Welcome to Shalom Speakers, your premier destination for expert voices in Jewish advocacy, Israel, and beyond.

Security and geopoliticsIran, Hamas and HezbollahMedia and communication

A senior fellow at FDD and former IDF spokesman with 24 years of service, continues to defend Israel in the media, offering insights on security, geopolitics, and communication.

Jonathan’s expertise spans topics such as Israel’s military history, threats from terror organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah, and geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, including the Iranian axis of evil and UN involvement.

Lectures in: English, Hebrew, Swedish

Captivity and survivalLove and resilienceHope and faith

Eliya was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7 and held in Hamas captivity for 505 days, much of it in underground tunnels, cut off from the outside world. For months he did not know whether Ziv, his fiancée at the time and a survivor of the same attack, was alive, while she fought publicly for his release.

Eliya came home in February 2025, and this summer they were married. Together they share a story of love, separation and resilience, and a message of hope and faith: what it takes to hold on when everything is taken, and what it means to keep fighting for those who are still waiting to come home.

Lectures in: English, Hebrew

Middle East diplomacyThe Abraham AccordsUS-Israel relations

Barak Ravid is an award-winning journalist and one of the most influential voices on Middle East affairs. Based in Washington, D.C., he serves as Global Affairs Correspondent for Axios, reports for Israel’s Channel 12 News, and is a foreign policy analyst for CNN.

With nearly two decades of experience, Ravid has reported from dozens of countries, covered five Israeli prime ministers and four U.S. presidents, and broken major stories that have shaped U.S. and Israeli foreign policy. He was among the first to reveal the Abraham Accords and authored Trump’s Peace: The Abraham Accords and the Reshaping of the Middle East, the most comprehensive account of the historic agreement.

In 2024, he received the White House Correspondents’ Association’s Aldo Beckman Award for his coverage of President Biden’s policy and the U.S.-Israel relationship during the war.

Lectures in: English, Hebrew

StorytellingIsrael in HollywoodResilience

Swell-Ariel Or is a fast-rising Israeli actress appearing in major international productions for Netflix, HBO, and Disney+. She is best known for her roles in The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem, One Day in October, and How to Be a Carioca.

Beyond her screen career, Swell is a powerful public voice. After surviving a terror attack at 16, she served in the IDF’s elite intelligence Unit 8200, where she first understood the power of storytelling as a tool for connection and resilience.

Following October 7, Swell chose to use her platform to advocate openly for Israel, founding a fund to support reservists, speaking out globally, and championing the international release of Kissufim on Netflix. Through her work and public voice, she brings Israeli stories to the world with honesty and humanity, while navigating Hollywood as an Israeli woman and empowering Jewish communities worldwide.

Lectures in: English, Hebrew

Jewish identity and unityDocumentary storytellingSocial media advocacy

A prominent Jewish activist and content creator whose social media platforms reach hundreds of thousands worldwide. Through his storytelling, advocacy, and thought leadership, he has become a key voice in reshaping global conversations about Israel, Jewish identity, and unity.

Rudy is the creator of the documentary series We Were Never Lost, which explores the stories of disconnected and unrecognized Jewish communities across the globe, revealing the depth and diversity of the Jewish people. His work also includes grassroots initiatives that build bridges between communities and challenge misconceptions surrounding Israel and the Jewish experience.

Lectures in: English, Hebrew, French

Israel's historyJewish identityAdvocacy and influence

A Canadian-Israeli content creator and media personality whose content reaches millions of views worldwide. In addition to being Israel’s top beauty and lifestyle influencer and cosmetics entrepreneur, Ashley has become one of Israel’s most prominent activists, advocating for Israel and Jewish identity. Ashley is the author of Holy Moly Land: You’re Right, It Didn’t Start on October 7th, which aims to educate about Israel’s history and clarify misconceptions about Zionism. Ashley was one of the most prominent voices advocating for the Israeli hostages, and has addressed the United Nations, U.S. Congress, European and the Canadian parliaments. She has also met with world leaders, including Pope Francis, using her platform to bring personal stories and moral urgency to international diplomacy.

Lectures in: English, Hebrew

Diversity and coexistencePolitics and mediaWomen and minorities

As a Druze woman and Israeli citizen, Gadeer embodies Israel’s rich diversity. She shattered barriers by becoming the first Druze woman elected to the Knesset, following her groundbreaking role as the first anchorwoman to deliver news in both Hebrew and Arabic. Most recently, she completed her tenure as the Jewish Agency’s first non-Jewish Senior Envoy to Washington, D.C.

An esteemed and dynamic national leader, she brings profound expertise in politics, media, and public diplomacy, shaping perceptions and empowering women and minorities worldwide.

