Board of Directors

ROB SCHWARTZ, FOUNDER

Denver, CO

Rob Schwartz is a visionary leader known for his ability to take bold ideas and turn them into impactful realities. Inspired by his deep admiration for Menachem Begin, particularly after reading Prime Ministers, Rob was struck by the lack of accessible information about the Israeli leader’s life. Determined to change this, he set out to create the first English-language documentary on Begin, resulting in UPHEAVAL: The Journey of Menachem Begin, a groundbreaking film that brings Begin’s legacy to life. As the founder of Hidden Light Institute (HLI), Rob leads a nonprofit film production studio dedicated to spotlighting historic Jewish and Israeli figures and events. His passion for storytelling and history aligns with HLI’s mission to engage audiences through documentaries, dynamic panels, and educational curricula. Rob’s career began after graduating from Rutgers School of Law, where he served as a city administrator before becoming Chief of Staff to former Senator Joe Lieberman. He later held leadership roles as a senior administrator at Yale New Haven Hospital and Senior Vice President at American Medical Response, the largest ambulance service in the U.S. He also founded Strategic Resources, a consulting firm specializing in healthcare trade associations, strategic planning, marketing, and regulatory counsel. Rob’s track record of getting things done, coupled with his visionary approach to both film and leadership, defines his career and contributions to HLI’s mission.

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​BARRY GURLAND, CHAIR

Aventura, FL 

Barry Gurland is a partner at DB Family Office Services, where he helps high-net-worth individuals and families develop strategic business plans for the future. He also serves as a partner at Daskal Bolton LLP, a leading regional CPA firm, advising on estate, succession, and retirement planning. With over 40 years of experience, Barry has held numerous leadership roles within the community. He was the first recipient of the Stanley C. Myers Young Leadership Award from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, where he currently chairs the Security and Collections Committee. Barry is also a past trustee of the Maccabi USA Sports for Israel Endowment Fund and received their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

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STEPHANIE STRAUS, VICE CHAIR

Jerusalem, Israel

Stephanie Strauss serves as the Executive Director of Yeshiva University in Israel, where she oversees all of the university's activities in the country. She manages the Jerusalem campus, supports various YU divisions, and develops programs for visiting students, staff, and alumni. Additionally, Stephanie leads the recruitment and enrollment department for gap year students from Jewish communities worldwide, giving her deep insight into the interests of Jewish youth today. She plays a key role in implementing Yeshiva University's vision for its Israel operations and enhancing its impact within Israeli society. Stephanie also serves as Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors Geographies and Regions Committee at the Jewish Agency for Israel.

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ROBERT BERNTON, TREASURER

New York, NY

Robert Bernton leads the North American Mid-Market Agency Team at Waze, a Google company. Before joining Google, Robert founded and successfully sold The Kosher Express, a company that delivered high-quality kosher meat across the United States. He holds an Executive MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a BBA from Emory University, where he served as President of Emory Hillel and was actively involved in campus life. Robert is a graduate of Rocky Mountain Hebrew Academy in Denver, Colorado.

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TAMARA BERENS

Washington, DC

Tamara Berens is the co-director of the Krauthammer Fellowship, the director of Young Professionals programs at Tikvah, and a contributor at Mosaic. She graduated from King’s College London with a BA in War Studies. Tamara worked for CAMERA and conducted research at think-tanks in Westminster, England, and Washington, DC, before beginning one of the inaugural Krauthammer Fellowships, then at Mosaic. Tamara’s writing has appeared in publications in the US, UK, and Israel such as National Review and The Weekly Standard and she has been interviewed by the Telegraph and Makor Rishon.

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MEL BOTTNER

Scottsdale, AZ

Mel Bottner, a respected family medicine physician, dedicated 43 years to healthcare, where he served as Co-Medical Director of ten clinics, overseeing 120 physicians. A graduate of the University of Toronto Medical School, Mel has also been a leader in the Jewish community, contributing to organizations like AIPAC, Federation, and synagogues, and serving on the board of the Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School. Now retired, he brings his expertise to his role as Vice President of Finance at Ahavas Torah. 

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SAMANTHA BRATTER

Miami, FL

Samantha is a dynamic business leader who seamlessly blends her passion for the arts and strategic planning with impactful collaboration. Her career began in luxury fashion, directing regional operations for Chanel, Versace, Ferragamo, and Pucci. She has held executive roles in philanthropy and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at BRATTER PA Immigration Law Firm, specializing in extraordinary ability professionals and high-net-worth individuals. As the founder of The Bratter Agency, Samantha supports professional athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs with strategic market consulting. She also executive produced the award-winning film Better Mus' Come and Centered: Joe Lieberman, and played a key role in the International Swim League, leading the Cali Condors to a championship victory. In addition, Samantha is a founder of the BRATTER PA Padrino Program, which has awarded over 100 scholarships to Venezuelan artists. She serves on several boards, including the West Palm Beach Downtown Authority and the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. 

