Z3 Events
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Z3@TUCSON
Z3@TUCSON
Join us for the 2nd annual Z3@Tucson conference, one of several Z3@ gatherings taking place in communities across the country
Z3 creates space for Jews to explore the questions that shape our identity, our relationship with Israel and our shared Jewish future—through dialogue, curiosity and a diversity of perspectives. Together, we’ll ask:
• What can our Jewish story teach us about navigating challenging and uncertain moments?
• What does it mean to be an American Jew in this moment?
• How can we tell our Jewish story in ways that feel meaningful and relevant today?
Come ready to learn, wrestle, listen and imagine what comes next.
Z3@Tucson is made possible with thanks to the Tucson J Patron of the Arts Society. Z3@Tucson is presented in partnership with the Weintraub Israel Center, a partnership between JPSA and the Tucson J. Z3 Project is an initiative of the Oshman Family JCC. Z3 is a registered trademark.
Z3 Conference 2026
Z3 Conference 2026
The Z3 Conference is our public square: a place to celebrate, wrestle with big ideas and dream boldly about what comes next.
At a moment when questions of Jewish power, vulnerability, belonging and responsibility are impossible to avoid, the Z3 Conference creates a Jewish public square where we don't just discuss them, we claim them. We'll encounter competing perspectives, argue through hard choices, and decide together what we're responsible for building next.
Come be part of a community willing to think seriously, disagree honestly, and remain invested in one Jewish people, one shared future.
Can't join us in person? Register for the free livestream and participate from anywhere in the world.
Follow Z3 for speaker announcements, program updates and the latest conference news. Visit z3project.org for more info.
A Conversation with Z3 Adjunct Fellow Shivi Greenfield
A Conversation with Z3 Adjunct Fellow Shivi Greenfield
Join Z3 Adjunct Fellow Shivi Greenfield and Z3 Institute Director David Hazony for a webinar conversation on Shivi's new book, "A Jewish Tale of Love".
About our speaker:
Dr. Shivi Greenfield is a political theorist and advisor who writes about collective identity, belonging and the search for meaning in modern Jewish life. He is the author of the book, A Jewish Tale of Love: On Meaning, Defiance and the Fate of a People, published by Wicked Son in partnership with the Z3 Project. He is the founding director of JEDAI, an initiative using AI to reimagine Jewish education around the world, and previously served as chief strategy officer and deputy director general of the Jewish Agency, leading global planning and strategy across dozens of countries.
Shivi holds a Ph.D. in political theory from Oxford University and has held research positions at NYU Law School and the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute. He is a fellow of the Z3 Institute for Jewish Priorities and the author of Judaism and Liberalism, originally published in Hebrew. He lives in Israel with his family.
Choosing Hope: A conversation with Luai Ahmed
Choosing Hope: A conversation with Luai Ahmed
Join Luai Ahmed, one of the Middle East's most distinctive emerging voices, for a timely conversation with Rabbi Amitai Fraiman, Founding Director of Z3. Born and raised in Yemen and now based in Sweden, Ahmed has become a leading advocate for coexistence, challenging extremism, antisemitism and misinformation while offering a hopeful vision for the future of the region. Together, they will explore identity, freedom, dialogue and what it takes to build bridges across some of today's deepest divides.
The Z3 Project is happy to partner with StandWithUs for this event.
About our speaker:
Luai Ahmed is a 32-year old Yemeni journalist and content creator. He was born and raised in the capital of Sanaa, and moved to Sweden when he was 20 years old in 2014 where he has been living since. He worked as a columnist and journalist at the local Swedish newspaper Bulletin where he focused on integration, migration, and radical Islam. In 2024, and after he started making content in English, he worked as a host for Builders of the Middle East, an online content hub that fosters interfaith kinship, and fights extremism, radicalization, fake news, antisemitism, and racism on the internet.
War, Destiny and Responsibility: Israel and the Future of Jewish Peoplehood
War, Destiny and Responsibility: Israel and the Future of Jewish Peoplehood
Israel and the Jewish people are living through one of the most consequential and uncertain periods in recent history. What began in the aftermath of October 7 has evolved into a broader and more volatile regional conflict, including direct confrontation with Iran, reshaping the security landscape and reverberating across Jewish communities worldwide.
Join Zack Bodner, President and CEO of the Oshman Family JCC, as he interviews acclaimed author and Shalom Hartman Institute Senior Fellow Yossi Klein Halevi in a wide-ranging public conversation about how this historic moment is transforming Israeli society and redefining the meaning of Jewish peoplehood. Together they will explore questions of resilience, moral responsibility, solidarity and the evolving relationship between Israel and Jews around the world.
This timely program offers an opportunity to step back from daily headlines and engage thoughtfully with the deeper challenges and possibilities shaping Jewish life in the months and years ahead.
