Join the JCRC on August 25 for the first program in our Israeli Election Series. Join three Israelis; current JFGW Shaliach, Hila Kedar, former Pozez JCC Shlichah Dean Bagdadi and Director of the Dr.Stuart Lessans Israel Action Center, Adam Odesser, as they unpack everything Israeli Election related including, how they work, who is running, and how do Israelis vote.
Location
Online
Speakers
Hila Mordechai-Kedar
Educational Engagement Shlicha, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
Born and raised in Jerusalem, Hila grew up in the Israeli Scouts, leading her own troop and discovering a passion for informal education and community-building. She studied community social work and earned a master's degree in leadership and social entrepreneurship, going on to lead projects strengthening civic engagement in Israel's periphery.
Together with her wife, Chen Sara, also a Shlicha, Hila managed The Jewish Agency's TEN volunteer center in Cambodia, mentoring young Jews in service and tikkun olam. She has also been active in advancing LGBTQ+ rights in Be'er Sheva.
Dean Bagdadi
former Senior Shaliach (Israel Emissary) Pozez Northern Virginia Jewish Community Center
Dean Bagdadi is the former Senior Shaliach (Israel Emissary) for the Northern Virginia Jewish community at the Pozez JCC. Currently the Director of the Jewish leadership Academy Kol Ami at Ibbim campus, His background is the Israeli political field, Community building & Informal education. An expert in breaking down political subjects and facilitating the conversation.
Adam Odesser (aodesser@jcouncil.org)
Director of the Dr. Stuart Lessans Israel Action Center
Adam Odesser joined the JCRC in 2019 and serves as the JCRC’s Director of the Dr. Stuart Lessans Israel Action Center since 2021. He is a native Israeli who relocated with his family to the DC area in 2019. In Israel, Adam worked for Gesher, an NGO focused on facilitating workshops and seminars for high school students and IDF soldiers on an array of issues, including Jewish identity, religion, and social differences, having extensive experience in informal teen education. Adam has also worked for The Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Business School, focusing on forming partnerships between the International MBA program and Israeli start-ups. Adam served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the Home Front Command Unit as a Reserves Recruiter and Training Officer.
Adam earned a BA in political science and a BBA in Business Administration and Management from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and an MBA from the University of Maryland.