Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid appointed Israel’s first special envoy for combating antisemitism and the delegitimization of Israel, naming Israeli American artist and author Noa Tishby to the position April 11 in Jerusalem.

Tishby will keynote the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton’s Presidents Dinner in the rotunda of the newly opened Dayton Arcade, May 15.

In making the announcement of her appointment, Lapid said, “the creation of this post and the appointment of Tishby is another step that will strengthen Israel and our fight against antisemitism internationally at a moment when Jews around the world once again face an alarming and dramatic resurgence in antisemitism.”

She is charged with raising awareness of delegitimization efforts against Israel, advocating against hate toward Jews, and spearheading initiatives worldwide, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

In 2011, Tishby founded Act for Israel, an online advocacy organization. In 2021, she wrote Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth. The ministry described her as “a leading voice in the United States and abroad” in fighting antisemitism and anti-Israel delegitimization efforts.

She has been recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World by The Jerusalem Post.

Tishby was born in Tel Aviv and served in the Israeli Defense Forces. She received a drama scholarship from the Tel Aviv Museum of Arts and appeared in popular Israeli television, film, and stage productions before establishing her film and television career in the United States as a producer, actor, and writer.

“I can imagine no greater honor than representing the State of Israel to work to eradicate the rising threat of irrational and dangerous hate against Jews, bring antisemitism to the surface, and foster dialogue,” Tishby said. “The danger facing Jews and the State of Israel is more prevalent now than at any time since World War II and the Holocaust.”

A recent FBI report found that Jews are the target of 58 percent of religiously motivated hate crimes in the United States while making up just 2 percent of the population, the ministry said in announcing the appointment. — JNS

Jewish Federation’s Presidents Dinner with Noa Tishby, 5 p.m., Sunday, May 15 at The Dayton Arcade, 35 W. Fourth St. Tickets are $100 each, $50 per young adult (ages 35 and under). Kashrut will be observed. Valet parking. Participants will be asked to make their pledges to the 2022 Jewish Federation Annual Campaign. To R.S.V.P., click here.

To read the complete May 2022 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.