2012 ROI Summit - Master Classes
The ROI Master Classes, featuring an array of experts in their fields, will grant ROIers direct access to a select slice of Israel and the Jewish community’s leadership to share inspiring lessons from their lives with you. Please read the information below to see the session descriptions and biographies for Master Classes to be held on Wednesday, June 13 from 10:30am-12pm.
You may only pick ONE First Choice and ONE Second Choice. We will do our best to accomodate your selections, though sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis.
To register, please fill out the 2012 ROI Summit Professional Development Form.
1) Dana Maman presents Reinventing Israel: The Story of the Israeli Social Protest
The social justice protest movement that shook Israel over the Summer of 2011 was the largest protest wave in the history of the country – and the first step in a long journey to change Israeli society for the better. For Dana Maman, one of the young activists who was there from the very beginning, the commitment to pursuing justice extends beyond the pitching of tents and the marches in the streets. As one of the leaders of The Israeli Social Movement, an organization launched in the wake of the protests to continue to push for clear solutions for a better future, Dana will share what it felt like to be part of a new historical movement. Join Dana as she discusses what led to the eruption of the movement and the creation of the first tent cities, the complicated dynamics that make up a fragmented society, the link between today’s young generation and that of the founders of the State, a look at a current economic reality in which privatization rules, managing social struggles in the Facebook age and so much more.
Biography:
Dana Maman, 33, one of the leaders of the social protest movement that swept through Israel this past summer. She is also one of the activists who founded The Israeli Social Movement, a nonprofit created in the wake of the protests. A recent recipient of a joint degree in law and government with a specialization in conflict resolution, for the past ten years, Dana has also practiced Chinese medicine and acupuncture. She is a real estate entrepreneur and a media consultant for the Chairperson of the Israel Legal Bar Association. After being swept up in the excitement of the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who took to the streets demanding social justice, Dana was drawn to the energy and hope that suddenly emerged from the streets of Tel Aviv and felt it was like a dream come true. The Israeli Social Movement is an NGO born out of these protests by some of the summer's young leaders. The organization promotes social justice by launching campaigns, creating activists groups and developing The Social Lab. Dana is the founder and Coordinator of The Social Lab, a think tank for activists from every social stratum that promotes cooperation and develops strategies for social change.
2) Forsan Hussein presents Co-existence: Up Close and Personal
When it comes to Middle East politics, so much is delegated to the lofty confines of the ivory tower. But what happens when concepts such as “peace” and “coexistence” actually occur in real time – far away from pundits, analysts and politicians? Forsan Hussein, CEO of the Jerusalem International YMCA, is a Palestinian Israeli who embodies coexistence on a daily basis. Come hear his inspiring personal story from his childhood in a Palestinian village in the Galilee, to his years in the United States studying at some of the country’s most prestigious universities – and finally, to a lifetime devoted to bridge building. "I live three different mentalities: the Israeli mentality, the Arab-Palestinian-Muslim mentality and the Western mentality,” Forsan once said. Join him as he shares what that is like – and how his story can be a beacon for real change in the Middle East.
Biography:
Forsan Hussein is a Palestinian-Israeli, born and raised in northern Israel and educated in the United States. Currently, Forsan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Jerusalem International YMCA, an institution that promotes harmony between Palestinians and Israelis and has been serving Jerusalem and the international community since its establishment in 1878. Since the age of 10, Forsan has been involved in various organizations that promote peace in the Middle East and foster cooperation, equality, and coexistence between Arabs and Jews, Palestinians and Israelis. As part of his social entrepreneurship efforts, Forsan has created several international peace organizations including Shalam, Peace Camp Canada, Friends of Shemesh and MABAT, among others. He worked for The Abraham Fund Initiatives for several years in various positions in New York. Because of his contribution to coexistence in Israel, Forsan received a full scholarship to Brandeis University where he studied economics and sociology and created his own major, ‘peacebuilding.’ Forsan is also an investment professional having worked as an investment consultant for Capital Group Companies in Los Angeles and has gained experience in corporate restructuring for companies based in Israel and Egypt. A member of the Academy of Achievement Summit and the USA Today 2000 All-USA College Academic Team, Forsan has an M.A. in international relations and international economics from SAIS (The School of Advanced International Studies) of Johns Hopkins and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
3) Itamar Rabinovich presents From the Academy to Diplomacy- and Back
Join Israeli diplomat and leading Middle East expert Itamar Rabinovich as he traces his fascinating career from intelligence analyst to professor, think tank director, diplomat and policy maker – not to mention, Israel’s Ambassador in Washington, Israel’s chief negotiator with Syria and a member of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s inner-circle. Since leaving public service in 1996, Itamar has remained in the public eye, serving as President of Tel Aviv University, writing books on Middle East history and politics and contributing to the public discourse as a key pundit on the Middle East. Come and hear from a man who has experienced history firsthand.