The Z3 Project is proud to partner with the Shalom Hartman Institute for this event.
About our speaker:
Yossi Klein Halevi is a Senior Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, the author of The New York Times bestseller, Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor and co-host of the Institute’s award-winning podcast, For Heaven’s Sake, with Donniel Hartman. He is also the author of Like Dreamers: The Story of the Israeli Paratroopers Who Reunited Jerusalem and Divided a Nation, which won the Jewish Book Council’s Everett Book of the Year Award. Together with Imam Abdullah Antepli of Duke University, he founded and directed the Institute’s Muslim Leadership Initiative. Yossi writes for the op-ed pages of leading American newspapers and is a former Contributing Editor of The New Republic. Yossi was born in New York. He has a B.A. in Jewish studies from Brooklyn College and an M.S. in journalism from Northwestern University. He moved to Israel in 1982, and lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Sarah, who is an astrologer. They have three children.
Z3@MIAMI
Z3@MIAMI
The Z3 Conference is a one-day event for the Jewish community, fostering dialogue between American Jewry and Israel. For nearly a decade, it has facilitated discussions on complex topics, featuring keynote speakers, workshops, and engaging activities. Now, the MARJCC is bringing the Z3 Conference to South Florida, aiming to connect our multicultural community with Israel.
• Kosher Lunch
• Coffee Bars & Refreshments throughout the day
• Adult Track and Teen Track available
General Admission tickets will be subjected to price changes as we approach to the event. Here below is the breakdown:
Early Bird (Dec 2, 2025 – Mar 30, 2026): $118
General Admission (Mar 31 – Apr 6, 2026): $136
Last Chance (Apr 7 – Apr 26, 2026): $154
At the Door: $172
Z3@CINCINNATI
Z3@CINCINNATI
Z3@Cincinnati brings the spirit of the national Z3 Conference to our community. The Z3 Conference is where Jews from across the political and religious spectrum come together to have real conversations about Israel, Zionism, power, identity and the future of Jewish life. Z3@Cincinnati is our local version. Built by the Mayerson JCC and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, this event reflects the voices, questions and realities of Jewish life in Cincinnati. Together, we’re creating a space for bold conversation, honest listening and staying in the room when it’s difficult.
What to expect at Z3 @ Cincinnati:
Hear Omer Shem Tov’s inspirational story of resilience and positivity as an act of resistance.
Learn from thought leaders such as Elior Levy (Israeli TV reporter), Dr. Muli Peleg (University of Cincinnati), Tzach Shmuely (Community Shliach), Charlie Covit (current Harvard Student), Shayna Kling (Cincinnatian who works at University of Miami (FL) Hillel), and Shanie Reichman (Israel Policy Forum).
Shop in our shuk (market) of handmade products from Israel.
See how the Z3 came to be a visionary movement for the next chapter of Israel and Jewish Peoplehood.
Participate in the global conversation of what the Jewish future looks like.
Identity, Influence and Storytelling: Nas Daily and Aija Mayrock in Conversation with Amy Albertson
Identity, Influence and Storytelling: Nas Daily and Aija Mayrock in Conversation with Amy Albertson
Join us for a special event with Nas Daily and Aija Mayrock in conversation with Amy Albertson as they explore the power of storytelling. Today, thanks to social media, a single story can reach millions, and shape how cultures, communities and identities are understood around the world.
Israeli Arab, Nuseir Yassin, known globally as Nas Daily, built an audience of more than 70 million followers by sharing short videos that highlight shared humanity across cultures and borders. What began as a personal storytelling project grew into Nas Company, a global media ecosystem dedicated to helping people around the world tell their stories and connect beyond politics and conflict.
Jewish content creator and author, Aija Mayrock has built her own global platform by exploring identity through storytelling. Her widely viewed series “Jews Around the World” takes viewers inside Jewish communities across continents, uncovering untold stories and revealing the diversity of Jewish life in the modern world.
Moderated by Amy Albertson, Nuseir and Aija will reflect on how identity shapes the stories they tell, how digital creators navigate complex cultural and political realities and what responsibility comes with influencing millions of people online. Together, they’ll explore the power of storytelling to bridge communities, challenge assumptions and help audiences see both themselves and others in new ways.
This event is brought to you by the Z3 Project and the ICC.
Young adult pricing is available here.
For Such a Time as This: A Conversation with Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove
For Such a Time as This: A Conversation with Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove
Join us for a timely and searching conversation with Rabbi Elliot J. Cosgrove, Senior Rabbi of Park Avenue Synagogue and one of the leading voices of American Jewry, as he reflects on his new book, For Such a Time as This: On Being Jewish Today. Rabbi Cosgrove will be interviewed by Barry Finestone, President and CEO of the Jim Joseph Foundation, whose work has shaped Jewish education and leadership across the country.
