Join a group of diverse experts and insiders for a paneled discussion on Israel, Zionism, Israeli politics, antisemitism, and contemporary issues. There is no single Jewish voice about the Jewish relationship with Israel, and each of our panelists brings a unique perspective to the conversation. You will hear views that will both challenge you, and strengthen your connection to Israel.
Jewish Center of the Hamptons is proud to continue a tradition that began over 15 years ago by our member, Ken Bialkin, of hosting a panel discussion on Israel and the Middle East. This is the conversation on Israel that you can’t miss.
Jewish Center of the Hamptons gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Bialkin Family Foundation.
In blessed memory of Ken Bialkin, a courageous leader of the Jewish people and staunch supporter of the State of Israel
Kenneth J. Bialkin passed away on August 23, 2019.
Mr. Bialkin served as an Adviser on the Federal Securities Code and Principles of Corporate Governance projects. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1950 with a degree in economics, and then earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1953. His law practice encompassed a broad range of corporate and securities law matters. He was a partner in the law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher before joining Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Mr. Bialkin was recognized as “a trailblazer and giant among leaders of the American Jewish community; a phenomenal legal mind who served as a longtime senior partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher and Flom; and a kind, compassionate, and generous man.”
OUR EXPERT PANELISTS
AMANDA BERMAN
Amanda Berman is the Founder and Executive Director of the Zioness Movement, a new initiative empowering and activating Zionists on the progressive left to stand proudly in social justice spaces as Jews and Zionists. Until she recently made the transition to focusing exclusively on building the much-needed Zioness community, Amanda was also a civil rights attorney fighting anti-Semitism 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.
STEPHEN M. GREENBERG
Stephen Greenberg has enjoyed a long and storied career spanning positions in public service, the private practice of law, corporate leadership, and charitable endeavors. After earning his juris doctorate with honors from The George Washington University Law Center, Steve joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. He later served as Chairman and CEO of NET2Phone, Inc. and IDT Spectrum. He was elected the 29th Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and was Chairman of both the National Coalition for Eurasian Jewry (NCSEJ) and the National Young Leadership Cabinet of UJA; Co-chair of the First Moriah Conference; a founding member of The North American Jewish Forum; member of the executive committee and Treasurer of the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation; Past President of the American Friends of Beit Hatfutsot and current member of its International Board; past National Vice President of the UJA and also a National Vice Chairman and Chair of the Development Committee of Hillel International.
MALCOLM I. HOENLEIN
Malcolm Hoenlein was elected Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the coordinating body on international and national concerns for 52 national Jewish organizations, in 1986. Previously, he served as founding Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New York, and the founding Executive Director of the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry. A National Defense Fellow in the University’s Near East Center, Malcolm taught International Relations in the Political Science Department and served as a Middle East specialist at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. In addition, he served on the editorial staff of ORBIS, the Journal of International Affairs. Awards received include: Doctorate of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) by Yeshiva University and a Doctorate of Laws (Honoris Causa) from Touro College and was honored by, among others, State of Israel Bonds for his “valiant and extraordinary service to Israel and the Jewish people,” the Private Sector Initiative Award from President Ronald Reagan, American ORT honored him with a special “Man of the Millennium” Tribute, the first Quittman Award for Jewish Professional Excellence, the Defender of Jerusalem Award, Millender Fellow at Brandeis University, Fellow of the Jerusalem College of Technology, the Jack D. Weiler Award for Jewish Communal Service, and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations National Service Award. Malcolm played a key role in organizing the massive National Solidarity Rally for Israel in Washington, DC.
RABBI JOSH WEINBERG
Rabbi Josh Weinberg serves as the Vice President of the URJ for Israel and Reform Zionism and is the Executive Director of ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America. He was ordained from the HUC-JIR Israeli Rabbinic Program in Jerusalem, and is currently living in New York. Josh previously served as the Director of the Israel program for the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and as a faculty member of NFTY-EIE High School in Israel teaching Jewish History. Josh is a reserve officer in the IDF spokesperson’s unit, has hiked the Israel-trail, and came on Aliyah to Israel in 2003. Originally from Chicago, he has a B.A. from University of Wisconsin in Hebrew Literature, Political Science and International Relations, and an M.A. at the Hebrew University in Jewish Education. Josh has taught and lectured widely throughout Israel, the U.S. and Europe, as well as on Kivunim and Shnat Netzer gap-year programs. He has led numerous tours and trained tour educators for the Reform movement’s Israel experiences.