Biography:
Itamar Rabinovich was Israel's former Ambassador to the United States, former chief negotiator with Syria (1990’s) and the former President of Tel Aviv University (1999-2007). Currently, he is Professor Emeritus of Middle Eastern History at Tel Aviv University, distinguished global professor at NYU and a distinguished fellow at the Brookings Institution. Itamar has been a member of Tel Aviv University's faculty since 1971 and served as Ettinger Professor of the contemporary history of the Middle East, Chairman of the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, Director of the Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, Dean of Humanities and Rector. He is the Vice Chairman of the INSS (Institute for National Security Studies), an external institute of Tel Aviv University, and a senior research fellow at the Dayan Center for Middle Eastern studies. He is co-editor of the Center's new review journal, Bustan. Itamar is the author of six books on the modern history and politics of the Middle East and the co-author and co-editor of several other volumes. Over the years, Itamar has held several public positions in Israel and in other countries.
4) Irene Rompa presents Go Green! Sustainability and Environmental Friendliness in Planning Events
Wondering how to plan and organize your events and projects in a more environmentally friendly way? Irene Rompa, a sustainability enthusiast, will lead an interactive session on mistakes made and solutions for new ways to incorporate sustainable practices and "green quick fixes" into your events. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned sustainability advocates to share knowledge and experiences and come up with fun and inventive solutions for problems organizers may face, using the group as a sounding board.
Biography:
Irene Rompa studied organizational psychology at VU University Amsterdam, but soon realized that while she loved her studies, what really makes her happy is improving the world. Over the last few years, Irene has initiated and worked on different projects that create awareness around the issue of sustainability. A volunteer organizer for TEDxAmsterdam since 2010, she currently assists organizations and event-organizers by thinking of sustainable (and fun!) solutions or alternatives to 'green' up their practices. After spending two months in Qatar while working on the TEDxSummit, she's currently back home in Holland.
5) Lior Zoref presents The Future of Crowd Wisdom
Where Can technology Take Us? Wondering how far crowd sourcing can take you? Or how much wisdom can be gleaned from crowds? Let Lior Zoref, a leading crowd wisdom researcher and former Microsoft Marketing VP, be your guide. After achieving his dream of being a TED presenter through the wonders of crowd sourcing, Lior has taken his message on the road and delivers passionate and inspiring talks on the future of thinking and the future of business in the era of social networks. His talks motivate even the most skeptical to set big goals, think big and watch as dreams come true.
Biography:
Lior Zoref, a crowd wisdom researcher and international speaker, gave the first ever crowd sourced TED talk at TED 2012 in Long Beach, California. Growing up in Israel before the invention of the Internet, he discovered personal computers at the age of 12 and has devoted himself to technology ever since. After studying computer science at the Technion, he worked as a programmer and then, for 14 years, as VP of Marketing for Consumer and Online Services at Microsoft. In 2010, Lior retired from Microsoft and started his own consulting practice where he advises brands about digital strategy and digital marketing. He is a frequent speaker about the future of technology and the future of marketing. His video blog about the future of technology contains over 100 episodes. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. from Bar-Ilan University in future studies, he lives in Israel with his wife and three children.
6) Saul Singer presents Start-Up Nation and the Coming Global Innovation Explosion
The world is changing faster than ever with Israel emerging as a major global innovation driver. But this innovation scene is itself changing rapidly. Soon innovation will not just spring from key centers, like Silicon Valley and Israel. Where does that leave Israel, a Start-Up Nation, in this new configuration? What are Israel’s opportunities? What does this new world mean for Jewish activism and the Jewish purpose? Join Saul Singer, co-author of the bestselling Start-Up Nation, for a look at what awaits Israel – and the world.
