. He has interviewed jihadist leaders from every major Palestinian terrorist organization. Some of the more notorious terrorists interviewed by Klein include Yasser Arafat, Hamas chief in Gaza Mahmoud al-Zahar, Islamic Jihad chief of the northern West Bank Mahmoud Saadi, Mumtaz Dusgmash, leader of the Popular Resistance Committees, and multiple other terrorist leaders.
He started interviewing terrorists at age nineteen - as a Yeshiva University student - when he spent time with a group ideologically allied with al-Qaida and wrote an article about the interview experience, titled "My Weekend with the Enemy," which was published in several major city newspapers.
Klein is a frequent guest on Fox News and Al Jazeera. He routinely serves as a co-host on ABC Radio and has regular segments on top American radio programs.
The oldest of 10 kids, Klein grew up in Philadelphia and attended Orthodox Jewish schools from kindergarten through college at Yeshiva University in NY, where he served as editor-in-chief of the undergraduate student newspaper.
Contact The Speaker
Neil Lazarus, Director of Awesome Seminars
Neil Lazarus is an internationally acclaimed expert in the field of Middle East, Israel Advocacy and effective communication training. Neil's seminars are fun, informative and entertaining. As a full time key note speaker, his seminars are causing a sensation.
Neil has helped train a new generation of Israeli diplomats as well as Jewish community and student leadership worldwide. To read more about Neil and to view a seminar online, go to:
http://www.awesomeseminars.com/whoisneil.htm.
He will be available to speak on: Israel Iran and the upcoming war-Israel advocacy. What make terrorists tick and more.
Neil is on tour:
October 26 - November 16
Please contact him at neil@awesomeseminars.com
Contact The Speaker
Itamar Marcus, Palestinian Media Watch
Palestinian Media Watch has become one of the leading independent organizations monitoring and reporting on media of the Palestinian Authority. Marcus has spoken internationally, including a recent talk to the European Union detailing the incitement of hatred and violence towards Jews and Christians in Palestinian media and textbooks.
Mr. Marcus will be in North America in February.
If you would like to bring Mr. Marcus to your campus, contact him at: itamar@pmw.org.il
Contact The Speaker
Lavon Mercer, Basketball Coach
An African-American with an Israeli passport, Lavon Mercer feels perfectly at home "on either side" of the black-Jewish divide, Mercer shares his experience from his 14-year stay in Israel.
His career in Israel began in 1980, when he arrived to play for Hapoel Tel Aviv. During his years in Israel he acquired Israeli citizenship, switched to Maccabi Tel Aviv, served in the IDF, and played for the Israeli national team. He retired from professional sports 10 years ago and has since returned to his native Atlanta.
Today he serves as associate athletic director and head basketball coach at Spelman College, a historically black women's institution. His speaking tours are varied, though he usually likes to speak about his military basic training, his volunteer work with Ethiopian immigrants in Israel, and the time when a bicycle carrying explosives went off only a few hundred meters from his home.
Go to http://lavonmercer.org to read more about Lavon.
If you would like to bring Mr. Mercer to your campus, contact him at: llmercer@earthlink.net
Contact The Speaker
Yisrael Ne'eman, Historian and Political Analyst
Yisrael is an American born Israeli historian and political commentator specializing in Arab-Israel issues, modern Israel and the challenges of modern antisemitism. As a requested lecturer and seminar leader in Israel and abroad, Yisrael demonstrates his Israel advocacy skills through the analysis of historical documentation and the flow of cause and effect as events unfold.
As local council chairman in Eshchar he has directed the building of his community while facing the challenges presented by Israeli Arabs who predominate in the Galilee.
Yisrael is co-founder of the website
www.me-ontarget.com.
If you would like to bring Mr. Neeman to your campus, contact him at: syneeman@bezeqint.net
Contact The Speaker
David Olesker, Jerusalem Center for Communications and Advocacy Training
David Olesker brings an entertaining mixture of humor and activism training. Based in Jerusalem, Olesker travels to North America often to share his expertise in communicating Israel's messages in an effective manner. His presentation is perfect for Israel activists looking to sharpen their communication skills.
David Olesker will be on tour:
November 9 - 19
January 25 - February 4
March 22 - April 1
April 19 - 29
If you would like to bring Mr. Olesker to your campus, contact him at: jccat@iname.com
Contact The Speaker
Daniel Pipes, Director of the Middle East Forum
Pipes is a prize-winning columnist for the New York Post and the Jerusalem Post. His latest book is Militant Islam Reaches America. He is an expert on Islam and the Middle East, and speaks on all related issues.
He received his A.B. (1971) and Ph.D. (1978) from Harvard University, both in history. He spent six years studying abroad, including three years in Egypt. Mr. Pipes speaks French, and reads Arabic and German. He has taught at the University of Chicago, Harvard University, and the U.S. Naval War College.
Contact The Speaker
Arieh Rosenblum , Historian, Political and Military Analyst, Advocacy and Communications Training
Arieh Rosenblum is a Toronto based consultant specializing in Israel advocacy, research and communications training. Arieh has held senior advocacy portfolios at B'nai Brith Canada and the Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy, with a special focus on campus activism. He has also written for a national Jewish weekly newspaper, as well as editing one of the internet's first webzines.
