Steve Kramer grew up in Atlantic City, graduated from Johns Hopkins in 1967, adopted the hippie lifestyle until 1973, then joined the family business for 15 years. Steve moved to Israel from Margate, NJ in 1991 with his family. He has written more than 1100 articles about Israel and Jews since making Aliyah. Steve and his wife Michal live in Kfar Saba.

Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig (PhD in Government, 1976; Harvard U) taught at Bar-Ilan University (1977-2017), serving as: Head of the Journalism Division (1991-1996); Political Studies Department Chairman (2004-2007); and School of Communication Chairman (2014-2016). He was also Chair of the Israel Political Science Association (1997-1999). He has published three books and 60 scholarly articles on Israeli Politics; New Media & Journalism; Political Communication; the Jewish Political Tradition; the Information Society.

So pleased to have Rav. Diamond share his thoughts at Israel Seen. Rabbi Lee Diamond, is based in Israel and began his unique rabbinate as an Israel Educator for the Diaspora. Rabbi Diamond has served as director of the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, and Associate Director of the Israel office of the UJR and NFTY Israel programs. He has dedicated his life to sharing the Israel he loves and creating an educational experiences for everyone visiting Israel. Rabbi Diamond’s philosophy: Israel is the stage on which I want to act out the drama of the Jewish people, its creative survival, and to affect people’s lives. When we see each other our discussion always seems to find its way to the ever changing political situation in Israel. In the end of course we come around to what is dear to the hearts of both of us: the importance of emphasizing Jewish values and ethics in our society.

Howard Epstein is an author, columnist, political commentator and commercial lawyer. He is well-read, knowledgeable, articulate, voluble and strongly-opinionated about Jewish and Israeli history and current affairs – and a staunch Zionist. He achieved Aliyah in September 2006 and has written following books:- Traumatized Nation: How America Got To Be So Violent (non-fiction) Israel at 70: In Weizmann’s Image (non-fiction) Sputnik: America’s Fateful Challenge (historical novel) The Compartmentalist (Novel) All of which are available on Amazon/Kindle.

Born in London, UK, lived in suburban Washington DC area for 30 years, moved to Israel in 1996. He has a web site: Jack’s Blog

Jonathan Feldstein was born and educated in the U.S. and immigrated to Israel in 2004. He is married and the father of six. Throughout his life and career, he has become a respected bridge between Jews and Christians and serves as president of the Genesis 123 Foundation, Genesis123.co. He writes regularly on major Christian websites about Israel and shares experiences of living as an Orthodox Jew in Israel. He is host of the popular Inspiration from Zion podcast. He can be reached at firstpersonisrael@gmail.com.

Sheri Oz Sheri Oz is a retired psychotherapist and family therapist from Haifa, Israel. Sheri also has a web site Israel Diaries. http://www.israeldiaries.com/

My name is Sabine Sterk and since I was very young I was a fanatic Israeli supporter. My father worked for the UNTSO and was sent to the Middle East when I was 12 years old. I lived in Syria and Israel and saw from a young age the difference between the cultures… When I returned to the Netherlands I noticed that the Anti Israel sentiment was increasing and I started to fight this. I admire Israel for all the good things that are achieved in the country. I am not religious and my motto is: Israel has the right to exist and Israel has the right to defend herself. As long as I live I will stand up for Israel and speak out on behalf of her. My ultimate dream is to find work in Israel or for Israel… I still hope to Fulfill that dream anytime soon… There is nothing I want more. I am passionate, a true Zionist supporter, enthusiastic, impulsive, impatient, honest but always try to live the best I can.

Paula is the CEO of WritePoint Ltd., a leading technical writing and training company in Israel. She is a popular blogger and journalist. In addition to here on IsraelSeen, you can also read Paula's articles on A Soldier's Mother (www.israelisoldiersmother.blogspot.com) and PaulaSays (www.paulasays.com).

Professor Mel Alexenberg Author of Through a Bible Lens: Biblical Insights for Smartphone Photography and Social Media, The Future of Art in a Postdigital Age: From Hellenistic to Hebraic Consciousness, and in Hebrew: Dialogic Art in a Digital World: Judaism and Contemporary Art. Former professor at Columbia University and research fellow at MIT Center for Advanced Visual Studies; in Israel: professor at Ariel University, Bar-Ilan University and Emunah College. melalexenberg@yahoo.com, http://www.melalexenberg.com

He is a devoted amateur photographer who possesses the uncanny ability of finding the odd moments and hidden gems around Tel Aviv. While some of his photos will be from outside of the city many are taken during his endless adventures throughout Tel Aviv. Assaf is also a student of Spinoza and has much to say about him. We look forward to sharing his insights with everyone.