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RABBI PINI DUNNER

Beverly Hills, CA

Rabbi Pini Dunner comes from a distinguished European rabbinic family that survived the Holocaust and resettled in London, England. After completing yeshiva studies in England, the United States, and Israel, Rabbi Dunner earned a degree in Jewish History from University College London. He founded the Saatchi Synagogue in London’s West End, catering to post-graduate professionals. Currently, he serves as the Senior Rabbi at Young Israel of North Beverly Hills. Rabbi Dunner is the author of Mavericks, Mystics and False Messiahs (2018) and Hearts & Minds (2021).

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JONATHAN FELDMAN

London, UK

Jonathan Feldman is the Executive Director of Global Mutual, a leading property investment and management platform based in London and Los Angeles, overseeing more than £1.5 billion in assets. Before co-founding Global Mutual, Jonathan was Managing Director of Jayroma London Limited, an international clothing manufacturer. A qualified member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors since 1994, he previously served as a Senior Surveyor at Hillier Parker Chartered Surveyors (now CB Richard Ellis), specializing in retail property. Jonathan holds a BSc with Honors in Management Sciences from the University of Manchester.

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JUDY FLEISCHER

New York, NY

Judy Fleischer is a distinguished journalist and editor with a rich background in business and finance reporting. An award-winning writer, Judy has contributed to leading publications such as Crain's New York Business, NBC.com, CNBC.com, and Advertising Age. She holds an MBA in Accounting and Finance from the Wharton School of Business and an MA in Journalism from Columbia University. Beyond her journalism career, Judy is deeply committed to community service. She serves as Vice President/Secretary of the Jewish Childcare Association, Co-Chairs the Advisory Committee of the Tikvah Fund, and has held leadership roles as a Trustee at the Tenement Museum and as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Hood College. 

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RABBI EFREM GOLDBERG

Boca Raton, FL

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is the Senior Rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), the largest Orthodox synagogue in the southeastern United States, serving over 800 families and more than 1,000 children. Recognized as one of South Florida's "Most Influential Jewish Leaders" in 2010, Rabbi Goldberg is a prolific writer, with his work featured on Aish.com, OU.org, and in publications such as Mishpacha, Mosaic, Jewish Press, and The Times of Israel. A passionate advocate for Israel, he has been part of a select delegation of rabbis invited to the White House to discuss US-Israel relations. In 2011, Rabbi Goldberg delivered the invocation to the US House of Representatives and has received several prestigious awards, including the "Star of David" award and the "Pillar of the Community" and "Israel Award" from Friends of the IDF.

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BRUCE GOULD

Orlando, FL

Bruce Gould was a principal of Gould Publications, Inc., a family-owned business that became one of the leading statutory law book publishers in the country before its sale in 2004. Bruce is deeply committed to philanthropy. He served as Vice President of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando and has been involved with the Jewish National Fund for over 20 years. He contributed lead naming gifts for an amphitheater and commemoration hall at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem. Currently, Bruce is leading the campaign to build the Holocaust Museum for Hope and Humanity in Orlando, Florida. He serves as a producer on the documentary Upheaval: The Journey of Menachem Begin and as Executive Producer of Centered: Joe Lieberman. An avid cyclist, Bruce has completed a 300-mile ride across Israel. Bruce holds a BA and an LLM from New York University and a JD from Touro College’s Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.

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PASTOR BECKY KEENAN

Houston, TX

Rev. Becky Keenan is the founder and president of One With Israel (OWI), a movement dedicated to supporting Israel and fostering unity across diverse communities. Inspired by her father's WWII experiences, she is committed to breaking down barriers and promoting understanding. Rev. Keenan has served on AIPAC’s National Council, is an Advisory Council Member with IsraAid, and has led humanitarian missions to Puerto Rico and Guatemala. She frequently leads educational delegations to Israel and is a graduate of Yad Vashem’s Christian Leadership Seminar. She also serves as Senior Pastor at Living Hope Church in Houston, Texas, alongside her husband, Rev. Joseph S. Keenan. Additionally, she is a translator, voice talent, and interpreter with an honorary PhD from the Association of Evangelical Gospel Assemblies.

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PASTOR TERRY KIRK

Baltimore, MD

Pastor Terry Kirk is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, the largest evangelical group in the world, and the founding pastor of Central Christian Assembly, with campuses in White Marsh, Maryland, and Bel Air, California. With over 45 years in ministry, he holds an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Freedom Bible College. Pastor Kirk has served on several boards, including the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, Teen Challenge of Maryland, Jerusalem Institute of Justice, and Convoy of Hope, advises Pastor Rick Bezet of New Life Church, and is an associate to Jimmy Swagart Evangelistic association. He co-founded Pastors and Executives for Israel and Hope Experience Tours.

