Meet Our Z3 Confirmed Speakers
ROY ALTMAN
Confirmed in 2019 at age 36, Judge Roy Altman became the youngest federal district court judge in the country and the youngest ever appointed to the Southern District of Florida. A Columbia graduate and Yale Law School alum, he clerked on the 11th Circuit, served as a federal prosecutor in Miami—earning “Federal Prosecutor of the Year”—and later became a partner at Podhurst Orseck.
Amir Avivi is the Founder and Chairman of IDSF, a movement of over 55,000 members focused on strengthening Israel’s national security.
He retired from the Israel Defense Forces in 2017 after more than 30 years of service, including senior leadership roles such as Brigade Commander, Deputy Division Commander, and Head of the Military School of Engineers. He also served as Head of Auditing and Consulting for Israel’s defense establishment, overseeing key areas like readiness, budgeting, and operations.
Earlier in his career, he was Aide-de-Camp to the IDF Chief of Staff. Avivi has twice been named one of the 50 most influential Jews in the world by The Jerusalem Post.
Israeli diplomat, public diplomacy expert, and branding specialist. Born in Tel Aviv, he spent 25 years in Israel’s Foreign Service, primarily in the United States, and founded the Brand Israel Program in 2002. He served as Israel’s longest-tenured Consul-General in New York from 2010 to 2016.
Since leaving government, he has advised multinational corporations such as APCO, Mastercard, and Bank Leumi, and co-founded ventures including Emerson Rigby, EA2K, and the Genius 100 Visions Foundation. He has held academic roles at institutions like NYU, Touro University, UC San Diego, and Tel Aviv University, and remains active as a speaker, writer, and media commentator.
Rachel Azaria is the founder and CEO of HaOgen (“The Anchor”) for Reservist Families, launched on October 7, 2023. The organization now supports 40,000 reservist families across Israel through 20,000 volunteers and received the 2025 Presidential Award for Volunteerism.
A leading social entrepreneur and public leader, Azaria has led over fifty social change initiatives in environmental policy, gender equality, early childhood, and religion and state.
Azaria is the author of Guided Revolution, the first Hebrew book on effective social change in Israel, and host of the podcast “Parashat Drachim.”
Noam leads the educational vision and content creation for the Unpacked brand at OpenDor Media, reaching millions of young people each year through articles, videos, and social media. The Unpacked YouTube channel on Israel, Zionism, and antisemitism has over 500,000 subscribers and tens of millions of views.
He hosts the podcast Unpacking Israeli History and co-hosts Wondering Jews. He helped expand Unpacked for Educators, used by over 13,000 educators worldwide, and launched ConnectED, a platform for schools teaching.
Exploring new approaches to teaching about modern Israel and Zionist identity.
Raised in San Diego and inspired by classic West Coast hip hop, he blends English, Hebrew, and Spanish in a sound that fuses West Coast and Middle Eastern influences. Through tracks like “40 Acres,” “Meshuggeneh,” “Homeland,” and “From the River to the Sea,” he explores identity and culture. Gravy believes music has the power to share personal and collective stories, and he uses his voice for both.
Jacki Alexander is the CEO and President of HonestReporting, leading the organization's strategic vision and direction. With over 15 years of prior experience at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), she played a key role in strengthening pro-Israel support across Florida and the Southeastern United States. Recognized as one of the "Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life, 2024" by The Algemeiner, Jacki is bringing innovative ideas to the fight against anti-Israel disinformation campaigns and Israel advocacy.
She holds an Master's Degree in the History of International Relations from the London School of Economics. In 2022, she was appointed to the Florida Department of Education’s Task Force on Holocaust Education.
His research focuses on democracy, rule of law, political violence, and Israeli politics and policy. A recipient of the Yitzhak Rabin Fulbright Award, he has also been a fellow at the Hoover Institution and the Robert Bosch Academy, and served as principal investigator for EU Horizon 2020 research projects. Magen also serves on the World Jewish Congress Executive Committee and boards related to foreign relations and democratic renewal.
Dr. Bella Tendler Krieger is the Director of Adult Learning and Growth at CAJE Miami. She has a PhD in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University, an MBA from the University of Miami, and is an ordination student at the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Rabbanut North America Program.