Written in the aftermath of October 7, For Such a Time as This confronts a rupture that has reshaped Jewish consciousness worldwide. The book explores the stark rise in antisemitism, the evolving relationship between Israel and American Jewry, and the enduring question of how Jews understand themselves in a world that has repeatedly turned against them. Yet alongside fear and fracture, Rabbi Cosgrove identifies something equally powerful: a renewed sense of Jewish connection, responsibility and peoplehood.
Drawing on Jewish history, tradition and lived experience, Rabbi Cosgrove brings warmth, clarity and moral seriousness to questions with no easy answers. In conversation with Barry Finestone, he will explore what this moment demands of Jewish leaders, institutions and individuals, and how Jewish life can remain rooted, courageous and purposeful in uncertain times.
This program offers an opportunity not only to hear from two deeply thoughtful leaders, but to reflect together on what it means to be Jewish now—and how we carry our values, commitments and community forward, for such a time as this.
A copy of For Such a Time as This is included in your ticket purchase and will be provided at the event.
London Launch: “Be a Refusenik: A Jewish Student’s Survival Guide”
London Launch: Be a Refusenik: A Jewish Student’s Survival Guide
Join us for the London launch of Z3 Senior Fellow Izabella Tabarovsky’s new book, Be a Refusenik: A Jewish Student’s Survival Guide.
The Z3 Project and the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism are proud to host the London launch of this timely and urgent new book, featuring a conversation with the author, followed by audience Q&A and book signing.
Admission includes a copy of Be a Refusenik.
“Be a Refusenik: A Jewish Student’s Survival Guide” Jerusalem Launch Event
Be a Refusenik: A Jewish Student’s Survival Guide Jerusalem Launch Event
At a time when Jewish students are pressured to hide their identity, Be a Refusnik connects today’s struggles with the courage of the Soviet Jews who refused to abandon theirs.
Join us January 5 for the book’s Jerusalem launch, featuring a special conversation with author Izabella Tabarovsky, foreword writer Natan Sharansky and activist Noah Shufutinsky, moderated by Z3 Institute Director David Hazony. Together, they’ll explore what the refusenik legacy can teach a new generation about strength, clarity and standing firm.
Join us in-person at the Menachem Begin Center or on Zoom.
Z3@SAN
Tapestry Presents: Z3@SAN | Z3 Project: Building the Jewish Future Together
Building on the legacy of their Tapestry event, which for years brought the community together for a day of Jewish learning and connection, this program carries that vision forward in a new way. The Z3 Conference brings Jews from across the political and religious spectrum together to explore Israel, Zionism, identity and the future of Jewish life. Z3@ brings that spirit to San Diego. Built by the Lawrence Family JCC and shaped by the questions and voices that matter most here.
Saturday, December 6, at 7:00 PM | Young Zionists Panel
As part of the Z3@SAN weekend, the Young Zionists Panel brings together essayists from Young Zionist Voices and emerging leaders from across San Diego for an honest, hopeful look at Zionism today. Together in conversation with Jacob Leibowitz from Hillel of San Diego, these young changemakers will explore what it means to build a meaningful relationship with Israel in the 21st century - one rooted in dialogue, curiosity, and shared values. Expect fresh ideas, bold questions, and heartfelt conversation about identity, connection, and the future of the Jewish people.
LOCATION: Congregation Beth El, 8660 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
Sunday, December 7, at 9:30 AM | Z3@SAN Conference: A Day of Community Dialogue and Learning
Join us for a full day of thought-provoking breakout sessions and community conversations featuring speakers from San Diego and around the world. Together, we’ll explore new ideas about Jewish peoplehood, identity, and the evolving relationship between Israel and global Jewry. Rooted in the mission of the Z3 Project, this day embodies unity without uniformity - bringing diverse voices together to imagine a shared Jewish future.
LOCATION: Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center | JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS
AGENDA:
9:30 AM: Check-in and light breakfast
10:00 AM: Conference Plenary in the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre with Zack Bodner, President & CEO of Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto
11:00 AM: SESSION BLOCK #1 | Select one session to attend
12:30 PM: Lunch & Learn with Charlene Seidle | Lunch will be provided
1:30 PM: SESSION BLOCK #2 | Select one session to attend
2:45 PM: Closing community gathering with drinks, dessert and music!
*Ticket includes Saturday panel and full Sunday program: light breakfast, sessions, lunch and closing community gathering.*
Z3@TUSCON
Z3@TUSCON
On November 2, 2025, the day before the 30th yahrzeit of Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination, the Tucson J will host an inaugural Z3 conference, bringing together voices from across the Jewish world to explore unity, identity and our shared future.
