Focal Point 2021 will take place virtually on November 3-4, 2021

Please join us for the virtual conference at the following times on both days:

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET

2:00 PM - 7:00 PM UK

4:00 PM - 9:00 PM ISRAEL  

Please note that the conference will take place in between the daylight savings clock change in Israel/UK and in the US, so there is a shorter time difference than normal.  

In addition to the virtual conference, we are excited to offer in-person regional networking events in select cities across the world! These events will take place during the week of Focal Point and will follow local health and safety guidelines.

If you live in Israel, London, New York City, or Washington DC - RSVP below to join an in-person networking event! 

Please note that the schedule is subject to change. We will add additional speakers as they are confirmed. All times listed here are in Eastern Time.

Time

Session

Speakers

10:00 AM - 11:40 AM

Opening Plenary: Jewish Visions of a More
Equitable and Sustainable World

Opening remarks: Dyonna Ginsburg

Moderator: Lisa Eisen
Carly Maisel
Gamal Palmer 
Dr. Jessica Beckerman
Yosef Abramowitz
Moments of Inspiration spotlight
on David Hertz

11:40 AM - 12:10 PM

Networking Rounds #1: Who's in the Room?

  

12:10 PM - 12:15 PM

Break

  

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Breakout Session
Globally Connected and Motivated: Cultivating a New Generation of Globally Responsible Jewish Leaders

Moderator: Shaun Hoffman
Alejandro Okret
Becca Flyer
Lauren Keiles
Sarah Eisenman

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Breakout Session
Sustainable and Resilient Climate Programs in International Development and Aid

Moderator: Rabbi Yonatan Neril
Laura Hendy

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Breakout Session
Power Dynamics and Anti-Racism in International Development: What Do They Have to Do With Us?

Facilitators: Gina Flash &
Mickey Noam-Alon
Toumai Kafri

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Breakout Session
Jewish Media's Role in International Development

Moderator: Danna Harman
David Horovitz
Deborah Kolben

1:15 PM - 1:30 PM

Break

  

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Breakout Session
Duty of Care: Ensuring Staff's Health and Safety in Covid Times

Facilitator: Christine Williamson
Jacob Sztokman

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Breakout Session
What Funders Want: An Open and Intimate Conversation

Moderator: Laurie Franz 
Ed Shapiro
Lisa Issroff

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Breakout Session
Transcending Partisan Lines in Engaging Jews in Global Responsibility

Moderator: Merrill Zack
Michelle Bauernfreund
Rachel Sumekh

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Breakout Session
The Challenges and Opportunities of Using Skilled Volunteers in the Field

Moderator: Dr. Judith Lasker
Anat Belluco
Dr. Darren Weiss

2:30 PM - 2:40 PM                              

Closing Day 1

Moments of Inspiration spotlight on Rabbi Moshe Hauer

2:40 PM - 3:00 PM

Networking rounds #2: Who's in the Room?

  

Time

Session

Speakers

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM                                            

Plenary: Today's Humanitarian Crises and the Jewish / Israeli Response

Moderator: Mark Hetfield
Anne Gathumbi
Eliran Douenias
Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis
Moments of Inspiration spotlight on OLAM partner collaboration

11:30 AM - 11:40 AM

Break

  

11:40 AM - 12:20 PM

Breakout Session
From Theory to Practice: Everything is Urgent: Prioritising Global Giving

Moderator: Graham Carpenter 
Adam Azari
Dana Manor
Orit Strauss Raz

11:40 AM - 12:20 PM

Breakout Session
From Theory to Practice: Four Ways Jewish Communal Professionals Can Bring Global Causes to Their Communities

Moderator: Amy Weiss
Andrew Mandel
Annie Vainrub
Rachael Sonntag-Bloom

11:40 AM - 12:20 PM

Breakout Session
From Theory to Practice: Effective Communication: How to Tell Your Organization's Story

Facilitator: Annie Levy
Rabbi Ovadia Sofer

11:40 AM - 12:20 PM

Breakout Session
From Theory to Practice: Introduction to Engaging North American Jewish Communities (For Non-American OLAM Partner Organizations)

Facilitator: Liz Fisher

12:20 PM - 12:30 PM

Break

  

12:30 PM - 1:50 PM

Open Space: Bring Us Your Ideas!

  

1:50 PM - 2:00 PM

Break

  

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Closing Plenary: Global Vaccine Equity -  Who's Getting the Jab and Who's Not, Why, And How Can We Help Close the Gap?

Reflections on Shmita:
Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin
Rabbi Micha Odenheimer
Rabbi Yedidya Sinclair

Moderator: Shoshana Boyd Gelfand 
Dr. Husna Daffalla
Liz Case
Dr. Orin Levine

Day & Time

Location

RSVP Link

Nov 4, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET

Washington DC
Convene: 600 14th Street NW, 4th Floor

RSVP Here

Nov 4, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET

New York City
305 7th Avenue 17th Floor

RSVP Here

Nov 4, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM UK

London
JW3: 341-351 Finchley Road

RSVP Here

Nov 11, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Israel

Israel
Derech Beit Lechem 7, Jerusalem

RSVP Here