Episode 24

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Published on:

18th Dec 2020

#24 - Russell Robinson, CEO of JNF-USA

Ranked by the Jerusalem Post as one of the world’s top 50 most influential Jews, Russell Robinson is the iconic CEO of JNF-USA, one of the Jewish world’s largest and leading philanthropic organizations. Under his leadership, the JNF has proven over and over its influence and impact in Zionist advocacy and education, Jewish community development, environmental work, developing the Negev and the Galilee, Israel travel, and so much more.

In this episode, Dan and Benny talk to Russell about everything from his growing up in the small Jewish community of El Paso, Texas to leading the JNF to become one of the most well-recognized non-profits anywhere, his positive thoughts about the current and future shape and identity of the Jewish Diaspora, JNF’s response to the Covid-19 economic crisis, the truly amazing initiatives and endeavors being developed by the JNF in Israel today, and the challenges of campaign development in the ever-changing reality of the 21^st century.

Links:

#36 – Russell Robinson on the Jerusalem Post’s list of the 50 most influential Jews of 2020

JNF’s Vision – Outlining the organization's strategy of a $1b ‘Roadmap’ for the next decade

JNF’s ‘Go North’ strategic initiative to strengthen and grow the Galilee region, vital for the long-term prosperity of the Jewish homeland.

JNF’s ‘Blueprint Negev’ strategic initiative to revitalize Southern Israel, which calls for the population of the region to double in size and aims to improve quality of life for all its residents and encourage a population shift away from crowded, expensive central Israel.

AMHSI – The Alexander Muss High School in Israel

Visit Israel with JNF

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About the Podcast

Jewanced

A nuanced exploration of Israel, the Jewish world and beyond

Jewanced is hosted by Dan Feferman and Benny Scholder, two guys who grew up in America and live in Israel.
They're curious. They want to discuss. They want to challenge popular conceptions, they want to think critically, examine independently, and most of all, they crave nuance.

Each episode features a different guest. All interesting and original people who strive to break boundaries. Together with Dan and Benny, take a deep dive into politics, foreign affairs, religion, science, technology, food, the arts, business – you name it. Explore the nuanced crossroads of Israel, the global Jewish experience, and beyond.

What's the goal? To create a daring platform where people share their stories, insights, creations, and visions. Jewanced has no talking points, no script, no agenda...just a deeper nuanced understanding of our existence.

Join them on a journey as they explore, think, debate and discuss …. And most of all, listen.

About your hosts

Benny Scholder

With over a decade of experience in Israel's tourism industry, Benny has managed sales, marketing, travel content, digital content, and the operations aspects of tour companies and travel agencies. Today, he is the Director of Sales-North America at Kenes Tours, Israel's leading provider of incoming tourism services, where he is proud to deliver transformative, custom-crafted Israel travel experiences designed to exceed expectations.
Originally from Minneapolis, Benny fell in love with Israel as a young adult, moving to the country in 2004. He has an extensive background in everything Israel-travel related, having completed Israel's intensive tour guide course in 2010. His career spans both logistical, content-related, and sales management positions with major and boutique Israeli tour companies alike. Benny lives with his amazing wife Maayan and two incredible children in the charming village of Gedera. In addition to his passion for transformative travel experiences, he's super passionate about food, modern & ancient history, politics, addictive TV, and game-changing podcasts. Contact him at Benny@jewanced.com

Dan Feferman

Dan Feferman is a Major (res.) in the Israel Defense Forces. For almost a decade, he served as a foreign policy and national security analyst, strategist and adviser in the IDF General Staff; as a special assistant to the Deputy Chief of the General Staff; and a commander in an elite intelligence unit of AMAN's Research and Analysis Division.

He is a fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, a think-tank focusing on issues of importance to Israel and the Jewish people, where he researches religious pluralism in Israel, trends in Jewish identity and Israel-Diaspora relations. He is also a political and strategic consultant and publishes and speaks widely on the Middle East and Israeli defense and political matters.

He is the author of Rising Streams: Reform and Conservative Judaism in Israel, and of a soon-to-be-published book on the changing face of American Judaism.

Dan holds a BA in International Politics and Middle East Studies from the American University in Washington DC and an MA in National Security Studies from Tel Aviv University.

Originally from Indiana, Dan moved to Israel in 2005. He is married to Elisheva, has three amazing kids, and lives in Rehovot. When taking a break, Dan stays busy with Crossfit, martial arts and cooking.