Attendees will engage with fellow leaders, thinkers and community members. The conference will run from 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM, with a breakfast and several sessions held throughout the morning. The cost is $18 per person, if cost is a barrier please reach out to Jennifer Lorch Selco at [email protected]. Childcare is available upon request. Join us as we engage in real dialogue, explore diverse perspectives and build bridges across political, religious and cultural divides.
The Z3 Conference brings Jews from across the political and religious spectrum together to explore Israel, Zionism, identity and the future of Jewish life. Z3@ brings that spirit to your community. Built by your JCC and shaped by the questions and voices that matter most here.
SCHEDULE:
9:00 AM: Welcome: Registration + Breakfast
9:30 AM: Opening Plenary: Framing the moment
10:45 AM: Breakouts (choose one)
11:30 AM: Closing Plenary: Where do we go from here?
This program is proudly supported by the JCC Association of North America and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, and is presented in partnership with the Weintraub Israel Center, a partnership between Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona and the Tucson J.
Book Event: “The Case for Dual Loyalty”
The Begin Center and the Z3 Project present an event on The Case for Dual Loyalty with Nolan Lebovitz in conversation with David Hazony
“Rabbi Lebovitz responds to rising antisemitism the way our ancestors did: by reaffirming Jewish loyalty” - Yossi Klein Halevi
Nolan Lebovitz, Senior Rabbi at Valley Beth Shalom in Los Angeles and Z3 Adjunct Fellow, responded to October 7 with a call for American Jews to radically change the way they engage with both Israel and the United States. Challenging the trope of 'dual loyalty' commonly cast against Jews in the Diaspora, his book argues that Jews in America and elsewhere should choose to define themselves as no less loyal to their people than to their host nations.
It's a bold proposal, and it stems from a profound commitment to both the Jewish people and the Jewish state, as well as Rabbi Lebovitz's love of America.
The Begin Center, in collaboration with the Z3 Project, is delighted to host the Israeli launch of this courageous new book, with the author in conversation with David Hazony, Director and Steinhardt Senior Fellow at the Z3 Institute.
This event can also be streamed on Zoom. Please note the event will occur in Jerusalem time.
Voices for a Shared Future: Charting a Post-Hamas Future for Israel and Its Neighbors
Join the Israel Policy Forum, the Z3 Project and the ICC@JCC for a timely and thought-provoking conversation featuring Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian voices, offering grounded, firsthand insights into the region they all call home.
This candid discussion will examine the path forward for a post-Hamas Gaza, the unifying threat of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and the deepening tensions between Egypt and Israel amid a prolonged military campaign along a shared border. From security and humanitarian crises to prospects for regional normalization, this conversation will explore how shared interests and pragmatic U.S. diplomacy can help guarantee the stability required to ensure a better tomorrow for all peoples - and Israel’s future as a secure, Jewish and democratic state.
About our speakers:
Neomi Neumann is a visiting fellow at The Washington Institute, focusing on Palestinian affairs. She formerly served as head of the research unit at the Israel Security Agency, or Shin Bet, and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Neumann recently began her doctoral studies at Tel Aviv University.
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib leads Realign For Palestine, an Atlantic Council project that challenges entrenched narratives in the Israel and Palestine discourse and develops a new policy framework for rejuvenated pro-Palestine advocacy. Realign For Palestine aims to cultivate a new generation of Palestinian voices committed to a two-nation solution, nonviolence and radical pragmatism. Alkhatib serves as a resident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Middle East programs, where he writes extensively on Gaza’s political and humanitarian affairs, is an outspoken critic of Hamas and promotes a radically pragmatic approach to peace and Palestinian statehood as the only path forward between Palestinians and Israelis. His writing and opinions have been published and featured across the US, Israeli and international press, and his views are prominently featured across social media platforms. Alkhatib holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Intelligence and National Security Studies. He grew up in Gaza City and left Gaza in 2005 to attend college in the United States as an exchange student. Much of Ahmed’s experience is influenced by having grown up in Gaza during the Oslo peace process—and during the difficulties resulting from Oslo’s failure—and the rise of Hamas and Islamism in Gaza.
Haisam Hassanein is an adjunct fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he analyzes Israel’s relations with Arab states and Muslim countries. Previously, he was a research fellow at the Washington Institute, where he focused on Egyptian-Israeli relations and U.S. policy toward the Middle East. He has published in The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Foreign Affairs, The National Interest, the Hill magazine, the New York Daily News and The Jerusalem Post, to name a few. Hassanein earned his M.A. in Middle Eastern & African history from Tel Aviv University. He was the first Egyptian to be named a graduate school valedictorian by an Israeli academic institution. Haisam knows Hebrew, Arabic and English.
