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Ken Bialkin Panel: The Current Events Facing The State of Israel
August 15, 2021 @ 10:00 am–11:00 am
moderated by Rabbi Josh Franklin
Jewish Center of the Hamptons is proud to continue the tradition began over 15 years ago by our member, Ken Bialkin z”l, of hosting a panel discussion on Israel and the Middle East. Our panel of experts from varying fields will be moderated by Rabbi Josh Franklin. Each year our guests share insights that elucidate our understanding of Israeli politics, antisemitism, and Jewish identity. Don’t miss this staple of the Summer Institute.
This event is open to the public.
Jewish Center of the Hamptons gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Bialkin Family Foundation.
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Kenneth J. BialkinMr. Bialkin 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. More > 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.” < Less |
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Amanda BermanAmanda 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.More > Amanda writes on Jewish and civil rights issues and is a media contributor across various mediums and outlets. She has spoken and presented before diverse audiences including Hadassah, JNF, B’nei Brith, Jewish Federation, AIPAC, JCRC, Hillel, and many others. She is a graduate of the Anti-Defamation League’s Glass Leadership Institute, the recipient of Hadassah’s prestigious Myrtle Wreath Award, and was listed by the Algemeiner as one of the top “100 people positively contributing to Jewish life” in 2018. She previously served for 5 years as an Executive Board Member at Friends of the IDF, Young Leadership NY. Amanda graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Diplomatic History and a Master of Governmental Administration and received her Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where she was a Public Service Scholar; served in the Bet Tzedek Legal Services Clinic, providing legal services to the underrepresented; served in the Advanced Human Rights Clinic, providing legal services to immigrants and refugees; sat on the Executive Board of the Cardozo Advocates for Battered Women; and was a Fellow in the Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Clinic. She practiced securities litigation at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP before dedicating her career to the advancement and protection of the Jewish people and the Zionist community. < Less |
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Stephen M. GreenbergStephen M. 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, rising to the position of Executive Assistant. Thereafter, Steve became one of the founding partners in Robinson, Wayne & Greenberg, then a leading Newark law firm. More > After a career in private practice, Steve entered the corporate world, serving as Chairman and CEO of NET2Phone, Inc. and IDT Spectrum, both New Jersey-based technology companies. In April 2015, Steve was elected the 29th Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the central coordinating body on international and national concerns for 50 National Jewish Organizations. Immediately prior to his election, he was the Chairman of the National Coalition for Eurasian Jewry (NCSEJ). Steve was Chairman of 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. < Less |
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Malcolm I. HoenleinIn June 1986, 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. Previously, he served as the founding Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New York, the central coordinating agency for Jewish organizations in the metropolitan New York area. Prior to that, he was the founding Executive Director of the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry. More > Malcolm Hoenlein received his B.A. in Political Science from Temple University and completed his Masters degree and doctoral course work from the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of International Relations. 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. Malcolm has traveled throughout the world meeting with world leaders and Jewish communities. He has written and lectured across the US and abroad on international relations, Israel and Middle East affairs, Soviet and World Jewry, terrorism, the American Jewish community, and intergroup relations. Malcolm serves as an advisor to many public officials and is frequently consulted on public policy issues. He appears regularly in the media. Malcolm has been the recipient of many awards and tributes. Among recent honors, he was conferred a 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. The Mayor of Jerusalem announced in 2007 that the City Council had designated Malcolm recipient of the city’s highest tribute, the “Neeman Yerushalayim” (Trustee of Jerusalem) award. Malcolm was appointed by three Presidents as a U.S. delegate to the Organization for Security and Conference in Europe, most recently in June 2007. He also served on the New York State Ethical Standards Board. Malcolm is associated with and serves on the boards of many communal, educational and civic organizations including the Council on Foreign Relations. He is Chairman of America’s Voices in Israel and Co-Chair of the Secure Community Network. He serves on the Boards of Directors or Advisory Boards of several companies. . < Less |
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Rabbi Josh WeinbergRabbi 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. More > 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. In addition to being a STorahtelling “Mayven,” Josh has a passion for the environment and spends lots of time outdoors hiking and climbing, playing music and volleyball. Josh is passionate about anything connected to Israel and hopes to strengthen the connection between the Reform movement and the Jewish State. He is married to Mara Sheftel Getz, and is the proud abba of Noa, Ella, Mia, and Alma. < Less |