Dr. Shai Cohen is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Miami and Director of the AI and Humanities Lab. His research explores Jewish–Christian relations and engages contemporary Jewish communal challenges, including Jewish peoplehood, dialogue across political and cultural divides, and the role of digital technologies in shaping Jewish learning and public discourse.
He leads the Sephardi Spaces project, mapping Sephardic migration and identity, and develops cutting-edge XR and AI tools for heritage preservation and Jewish education—creating immersive exhibitions and digital platforms that bring Jewish history to life today.
Eli Beer was born in Israel and, after witnessing a terror attack at age seven, became inspired to save lives as a volunteer medic. Since 1988, he has spent over 30 years responding to major emergencies. He is the Founder and President of United Hatzalah and lectures on health, emergency response, and technology.
On October 7, he led emergency efforts by dispatching over 1,700 volunteers, coordinating nationwide rescue operations, and helping establish a field hospital near Gaza that saved thousands of lives.
Eric Cohen has been CEO of Tikvah since 2007, leading its growth into a major Jewish think tank and educational institution. A prominent voice in American and Jewish thought, he founded and serves as editor-at-large of The New Atlantis and has held leadership roles with several influential publications and organizations.
He has written widely and authored In the Shadow of Progress (2008), and previously served as managing editor of The Public Interest and advisor to the President’s Council on Bioethics.
Raised in Israel and now based in California, 18-year-old Iddo Cabiri is the Co-Founder and Director of SUBRES, the first gap-year program in the United States dedicated to Israeli advocacy.
In partnership with Israel’s largest civil advocacy organization - Israeli Spirit, Iddo delivers educational workshops in more than ten states nationwide, empowering thousands of students with the tools to stand up for their identity and share Israel’s story.
Raised in Israel and now based in California, 18-year-old Ilay Noimark is the Co-Founder and Director of SUBRES, the first gap-year program in the United States dedicated to Israeli advocacy. In partnership with Israel’s largest civil advocacy organization - Israeli Spirit, Ilay delivers educational workshops in more than ten states across the nation, equipping thousands of students with the knowledge and skills to confront antisemitism and share Israel’s story.
His experience includes writing for The Times of Israel, speaking at the Z3 and IAC National Conferences, conducting academic research on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at UC Irvine, co-founding a regional debate club, and co- leading the Silicon Valley Israeli Scouts.
Malka Sprung is the Director of Development and Community Engagement (US) for ATIDA, the Israeli nonprofit that recruits, trains, and places ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) women in elite IDF technology units, including Unit 8200, cyber security, and intelligence divisions. Since its 2020 pilot, ATIDA has grown from 23 to over 600 participants, with 100% graduate employment.
Internationally recognized cybersecurity expert, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor who has spoken at leading global conferences for organizations including Microsoft, Google, IBM, and more.
He is the CEO and co-founder of Milestone, co-founder of Cytactic, and CTO of the Blavatnik Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center at Tel Aviv University. He also founded the widely-read THINK:CYBER newsletter.
Moj is an Iranian American attorney and prominent Jewish community leader in Miami. She serves as Campaign Chair of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and is a trustee of Jewish Federations of North America, with extensive past leadership across Federation committees. She is a Wexner Heritage Fellow and recipient of the Stanley C. Myers Presidents’ Leadership Award.
She also holds key civic roles, including the Public Health Trust of Jackson Health System and Miami Beach Audit Committee, and serves on Columbia Law School’s Board of Visitors. She is a wife and mother of three.
Raised in Jerusalem, ordained in New York, and now based in Palo Alto, Rabbi Amitai Fraiman is the Founding Director of the Z3 Project at the Oshman Family JCC, strengthening Israel–Diaspora relations through a Peoplehood-focused Zionism.He also founded Interwoven (שזור), sharing the story of American Jewry with Israelis. An ELI speaker, YCT-ordained rabbi, and NYU graduate.
Rabbi Dr. Gil S. Perl is the CEO of the Gisela and Daniel Ades Foundation and Founding Head of School of the Jewish Leadership Academy. He holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University, along with rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University.
