We are thrilled to welcome Anna Langer as Vice President, North American Israel Strategy.
The Hamas attack of October 7th and the ensuing war have brought profound challenges and disruption not only to Israel but to Jewish communities around the world, and especially in North America. Jewish Federations’ efforts on security, fighting antisemitism and supporting Israel have been tested and are receiving the necessary focus and investment.
These ten months have also impacted our communities’ long-term relationship with Israel. Israel travel has been disrupted. Programs that have been central to educating North American Jews about Israel are experiencing major adaptations. Anti-Israel messaging is pervasive and has particularly affected an entire generation of young adults. We must plan and act now or these challenges will have profound consequences years and decades from now.
Anna will lead the development and implementation of Jewish Federations of North America programming in three areas:
The Hamas attack of October 7th and the ensuing war have brought profound challenges and disruption not only to Israel but to Jewish communities around the world, and especially in North America. Jewish Federations’ efforts on security, fighting antisemitism and supporting Israel have been tested and are receiving the necessary focus and investment.
These ten months have also impacted our communities’ long-term relationship with Israel. Israel travel has been disrupted. Programs that have been central to educating North American Jews about Israel are experiencing major adaptations. Anti-Israel messaging is pervasive and has particularly affected an entire generation of young adults. We must plan and act now or these challenges will have profound consequences years and decades from now.
Anna will lead the development and implementation of Jewish Federations of North America programming in three areas:
- Strengthening and growing Israel educational travel. Anna will supervise and partner with the Israel Educational Travel Alliance and its members as the vehicle for this work.
- Developing and disseminating updated models of Israel education, including a focus on the long-term trajectory of young people coming of age in the post-October 7th environment.
- Supporting the Israel advocacy work of community relations and government relations with relevant educational initiatives.
Anna comes to this role after serving as a Senior Program Officer at the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, where she worked to support grantmaking in the US Jewish portfolio with a focus on Israel education, engagement, and advocacy. Anna previously served as Associate Vice President and founding Director of Hillel International’s Israel Action Program. Anna is a trained dialogue facilitator and brings a passion for the arts, with prior experiences at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and The Old Globe Theater. Anna completed her B.A. at Mount Holyoke College and earned an M.A. in Humanities from University of Chicago and an M.A. in Education from George Washington University.