Argov 2021 Bios
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CCllaassss ooff 22002211 1155 YYeeaarrss ooff LLeeaaddeerrsshhiipp DDeevveellooppmmeenntt Building on the legacy of former Israeli Ambassador Shlomo Argov, the Argov Fellows Program in Leadership and Diplomacy seeks to prepare up to twenty-four exceptional IDC students in their final year of studies for future leadership positions for Israel and the Jewish world. Through a year-long, challenging interdisciplinary curriculum, the program strives to help students acquire the knowledge, tools and skills necessary for working towards meeting the many challenges that Israel faces in our challenging global environment. The program, conducted entirely in English, combines academic training and practical skills. Its unique curriculum includes courses, seminars and "hands on" workshops taught exclusively to Argov Fellows by leading academic and professional experts. The students participate in study tours to Europe, the United States and throughout Israel. For several years, the students also had the opportunity to participate in an additional study tour to China. The fellowship year concludes with the public presentation of capstone group policy projects in which the fellows propose their solutions to major challenges facing Israel and the Jewish world. The Argov alumni have carried on to, among others, eminent fellowship programs such as the Fulbright and Chevening, prestigious graduate programs at leading universities around the world including Princeton, Harvard, Columbia, Cambridge and Oxford, and leading positions in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Please find below brief bios of the Class of 2021, the program's fifteen cohort, and of the Argov team. CCllaassss ooff 22002211 Alissa Abrahami (1995, Canadian, Israeli), Government and Sustainability (International) Alissa was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. After participating in a gap-year program in Israel, she decided to make Israel her home and joined the IDF, serving as a medic for combat intelligence, specializing in physiotherapy for combat-related injuries. At IDC, where she is on the dean’s list, Alissa’s field of interest is how natural resources and sustainable development influence Israeli foreign policy. She understands that the future leaders and thinkers of our society must prioritize issues pertaining to sustainability, and she hopes to one day make an impact in this field. Alissa aspires to a career in academia. Jonathan Agassi (1996, Israeli, American), Government (International) Jonathan was born in California and moved to Israel at the age of 13. As a teenager, he participated in the Israeli Scouts. Following high school, Jonathan enlisted in the Israel Air Force (IAF) Special Forces where he served as an intelligence officer for nearly five years. During his service, in order to expand his perspective on Israel, he began his studies at IDC, where he also served as research intern at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT). Jonathan currently works as an intern in the Knesset and a combat training instructor through the national youth leadership association “Aharai.” He intends to channel his burning passion for Israel to become an influential leader and create positive change. Majd Bader (1993, Israeli), Government Majd was raised in Horfeish, a Druze town in northern Israel. In the IDF, he served as a combat soldier in the special forces of the Golani infantry brigade. Majd currently leads educational workshops for Arab youth in Israel in the space field and participates in Reservists on Duty. He has also established a startup in Horfeish to prove the concept that high tech projects can succeed in Israel’s periphery. Last year, Majd was placed on the dean’s list for social excellence at IDC. He is currently involved in organizing the TEDx IDC Herzliya event. Majd plans to continue developing his management skills through academic study and practical experience and sees himself in leading positions in the future. CCllaassss ooff 22002211 Ariel Bem (1993, Canadian, Israeli), Law and Government Ariel was born in Toronto, Canada and immigrated to Ra’anana, Israel with his family at the age of 12. He was drafted to the IDF where he served as an officer in a field reconnaissance unit, specializing in gathering visual intelligence. Ariel spent five years in the IDF, completing his service at the rank of captain. He has participated in numerous Israel advocacy delegations abroad and is an annual speaker for the organization Bridges for Peace, where he shares his experience serving as a leader and educator in the IDF. Ariel aspires to combine his love for Israel with his passion for the corporate legal world in order to build bridges between Israel’s tech sector and companies around the globe. Shay Ben Zimra (1994, Israeli, French), Law and Government Shay grew up in Ra’anana in a French family. He served as a combat soldier in the 101st Battalion of the IDF Paratroopers Brigade. Shay then traveled to a small Jewish