Jews and Power: Literature, Philosophy, Politics. December 1, 2014 December 12, 2014

Transcription

1 THE TIKVAH FUND 165 E. 56th Street New York, New York Jews and Power: Literature, Philosophy, Politics December 1, 2014 December 12, 2014 Participant Biographies Benjamin Bilski Netherlands Benjamin Bilski is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Pericles Foundation. Benjamin is a Ph.D. candidate at the Institute of the Interdisciplinary Study of the Law, Faculty of Law of the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. He is working as author and editor with The Owls Foundation on a new book about innovation and breakthrough processes, to be published late He cofounded an international student conference that continues to this day. He studied in America, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. He holds B.Sc. degrees in philosophy and biochemistry from Brandeis University and an M.Sc. in the philosophy and history of science from the London School of Economics. Mr. Bilski has published on Machiavelli and Plato, and taught seminars on Plato, Machiavelli, Tocqueville, Leo Strauss, Hugo Grotius, and Thucydides at the University of Leiden. With five former Chiefs of Defence, he co-authored the book Towards a Grand Strategy for an Uncertain World (2007) that influenced the new NATO Strategic Concept. Mr. Bilski is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the Young Atlanticist Working Group of the Atlantic Council, and the Royal Dutch Marksman Association. Elli Fischer Elli Fischer is an independent writer, translator, and rabbi. Previously, he was the JLIC rabbi and campus educator at the University of Maryland. He holds B.A. and M.S. degrees from Yeshiva University and rabbinical ordination from s Chief Rabbinate. His original writing has appeared in Commentary, Jewish Review of Books, Mida, Mosaic, Jewish Ideas Daily, Journal of

2 Halakha and Contemporary Society, New York Jewish Week, Jewish Action, and Intermountain Jewish News, as well as popular blogs Seforim and Hirhurim. Among the issues he writes about are religion and politics in ; Jewish and rabbinic literature; and models of halakhic leadership. Among his translated works are By Faith Alone: The Story of Rabbi Yehuda Amital, and he serves as editor of Rabbi Eliezer Melamed s Peninei Halakha series. He is currently working on a book-length exploration of the interplay between legal and nonlegal material in the Talmud. Originally from Baltimore, he currently resides in Modiin,, with his wife and four children. Asaf Pollin Galay Asaf Galay is the curator for the new core exhibits at Beit Hatfutsot (The Museum for the Jewish People) and upcoming temporary exhibits on European Life between World War I and World War II, Jewish humor, and Jewish fashion designers (entitled Dream Weavers-Jewish Fashion Designer). He was also curator for an exhibit on the Dreyfus Affair and its impact on French Jewry and an exhibit entitled Amy Winehouse-Family Portrait. Mr. Galay has directed and written a number of award-winning documentaries for i television. They include series on: i humor (2005), the history of Tel Aviv-Jaffa (2007), and the life and influence of the Zionist hero Joseph Trumpeldor (2008). He has just completed writing, directing, and producing a documentary film on the Yiddish writer Isaac Bashevis Singer titled The Muses of Bashevis Singer. He is currently completing a documentary film on how comics reflect i life, entitled The Search for an i Superhero. Mr. Galay has a background in media and communications, journalism, and advising on political campaigns. Yehonatan Givati Yehonatan Givati is an associate professor of law at Hebrew University, where he teaches his students market-based approaches to the law. Dr. Givati was a post-graduate research fellow in law and economics at the New York University School of Law. He has presented widely on law and economics issues and is the recipient of numerous academic awards and fellowships, including a Fulbright Fellowship and the John M. Olin Fellowship in Law and Economics at Harvard University. A native i, Dr. Givati served as the financial advisor to the Chief of Staff during his army service and clerked on the i Supreme Court after obtaining his LL.B. from Hebrew University. He obtained his Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University and his S.J.D. from Harvard Law School. Daniel Goldman Daniel Goldman is the founding partner of Goldrock Capital, a family office. He is a regular speaker and panelist at family office conferences. Born and raised in the U.K., Mr. Goldman has been living in since 1992 and is active in several social and educational initiatives. Living in Beit Shemesh