Arieh's work has enabled him to engage with politicians, Prime Ministers, cabinet ministers, diplomats, journalists and senior military figures in Israel, the U.S, and Canada. His extensive knowledge of and familiarity with Israel from a military, geographic, cultural and theological perspective has guided his training of hundreds of Israel activists. He writes and speaks on a range of issues including strategic analysis of historical and current events in the Middle East, effective advocacy tactics and strategy, crisis communications, anti-Semitism, radical anti-Zionism, and Jewish history.
Arieh is a signatory of the Euston Manifesto, and an IRAP grantholder from the National Research Council of Canada. He lives just outside Toronto with his wife and 4 children. Arieh is available to speak on your campus or at your conference throughout the year.
New!
- Israel in the Crucible – Post-Lebanon War
- Israel in the Shadow of the Shia-Sunni War
- The Power of Personal Experience
- What Would Sun Tzu Do? Israel Advocacy and The Art of War.
To reach Arieh please email him at arieh@asrconsult.com.
Contact The Speaker
Remedy Ross, Jewish Hip Hop Artist
Jewish Hip Hop artist, Remedy, a Wu-Tang Clan affiliate best known for his landmark Rap song "Never Again", has begun an extraordinary new program for Jewish youth throughout the world. The program brings Remedy's Jewish-themed lyrics, including his personal family account of loss in the Holocaust and his recent eye-opening experiences in Israel, to young people in search of a stronger Jewish identity.
Remedy has performed all over the world and has been featured, highlighted, and seen alongside many of today's top hip-hop artists. Through Remedy's educational program, Jewish youth gain pride, a stronger Jewish identity, and a desire to visit Israel for themselves.
For more information contact 718-818-8787 or remedy@remedyross.com
Contact The Speaker
Walid Shoebat, Former PLO Terrorist
Walid Shoebat was born a Muslim in Bethlehem and is the grandson of a Nazi ally and a member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization. After violent involvement in anti-Israel riots, Shoebat was imprisoned in Israel's Russian Compound.
In 1993, after moving to America, Shoebat converted to Christianity and became an advocate for his former enemy, Israel. Shoebat has spoken across the US and written extensively on anti-Semitism.
He has appeared on mainstream media around the world including CNN, FOX News, ITN, RTE, NBC, CBS, ABC, and Pacifica Radio and has been heard on hundreds of radio stations around the US and the world.
Shoebat has given lectures at many US institutions such as Stanford University, Harvard Law School, Capital Hill, Columbia University, Concordia University, UC Davis, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, UCLA, UC Irvine, USC, UC Santa Barbara, University of Georgia, Washington University, Penn State and San Diego State. He is featured as an expert witness on a number of documentaries on Islamism
If you would like to bring Mr. Shoebat to your campus, contact him at: walid@shoebat.com
Contact The Speaker
Curtis Sliwa, Founder and President of the Guardian Angels
Curtis Sliwa is one of the most respected grass roots activists in the nation. Sliwa currently hosts his morning radio show on WABC, "The Curtis and Kuby Show".
Sliwa has been recognized by Presidents Nixon, Reagan and Clinton, as well as former NY Mayor Giuliani, for his dedication to his fellow man. As a Catholic, Mr. Sliwa brings a unique perspective to the situation in Israel and anti-Semitism.
If you would like to bring Mr. Sliwa to your campus, contact him at:curtsliwa@aol.com
Contact The Speaker
Ken Spiro, Jewish Historian
As an Israeli historian and an ordained rabbi, Ken Spiro speaks on a number of topics, including the roots of the Arab/Muslim conflict with the Western world, anti-Semitism and Jewish and Israeli history. To see a complete list of topics, go to: www.kenspiro.com
Rabbi Spiro is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher for Aish HaTorah's Discovery Seminar. In addition, he is a licensed tour guide from the Israel Ministry of Tourism. Rabbi Spiro graduated from Vassar College with a BA in Russian Language and Literature and did graduate studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow. He has an MA in History from The Vermont College of Norwich University and Rabbinic Ordination from Yeshiva Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem.
Ken Spiro has resided in Israel since 1982. He served in a combat infantry unit in the IDF and currently lives in Givat Zeev with his wife and five children.
He has appeared on numerous radio and television programs such as B.B.C. Radio and TV., The National Geographic Channel, The History Channel and Arutz Sheva-Israel National Radio. He is the author of WorldPerfect - The Jewish Impact on Civilization published by HCI books which is based on the multimedia seminar he created and teaches, which examines the Jewish impact on world history.
To see this seminar online, go to www.aish.com/seminars/worldperfect/index.htm.
He speaks on a number of topics, including the roots of the Arab/Muslim conflict with the Western world, anti-Semitism and Jewish and Israeli history. To see a complete list of topics, go to: www.kenspiro.com
Mr. Spiro will be on tour:
September 7 - 18
If you would like to bring Mr. Spiro to your campus, contact him at: kspiro@aish.com
Contact The Speaker