With over two decades of experience leading top Jewish day schools, he is an award-winning educator, recognized by Harvard for excellence in teaching and named Yeshiva University’s Professor of the Year.
Rabbi Ed Farber is the Rabbi Emeritus of Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus. He has been with our synagogue since 1995 and has been in the Rabbinate since 1978. Growing up in Miami where he was active in United Synagogue Youth (USY), he was ordained as a Rabbi by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and served as the Rabbi of Temple Samu-El Or Olom in South Dade before coming to Beth Torah. In 2003, he was presented with an Honorary Doctorate by the Jewish Theological Seminary for his 25 years of service in the Rabbinate.
Rabbi Efrat Zarren-Zohar is the Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE), the nonprofit that catalyzes and accelerates the advancement of Jewish education in Miami and is the educational partner of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
She graduated with Honors from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and served as the first Program Director at The University of Michigan Hillel. She went on to study at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute for Religion, where she was ordained in 1992, following an additional year of study at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Lauren has served in numerous leadership roles, including Vice President of Rabbinic Initiatives and Founding Director of Rabbanut North America at the Hartman Institute, and Director of Lifelong Learning at Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
She is also a frequent scholar-in-residence for leadership seminars at Jewish Federations across North America.
She lives in Aventura, Florida, with her husband, Rabbi Jonathan Berkun of Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, and their three children.
Rabbi Menachem Bombach is an Israeli educator and social entrepreneur, founder of the Netzach Haredi Educational Network and head of the Hasidic Midrasha in Beitar Illit. He holds degrees in Education and Public Policy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
A pioneer in bridging gaps within Israeli society, he launched the first Haredi preparatory program at Hebrew University and leads initiatives promoting civic engagement, national service, and shared memory in the ultra-Orthodox community. Recognized as one of Israel’s most influential educators, he continues to drive bold change through education and leadership.
Rabbi Yossi Smierc is the founder and director of Kspace, a vibrant center based in Aventura, Florida, dedicated to Jewish learning, friendship, and community for young Jewish singles and youngprofessionalsages 18–38.
While Kspace serves South Florida, it also welcomes young adults from around the world who come seeking community, spiritual guidance, meaningful friendships, and support with life’s next steps, whether that’s building Jewish identity, finding a job, or meeting their future spouse. For almost 20 years, Kspace has brought thousands of people together through impactful programs and events, leading to over 180 marriages among participants and over 270 children born to those families.
R. D. Galimidi-Hadar is the Head Rabbi of the largest Judeo-Spanish community in North America and the editor and author of several books and articles regarding the Ladino Sephardic community. He is also an attorney at law and maintains an Intellectual Property practice.
Since October 7, Shira Granot has led an engaging Israeli wine tasting that tells the story of a nation through its vineyards. Experience Israel through curated wines while gaining insight into how global antisemitism and ongoing conflict impact the Israeli wine industry, and the resilience that keeps it thriving.
Tila Falic is a Miami-based educational leader, community advocate, and nonprofit board member. A mother of six, she is the founding president of the Jewish Culture High School (JCHS), where she has led strategic growth and academic development focused on leadership and cultural literacy.
She serves on the Board of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the FIU Board of Trustees. The granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, she is committed to education, combating antisemitism, and preserving democratic values. She has been recognized nationally, including The Jerusalem Post’s “Young ViZionaries” list.
Zach Sage Fox is a Philadelphia native turned YouTube sensation who landed a Disney Channel deal at 17 and went on to create shows, launch a production company, and produce films sold to Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Today, he leads an NYC-based multimedia company creating film, TV, and viral content for major platforms and brands, reaching billions of viewers. Since October 7, he has spearheaded “Facts for Peace,” a viral initiative combating antisemitism and misinformation, recognized globally, including by the U.S. Congress.
Zohar Vloski served as the KKL-JNF Israel & Education ambassador representative to USA and before that he served as the KKL-JNF Executive Director of Education Division. Zohar is Lieutenant Colonel. (res) served for 25 years in the IDF, including as a commander of education units, a key driver of the military’s educational systems, and a leader in connecting the Birthright Israel program to Israeli soldiers.
