SPEAKERS

Rabbi Joseph Schwartz is co-director of Makom: The Jewish Agency’s Israel Education Laboratory, which seeks to strengthen the bonds between world Jewry and Israel through bold, deep, and engaging educational initiatives. Prior to joining Makom, he launched his own venture, IDRA, which aimed to bring Jews together around culture, learning, and food. He served as a congregational rabbi in New York City’s Greenwich village and has taught and written curricula for diverse audiences. Before being ordained as a rabbi, he worked as a litigator at a major firm in New York City. A native of the city, he holds degrees from Columbia University and the NYU School of Law and received rabbinical ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies (Conservative). In August 2020, Joseph made Aliyah with his family. He is married to Avigail and is the kvelling father of Zev, Paz, and Shai. They live in Tel Aviv.   

Dr. Amelia Weinreb is the director of campus initiatives at Makom. She holds a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology and specializes in curriculum development, design, and educational training, emphasizing inclusive, learner-centred, and active learning. Formerly the Chief Executive of Education and Leadership at Masa Israel Journey and with over 15 years of teaching experience, including the University of Texas, NYU Tel Aviv, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, she works with students from around the globe. Her publications explore themes of citizen-state relationships, emotions in cultural context, and the differences between public perception and lived experience. Her most recent book, Teaching Israel Studies, was published in 2022. Amy lives in Jerusalem with her family.