On Wednesday, October 30, 2019, the first-ever “Judaism, Israel and Diaspora Conference” was held. The event, focused on Israel’s relations with Diaspora Jewry, with emphasis on the American Jewish community, was a collaborative endeavor by the Ruderman Family Foundation, the Jewish Agency, the Ha’aretznewspaper and the Hebrew University. The audience heard discussions in Hebrew, including from the Reut Institute roundtables, of pressing issues concerning Israel’s relations with American Jewry. Among the speakers were President Reuven “Ruvi” Rivlin of Israel, Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac “Bougie” Herzog, Professor Asher Cohen, the President of the Hebrew University, Shira Ruderman, Executive Director of the Ruderman Family Foundation, and other academics and Knesset members.

We are pleased to give you a taste of the event, which reaffirmed that there are Israelis who are interested in Jews living overseas and who want to preserve and strengthen this important relationship.