Sanctuary, First Floor
Matti Friedman, Noam Weissman and Eden Cohen
For Parents

Join journalist Matti Friedman, host of Unpacking Israeli History podcast Noam Weissman and OpenDor Media social media head Eden Cohen for a discussion of the chasm between media coverage and reality in Israel, and a look at how the media’s move away from explanatory journalism and toward activism is impacting perceptions of Israel and Jews worldwide. 

Ballroom 3, Lower Level
Avinoam Patt 

What's the difference between a Jewish optimist and a Jewish pessimist? And how does the punchline of this classic joke shed light on our interpretation of the relationship between antisemitism and the development of modern Jewish identity? In this talk, Prof. Avinoam Patt will explore how Jewish responses to persecution (and acceptance) have affected the development of Jewish identity in the modern period, through the lens of political, religious, social and cultural movements that have shaped the Jewish encounter with the modern world. 

Chapel, Third Floor
Micali Morin 

The Story of Passover has its main hero–Moses–but it also has many key figures that we don’t usually think of as leaders in their own rights. By exploring both methods of making change and our own strengths and skills, we will learn more about what we can do to lead, act, and create change with confidence. Join Repair the World for a session on what it takes to be a leader–and discover the ways in which you already are leaders and strengthening your place in Israel/antisemitism activism. 

Fifth Floor
William Pimlott 

This talk will take as the focal point for an investigation of antisemitism and video games, the phenomenon of the “Jew Goal”, an ignominious but broadly employed e-sports neologism that antisemitically labels an easy goal as “Jewish”. Jewish involvement in sports in the twentieth century has been trumpeted as a successful story of emancipation and gradual inclusion. How is it that in the 21st century the Jewish subject came to be constructed in opposition to sportsmanship and consequently to inclusion and equality more broadly? Historicising and contextualising the development of this new antisemitic trope will serve as a starting point for broader considerations of how digital media have transformed contemporary antisemitism, where antisemitism is part of a new cultural code of the contemporary far right. 

Minyan Chapel, First Floor 
Aviv Kurnas 

"Be The Witness" is a VR-based initiative that brings participants face-to-face with survivor narratives. Through a series of brief, 5-minute videos, each participant can choose one or more stories to explore, allowing for a customized and deeply personal connection to these experiences. This immersive approach has proven highly impactful, as audiences not only gain knowledge but also form a strong emotional connection to the narratives. While the stories shared are difficult, the content is carefully curated and censored to avoid overly graphic details, ensuring that the viewing experience remains powerful without being overly distressing. 

Ballroom 1, Lower Level 
Daniel Neutra 

Meet with Daniel Neutra, brother of American hostage Omer Neutra, who was kidnapped on October 7 and died in captivity. Discuss Omer’s story and the stories and challenges of the fight to bring him home. 

Beit Midrash, Third Floor
Sarah Gordon 

This session will delve into some of the biggest questions facing Israel today: Is Israel an apartheid state? Is the IDF an occupying power? Who are the indigenous people of the land, and is Israel a settler colonial state? We will use Unpacked resources to unpack each topic, while leaning into the complexity and nuance of each issue, developing a model that can be used to analyze other challenging questions around Israel. 

Chapel, Third Floor
Noam Weissman & Tom Kelly
For Parents

In today’s charged educational landscape, independent schools are grappling with rising antisemitism and intense discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Join Noam Weissman, EVP at OpenDor Media, in conversation with Thomas Kelly, Head of School at Horace Mann, as they unpack the challenges facing school communities and explore how ConnectED, a new educational initiative, is equipping school leaders and educators with the tools, content, and training to foster nuanced, respectful, and informed conversations.  

Ballroom 1, Lower Level
Rabbi Neil Zuckerman & Michal Abramoff  
For Parents

As parents, we want to support our children to develop their own views, perspectives, and relationship with the land, people, and state of Israel. What are some of the best practices to help our children in this process? We will also spend some time talking about how we respond when our children’s views differ from our own. 

Fourth Floor
Matt Reingold 

In the months immediately after October 7th, Israeli society was united together. Since then, in addition to fights over how to best rescue the hostages, many of the disagreements that existed before October 7th have returned. This interactive session will explore some of the fault lines in Israeli society through the lens of some of Israel's leading political cartoonists. 

Fifth Floor
Avi Posen 

In this session, we’ll dive into powerful songs that have come out since the war began and explore what they reveal about Israeli society, identity, and resilience. Come ready to listen, reflect, and connect to Israel in a meaningful new way—through music. 

Beit Midrash, Third Floor
Sarah Gordon

In this session, we’ll explore five key moments in the story of Zionism that every student should know. We’ll break down why each event is important, how it shaped Israel and the Jewish world, and how these moments connect to the big questions we’re asking today. 

Ballroom 3, Lower Level
Eden Cohen & Jordyn Tilchen 

Join digital media experts Eden Cohen and Jordyn Tilchen for a timely and powerful conversation about how antisemitism manifests across both social platforms and traditional news outlets. As leading voices at the intersection of media, education, activism, and Jewish identity, Eden and Jordyn will unpack the rise of online hate, the challenges of digital advocacy, and the tools young people can use to respond with clarity, confidence, and impact. 

Minyan Chapel, First Floor  
Aviv Kurnas  

"Be The Witness" is a VR-based initiative that brings participants face-to-face with survivor narratives. Through a series of brief, 5-minute videos, each participant can choose one or more stories to explore, allowing for a customized and deeply personal connection to these experiences. This immersive approach has proven highly impactful, as audiences not only gain knowledge but also form a strong emotional connection to the narratives. While the stories shared are difficult, the content is carefully curated and censored to avoid overly graphic details, ensuring that the viewing experience remains powerful without being overly distressing.