MAY 26 • 2022 | 27
ment is trying to recruit.”
Tishby’s book, written
in the popular argot of the
millennial (and even young-
er generation) — filled
with “F-bombs,” by her
own description — offers a
skeletal history of Zionism,
including the complex poli-
tics, militarism, immigration,
ethnic displacement and
upheaval that reshaped the
modern Middle East.
Growing up in Israel, she
had her existence shaped
by the reality of war and
survival, her understanding
and identity derived from
schooling, daily life and the
first-person stories she heard
from relatives. She knew
very little of her country’s
grotesque depiction by its
detractors in Western coun-
tries.
After serving in an Israel
Defense Forces entertainment
troupe, she landed a role in
a popular Israeli soap opera,
Ramat Aviv Gimel. Moving to
Los Angeles, she found her
top professional achievement
was executive producer of
HBO’s In Treatment, a version
of B’tipul, the first Israeli
show to be adapted for an
American audience. Life on
the West Coast introduced
her to what she calls “pro-
gressive” opinions about
Israel and Zionism, wildly
at odds with her firsthand
knowledge and experience.
“I came here to work in
the entertainment field.
Increasingly, I found myself
drawn to advocacy,” Tishby
explained.
Her book, published in
2001, plus her celebrity in the
entertainment field, drew the
attention of the Israeli gov-
ernment. Foreign Minister
Yair Lapid in April appointed
her Israel’s first special envoy
for fighting antisemitism and
delegitimization. She will
attend global forums repre-
senting Israel’s foreign minis-
try and continue engagement
with Jewish communities
such as Detroit’s.
“If we, as a Jewish people,
can get educated on the
history of our people, the
State of Israel and conflicts
in the region, we can have an
educated conversation with
those who don’t understand,”
said Joe Bigelman, president
of the congregation. “We can
stand up to those who try
to delegitimize Israel’s right
to exist. We have a chance
to change the narrative with
one strong voice together
as a congregation and
community.”
Randi Sakwa, Joe Bigelman and Noa Tishby
Mazal Tov
Morah O!!!
You are so deserving
of this award and
we are lucky to have
you in our ECC.
−Y
our Farber Family
Mazal Tov also to Steve McClure
on receiving an Honorable Mention!
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