Our Shabbat Schmooze speaker will be Emily Levy-Shochat, speaking on the topic “Make Your Voice Heard.”

A committed activist, she will speak about how our voices as American Jews can help protect Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state—while also strengthening the Jewish people and pluralism worldwide.

Levy-Shochat, who made Aliya almost 50 years ago, was the Chairperson of Masorti Israel for 5 years, leading successful efforts to develop and grow Conservative Judaism in Israel. Representing the Masorti community, she has served on the Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael (JNF) Board for six years, during which time she was Chairwoman of its Environment and Science Committee.

Dedicated to strengthening civil society, to maintaining Israel’s democracy, to protecting human rights, and to strengthening citizens’ influence in the public sphere, she has been a board member for a leadership program for Israeli Arab early childhood professionals, Agudat Adi for the promotion of organ donations, and the Israel Association for Ethiopian Jewry.

Her 40-plus year career has focused on grass roots community development and training within the non-profit world. She was the CEO of two NGO’s as well as a lecturer and supervisor in Community Development at Hebrew University.

Levy-Shochat holds a B.A in Economics from the UConn and an M.A. in Contemporary Jewish Studies from the Hornstein Program, Brandeis University.