About the Author Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, resident in Israel since 1976, former director of the WUJS Institute (Arad) and of the Israel-Diaspora Institute (Tel Aviv U.), involved in the Israeli plastics industry (former vice-president of ZAG Ltd.), now living in Ra'anana.

I'm a 32 years old blogger who lives in Tel-Aviv. My writing often mixes contemporary culture with a variety of topics; whether social, economical or political, as well as any other topics that I feel important enough (and sometimes ridiculous enough) to discuss as a society. My aim is to pack as much knowledge in an accurate, fun and easy to read way.

By education a psychologist. A multilingual journalist, assistant director, Jewish educator and coordinator of international high profile events. Writes about culture for The Jerusalem Post Magazine. Always - passionate about culture and traveling.

Victoria Braverman is a broadcaster and communications veteran who loves to create pictures through words and language through pictures.

Mark Okrent, and his wife Susan, made aliyah in 1970 from Toronto. He attended CHAT (Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto) and holds both a degree in engineering from University of Toronto and an M.B.A from York University. He retired from Israel Aerospace Industries in 2014 after 35 years and is now actively involved in attending lectures on a variety of subjects, travelling, grandchildren and meeting with friends.

Born in Israel, grew up in Montreal, Canada, studied in the States, worked in Toronto, Canada, and made Aliyah in 2009. Sara Jacobovici is a 30+ year veteran in the health and mental health fields as a Creative Arts Psychotherapist. She lives and works in Ra’anana, Israel. Sara specializes in the use of the creative arts in assisting you to verbalize what is beyond words and to re-view the script you presently use in a new light. Sara reconnects individuals with their first language, creativity. http://creativeintegrator.com/

Charles Abelsohn, a co-founder of Truth be Told, retired several years ago as the legal manager of one of the most well–known entities in Israel. He is a graduate of three universities (Cape Town, Stellenbosch and U. of South Africa) in South Africa in Law, Transportation Economics and Finance. His interests, even as a young student, were Judaism, Israel, Economics and Finance.

Susan Eisenstein is a long time Jewish educator, passionate about creating special innovative activities for her students. A past Bonim B’Yachad Teaching Fellow, JNF Ambassador and a graduate of the Melton School for Jewish Studies, Susan has two Master’s degrees and a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. In addition to her involvement with the Israel Forever Foundation and Stand With Us, and writing articles for both organizations, some of which have been used in Israeli schools, as learning activities, Susan is a Staff Writer for The Jewish Link Newspaper. Susan is a past mentor to adult students for Project Inspire and Aish Academy. Susan has taught English to Israelis for Skilled Volunteers For Israel. She holds New York State and New York City teaching licenses, k-12 and in music and music education. Susan is a published author in professional journals for music and music therapy. Her passion is in Judaic studies and the Hebrew language and involving every student in a meaningful adventure of learning: “Israel is my heart and soul and my dream is to help Israel and Israelis in any way that I can.”

Lives in Rakefet, Galilee, Israel. By education a mechanical engineer. For the last decade holds a marketing position in a multi-national metal cutting tools company. Passionate about nature and outdoors. Enjoys Hiking, Mountain biking & Surfing. Loves Israel and tries to promote Hiking tourism in the country. Founder & Manager of https://hike-israel.com/ Mail: ersp1966@gmail.com

About the Author 10 generations in Israel, I am a link in the chain of Jewish survival in the land. I am The Wandering Jewess, constantly on the go. I travel the world speaking about Israel and Judaism. When in Israel I'm a lecturer of these topics. My field of expertise is current Antisemitism. I am a lecturer for Dealing with Current Antisemitism on Tour for the Israeli School of Tourism. Certified Tour Guide in Israel and a content creator for Jewish and Israeli historical and philosophical content. Documenting my travels in Israel and the world and working on a podcast talking about Antisemitism and the challenges in the relationship between Jews in Israel and the diaspora.

Janis is a freelance journalist and content writer based in Tel Aviv. You can read more about her at https://www.janiscommunications.com/

Paul Rose has a web site called www.jewishtravelbuddies.com

Moshe Beauford is a public relations professional who resides in the north of Israel, violinist, freelance writer, tech lover, foodie / aspiring cook who has little-to-no-time to actually cook, world traveler and craft beer snob. Check out his writing if you want to explore the many things Israel has to offer the world, you might just be surprised!

Gregory Lyakhov, a high school student from Great Neck, NY, is a passionate advocate for Israel and U.S. politics. His work has been featured in The New York Post, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel, with public appearances on Fox & Friends and Newsmax.

