Strengthening the Bonds Between Israeli Leaders and the American Jewish Community
The Ruderman Family Foundation, together with Brandeis University, is now readying for the second year of an innovative program designed to strengthen the bonds of understanding and appreciation between Israeli leaders and the American Jewish community. The Ruderman Fellows program is cultivating a deeper awareness of the vibrancy of American Jewish life by engaging members of Knesset with top community leaders and activists during an intensive week of meetings and briefings in Boston and New York. Encouraging candid discussions regarding priorities, sensibilities and perspectives within American Jewry, the program also explores contemporary and future trends affecting both Israel and the entire Jewish world.
The Ruderman Family Foundation welcomes this year’s Ruderman Fellows who begin their US visit on March 25th.
The 2012 Ruderman Fellows
- MK Ofir Akunis (Likud)
- MK Leah Shemtov (Yisrael Beteinu)
- MK Ilan Gilon (Meretz)
- MK Fania Kirshenbaum (Yisrael Beitenu)
- MK Raleb Majadele (Labor)
The 2011 Ruderman Fellows
- MK Carmel Shama (Likud)
- MK Tzipi Hotovely (Likud)
- MK Avi Dichter (Kadima)
- MK Ronit Tirosh (Kadima)
- MK Eitan Cabel (Labor)
- Daniel Ben Simon (Labor)
The Ruderman Fellows Advisory Board
Members include: Former Minister of Internal Security Avi Dichter (Kadima), who headed the 2011 Ruderman delegation; Minister for Environmental Protection GiladErdan (Likud); Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon (Yisrael Beitenu) and Former Minister of Social Welfare Isaac Herzog (Labor).
The Fellows program is fully committed to enhancing the horizons and capabilities of Israeli leaders, while also continuing to strengthen the special relationship between Israel and the American Jewish community.
Press from the 2012 Ruderman Fellows
- Educate Israeli Leaders on the Nuances of Diaspora Life
JTA, August 5, 2012
- Israel Must Learn from American's Unrelenting Self-examination
JTA, August 5, 2012
- Knesset Forums Disrupted for 2nd Year
The Brandeis Hoot, March 30, 2012
- Ringside to Knesset Wrangling [pdf]
The Jewish Advocate*, March 30, 2012
- Knesset Members Talk Settlements, Iran and a Two State Solution
Jspace News, March 29, 2012
- So Israelis Think That US Jewish Support is "Essential" - So What?
Jewish Journal, March 27, 2012
- This Year, Broader Mix of MKs Coming to Town [pdf]
The Jewish Advocate*, March 23, 2012
- Ruderman Fellows Coming from Israel to Learn About American Jewry
Brandeis Now, March 22, 2012
- Israeli Lawmakers Should Care About the Agenda of the American Jewish Community
Jewish Journal, February 20, 2012
- Caucus Formed to Teach Knesset Members About American Jews
San Diego Jewish World, February 6, 2012
- New Caucus to Inform Israel’s MKs About U.S. Jewish Community
Haaretz Daily Newspaper, February 3, 2012
- Knesset Caucus Eyes Closer Ties to American Jews
Forward.com, January 26, 2012
- Israel-American Knesset Caucus Established
Jewish Press, January 26, 2012
- New Israel-American Jewish Knesset Caucus Formed
Jspace News, January 25, 2012
- Knesset Launches Caucus to Strengthen Ties to American Jewry
JTA, January 25, 2012
-
Israel-US Jewish Knesset Caucus Inaugurated
Ynetnews, January 25, 2012
- Israel-US Jewish Knesset Caucus Inaugurated
Gestetner Updates, January 25, 2012
- ‘American Jewish Caucus’ Lobbies Knesset
Israel National News, January 24, 2012
- New Knesset Caucus to Address Widening Gap between Israel and American Jews
eJewish Philanthropy, January 24, 2012
- Poll: Majority Thinks MKs Should Consider Diaspora
The Jerusalem Post, January 23, 2012
Press from the 2011 Ruderman Fellows
- Israeli MKs: Boston Trip Made Us Better Listeners [pdf]
The Jewish Advocate*, May 27, 2011
- Ex-Shin Bet Head Wants To Double Birthright Quota
The Jewish Week, Apr 12, 2011
- All Gone to Look for America – Part I
The Jerusalem Post, Apr 10, 2011
- Knesset Caucus to Focus on Relations With American Jews
The Jerusalem Post, Apr 10, 2011
- In Unusual U.S. Visit, Israeli Knesset Members Try Listening
JTA, Apr 10, 2011
- What Did Israeli Lawmakers Learn About the U.S. Jewish Community?
Haaretz, Apr 9, 2011
- Knesset Members Speak on Iran, Arab Spring
The Brandeis Hoot, Apr 8, 2011
- Mini-Knesset Debate at Brandeis
The Jewish Advocate, Apr 8, 2011
- What the Israelis Don’t Get About American Jews
The Jewish Advocate, Apr 8, 2011
- Members Of Israel’s Knesset Meet With Governor Patrick
Gov Monitor, Apr 7, 2011
- Israeli Knesset Members Speak at Town Hall-style Meeting
The Justice, Apr 5, 2011
- Jewish Leftists Disrupt Kadima MK Speech at U.S. University
Haaretz, Apr 5, 2011
- Israeli Lawmaker Dichter Heckled at Brandeis
JTA, Apr 5, 2011
- Kadima MK Dichter Heckled During Brandeis Speech
The Jerusalem Post, Apr 5, 2011
- Op-Ed: Education is Key in a Changing U.S. Jews-Israel Relationship
JTA, Apr 4, 2011
- 6 Israeli Lawmakers to Study US Jewish Community
The Wall Street Journal, Apr 1, 2011
- Knesset Members to Visit Brandeis
The Brandeis Hoot, Apr 1, 2011
- Israeli MKs to Get Crash Course in US Jewry
The Jewish Advocate, Apr 1, 2011
- MKs to Learn About US Jewish Community
Ynetnews, Mar 24, 2011
- Transcription of Israel (IBA) Radio Interview with Shira Ruderman [pdf]
Israel (IBA) Radio-Moreshet Channel, Mar 22, 2011
- Members of Knesset Discover America [pdf]
Ma’ariv, Mar 22, 2011
- ‘Majority of Israelis See US Jewry as Vital to Security’
The Jerusalem Post, Mar 22, 2011
- New Initiative Sends MKs to US – Not to Talk, But to Listen
The Jerusalem Post, Mar 4, 2011
- Fellowship to Bring Israeli Parliamentarians to U.S.
Brandeis NOW, Feb 22, 2011
*Reprinted with permission of The Jewish Advocate. To subscribe, visit http://thejewishadvocate.com