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JUDITH LUPATKIN-BERNSTEIN

Stamford, CT

Judith Lupatkin Bernstein is a seasoned marketing professional with nearly 20 years of experience in the entertainment and non-profit sectors. As a Marketing Executive at HBO for over a decade, specializing in documentary films, she oversaw the creative development of the key art, marketing strategies, and promotional activations. Judith also consulted on notable Independent Film productions including, Upheaval: The Journey of Menachem Begin, Exodus '91, and Centered: Joe Lieberman. She serves on the boards of the Hidden Light Institute and Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy.  Judith graduated from Brandeis University with a BA in American Studies with a concentration in Film and a minor in Journalism, and she holds an MA in Cinema Studies form New York University's Tisch School.  She resides in Stamford, CT with her husband and three children.

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TAMIR OREN

Tel Aviv, Israel

Tamir is currently an executive at Exactius, a growth marketing company based in New York, and the Founder of Noga, an admissions consultancy that helps top Israeli students with their applications to Ivy League universities in the U.S. and UK. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of StandWithUs UK, where he led initiatives to combat antisemitism and educate about Israel across Europe. Tamir also launched the "StandWithUs UK Leadership Program," empowering students on UK campuses to become informed and effective leaders. Additionally, he is a reserve officer in the Paratroopers Brigade, with experience defending Israel and participating in the "Israeli Soldiers' Stories" tour on U.S. campuses.

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ANDREA KUPFER SCHNEIDER

New York, NY

Andrea Kupfer Schneider is a Professor of Law and Director of the Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law. Previously, she led the nationally ranked dispute resolution program at Marquette University Law School, where she taught Dispute Resolution, Negotiation, Ethics, and International Conflict Resolution for over 20 years. Andrea has published extensively on topics including negotiation, plea bargaining, ethics, and gender in conflict resolution. Her TEDx talk, Women Don’t Negotiate and Other Similar Nonsense, showcases her expertise in negotiation. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Andrea has also held leadership roles with the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and served on various national boards, including the JFNA National Board. 

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GARY SIMON

Cedarhurst, NY

Gary M. Simon is the Managing Member of UVE Partners LLC, a value-oriented investment fund he founded in March 2000. With a strong background in finance, Gary previously served as CFO for NASDAQ-listed companies, including Concord Camera Corporation and Multi-Media Tutorial Services. His career also includes roles as an investment banker in the M&A Group at Ernst & Young, Oxbridge Partners, and Barington Capital Group. Gary holds a BS in Accounting from Yeshiva University and an MBA from NYU's Graduate School of Business Administration.

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ELIAS SITTON

Mexico City, Mexico

Elias Sitton is the Managing Partner and CEO of LB Logistics, a leading cross-border logistics and sourcing company connecting Mexico and the United States. A seasoned entrepreneur with a focus on international business, he is also the Co-Founder of Gipsy Group, which represents major American, Israeli, and international brands in Mexico, distributing consumer products through leading retailers and department stores. In addition to his professional achievements, Elias volunteers with Mexico’s Holocaust Survivor ASsociation, hosting events and raising funds to support Holocaust survivors and their family members. He holds a degree in Business Management from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. 

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RABBI DR. MEIR SOLOVEICHIK

New York, NY

Rabbi Dr. Meir Y. Soloveichik is the esteemed rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel, the oldest Jewish congregation in the United States, and serves as the director of the Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University. He holds a doctorate in religion from Princeton University and received his rabbinic ordination from RIETS, where he was also a member of the prestigious Beren Kollel Elyon. Rabbi Soloveichik is a widely recognized scholar and speaker, having lectured across the U.S., Europe, and Israel on topics including Jewish theology, bioethics, wartime ethics, and Jewish-Christian relations. His writings have been featured in prominent publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Commentary, and First Things. In 2012, he delivered the invocation at the Republican National Convention. He comes from a distinguished rabbinic lineage, being the son of Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, grandson of Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik, and great-nephew of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveichik.

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RABBI STUART WEINBLATT

Potomac, MD

Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt is the founding rabbi of Congregation B'nei Tzedek in Potomac, Maryland, a thriving Conservative synagogue established in 1988. Recognized as "one of the most inspiring Rabbis in America" by The Forward and voted "Best Rabbi in Washington" multiple times by Washington Jewish Week readers, Rabbi Weinblatt is a respected leader and advocate. He has delivered opening prayers for sessions of the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, Maryland State Legislature, and at the inaugurations of Maryland's governors. Rabbi Weinblatt serves as president of the Rabbinic Cabinet of JFNA, leads the Jewish National Fund's "Rabbis for Israel," and has chaired national conventions for the Rabbinical Assembly. His contributions to the community have earned him the "Pillar of the Community" award from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.