I have had the distinct honor and privilege of growing up all over the world in cities as diverse and wonderful as Houston, Atlanta, New York and Pretoria, South Africa. After wandering the globe for 38 years, I am now ready to settle down in the one place I call home - Israel. Writing and words are my love and my passion. I am a journalist by trade and by calling, with an MA in mass communication from the University of Georgia in Atlanta. I am a firm believer that words and ideas could change the world, to borrow a quote from the wonderful Robin Williams. When I am not at work, managing correspondence from overseas clients at an accounting firm, I am an impassioned Yesh Atid activist , an exercise enthusiast who loves running and swimming, and now I guess I can say officially a blogger!

Lisa Fliegel is an American/Israeli writer who came of age on Kibbutz Ketura. She is an International Trauma Specialist, who served as a journalist covering the Middle East Peace Process. Lisa's award-winning non-fiction has appeared in The Times of London, The Jerusalem Post Magazine, Response, Midstream, ARC, and The Tel-Aviv Review, among other journals. Her academic publications include New Directions in Youth Development, and The American Journal of Art Therapy. Lisa has her bachelor’s degree in Hebrew Literature from the Tel-Aviv Teacher's Seminary; and her writing is richly informed by a bi-lingual, multi-cultural perspective. Lisa founded and directed the award-winning Arts Incentives Program (AIP) in Boston. AIP was recognized by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), for its success in reducing disparities in minority contact in the Juvenile Justice System. In April 2015, Ms. Fliegel published a chapter on her program model, titled "Good Looking Out," in the book: "Latanya: Gangs, Girls and Guns, Workbook & Leader's Guide" (The Latanya Series). Ms Fliegel's current book "The Clinical Adventures of a Bullet Proof Therapist," fuses the universal imperative of narrative journalism with the intimacy and singularity of a memoir. These narratives of healing are drawn from three disparate places where she has worked, that have faced seemingly intractable pain and conflict: inner-city Boston, Israel/Palestine, and Northern Ireland. Creating healing relationships at the intersections of these conflict zones, in a quest to learn from examples of positive change; frames this story with a distilled wisdom that can dramatically reshape how we interpret violence and achieve resolution. .

Born in Toronto, Canada, Gil Zohar moved to Jerusalem, Israel in 1982. A licensed tour guide and journalist, he writes extensively about religion and the Middle East. As a tour guide, he loves to weave together the region's multiple narratives. He can be reached at gilzohar@rogers.com or by phone at 0524.817.482.

Galia Miller Sprung grew up in Southern California, graduated from UCLA in 1970 and immediately left all that behind to become a farmer and founding member of a moshav on the Jordanian border. Today, a retired high school teacher, she is a writer and editor and Israel advocate living with her husband near Kfar Saba.

Sari Friedman, MFA is a Pushcart-nominated novelist from America. The novel tells the story of a contemporary woman who starts remembering her past-life 4,000 years ago in the Land of Canaan. Sari Friedman has been in love with Israel all her life, and has lived here since August, 2015. She posts about her experience as an Olah Chadusha, as a writer, and more on her site. http://www.sarifriedman.net/

Kaswar KLasra is a journalist from Pakistan with more than 13 years of experience in print and electronic media. Currently, Kaswar Klasra is working with International News Service London as its correspondent from Pakistan. Previously he worked for one of Asia's biggest news channel India Today TV and Aaj Tak as correspondent from Pakistan for eight years (2010-2017). During 13 years of journalism, Mr Klasra worked as Reporter for a number of publications and TV channels including I24, worldwide. His stories ( with bylines) appeared on news publications like Japanese monthly magazine FACTA, The Nation ( Pakistan) News of The World ( London) , Los Angles Times ( USA), India Today, Brunei Times, Newsmax ( USA) , Mirror ( UK) and Daily Mail ( UK) , Progressive radio, Axel Springer, international News Service ( UK), World Textile Information Network, Mumbai Mirror , The Straights Times, South China Morning Post, Xinhua and The Journal of Turkish weekly. He can be reached at kaswarklasra@yahoo.com He tweets at @kaswarklasra His work can also be accessed at: https://muckrack.com/kaswar-klasra/bio

Bob Cook first moved to Israel in 1980 eventually working as an educational guide for the Alexander Muss High School in Israel. In 1991, with a wife and two daughters, he moved back to the states for what was supposed to be ‘a few years’. It wound up being 41 years! Leaving the states in 2021 (and leaving behind his two daughters and two granddaughters (with another on the way), he finally moved back to Israel and settled in Kfar Saba, a very welcoming community. He has taught English in high school and college, and oversaw a community Jewish supplemental high school of 500 students. He presently designs custom tours for people coming to Israel but who don’t want ‘an off the shelf’ itinerary. He can be reached at www.israelcelebrationtours.com