David Halperin is the CEO of Israel Policy Forum, an organization committed to educating community leaders and mobilizing policymakers in support of pragmatic proposals to advance the goal of a viable two-state outcome to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, consistent with Israel’s security. He was instrumental in the rebirth of Israel Policy Forum’s work in 2012, expanding the organization’s work by creating innovative partnerships with an array of policy and communal organizations nationwide. He has previously worked as a Middle East Policy Analyst at the Center for American Progress and as a reporter for Ha’aretz English Edition in Israel. He has an MPA with a focus on International Relations from Columbia University’s School for International and Public Affairs (SIPA), where he was a member of the International Fellows Program (IFP). He is a founding board member of the Salla Treatment and Research Foundation. He has a BA in Political Science and Judaic Studies from the University of Arizona. Originally from Phoenix, AZ, he now lives with his wife and two kids in Riverdale, NY.
Bagels and coffee will be served at 10:00 AM PDT. The program will begin at 10:30 AM PDT.
This event is sponsored by IPF, Daryl Messinger and Jim Heeger.
Young Zionists Take Up the Fight
Hadassah Magazine panel discussion with Rabbi Ashira Boxman, Yocheved Ruttenberg, David Hazony and Adina Frydman
Join us on June 18 when Hadassah Magazine Executive Editor Lisa Hostein moderates a panel discussion with young women speaking up for Israel today as well as some leaders working with Gen Z communities.
Guests include Yocheved Ruttenberg, winner of the Z3 Bridge Builder Award 2024 and co-founder of the 40,000-strong Facebook group “Swords of Iron”; Reform Rabbi Ashira Boxman, contributor in Young Zionist Voices: A New Generation Speaks Out; David Hazony, Director of the Z3 Institute for Jewish Priorities; and Adina Frydman, CEO of Young Judaea, the oldest Zionist youth movement in America.
Building Alliances in a Post-10/7 World
SAPIR webinar conversation with David Hazony, Amy Spitalnick and Bret Stephens
In a time of rising antisemitism, extremism and anti-Zionist sentiment, are we too discerning about our allies? Or does the moment demand that Jews hold fast to our values and insist that our partners share them?
Join David Hazony, Director of the Z3 Institute for Jewish Priorities, and Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, for a conversation with SAPIR’s Editor-in-Chief Bret Stephens about the challenges and opportunities of forging alliances and building coalitions in a post-10/7 world.
Event will begin at 10:00 AM PST, 1:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM IDT
Book Event: “Ghosts of a Holy War”
The Begin Center and the Z3 Project present an event on Ghosts of a Holy War with Yardena Schwartz in conversation with David Hazony
“If you are going to read one book to help you understand the current Middle East tragedy, this is it.” - Yossi Klein Halevi
In 1929, in the sacred city of Hebron—then governed by the British Mandate of Palestine— Jews and Muslims lived peacefully near the burial place of Abraham, patriarch of the Jewish and Arab nations, until one Saturday morning when nearly 70 Jewish men, women and children were slaughtered by their Arab neighbors. The Hebron massacre was a seminal event in the Arab-Israeli conflict, key to understanding its complexities. The echoes of 1929 in Hamas’s massacre of October 7, 2023, illustrate how little has changed.
Noted journalist Yardena Schwartz draws on her extensive research and wide-ranging interviews with both sides to tell a timely, eye-opening story. She expertly weaves the war between Israel and Hamas into a historical framework, demonstrating how the conflict today cannot be understood without the context of Arab anti-Jewish violence dating back more than a century.
This event can also be streamed on Zoom. Please note the event will occur in Jerusalem time.
Forgotten Frontlines: A Jewish Journey from War to Identity
The Z3 Project presents a dialogue with Gregg Roman on advocacy and Jewish identity.
Whether you’re a policy enthusiast, community advocate or simply alarmed by the spike in anti-Jewish hostility, this talk will challenge, inspire and illuminate how every individual can become a frontline defender of Jewish life and identity.
Gregg Roman will explore how asymmetrical harassment—manifested in social media vitriol, campus intimidation and brazen acts of hate—demands an equally resolute, multifaceted response. He will offer candid insights into harnessing political advocacy, communal resilience and vibrant Jewish engagement to counter the rising tide of antisemitism.
In the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, Jewish communities across the globe have found themselves under an alarming surge of antisemitic hatred. While international headlines focus on the conflict in Gaza, the lived reality for American Jews—on college campuses, in communal institutions and online—often goes overlooked. In this compelling talk, Gregg Roman will share his journey from his early years in suburban Pennsylvania to his transformative time on Israeli frontlines, in the Knesset and within influential policy organizations. Drawing on firsthand experiences that span physical war zones and the more insidious battlegrounds of antisemitic rhetoric, Roman argues that the U.S. Jewish community is the “forgotten front” in a global struggle for Jewish identity.
