ILH Forum 2019

Israel's collaboration with the American private sector has paved the way for the Israeli economy's energy independence, ushering in the natural gas revolution.

Relations between Israel and American Jews have seen ups and downs over the years. The more complicated Israel becomes, the harder it is for US Jews to understand it – and sometimes, to support it.

As long as we preserve the liberal democratic principles Israel was founded on, we will maintain our special relationship with the United States and ensure that the BDS movement is swept into the trash bin of history.

Through his work at the Shem Olam Institute, Rabbi Avraham Krieger hopes to connect young people to the events of the Holocaust and put the focus on the resilience shown during that time.

Bolstering the settlement enterprise, encouraging immigration, fighting anti-Semitism, and pushing to preserve the Hebrew language among Diaspora Jews – the World Zionist Organization strives to change what it sees is growing indifference, mainly among American Jewry.

"The Trump administration is the most friendly toward Israel since the state was founded. In this administration, there isn't a single official who is problematic for Israel," says former Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Oren. "We haven't lost bipartisan support, but it is being challenged when it comes to the question of what issue is being discussed," he says.

Israeli-Canadian businessman and philanthropist Sylvan Adams is an avid Zionist who works tirelessly to promote what he calls "the normal Israel" worldwide. Adams says that by showing Israel to the world through the prism of major cultural and sporting events he can transform Israel’s image abroad.

In addition to its ongoing efforts to redeem land and support and strengthen Jewish communities in the Diaspora, the Jewish National Fund is poised to unroll "Relocation Israel," a multiyear work plan whose goal is to bring 1.5 million Jewish residents to the Galilee and the Negev.

Despite the US being the first nation to recognize Israel, the relationship got off to a rocky start. But the relations ultimately turned into a strategic partnership that is based on common values and shared interests.