Lectures in: English, Hebrew, Arabic

Olympic excellencePerseveranceHope in wartime

A champion Israeli windsurfer whose perseverance and excellence made him a beacon of hope for Israel. In 2024, amid the turmoil of war, Tom captured Olympic gold, lifting the spirits of a nation when it needed it most. Coached by Olympic legend Gal Fridman, his journey from youth champion to global icon is a testament to his resilience and commitment. Tom’s story is not just one of athletic prowess but of inspiring perseverance, making waves both on the sea and in the hearts of people worldwide.

Lectures in: English, Hebrew

SportsmanshipFriendship across conflictExcellence under pressure

One of Israel’s most celebrated athletes, a world and European judo champion and Olympic medalist. Beyond his sporting achievements, he has become a powerful storyteller, sharing insights on excellence, friendship, and the human spirit that rises above politics and pressure.

In his lecture The Forbidden Fight, Sagi tells the remarkable story of his connection with Iranian judoka Saeid Mollaei – a friendship that defied regimes and showed how respect and shared values can overcome even the most complex conflicts. Through his journey, Sagi invites audiences into a world where perseverance and moral choice matter as much as victory, offering an inspiring look at the true meaning of sportsmanship.

Lectures in: English, Hebrew

Content and AICoexistenceEntrepreneurship

Nuseir Yassin, known globally as Nas Daily, is an Arab citizen of Israel who rose to fame as a content creator with the audacious challenge of creating 1,000 videos in 1,000 days. After attending Harvard, he left a stable engineering career in America to pursue content creation full-time. Eight years and 68 million followers later, Nas Daily has brought together people from 197 countries through his signature one-minute videos, reaching over 300 million people monthly. Today, he is recognized as a leading voice on AI’s impact on content, business, and entrepreneurship.

Nuseir uses his platform to promote peace and understanding, focusing on stories that highlight shared humanity beyond political conflict. His work has been recognized with the Anti-Defamation League’s Daniel Pearl Award, honoring his contribution to coexistence and dialogue through digital media.

Lectures in: English

Media and journalismThe Jewish futurePublic advocacy

Avi Mayer is a prominent figure in Israel and the Jewish world, having most recently served as Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post, Israel’s leading English-language newspaper.

Recognized as one of the leading figures shaping the Jewish future, Avi has held leadership roles in multiple major Jewish organizations and is highly known for his powerful writing and impactful social media presence, with over a quarter-million followers on X (formerly Twitter) and a reach of tens of millions worldwide.

Avi frequently engages with global audiences, addressing U.S. and Israeli lawmakers and appearing regularly on international news networks.

Lectures in: English, Hebrew

PhotojournalismOctober 7Documenting conflict

An internationally renowned Israeli photojournalist whose work over three decades has captured conflicts, humanitarian crises, and the human spirit under pressure.

On October 7, 2023, Koren was on the ground in southern Israel from the very first moments of the Hamas attack, witnessing the terror unfold firsthand. He embedded with military forces, accompanied hostages and their families, and documented the events from deeply personal perspectives. His photographs reveal multiple stories, each intimate and unique, offering a window into the lives of those affected in ways that go beyond headlines.

Koren’s work from this period has been exhibited globally, published in leading international media, compiled into a book (The October 7 War), and earned him the 2025 ICP Infinity Award. 

Lectures in: English, Hebrew

EntrepreneurshipThe startup mindsetInnovation

A startup entrepreneur, who brought the “Bird” shared scooter company to Israel, revolutionizing public transportation forever. From his beginnings in the Israeli countryside to his education at Harvard, his journey embodies the Israeli entrepreneurial spirit. His bestseller “Live Like a Startup” shares his inspirational story, urging readers to embrace a mindset of innovation and growth.

Lectures in: English, Hebrew

Innovation and techLeadershipIsrael the startup nation

Inbal is the author of “Chutzpah: Why Israel is a Hub of Innovation and Entrepreneurship”, an active investor, board member and key member in the Israeli tech industry. She was also recognized as one on the 100 most influential people in Israeli tech. Raised in Israel, her entrepreneurial journey began in the elite intelligence unit 8200.

Inbal lectures globally on critical leadership skills, the innovation mindset and why Israel is a startup success story.   

Lectures in: English, Hebrew

Hostage negotiationsStrategy and securityPublic policy

Setter recently retired from the Israel Defense Forces after a distinguished 30-year career, most recently serving as Deputy Director for Strategy and Negotiations at the Hostages Taskforce following the October 7th attack.

Setter previously led the IDF’s Strategic Planning Division, shaping Israel’s military strategy and representing the IDF in critical negotiations, making him one of Israel’s leading experts on security and strategy. 

Today, Dr. Setter is a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, contributing to the Middle East Initiative. His contributions to Israel’s security have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Israel Defense Award.

Lectures in: English, Hebrew