Gil Hoffman is the executive director of the Jerusalem-based pro-Israel media watchdog HonestReporting and served for 24 years as chief political correspondent and analyst for The Jerusalem Post, where he is now a regular columnist.
He was raised in Chicago, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northwestern University’s School of Journalism, and served in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
He’s lectured in all major English-speaking countries in the world and recently made history in Hawaii by becoming the first Israel speaker to lecture in all 50 states.
Tabby Refael is an award-winning, Iranian-American Jewish writer, speaker and weekly columnist for The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. She is also a co-founder and former execuive director of 30 Years After.
Title of the presentation: My Heart is in the East: How the Other Half of the Jewish World Relates to Israel
Description of the presentation: A Tehran-born writer and activist on behalf of Mizrahi and Sephardic Jews, Tabby will shed light on the connections and complexities behind Israel as it relates to Jews from the Middle East and North Africa. This presentation will include memorable personal stories as well as photographs, documents and first-hand accounts of living as a young Zionist Jew in the modern Middle East.
Nachum is an internationally touring Jewish singer/songwriter, song leader, and performer.
His live performances bring communities together!
Nachum performs and provides various services ranging from early childhood centers to high schools, as well as colleges, private homes and synagogues. He travels to communities around the world creating an uplifting experience through music, song, and prayer, connecting body and soul.
Amanda Berman (she/her) is the Founder and Executive Director of the Zioness Movement, where she works to empower and activate Zionists on the progressive left to stand proudly in social justice spaces as Jews and Zionists. She is also a civil rights attorney who previously worked to fight antisemitism legally, spearheading such groundbreaking initiatives as the international action against Kuwait Airways for its discrimination against Israeli nationals, and the dual cases against San Francisco State University for its constitutional and civil rights violations against Jewish and Israeli students and community members.
Duvid Swirsky is a musician, producer and singer-songwriter from Israel living inLos Angeles. Duvid Swirsky is a co-founder of one of the most popular Jewish-Israeli bands:MOSHAV.MOSHAVbrings its fiery blend of traditional and original music to audiencesacross the world.In 2001, Duvid and his band moved to Los Angeles to sign a record deal withSONY JMG. In 2012 Duvid formed the indie-pop band,Distant Cousins, creating music forT.V, film, and various artists. Credits include “A Million Little Things” (ABC), “Archibald’sNext Big Thing” (Dreamworks), “Where’s Waldo?” (Dreamworks), “This Is Where I LeaveYou” (Warner Bros),”Graceland” (USA Network), “Daddy’s Home” (Paramount), Macy’s andthe MLB Network. Duvid Swirskyis the Musical Director/Cantor atNefesh-a progressive spiritual communitylocated in Echo Park, Los Angeles, and the Musical Director ofFriday Night LiveatSinaiTemple, a conservative synagogue in West Los Angeles.