As an educational entrepreneur over the course of three decades, he has implemented training programs in Jewish and Zionist identity, Holocaust memorialization, and Jewish leadership and culture.
An attorney and member of the Florida Bar since 1995, Denise Tamir is a “recovering litigator” who began mediating full time as a Circuit Civil and Family Mediator in 2009. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in International Finance and Marketing from the University of Miami and her Law Degree from Nova Southeastern University where she served on the school's Law Review Board. Professionally Denise also served as the Israeli American Council's Florida Regional Director from 2014-2015.
Denise has been a lay leader nationally and in South Florida for nearly 30 years and currently serves as treasurer of The StandWithUs Center for Legal Justice, an organization that provides legal support and representation to victims of antisemitism on college campuses and beyond; Board Member of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation where she is campaign chair of its Israeli Division; Board Member of the Friends of IDF; and proud co-chair the Michael-Ann Russell JCC’s HUB.
The accomplishments of which she is most proud, however, are her over 40 year marriage to Ofer Tamir and raising two amazing women, Danielle and Arielle.
David Blumberg is a husband, parent, venture capitalist, native Californian and proud resident of Miami. He is also the founder and managing partner of Blumberg Capital, an early and growth stage venture capital firm that partners with visionary entrepreneurs from inception through exit, with a focus on AI-driven enterprise software.The firm has been an early investor in industry leaders including Addepar, Braze, DoubleVerify, Finaro, Nutanix, SupplyPike and Trulioo. The team is strategically located across Miami, New York, San Francisco and Tel Aviv.
David is an advocate for human flourishing through entrepreneurship, innovation and philanthropy. He is a member and supporter of organizations such as Tiger21, PragerU (board member), Milken Institute and Dynasty, as well as a number of organizations that support Israel’s resilience and growth such as Yamam, TAMID, MARJCC, RJC, Greater Miami Jewish Federation, and The David Network. David has invested in Israeli tech for decades with Israeli-founded companies making up one third of Blumberg Capital’s investments.
As a leader of the “tech-exodus” from Silicon Valley to Miami in 2020, David has helped promote Miami as a global hub for innovation by investing in Miami-based startups, building a local team and supporting local organizations that fuel growth and innovation through education, connection and impact such as the University of Miami, NOVA Southeastern University, Pine Crest School, and Achieve Miami.
Prior to founding Blumberg Capital in 1991, David managed international investments with Claridge, the Charles Bronfman Family Office, in Montréal, Adler & Co, APAX Partners and at T. Rowe Price. He also launched business development for Check Point Software Technologies.
David earned an A.B. in Government, cum laude, from Harvard College and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and INSEAD. He speaks French and is proficient in Hebrew and Spanish.
David serves as a member or observer on the boards of Flex Storage, Jassby, Kloudfuse, Konfyd, Mytaverse, and Trulioo. David serves as Chairman of the Board at PragerU.
Alan Luchnick is a passionate community advocate with a strong commitment to giving back. For the past two years, he has served on the board of the MARJCC and is an active supporter of his local Chabad of Skylake, along with Chabad's in Virginia. Alan has also been an advisor to Go-Kosher for several years. With extensive experience in the franchise industry, he is currently an area owner for Nexplore, and previously served as an area owner for Orange Theory Fitness. Whether in business or community involvement, Alan brings unwavering dedication and enthusiasm to everything he does.
Miriam Zirdok is a Jewish community director and professional, journalist, and creator of meaningful experiences. She serves as the Director of The Hub and Z3 Miami at the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center (MARJCC), where she leads innovative and intellectual programming for young professionals and adults centered around Israel, culture, wellness, business, innovation, and social connection.
Previously, she planned and led international trips for young Jewish singles around the world, and was also involved in community building, social media, and event planning for the Jewish community in Mexico City. She is a journalist who previously worked with National Geographic, where her writing reflected a love for the world, nature, different cultures, and animals, as well as a belief in continuous dialogue between people—reflecting a deep curiosity and commitment to positive global impact.
Profoundly involved in Jewish communal life from a young age and a student of spirituality and the Jewish religion, she brings depth and meaning to her work, dedicated to Jewish continuity, community building, and strengthening connection to Israel and the Jewish people.