Who will represent Anglos, Diaspora Jewry in the new Knesset?
David Bitan (Likud): He chaired the outgoing Knesset’s Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee, where he was praised for his work on issues that matter to Diaspora Jewry including conversion, religious pluralism and problems integrating immigrants from Ethiopia. Before that he chaired the Jewish People’s Caucus in the Knesset and went on seven trips abroad to Jewish communities organized by the Jewish Agency.Michael Biton (Blue and White): Lived in the US after his army service. Directed the United Israel Appeal (Canada) and Jewish Agency Beersheba Region. As mayor of Yerucham, he advanced his city’s partnership with Miami via the Agency. His wife, Ilana, is the daughter of a Conservative rabbi and has led a Hartman Institute program in Jewish pluralistic learning.Tzachi Hanegbi (Likud): Well versed in issues of religious pluralism, he negotiated the Western Wall agreement on behalf of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the pandemic, an appeals committee he headed helped hundreds of family members of immigrants enter Israel. His wife and children are native English speakers.
if(window.location.pathname.indexOf(“656089”) != -1){console.log(“hedva connatix”);document.getElementsByClassName(“divConnatix”)[0].style.display =”none”;}Sharren Haskel (New Hope): She was born in Toronto and lived in Australia, where she earned a veterinary degree. As an MK, she has championed Diaspora affairs and became the MK most sent abroad by the Knesset to defend Israel in inter-parliamentary events. She chaired the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus in the outgoing parliament.Rabbi Gilad Kariv (Labor): Director of the Reform Movement in Israel for many years, he is committed to using his post as an MK not only to advance religious pluralism but also to represent the Diaspora and English speakers in Israel, regardless of religious affiliation. He vowed to be the emissary of world Jewry in the Knesset.
Yitzhak Pindrus (United Torah Judaism): Born in Jerusalem to immigrants from Cleveland and Boston, he had to renounce his American citizenship when he entered the Knesset as do all MKs. Since then, he has been the voice of English-speaking haredim (ultra-Orthodox) in the Knesset, helping countless English speakers in Israel and abroad during the pandemic.
Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionist Party): He earned his law degree in the joint program of Northwestern University and Tel Aviv University in Israel and Chicago, and has family in the US, Canada and Australia. With a native English-speaking wife and children, he says he “feels at home in the Anglo community,” and wants to be the address of English speakers in Israel.Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid): Focuses on religion and state and advancing tolerant Modern Orthodoxy on issues like the status of women, conversion, Shabbat and kashrut, which has made him a sought after lecturer to Diaspora communities in Israel and organizations abroad. He is one of Yesh Atid’s main voices to English speakers in Israel.Tamar Zandberg (Meretz): She has been active in the Women of the Wall group and comes to their monthly Rosh Hodesh services at the Western Wall wearing a colorful tallit (prayer shawl), which is prominently displayed in her office. She called Meretz the voice of the Jewish Diaspora and religious pluralism in Israel, and said relations with the Jewish world are important to her.
Comments are closed.