Although I like to believe that last week’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is not the end of the story, but rather roughly equivalent to the Book of Esther’s chapter 3, when Haman’s power seemed elevated and formalized as he became the recipient of the king’s signatory ring. The story of the Megilla still has multiple chapters waiting to unfold before Haman’s downfall is final. The tension and uncertainty still weigh heavily.
My feelings were frayed as more crushing news of yet more beautiful brave young Israeli soldiers were being buried.
This was my state of mind and heart in the wake of recent political chaos, upon attending the 2026 JNS (Jerusalem News Syndicate) International Policy Summit at the Jerusalem Waldorf.
I wasn’t prepared for how powerful joining this substantive summit would turn out to be.
It was supposed to take place a few months back, but due to the war, it was postponed to this week.
With the phenomenal achievement of last summer’s 12-day War, and the recent sustained 40 days of Israel yet again fighting Iran side by side with the United States, who could have foreseen this latest diplomatic’ moment, an unexpected twist in the plot, nearly coinciding with the new timing of the JNS International Summit?
Personally, it’s just what the doctor ordered.
To stand in an auditorium amidst 1,000 passionate, talented, idealistic people who share your sense of mission in standing with Israel — or rather, who stand for the truth about Israel — the only sovereign Jewish state in the world, would carry a strength and inspiration all its own, regardless of when it would be taking place.
But now? As Israel has unjustly been taking a beating? As Israel is contending with anti-Semitic and anti-Israel campaigns? As Israel’s fate hangs in the balance and is the subject of other governments negotiating her fate?
The feeling at JNS has been nothing short of electric, infused with a profound sense of purpose.
The extraordinary plenary sessions, as well as the break-out sessions, have all been anchored in an astonishing sense of “shlichut” — a calling.
A phenomenal lineup of Jews and non-Jews, political and lay leadership, entrepreneurs, academics, pro-Israel social media influencers, community activists, leaders of a panoply of non- profits tackling the challenge of security, of strategic thinking about Israel’s future, harnessing AI in Israel, coping with the “8th front” in this war of sharing Israel’s narrative, dealing with the onslaught of anti-Semitism, expanding Israel’s diplomatic horizons in the world — were all compelling facets of this three-day summit.
JNS — now officially, Jerusalem News Syndicate — was hosting this international summit as an opportunity for journalists committed to getting the truth about Israel out to the world; to organize, meet, reflect, plan, refine and leverage media work to the next actionable level.
Throngs of people dedicated to Israel and the Jewish people’s success, showed up. Writers and non-writers alike. It didn’t matter.
For me, it was like a catharsis, a truly strengthening moment. Standing shoulder to shoulder with so many people showing up for Am Yisrael, truly was inspirational.
More than simply showing up, though, there was the content. Stimulating, thought-provoking ways of considering key issues Israeli society is contending with, as well as charting features of Israel’s course far into the future.
Underlying this summit replete with linchpin personas invested in advancing Israel’s continued success was a layer of amazing warmth, joy and connection — that ‘heimish’ feeling of family that characterizes a Jewish gathering.
On some level, everyone here has thrown their destiny in with Israel’s.
In one instance, as the issue of anti-Semitism was discussed onstage, a wave of murmuring whispers spread among the people around me. An older woman sitting near me leaned in and whispered in my ear: a terrorist attack in Montreal right now . . . sadly further underscoring the indispensable need for this gathering and highlighting even more deeply the blessing of living in a world with an Israel.
The JNS summit was made up of a diverse group of people, including religious Zionist Jews as well as Christian friends of Israel, the young as well as the older. Young, hip voices we’ve come to know online as extraordinary advocates for Israel since Oct. 7, like Shabbos Kestenbaum and Ami Kozak, among many other leaders, were part of the summit.
Shabbos with his strategic thinking and processing of complex data at a speed that seems swifter than lightening, as he cuts through the noise and delivers crisply clear, comprehensive and compact brilliant problem solving, articulating intricate concepts with persuasive eloquence.
Ami, who has kept us laughing with comic relief of his pitch perfect impersonations as he captures the exact cadence, quirks and subtleties of his subjects, delivering insightful commentary wrapped in incredible humor, his satirical depth punctuated by his intellectual and astute observations.
Each in his own way, a master of communication.
But would you have guessed the oldest participant at the summit is 102 years old?? Officially, the oldest working journalist in the world?
This legend is none other than a gentleman named Walter Bingham, originally a British radio host, who many years ago made Israel his home.
The optimism he expressed for Israel’s future was crystal clear. “Israel is strong. Israel is doing well. We’re going to be OK!”
“This is my second round of experiencing anti-Semitism” (referring to WW II and Hitler). All the empires and super powers of the world have come and gone. But we’re here. Whatever the future brings, we’ll still be here.”
© IJN 2026