Twenty Years of the Israel at Heart Program

Alumni Panel in New York City

On Tuesday, June 23rd the American Friends of Reichman University and US Reichman University Alumni Association hosted a rooftop reception for local friends and alumni. President Boaz Ganor shared updates from the university and an overview on the university's approach to AI. 

Jonathan Davis, VP of External Relations and head of the Raphael Recanati International School, moderated a panel of Israel at Heart alumni in honor of the 20th anniversary of the program.

Pictured L to R: Yonatan Eyov, Malka Desale, Jonathan Davis, Prof. Boaz Ganor, Ariella Rada, and Maayan Daniel

Alumni Malka Desale, Yonatan Eyov, and Ariella Rada shared their experiences navigating US university campuses and political climates before and after October 7th. They reflected on the attitude and skills learned at Reichman University, with the program encouraging them to aim for great heights, following their IDF service and university studies. Malka shared her experiences at Vanderbilt University, engaging both Jewish and non-Jewish students, building relationships with HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities),fostering dialogue across campuses in her role as a The Jewish Agency for Israel Israel Fellow and Hillel professional.

Pictured L to R: , Malka Desale, Yonatan Eyov, and Ariella Rada

Yonatan shared his experiences both at Stanford University, where he served as an Israel Fellow and now at Brandeis University, where he recently graduated from the Hornstein MA/MBA program. Ariella spoke about her experiences now as the spokesperson and consul for media affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York and her previous roles at the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. She continues to find the role rewarding, highlighting she often is not expected to be a spokesperson for Israel and her degree at Reichman University prepared her to represent Israel on a global stage.

These Israel at Heart alumni continue to highlight the importance and success of this program. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Jewish Federation of Broward County for its generous and longstanding support of the Israel at Heart Ethiopian Scholarship Program since 2016. Through this meaningful partnership, talented Ethiopian-Israeli students have been given greater access to higher education and the opportunity to pursue their academic and professional goals. Your continued commitment has helped remove financial barriers, empower students, and create brighter futures for them, their families, and their communities. We are deeply grateful for your belief in this important program and for the lasting impact of your support.