Tel Aviv is Israel's economic and cultural capital. It is also the largest city, so not surprisingly, it is within striking distance of a number of FOJ's.
At the suggestion of Ayelet Miller Elyakam (a JDS and JHU alum), we met at Cup o' Joe on the corner of Weizmann and Shaul Ha Melech. Ayelet brought her beautiful 5 month old son and made one of the more poignant observations of the day.
"Peace," she said, "isn't possible in my lifetime. Until they stop teaching their kids to hate us, it just won't happen. All we can hope for now is 'an arrangement.'"
Over the course of two hours, in a "rolling arrival" format, I was blessed to see some great friends.
Ronen Netanel with whom I share the ignominious distinction of having watched the 2nd World Trade Center tower fall from the corner of 6th and Bleecker on 9/11, brought pictures (he's a fantastic photographer) of his kids and his recent trip to Georgia (the country, not the state.)
Danny Singer, also a JDS grad, former employer, and long-time Israel resident, made the trek from Jerusalem (he coulnd't attend the meet-up the previous week) to discuss his work with the noble Rashi Foundation, do some networking, and discuss Community Driven Marketing. He was also the one who noticed that there was a member of the Israeli Knesset (parliament) sitting behind us. You can see her in the picture. Apparently, she's under investigation for some type of fraudulent behavior!
I was going to ask her (playing the ignorant American card) to take our picture, but the Israelis demurred and we opted for the waittress instead.
Ahava Zarembski (JHU grad) has a unique consulting business that helps align government, large business, and philanthropic organizations in Israel when they have mutual goals, but not necessarily mutually aligned processes or vernacular.
Arik Ziv, a more recent FOJ, who works for Collactive and Limor Ashkenazy of Yes To Carrots also made cameo appearance and had the opportunity to make some new friends...including finding out that Limor and Ayelet live on the same street!!
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