THE ALUMNI NETWORK

How does a small college change the face of a nation? One graduate at a time.

Shalem graduates bring shared values and commitments to their areas of influence, strengthening the foundations of Israeli society and shaping a better future for all its citizens.

From a learning community to a network of engaged professionals, our alumni occupy key positions in sectors with the potential to determine the contours and character of the Jewish state. Together, they bring about strategic change: in the Knesset, in the classroom, in culture, and in public discourse.

Social Entrepreneurship

Shalem graduates establish and scale projects, initiatives, and organizations with both local and national impact. Along the way, they bring fearless inquiry and engaged citizenship from their campus to the country Shalem was founded to serve.

SAPIR BLUZER ’18, selected as one of Globes’ 2018 “30 Leading Women in Israel,” was CEO of the National Student Union; co-founder of Israel 2050, a movement of young activists who seek to increase citizen involvement in Israel’s democratic processes; and co-founder of the Reservists’ Wives Forum, a national movement that secured public recognition of—and billions of shekels in government funding for—families of reservists who fought tirelessly on and since October 7th.

Media and Journalism

United by their commitment to the public good and respectful, open-minded debate, Shalem graduates are helping create a new, ideas-driven conversation about the issues that matter most to our state.

ORI ISAAC ’17 was a correspondent and news anchor at Channel 12, Israel’s most widely watched news outlet, where his breadth of knowledge, deep intellectual formation, and fluent Arabic helped shed new light on hot-button topics.

Government

From advisors to members of Knesset to senior figures in government ministries, Shalem graduates are involved in decision-making at the highest level, with implications for every area of Israeli society.

SHIRA GOLDBERG ’17 heads the Municipal Planning Policy Division at the Ministry of Interior, which helps create strategic infrastructure to support cities’ development goals. A graduate of the prestigious Civil Service Cadets Program, she previously managed national projects for the Prime Minister’s Office.

Academia

Whatever their fields of research and scholarship, Shalem graduates who pursue advanced degrees inform debate, shape the minds of new generations, and offer both policymakers and the public nuanced viewpoints and needed expertise.

J.J. KIMCHE ’19 joined the faculty of the University of Austin (UATX), an educational startup founded to champion liberal education and academic freedom. As a doctoral student at Harvard in modern European and Jewish intellectual history, J.J. was at the forefront of the fight against anti-Semitism on American college campuses.

Ideas

An editor of an intellectual journal of ideas for the Haredi community, the editor in chief of a leading publishing house, and senior staff at leading think tanks: Shalem graduates enrich the conversation around issues vital to Israel’s survival and flourishing.

DVIR SCHWARTZ ’17 is editor in chief of Sella Meir, a boutique—and highly influential—publishing house that produces bestselling counterculture works of political thought, history, economics, and more.

Education

Whether by promoting educational access for Arab students, teaching in the country’s socio-economic periphery, or leading pre-army preparatory programs (mechinot) for secular and religious teens, Shalem alumni use education to advance a healthy and cohesive society.

NERIA SAGI ’23 is head of the pluralistic Ein Yahav Pre-Military Leadership Academy, which prepares Israeli youth for meaningful service and citizenship through the development of the Negev. She is one of 14 Shalem graduates to lead such academies throughout the country.

Diplomacy

A senior advisor to Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, and a senior press officer at the Israeli embassy in London: Through key positions on the world stage, Shalem graduates help craft the policies and shape the narratives that further Israel’s foreign relations, international standing, and security.

PAUL ZARFATI ’19 was political advisor at the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, where he monitored resolutions in the Security Council regarding the Middle East and advanced Israel’s interests in a challenging—and often unfriendly—arena.

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