About Our Speaker:
Gregg Roman is the Director and Chief Operations Officer of the Middle East Forum, previously directing the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. In 2014, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency named him one of the “ten most inspiring global Jewish leaders,” and he previously served as the political advisor to the Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel and worked for the Israeli Ministry of Defense. A frequent speaker on Middle East affairs, Mr. Roman appears on international news channels such as Fox News, i24NEWS, Al-Jazeera, BBC World News and Israel’s Channels 12 and 13. He studied national security and political communications at American University and the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya and has contributed to The Hill, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, the Miami Herald and the Jerusalem Post.
Bringing Peace to the Middle East: A Dialogue with Loay Alshareef
Join us for an urgent and inspiring conversation on peace, education and diplomacy with renowned Arab peace activist Loay Alshareef.
The Z3 Project is thrilled to partner with Israel Bonds for this event.
Gain firsthand insights on the pressing issues in the Middle East and how to engage even the most radicalized mind with Arab peace activist Loay Alshareef. Hear critical perspectives from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.
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About Our Speaker:
Loay Alshareef is a beacon of positivity in today’s world. Loay is a distinguished linguist and educator based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with a profound passion for both modern and ancient Semitic languages, particularly Arabic, Hebrew and Syriac.
Born and raised in Saudi Arabia within a religious Muslim background, Loay was initially exposed to negative views about Jews and Israel. However, his perspective began to shift during his studies in France, where he lived with a Jewish host family. This transformative experience challenged and ultimately reshaped his views, inspiring him to actively counter antisemitic disinformation and support initiatives like the Abraham Accords.
Since 2012, Loay has been creating and producing educational content on YouTube, focusing on language, history and cultural understanding. He aims to leverage his deep knowledge of Judeo-Arabic heritage to foster better relations between Arabs and Jews, contributing to a future of mutual respect and cooperation.
Book Launch: The Builder’s Stone
The October 7 attack on Israel presented the West with a choice between civilization and barbarism—a challenge the West has failed.
But this damaged society is far from lost if it takes advice from an unexpected source: the Jewish people., with its unique toolkit for cultural resilience and survival.
That is the bold thesis of the new book by Melanie Phillips, British journalist, broadcaster and author, and trenchant defender of Israel.
The Begin Center will be hosting the Israeli launch of The Builder's Stone, with Melanie Phillips in conversation with David Hazony – writer, editor and Director of the Z3 Institute for Jewish Priorities.
This event can also be streamed on Zoom.
"The New Jew: Days of War" - North American Premiere and Q&A
Join us for the North American Premiere of the critically acclaimed The New Jew: Days of War. Following the screening, movie creator Moshe Samuels will join community members for a Q&A panel.
The Z3 Project is thrilled to partner with the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival for this event.
Film Synopsis:
The New Jew: Days of War follows Israeli comedian Guri Alfi as he embarks on a journey to explore the profound impact of October 7 on the identity, security and status of Jews in the United States. Through intimate personal stories—from families of hostages and individuals confronting rising antisemitism to young Jews grappling with intergenerational divides on Israel—the film makes these complex issues accessible to a broader audience. It delves into key developments after October 7, including the isolation felt by many American Jews, the rise in hate crimes and the growing quest for renewed belonging within their communities. Guided by Guri Alfi’s signature mix of empathy and humor, the film masterfully balances deep emotional resonance with moments of levity, offering a message of hope in challenging times. This film serves as a sequel to the critically acclaimed 2021 TV miniseries The New Jew, which earned widespread praise in Israel and at film festivals across the United States.
About the movie creator:
Moshe Samuels has extensive experience as an emissary and educator in Israel and the United States. In recent years, he has served as the CEO of Shazur/Interwoven, a nonprofit organization established to connect Israelis with American Jewry and help bridge the gap between the two significant centers of the Jewish world today. Throughout his career, Moshe has traveled across the globe, leading workshops, staff training and seminars for diverse Jewish communities. The idea for The New Jew was inspired by the meaningful encounters he experienced during his travels, which have profoundly shaped his Jewish and Israeli identity.
Joel Swedlove, Ilana Pearlman, and Keren-Or Reiss are three community members featured in the film. The Z3 Project is thrilled to host these individuals as part of our Q&A panel.
Joel Swedlove served as the Director of Youth Programs and Informal Education for Temple Beth-El (San Antonio, TX) from June 2016 to 2020 before becoming the synagogue’s first Director of Strategic Engagement. Prior to his time in Texas, he worked at the Adelson Educational Campus in Las Vegas, NV as a Jewish Music Teacher, Athletics Assistant and Coach. Joel has gained significant experience in informal education having spent his summers as a song leader, unit head and program director for Camps Alonim, Hess Kramer and JCC Maccabi Sports Camp, respectively. Joel grew up in the Reform movement from his early summers at Camp Swig and Newman to serving as Religious and Cultural VP on NFTY Southern California’s Regional Board. Upon graduating high school he served as youth group advisor and director for congregations throughout Southern California and Las Vegas. Joel has an M.S. in Organizational Leadership & Innovation from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and received his B.S. in Communications from the University of Phoenix. He has a deep love of movies, comic books and sports. Joel is the proud father of two boys, Ethan and Alexander.
