Perspective From Israel: A Special Town Hall Briefing

As North America’s Jewish community strives to understand the complex and complicated factors contributing to the current matzav (situation) in Israel, JCC Association of North America in partnership with Virtual J is pleased to present “Perspective from Israel: A Special Israel Briefing” on Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 7:30 p.m., EDT.

Featuring Robert Sarner, editor, writer, communication strategist and storyteller in a conversation with Br. General Bentzi Gruber, Vice Commander (reserves) of Division 252, an armored division of 20,000 soldier in the IDF, and founder of the non-profit Ethics in the Field—this briefing will explain the latest events, helping viewers understand the complex and complicated factors contributing to the current matzav (situation) in Israel, as well as clarify and articulate their own thinking around them. 

Robert Sarner:

Based in Toronto, Robert Sarner is a writer and communications specialist. He’s a regular feature writer for The Times of Israel and works with several Jewish organizations including Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the International March of the Living, and Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University. He recently served as the Senior National Director of Communications at Canadian Friends of Hebrew University. For 13 years until 2017, he was the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Roots Canada.

Previously based in Jerusalem, he worked as a Senior Editor and Anchor on Israel’s only English-language TV news show and was a Jerusalem columnist for the Canadian Jewish News. Before that, he was Editor of The Jerusalem Post’s weekly magazine after moving to Israel from France where he had been Editor of the city magazine, Paris Passion. 

The Consul General Galit Baram

Galit Baram has had international postings include: Counselor for Public Affairs and Coordinator of Academic Affairs at the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC, Counselor for Economic Affairs in Cairo and Counselor for Political Affairs in Moscow. Ms. Baram began her career with the Ministry as a political assistant in the Director General’s Bureau and with the Department of Eurasia and the Caucasus at Ministry Headquarters in Jerusalem).  She later held the position of Deputy Director in the same department.  Just prior to her current posting, Ms. Baram served as Director of the Department for Palestinian Affairs and Regional Cooperation. In August 2016, Ms. Baram arrived in Toronto to take up her current position as Consul General.

Br. General Bentzi Gruber:

Br. General Bentzi Gruber is Vice Commander (reserves) of Division 252, an armored division of 20,000 soldier in the IDF. As an entrepreneur, he has established Internet startups, been a real-estate developer and serves on the board of a variety of technology companies. He is founder of “Chesed In The Field,” a non-profit that brings together IDF reservists and chronically ill and disabled children for special events throughout the year instilling the values of community and social responsibility in the hearts of thousands of soldiers. Br. General Gruber also established “Ethics in the Field” to shatter myths and present the facts missing in today’s discussion of Israeli counter terrorism. He lectures worldwide on this topic, and has given over 400 lectures in the US and Europe. General Gruber has addressed high school students, university students, presented at national conferences and at US military academies such as West Point and at the US Air force.