3 with Debra-lee and five children he is very involved in the community and active in local politics. As Chairman of Gesher, Mr. Goldman is closely involved in creating dialogue between religious and non-religious groups, and is also focused on adding value to the challenge and opportunity of the integration of Haredim into mainstream i society. Mr. Goldman is a member of the Public Council of Beit Hillel, the Board of the Jewish Agency and the Council of Newcastle University. Mr. Goldman contributes opinion pieces in both English and Hebrew on issues affecting i society. Lahav Harkov Levine Lahav Harkov Levine is the Knesset reporter for The Jerusalem Post. She has interviewed major figures across the i political spectrum and has the inside scoop on the country s top lawmakers. Mrs. Levine is often invited to lecture on i government and politics in and abroad. International news outlets, such as the BBC, France 24, CTV, Sky News and Sun News Network have sought her insights and analysis about breaking news. She has published articles in Commentary, The Tower, The Jewish Week and the Hebrew-language newspaper Makor Rishon, as well as Jewish culture website Jewcy. Lahav grew up in New Jersey, making aliyah at age seventeen, where she did two years of National Service (Sherut Leumi) at museums dealing with Jewish and i history. She has a degree in Political Science and Communications from Bar-Ilan University, and lives in Tel Aviv with her husband. Roi Makler Roi Makler is the Founding Director of Midrasha LeMaase, an i Educational Enterprise Award Winner which trains Mechinot graduates to take on national responsibilities and tackle national and Jewish issues. In addition, he teaches courses on Law, Nationality, and the i Society at pre-army preparatory academies which focus on training social leaders. Mr. Makler also lectures for primary school principals at the Alma Institute. Mr. Makler was program director at the JDC Institute for Leadership and Governance. He established networks that connect senior government leaders for the purpose of social empowerment and also managed and convened the institute s Governors Forums. Before working for the JDC, Mr. Makler Served in the IDF Rescue Combat Unit 669. After completing his IDF service, Mr. Makler earned his B.A. degree in Law and an M.A. in Public Policy (with distinction) from the Hebrew University. Mr. Makler was then educational manager at MiBereshit (The Foundation for Jewish Renaissance). He wrote educational programs and selected and instructed the staff. Mr. Makler is the Vice President of the Masa Program s Audit Committee and Ha machaneh Ha meshotaf an NGO that advocates for equitable army recruitment and solidarity.

4 Tamara Morsel Eisenberg Belguim Tamara Morsel Eisenberg is originally from Belgium and received her B.A. in Philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2009). She is currently a fifthyear Ph.D. candidate at the History Department of the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Eisenberg completed her coursework and other requirements at UPenn in , and is currently immersed in dissertation-research at the Center for Jewish History in New York. Ms. Eisenberg s research centers on early modern Jewish History, particularly Jewish law, from the perspective of intellectual and cultural history. She is interested in the responsa literature (ShU"T) of Central and Eastern Europe in the 16th century. Ms. Eisenberg has presented her work at conferences and seminars at the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, Harvard and other institutions. Emily Neilson Emily Neilson is the Director of Strategy for The Face of, an organization partnered with the i Ministry of Foreign Affairs that promotes enhanced education on and the Middle East. Ms. Neilson is also the co-founder of LINK Asymmetric Strategies and Services, a company providing in-depth research, analysis and strategy solutions for pro- entities. Ms. Neilson has an extensive background in research and strategy formulation, previously positioned at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (Department of International Relations), the Office of i President Shimon Peres, the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington D.C. (Department of Middle Eastern Studies), and served as an intelligence analyst in the i Defense Forces. Ms. Neilson is a graduate of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem where she double majored in International Relations and Studies of Islam and the Middle East, with an emphasis on international law and conflict resolution. In recent years she has spoken to numerous groups, students and government officials from around the world regarding and the Arab-i conflict, in the hopes of promoting a better understanding of the issues at hand and a better future for the Middle East. Tsuriel Rashi Rabbi Dr. Tsuriel Rashi is Chair of the Department of Mass Communications at Herzog College of Education in Jerusalem. He is also a lecturer in the School of Communication at Bar-Ilan University and in the Jerusalem Center for Ethics. His principal research interests revolve around issues related to mass communication and religion (Mainly Judaism) as well as professional ethics and religion. He also teaches in non-academic programs at the IDF, i police, Ministries of Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and others. In his rabbinical position, he serves as a chaplain of the Golani brigade in reserve service. Dr. Rashi is a graduate of the Division of Journalism and Communications and holds an M.A. in Political Science and Public Communications, both from Bar-Ilan University, where he completed his doctoral dissertation entitled, Media, Judaism and Ethics: The Public s