Ilana Pearlman lives in Berkeley, California with her husband and 3 children, where she works as a Nurse Midwife. Ilana was always active in Jewish life, but her efforts dramatically increased post-October 7, when she witnessed antisemitism in her children's public schools. Ilana, along with other parents, formed Berkeley Jews in School, a grassroots group of Jewish parents committed to fighting antisemitism and antizionism within our public schools. Amongst many accomplishments, Ilana worked directly with the Brandeis Center to file a federal civil rights complaint against Berkeley Unified School District, leading to the very first national congressional hearing on antisemitism in K-12 schools. Ilana has also traveled to Washington DC, providing congressional briefings on the retaliatory harassment she and others have endured, as a result of their activism.
Keren-Or Reiss is an Israeli-Jewish American mother, grassroots and community leader in San Mateo County and a product manager leader in healthcare and finance. Keren-Or is the Co-founder of the Fighting Antisemitism Squad, a WhatsApp group that began with just five members and has grown to 400, with additional community groups forming teams to combat antisemitism successfully in our San Mateo school districts, city councils and boards and collaborating with other grassroots leaders across the bay to create safer space for our kids.
"Torn": Movie Screening and Q&A
In his groundbreaking film Torn,
Israeli-American filmmaker Nim Shapira delves into the controversy surrounding the 'KIDNAPPED' poster campaign in New York City following October 7—a grassroots effort to raise awareness about the 240 hostages taken by Hamas. These posters quickly became polarizing symbols, sparking intense clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine activists and turning the city’s streets into ideological and emotional battlegrounds.
Through rare, intimate glimpses into the lives of hostage families, Torn examines the motivations of activists putting up and tearing down the posters, unraveling the complexities of this intense 'paper-arm' proxy war, fought thousands of miles from the actual conflict. With an urgent and raw approach, Shapira's compelling debut unravels the complexities of a conflict fought across continents, revealing the emotional depth behind every poster.
About the Filmmaker and Speaker
Nim Shapira is an award-winning Brooklyn based filmmaker. His work has been featured at Tribeca, Venice and Cannes and he had the honor of being a research fellow at MIT’s Open Documentary Lab. Torn is his first feature documentary which he wrote, produced and directed.
Young Zionist Voices—London Launch
In the aftermath of October 7 and the surge of antisemitism that followed,
a new generation of Jewish leaders has risen to take action. Young Zionist Voices brings them together for the first time: 31 campus activists, young professionals, thought leaders and rabbis from the US, UK, Israel and around the world committed to a strong, proud and prosperous Jewish future.
David Hazony, the editor of this groundbreaking essay collection, hailed by Yossi Klein Halevi as “a gift of hope”, joins in conversation with essay contributors Oliver Anisfeld, founder of the YouTube channel J-TV, and Noah Katz, chair of the Board of Deputies’ Under 35 Assembly, in a conversation moderated by Natasha Hausdorff, legal director of UK Lawyers for Israel.
Young Zionist Voices - Brooklyn Launch
Join us for a crucial conversation with inspiring young Jewish leaders who have emerged as powerful voices against antisemitism and anti-Zionism on campus. Moderated by award-winning author and editor David Hazony and with contributing writers Alissa Bernstein and Bella Ingber, this essential discussion will offer vital insights for families navigating today's academic environment. High school and college students are especially encouraged to attend with their parents.
About the Book: On elite campuses across the Western world, Jewish students suddenly find themselves threatened, alone, and unsupported by faculty and administration. This timely collection of essays by young activists and thinkers offers a core of ideas to lead the next generation—one filled with Jewish pride, passion for Israel, and Zionist resilience in the face of a global assault on their identity, homeland, and heritage.
Young Zionist Voices - Manhattan Launch
After 10/7 and the antisemitism that followed, many young Jews across America chose to fight back. A new book, YOUNG ZIONIST VOICES, brings together young activists and thinkers armed with ideas to lead the next generation of Jews. The book's editor, David Hazony, will join us along with contributors to discuss what's needed for a proud and thriving Jewish future. Cohosted by the Z3 Project.
Join Young Zionist Voices at Tribeca Synagogue for an enlightening panel discussion with Ashira Boxman, David Hazony, Maya Platek and Talia Bodner.