Biography:
Saul Singer is the co-author, with Dan Senor, of the best-selling book Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle. He is a former Editorial Page Editor and columnist at the Jerusalem Post. Since the book’s release, Saul has spoken across the globe about Israel and innovation, including in Sydney, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Mumbai, Prague, Brussels, Berlin and throughout the United States. In Israel, Singer has spoken at the Israeli headquarters of companies including Johnson & Johnson and Proctor & Gamble, as well as to politicians, journalists, academics and business leaders. Saul is currently an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem and a columnist and editorial board member at The Times of Israel. He also serves on the advisory boards of Vintage Investment Partners, an Israeli fund of funds, and Tevel B’Tsedek, an Israeli NGO working in Nepal and Haiti. In addition to the Jerusalem Post, Saul has written for the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, CNN-Opinion and other publications. Before moving to Israel in 1994, he served for ten years as an adviser to different Members of Congress and on the staffs of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Banking Committees. Start-Up Nation is dedicated in part to Saul’s brother, Alex Singer, who fell in battle while serving in the IDF, and whose writings and art are collected in the book, Alex: Building a Life. Saul lives in Jerusalem with his wife and three children.
7) Shlomo Kalish presents Who Says a Venture Capitalist Can’t Rest on Shabbat? Secrets from a Leading Technology Investor – and Spiritual Jew
Join Shlomo Kalish, CEO and Chairman of Jerusalem Global Ventures Ltd. and one of Israel’s leading technology investors, as he shares his personal career path from a fighter pilot to academia and, ultimately, to the world of venture capital – all the while growing religiously and spiritually. Shlomo will address how his spiritual transformation has changed the way he conducts himself in business and the inherent and constant struggles that go along with it.
Biography:
Shlomo Kalish, the CEO and Chairman of Jerusalem Global Ventures Ltd., is one of Israel's leading technology investors. He founded The Jerusalem Global Group in 1994, following an academic career at the University of Rochester and Tel Aviv University. In 1999, he founded Jerusalem Global Ventures. Shlomo has invested in leading start-ups, including Mellanox Semiconductors, Galileo Semiconductors, Creo, Saifun Semiconductors, Oridion Medical, QXL-Ricardo and Picture Vision, among others. He was included in the Forbes Midas List in 2007, ranking first among the Israelis selected. Shlomo frequently appears in the media and has been cited in The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, Business Week and many Israeli business publications. Shlomo holds a Ph.D. in operations research from MIT, a M.Sc. from the Sloan School of Management at MIT and a B.Sc. from Tel Aviv University. He served in the Israeli Air Force as a fighter pilot. Shlomo is active on the boards of many nonprofit and academic institutions, including Shalom Beineinu, a charitable organization he founded, the Board of Governors, The Technion, The Jerusalem College of Technology and various Chabad educational institutions.
8) Suzanne Landau presents Private vs. Public in the Life of a Chief Curator of Art in Israel
Suzanne Landau is one of Israel’s leading figures in the world of art. After serving as Curator of Contemporary Art at the Israel Museum for 30 years and as Chief Curator of Fine Arts for the past 13 years, she was recently appointed Tel Aviv Museum of Art’s newest Director and Chief Curator. Come hear Suzanne’s riveting story of how she left her native Czechoslovakia in 1968, at the height of the Prague Spring, for a visit to Israel – and never left – only to pursue an exciting and successful curatorial career.
Biography:
Suzanne Landau was appointed the Landeau Family Curator of Contemporary Art at the Israel Museum in 1982, and since 1998 also assumed the position of the Yulla and Jacques Lipchitz Chief Curator of the Arts. In the course of over 20 years she founded the Israel Museum’s international contemporary art collection and curated numerous exhibitions from James Turrell: Two Spaces (1982) and Anselm Kiefer (1984) to Gerhard Richter (1995) and William Kentridge, Five Themes (2011). As the curator of the Billy Rose Art Garden she initiated and curated several notable site-specific projects by Richard Serra (1986), Magdalena Abakanowicz (1987) and many others. She was also co-curator of Art Focus 4, International Biennial of Contemporary Art, Jerusalem (2003) and curator of the Israeli Pavilion at the 52 Venice Biennale with Yehudit Sasportas' Guardians of the Threshold (2007).