5 Duty to Know in Jewish Law. Several years ago, Dr. Rashi developed an instructional program for Jewish religious schools, commissioned by s Ministry of Education, dealing with Judaism and Communications, which is now incorporated into the curricula. He was also chairman of the committee that reshapes the communications, cinema, and theater studies curricula in s religious high schools and colleges. Dr. Rashi is currently a post-doctoral fellow at Tel-Aviv University, working with Prof. Asa Kasher, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Vice Chair of the Jerusalem Centre for Ethics. Shimon Riklin Shimon Riklin is an i activist and an entrepreneur; he is also a radio talk show host. Mr. Riklin was born in Tel Aviv in He served in the IDF as an intelligence officer, with the rank of Captain. He would begin to study archeology and classical studies in Tel Aviv University, and has since received Master s degree in biblical archeology from the same institute. Mr. Riklin would go on to establish the Next Generation movement in Judea and Samaria, a movement which built dozens of outposts in the area during the late 90 s and early 2000 s. As an entrepreneur he built a variety of buildings for a variety of commercial purposes. In recent years, Mr. Riklin became a popular guest on i media. He also hosts a weekly talk show in Galey radio. Gidon Rothstein United States Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein was ordained by Yeshiva University (1991) and received his Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (Post-Biblical Jewish History and Literature) in His dissertation, Writing Midrash Avot: The Change That Three Fifteenth Century Exegetes Introduced to Avot Interpretation, Its Impact and Origins discussed the hermeneutics of interpretation of Avot in 15 th century Spain. Rabbi Rothstein has worked in the synagogue rabbinate, as well as in high school and adult education. He is the author of two works of Jewishly-themed fiction, Murderer in the Mikdash and Cassandra Misreads the Book of Samuel (and Other Untold Tales of the Prophets). His most recent book is We re Missing the Point: What s Wrong with the Orthodox Jewish Community and How to Fix It. Jeffrey Saks Rabbi Jeffrey Saks is the founding director of ATID The Academy for Torah Initiatives and Directions in Jewish Education and its WebYeshiva.org program. He edited Wisdom From All My Teachers: Challenges and Initiatives in Contemporary Torah Education (Urim); To Mourn a Child: Jewish Responses to Neonatal and Childhood Death (OU Press); and authored Spiritualizing Halakhic Education (Mandel Foundation). He is an Associate

