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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