On elite campuses across the Western world, Jewish students suddenly find themselves threatened, alone, and unsupported by faculty and administration. This timely collection of essays by young activists and thinkers offers a core of ideas to lead the next generation—one filled with Jewish pride, passion for Israel, and Zionist resilience in the face of a global assault on their identity, homeland, and heritage.
Miami, FL - Z3@MIAMI
Z3@MIAMI is a premier East Coast event bringing together some of the brightest minds for a day filled with in-depth dialogue on the most pressing issues facing American Jewry and Israel.
Hear from speakers across the U.S. and Israel, including Jewish leaders, activists, educators, academics, journalists, politicians, artists and comedians. Featured speakers include the following and more:
Keynote speaker Prof. Gil Troy, historian and author of books like The Essential Guide to October 7th and The Zionist Ideas. He writes on Zionism and American history and has contributed to The Jerusalem Post, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
Dave Rubin, Host of The Rubin Report
Efrat Lachter, Investigative Journalist and a War Correspondent for Fox News Digital
The day includes a Kosher lunch, and both Adult and Teen Learning tracks are available. Everyone will receive a complimentary copy of Keynote Speaker Gil Troy’s Book, To Resist the Academic Intifada: Letters to My Students On Defending the Zionist Dream.
Daycare options are available (Extra charge $36/child includes Kosher lunch and snacks).
Next-Gen Zionism: Bold Conversations for a Changing World
Join Young Zionist Voices at Sinai Temple for an enlightening panel discussion with Alissa Bernstein, David Hazony, Zack Bodner and Rabbi David Wolpe.
This in-person event will discuss the future of Jewish identity and Israel in an ever-evolving global landscape.
Each ticket provides you access to the pre-reception and a copy of Young Zionist Voices: A New Generation Speaks Out.
Austin, TX - Z3@AUSTIN
Z3@AUSTIN invites participants to explore complex and thought-provoking topics in an environment that embraces nuance, curiosity and open discussions. Whether you are a passionate Zionist, or one that has conflicting feelings about your connection to Israel, Z3 Austin provides a supportive space to lean into the tension and grow together.
This year’s programming will feature an inspiring array of leading Jewish leaders from across the country and Israel and includes activists against antisemitism, journalists, student voices, Jewish educators, comedians, and other voices from the Jewish world.
Breakout panel topics include the following, and more!
Living at the Intersection of Zionism and Americanism
Building Community Resistance Post October 7: A Practical Workshop For Taking Responsibility
Up Close and Personal: Understanding Israel’s Internal Challenges
Intergenerational Gap: Where are Our Children and Grandchildren When it Comes to Israel?
Young Zionist Voices — Global Digital Launch Event
Where: Zoom
When: Tuesday, January 28 at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK / 8pm Israel
Cost: Free, Registration Required
Meet the faces behind Young Zionist Voices, the best-selling new essay collection that Israeli President Isaac Herzog lists as his #1 recommendation for books on Judaism! Join us on Zoom to hear from the Gen-Zionist leaders of tomorrow as they pave the way for young Jews to feel empowered around the world:
Shabbos Kestenbaum, student activist and plaintiff against Harvard alleging pervasive and systemic antisemitism
Adela Cojab, attorney and plaintiff against NYU for neglecting Jewish student safety
Alissa Bernstein, Assistant Director of the American Jewish Committee Los Angeles
Shanie Reichman, Director of IPF Atid at Israel Policy Forum
Oz Bin Nun, Hebrew University Student and current IDF commander in the Egoz Commando Unit
The future of Zionism is in good hands – Tap into the Jewish future and sign up now to be part of the conversation!
Crash Course on Israel: What Has Changed Since October 7?
We are delighted that Charlotte Korchak will be joining us on Sunday morning, January 26 (via Zoom from Jerusalem) to bring us up to date on what has changed in Israel since the tragedy of October 7. She will discuss key developments, such as the wars with Hamas and Hezbollah, attacks from and against Iran, the effect on the Israeli and Palestinian people and leaders, the impact on the Middle East, the Abraham Accords and more. The lecture and Q&A are free, but registration is required.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Charlotte about what has changed since October 7.
This program is presented by Beth Am JIAC and co-sponsored by:
Congregation Beth Ami Israel Committee (Santa Rosa)
Congregation Beth Jacob (Redwood City)
Congregation Kol Emeth (Palo Alto)
Jewish Silicon Valley
Z3 Project of Oshman Family JCC
About Our Speaker
Charlotte Korchak is a dynamic teacher. She is the Senior Educator and Director of International Programs for StandWithUs Israel where she educates students from around the world in Israeli history and combatting antisemitism. Charlotte received her BA in Middle Eastern History from USC. She asserts that both peoples, Jews and Arabs have a history. The truth lies in this complexity, not in the simplicity of one side or the other. She has quickly become one of the foremost public speakers in her field, recognized for making complex content engaging, accessible, and meaningful for all ages.