6 Editor of the journal Tradition and the Series Editor of the S.Y. Agnon Library at The Toby Press. He lectures regularly at the Agnon House in Jerusalem. Prior to his aliyah in 1994, Rabbi Saks served on the faculty of the Yeshiva University High School for Girls. Upon arriving in he was the director of Yeshivat Hamivtar in Efrat and, subsequently, of Yeshivat Ohr Yerushalayim in Beit Meir. Rabbi Saks holds a B.A. in Political Science, and M.A. in Medieval Jewish History, and rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University, and was a Jerusalem Fellow at the Mandel Leadership Institute for senior Jewish educators. He lives in Efrat with his wife Ilana and their four children. Yossi Shain Yossi Shain runs a dual academic career, in and the US. At Tel Aviv University he holds the Romulo Betancourt Chair in Political Science where he is also Head of the Political Science Department, Head of the Aba Eben Graduate Program of Diplomacy, and Director of the Frances Broady Institute for Applied Diplomacy. In the US he is a Full Professor of Comparative Government and Diaspora Politics at Georgetown University, where he is also Founding Director of the Program for Jewish Civilization. In 2007 he served pro-bono as President of the Western Galilee College. Professor Shain earned his B.A. in Philosophy and M.A. in Political Science from Tel Aviv University and then his Ph.D. in Political Science (with distinction) from Yale University. Outside the academy he served on national and international committees related to foreign policy, diaspora and migration policies, security and human rights, and the Jewish world, and worked with Governmental agencies and NGO s in, the US, and Mexico, and with research groups attached to the United Nations. Shain is the author and editor of eight books. They include The Frontier of Loyalty: Political Exiles in the Age of the Nation-State (1989; 2nd edition Michigan University Press, 2005, Hebrew edition, 2006); Between States: Interim Governments and Democratic Transitions (with Juan J. Linz; Cambridge University Press, 1995); Marketing the American Creed Abroad: Diasporas in the U.S. and Their Homelands (Cambridge University Press, 1999), which was awarded the 2000 Best Book of the Year Prize by the i Political Science Association; and Kinship and Diasporas in International Affairs (Michigan University Press, 2007). His latest book The Language of Corruption and s Moral Culture received national acclaim when it appeared in Hebrew in September 2010 (Kinneret-Zmora-Dvir). An English edition is forthcoming. He is now writing a book and a documentary on the ization of Judaism. Shain is also the editor of Governments-in-Exile in Contemporary World Politics (Routledge, 1991), and co-editor of Democracy: the Challenges Ahead (with Aharon Kleiman; St. Martin s, 1997) and Collective Memory in International Affairs (with Eric Langenbacher; Georgetown University Press, 2010). Teddy Weinberger Mr. Weinberger is the Director of Development at Meaningful, a company that works with other non-profit organizations in. Mr. Weinberger was an assistant professor of religious studies at Florida International University in Miami before making aliyah with his wife and children in the summer of Since then, he has written a bi-weekly

7 column in the for American Jewish newspapers. Mr. Weinberger received his B.A. in English Literature from Columbia University. After teaching English and mathematics for a year at a Manhattan high school, he was awarded a full doctoral fellowship in English Literature from Emory University. At Emory, he went on to receive an M.A. in English and a Ph.D. in Religion ( Theological Studies ). An abridged version of his Master s thesis, titled Philip Roth, Franz Kafka, and Jewish Writing, was published in Literature and Theology (September 1993). His book, Strategies for Sustaining Religious Commitment: The Art of the Religious Life was published in 1991 by the Edwin Mellen Press. Rona Yona Rona Yona is a postdoctoral fellow for the Institute ( ) at Tel Aviv University and New York University, and editor of : Studies in Zionism and the State of published by Tel Aviv University. Previously she has taught at the Hebrew University. She holds a Ph.D. in Jewish history from Tel Aviv University (2014), an M.A. in European history from the Hebrew University (2005), and a B.A. from the Hebrew University s Honors Program in History and in Sociology and Anthropology. Her Publications include: A Kibbutz in the Diaspora, Journal of i History 31 (2012), Zionist Terminology and the Jewish Sources: Berl Katznelson and the Creation of the Term Hanchalat Halashon [Bequeathing the Language], Hebraic Political Studies 2 (2007), and Muslims under Christian Rule in Late Medieval Spain, Hayo Haya 2 (2003; in Hebrew).