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Dispatches from the network and updates from the Foundation.
Nov 2016
Even in times of change and uncertainty there is always room for gratitude. Last week more than 100 Wexner alumni came together for a video call of healing following the negativity and divisiveness of the 2016 U.S. election. As we near the end of this difficult year, we look to the coming days where we will join with friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving. As with many Jewish holidays, Thanksgiving
Nov 2016
I’m staring intently at one of the 40″ flat screen TV’s in a standing-room only sports bar in Skokie, IL, and I stand out like a sore thumb. In the mob surrounding me, every soul, patron and server, is laden with Cubs gear. I, on the other hand, am wearing a blue blazer, dress shirt, slacks… and my Red Sox hat. I didn’t think ahead when packing for this business
After months of a caustic US election cycle, American Jews woke up on November 9th (or let’s face it, a lot of us didn’t ever fall asleep on the 8th) to face a dramatic shift in the sociopolitical direction of our country. On the 12th, thousands of us convened in Washington, DC for JFNA’s annual GA conference. I’ve attended the GA a few times before, and, while political topics are
Nov 2016
In the next week our constituents will be receiving a copy of The Wexner Foundation’s just released More than Managing: The Relentless Pursuit of Jewish Leadership, published by Jewish Lights, an imprint of Turner Publishing. This book of essays, written by a sampling of alumni, faculty and friends of our programs, was curated and edited by longtime friend and faculty member Rabbi Dr. Lawrence Hoffman. This article serves as an
I think most of us agree that this has been a unique, even unprecedented Presidential campaign — and not in a good way! In my circles, the most frequent words I hear to describe the campaign are: disturbing, unnerving, relentless, frightening and downright disgusting. One thing is for certain — no one has called this campaign “inspiring”. That is why I was so pleasantly surprised this week to find inspiration
A few weeks ago, we heard the recordings of Donald Trump bragging about how he sexually assaults women. Then women came forward accusing him of assault. People around me, in person or through social media, began responding and some of it was downright disturbing. People I know and love claimed that these women could not be believed because they waited so long to come forward. Others gave the old “boys
In the months leading up to the start of my Wexner Heritage experience (Boca Raton 07), I had multiple talks with alumni, who encouraged me to make the most of this remarkable gift from Les and Abigail and our community. I remember several amazing and inspirational interactions, but none more than in Tel Aviv just before the first Summer Institute with WIF Alum Gidi Grinstein (Class 13). Gidi impressed upon
Oct 2016
On October 4th, at the end of Rosh Hashanah, women started marching from the four corners of Israel, organized by a grassroots group called Women Waging Peace. The march culminated on Chol haMoed Sukkot in Jerusalem in a rally held in front of the Prime Minister’s Office with a simple message to all the leaders of our country: “Lead us courageously toward a political agreement.” Many felt this was naive,
By 2025, 60% of the world’s landmass and 40 of the 50 United States will experience water shortages. Water scarcity helped trigger the Syrian Civil War and has been a factor in African migration to Europe. Israel will be a model in solving the world’s emerging water crisis. About 10 days ago, Prager University released this five-minute video, which I wrote and, to date, has had 875,000 unique viewers. I
Oct 2016
In my capacity as Deputy Director General of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, I have been working for the past five years with all the local governments throughout the country: small and large, centrally located and in the periphery, Arab and Jewish. I have had the privilege to closely study the country with its challenges and opportunities. This professional platform has provided me with much knowledge which, alongside