Sponsored by the New Israel Fund and Temple Sinai, in co-sponsorship with TI and other local congregations and organizations.

The ongoing crisis and war following the October 7 Hamas attack has tested Israeli society like never before. In this unprecedentedly difficult reality, Israeli social change organizations and activists have been fighting extremism, providing aid to communities in need, defending civil and human rights, promoting Jewish-Arab partnership, and altering to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while calling for peace, the return of hostages, and for an end to the war. 

As we approach the one-year mark since October 7, hear from two changemakers at the forefront of the fight for a more just and peaceful Israel–NIF Israel Director Mickey Gitzin, and physician and activist Dr. Yasmeen Abu Fraiha. Yasmeen and Mickey will share insight on the challenges facing Israeli society and how they and others like them are charting the course towards a better future for everyone in Israel and under its control.

Wednesday, September 25
6:30 PM - Doors Open
7 PM - Program

Temple Sinai
3100 Military Rd NW
Washington, DC 20015

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Mickey Gitzin is the Director of the New Israel Fund in Israel. Prior to joining NIF, Mickey was the founding director of “Israel Hofsheet” (Be Free Israel), a leading grassroots organization fighting for separation of religion and state in Israel. Previously, Mickey was the spokesperson for MK Ilan Gilon (Meretz) and the Associate Director of “Festival BeShekel,” an organization advancing arts and culture in Israel's geographic and socioeconomic periphery. After completing his military service as an intelligence officer, he served as a shaliach (emissary) in South Bend, Indiana for the Jewish Agency for Israel. Mickey holds a Master's in Public Policy from University College-London, for which he received a Chevening Scholarship from the British Foreign Office and the British Council. In 2013, Mickey received NIF UK's Human Rights Award, and in 2015, NIF's Gallanter Prize for Emerging Israeli Social Justice Leaders.

Dr. Yasmeen Abu Fraiha is a young doctor, specializing in internal medicine, who is currently acting as the Executive Director of Rodaina, an NGO she founded that aims to prevent genetic diseases in the Middle East, especially in the Bedouin community, by spearheading premarital genetic testing and matching. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Project Wadi Attir, Yanabia, Tamar Center, and AJEEC-NISPED, all are social projects and NGOs aiming to improve Bedouin lives in Israel. She has won several awards, including the 2007 Ramon Award for quality, leadership, and excellence, as well as the 2015 Travel Grant Award for outstanding young investigators at the 38th European Cystic Fibrosis Society conference, and was also chosen to be part of Forbes' “30 Under 30” list. Yasmeen holds a BSc in Medical Science and an MD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and currently pursuing an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School.

Hanna Rosin is a journalist and podcast host, currently of Radio Atlantic. Previously she was the editorial director of audio at New York Magazine. She started her audio career at NPR, serving as co-host of Invisibilia. Prior to making the switch to podcasts, she was a newspaper and magazine writer for outlets like the Washington Post, the New York Times, the New Yorker, and New York Magazine. She is also the author of two books, most recently The End of Men.