community in Mexico with his wife, where they served as emissaries of the World Zionist Organization. At IDC, he participated in the International Criminal and Humanitarian Law Clinic, Aura Program, StandWithUs Israel Fellowship and volunteered at the police prosecutor’s office. Shay worked as a consultant at Robus Legal Marketing and as an advisor for a French-speaking candidate for the Knesset. He currently works at an IT integration company. Shay speaks Hebrew, French, Spanish and English and aspires to a career in commercial law. Raphael Bitton (1994, Israeli, American, French), Government (International) Raphael grew up as the youngest of 12 children in New York to parents from Morocco and Tunisia. He began studying psychology at Hunter College where the experience of anti-Israel sentiment and a lack of Zionist presence to counter it compelled him to move to Israel and join the IDF. Following his service as a squad commander and fitness instructor in the Givati Brigade Reconaissance Company, Raphael instructed an intensive pre-army training program for new immigrants and has been volunteering his time engaging in Israel advocacy, supporting lone soldiers, and positively engaging Palestinian youth. He plans graduate study in economics and to pursue a career in diplomacy and Israel advocacy. CCllaassss ooff 22002211 Yair Eizenberg (1994, Israeli), Communications Yair grew up in the Golan Heights and spent a pre-army gap year at the Arava Program (“mechina”) for Social Leadership. In the IDF, he served as a combat soldier in the Moran special forces artillery unit. Following his discharge, he worked with groups of Jewish youth from the Diaspora. He also served as an intern for MK Sharren Hasskel. AT IDC, where he is on the dean’s list, Yair hosts a show on IDC radio where he interviews politicians and journalists on various topics. He also publishes occasional opinion articles on current affairs websites. He plans to work first in Israeli media and then get involved in Israeli politics. Ofir Elkayam (1995, American, Israeli), Government (International) Ofir was born in Los Angeles. After living in many places throughout his childhood, he decided to move to Israel in 2013 and enlist in the IDF. There he served as the operation officer and team sergeant in the Givati Brigade Reconnaissance Company. Upon his release, Ofir traveled much of the Far East before returning to pursue his studies at IDC. Following his undergraduate degree, Ofir hopes to develop unconventional methods to combat national security challenges including crime and terror on a local and international scale. Ayelet Goldfarb (1995, Israeli, American), Government and Sustainability Ayelet grew up in Jerusalem. In the IDF, she served as an educational NCO (non- commissioned officer) in the Border Police unit and as a commander for the education course. Ayelet then participated in a Jewish Agency delegation to a Jewish summer camp in California teaching youth about Israel. Upon her return, she worked as a counselor for various youth groups from North America. At IDC, Ayelet was the coordinator of the Gideon Group, took part in IDC Connect Club and is part of ProWoman Club. Today she is an intern for Greenpeace Israel creating an awareness of the plastic problem for politicians in the Knesset. Ayelet plans to pursue a career in the fields of diplomacy and Israel advocacy. CCllaassss ooff 22002211 Amit Harari (1995, Belgian, Israeli), Communications Amit was born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium and moved to Israel with her family at the age of 16. In the IDF, she served as a tour guide at the Israeli Air Force (IAF) museum and as a course commander. Post discharge, Amit flew the world as an El Al flight attendant and at IDC, she enjoys serving as a class representative, orientation week tutor and co-host of an online show. Amit has a passion for global cultures and speaks Hebrew, English, Flemish, French and Dutch. She currently works at i24NEWS English and aspires to become a news correspondent/anchor to raise stories that should be heard in combination with the fields of diplomacy and international relations. Josh Kurzer (1992, British, Israeli), Government and Sustainability (International) Josh was born and raised in London, where he attended Jewish schools and was involved in his local “Bnei Akiva” youth movement. After high school, he studied for two years at a religious seminary (yeshiva) in the Old City of Jerusalem. Josh then drafted to the IDF, serving as a combat soldier in the reconnaissance unit of the paratroopers brigade. After his release, he travelled throughout South America and parts of Africa including spending time volunteering at an orphanage in Ethiopia. At IDC, where he is on the dean's list, Josh has been involved with Model UN, Gideon Group and Debate Club. He speaks English, Hebrew and basic Spanish and hopes to pursue a career in the fields of diplomacy or sustainability. Sara Levy (1994, Israeli, Venezuelan, French), Psychology and Business Sara grew up in Israel in a Venezuelan family.