Seiler Family Gymnasium

Omer Fein, Shaun Maguire, Joy Sisisky
Moderated by Michal Lev-Ram

The U.S.–Israel relationship isn’t only political—it’s deeply economic and communal. For decades, American aid and investment have underpinned Israel’s security and growth, while Israeli innovation and resilience have inspired global confidence. Since October 7, both nations and their Jewish communities have demonstrated extraordinary generosity—raising billions, mobilizing networks and proving the power of shared purpose.

But as Israel’s economy evolves and North American Jewish life faces new challenges, questions of mutual investment grow more urgent. What does a truly reciprocal financial and philanthropic relationship look like? How can both sides invest—not just in each other’s survival, but in one another’s strength and sustainability?

Join Omer Fein, Chief Economic Consul to the Western United States, Shaun Maguire, partner at Sequoia Capital and Joy Sisisky, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation Bay Area, for a conversation on how innovation, philanthropy and purpose-driven capital can build a thriving, interdependent Jewish future.

Moderator: Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune contributing editor and host of What’s Your Number?, connects economic trends to community impact with clarity and depth.

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Sun Nov 9 | 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM PST
Breakout Round 2

Schultz Cultural Arts Hall

Dr. Sivan Zakai, Dr. David Bryfman, Rabbi Daniel Lehmann, Ph.D.
Moderated by Sharona Israeli-Roth

Education has always been the beating heart of Jewish life, but today Jewish and Zionist literacy are declining as educators and parents navigate unprecedented social and cultural change. Educators are overextended, parents are conflicted and Jewish and Zionist literacy are struggling to keep up. How can we renew our approach to learning and belonging?

Join Dr. David Bryfman, CEO of the Jewish Education Project and creator of RootOne, Rabbi Daniel Lehmann, Ph.D., head of school at Gideon Hausner and pioneer of pluralistic education and Dr. Sivan Zakai, professor of Jewish Education at Hebrew Union College and author of My Second-Favorite Country. Together, they consider what it will take to inspire a new generation of engaged, ethical and curious Jewish leaders.

Moderator: Sharona Israeli-Roth, President and Executive Director of EarlyJ, frames the conversation through the lens of innovation and early-childhood pedagogy.

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Sun Nov 9 | 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM PST
Breakout Round 2

Community Tent

Dr. Ethan Katz‍ and ‍Izabella Tabarovsky
Moderated by Lori Meyers

Antisemitism, once confined to the fringes of American society, now permeates public life—from universities and media to political movements across the spectrum. Its sources are varied, and its impact is deeply felt.

Join Dr. Ethan Katz, historian and co-founder of UC Berkeley’s Antisemitism Education Initiative and Izabella Tabarovsky, senior advisor at the Wilson Center and Z3 Senior Fellow whose research traces Soviet antizionism and its modern echoes. Together, they examine how this ancient hatred mutates and what it will take to resist it.

Moderator: Lori Meyers, an educator, advocate and community builder, guides this exploration of accountability and action.

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Sun Nov 9 | 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM PST
Breakout Round 2

Freidenrich Conference Center (4th Floor)

Alice Miller, Dr. David Hasan, Maria Jiries
Moderated by Maya Mirsky

The trauma of October 7 and the war that followed left indelible marks on Israel and the Jewish people. Amid grief, rage and fear, some chose to heal, help and work to “see the other” to preserve the humanity threatened by the war itself.

Join Dr. David Hasan, Duke University neurosurgeon and humanitarian leading medical missions into Gaza, Maria Jiries, CEO of the Shittah Institute for Local Policy, advancing shared society through civic leadership and Alice Miller, pioneering aerospace engineer and CEO of NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief, mobilizing volunteers in communities of crisis. Together, they reflect on compassion, courage and conscience in times of war.

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Sun Nov 9 | 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM PST
Breakout Round 2

Pavilion 2

Sefi Kraut

Jewish tradition has long taught that truth is revealed not by silence but by argument, so long as the argument is for the sake of Heaven. That is, not for personal gain, but to reveal the truth.

In today’s polarized world, however, even good people struggle to disagree constructively. This interactive workshop explores what Jewish texts, social psychology and lived experience can teach us about navigating difference with empathy and integrity.

Guided by the Mahloket Matters framework, participants will examine ancient and modern sources, practice the “Sanhedrin Way” of principled debate, and test their skills through real-world case studies—such as whether to “keep or cancel” a controversial speaker. The session offers practical tools for turning conflict into conversation and difference into discovery.

Facilitator: Sefi Kraut, director of Mahloket Matters and veteran Jewish educator, has spent two decades helping learners of all ages transform disagreement into dialogue. Based in Jerusalem, she trains educators, rabbis and communal leaders worldwide in relating Jewish texts and social-emotional insights to the practice of civil discourse.

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Sun Nov 9 | 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM PST
Breakout Round 2