Protecting Democracy at Home and in Israel

An evening with Daniel Sokatch, CEO of the New Israel Fund

 

Wednesday, October 3
7:00 pm

 

Congregation Shaare Emeth

11645 Ladue Road
St. Louis, MO 63141

RSVP Online
You may also RSVP by emailing Abigail@NIF.org or calling 212-613-4417.

 

Cosponsored by:
Congregation B’nai Amoona, Central Reform Congregation, Kol Rinah Congregation, Congregation Shaare Emeth, Temple Emanuel, Temple Israel, United Hebrew Congregation, Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Congregation, and the Center for Jewish Learning

 

As Israel celebrates 70 years of independence, we have many reasons to rejoice and take pride – most of all, in the strength of Israel’s democracy. But, as we are witnessing every day in our own country, Israelis cannot take democracy for granted. For years, Israelis have been confronting the erosion of democratic values by right-wing governments.

As the current administration pushes radical policies here at home, an emboldened right-wing coalition in Israel has moved to limit free speech, agitate against the Supreme Court, and cede power to extremists in dangerous ways. But there are patriotic Israelis who struggle tirelessly on behalf of democracy and equality.

As the CEO of the leading organization committed to equality and democracy for all Israelis, Daniel Sokatch will share insights from both sides of the ocean, as our communities grapple with fundamental questions, like:

• How can Israelis and Americans confront ultra-nationalists wishing to remake our countries in their anti-democratic image?
• What roles does civil society play in protecting our democratic institutions?

Join us to learn more about the fight for democracy and equality in Israel and at home in America.

 

About NIF

Daniel J. Sokatch is the Chief Executive Officer of the New Israel Fund (NIF), the leading organization committed to equality and democracy for all Israelis. Before joining NIF, Sokatch served as the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties. Prior to his tenure at Federation, he served as the founding Executive Director of the Los Angeles based Progressive Jewish Alliance. In recognition of his leadership, Sokatch has been named to the Forward newspaper’s “Forward 50,” an annual list of the 50 leading Jewish decision-makers and opinion-shapers, in 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2010. Daniel has an MA from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, a JD from Boston College Law School, and a BA from Brandeis University. He is married with two daughters and resides in San Francisco.

The New Israel Fund is the leading organization advancing and defending democracy in Israel. Widely credited with building Israeli progressive civil society, NIF has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to Israel since its inception in 1979.

Sh’ma: Listen! Speaker Series is generously funded by the Lubin-Green Foundation, a Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.

 

Sh’ma: Listen! Advisory Committee Chair
Rabbi Jeffrey Stiffman

Staff
Rabbi Tracy Nathan, Senior Educator, Center for Jewish Learning
Cyndee Levy, Director, Center for Jewish Learning

Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Gerald P. Greiman, Board Chair
Andrew Rehfeld, President & CEO