A member of the CIMAM organization where she served as a board member for many years, Suzanne participated in many juries, among them the Lenon Ono Grant for Peace, the Wolf Prize in Arts and she served several times as the final judge for the Nathan Gottesdiener prize. She led the renewal project of the Fine Arts Wing at the Israel Museum (2007 – 2010). In February 2012, Suzanne was appointed Director and Chief Curator of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
You may only pick ONE First Choice and ONE Second Choice. We will do our best to accomodate your selections, though sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis.
To register, please fill out the 2012 ROI Summit Professional Development Form.
1) Dana Maman presents Reinventing Israel: The Story of the Israeli Social Protest
The social justice protest movement that shook Israel over the Summer of 2011 was the largest protest wave in the history of the country – and the first step in a long journey to change Israeli society for the better. For Dana Maman, one of the young activists who was there from the very beginning, the commitment to pursuing justice extends beyond the pitching of tents and the marches in the streets. As one of the leaders of The Israeli Social Movement, an organization launched in the wake of the protests to continue to push for clear solutions for a better future, Dana will share what it felt like to be part of a new historical movement. Join Dana as she discusses what led to the eruption of the movement and the creation of the first tent cities, the complicated dynamics that make up a fragmented society, the link between today’s young generation and that of the founders of the State, a look at a current economic reality in which privatization rules, managing social struggles in the Facebook age and so much more.
Biography:
Dana Maman, 33, one of the leaders of the social protest movement that swept through Israel this past summer. She is also one of the activists who founded The Israeli Social Movement, a nonprofit created in the wake of the protests. A recent recipient of a joint degree in law and government with a specialization in conflict resolution, for the past ten years, Dana has also practiced Chinese medicine and acupuncture. She is a real estate entrepreneur and a media consultant for the Chairperson of the Israel Legal Bar Association. After being swept up in the excitement of the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who took to the streets demanding social justice, Dana was drawn to the energy and hope that suddenly emerged from the streets of Tel Aviv and felt it was like a dream come true. The Israeli Social Movement is an NGO born out of these protests by some of the summer's young leaders. The organization promotes social justice by launching campaigns, creating activists groups and developing The Social Lab. Dana is the founder and Coordinator of The Social Lab, a think tank for activists from every social stratum that promotes cooperation and develops strategies for social change.
2) Forsan Hussein presents Co-existence: Up Close and Personal
When it comes to Middle East politics, so much is delegated to the lofty confines of the ivory tower. But what happens when concepts such as “peace” and “coexistence” actually occur in real time – far away from pundits, analysts and politicians? Forsan Hussein, CEO of the Jerusalem International YMCA, is a Palestinian Israeli who embodies coexistence on a daily basis. Come hear his inspiring personal story from his childhood in a Palestinian village in the Galilee, to his years in the United States studying at some of the country’s most prestigious universities – and finally, to a lifetime devoted to bridge building. "I live three different mentalities: the Israeli mentality, the Arab-Palestinian-Muslim mentality and the Western mentality,” Forsan once said. Join him as he shares what that is like – and how his story can be a beacon for real change in the Middle East.
Biography:
Forsan Hussein is a Palestinian-Israeli, born and raised in northern Israel and educated in the United States. Currently, Forsan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Jerusalem International YMCA, an institution that promotes harmony between Palestinians and Israelis and has been serving Jerusalem and the international community since its establishment in 1878. Since the age of 10, Forsan has been involved in various organizations that promote peace in the Middle East and foster cooperation, equality, and coexistence between Arabs and Jews, Palestinians and Israelis. As part of his social entrepreneurship efforts, Forsan has created several international peace organizations including Shalam, Peace Camp Canada, Friends of Shemesh and MABAT, among others. He worked for The Abraham Fund Initiatives for several years in various positions in New York. Because of his contribution to coexistence in Israel, Forsan received a full scholarship to Brandeis University where he studied economics and sociology and created his own major, ‘peacebuilding.’ Forsan is also an investment professional having worked as an investment consultant for Capital Group Companies in Los Angeles and has gained experience in corporate restructuring for companies based in Israel and Egypt. A member of the Academy of Achievement Summit and the USA Today 2000 All-USA College Academic Team, Forsan has an M.A. in international relations and international economics from SAIS (The School of Advanced International Studies) of Johns Hopkins and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
3) Itamar Rabinovich presents From the Academy to Diplomacy- and Back
Join Israeli diplomat and leading Middle East expert Itamar Rabinovich as he traces his fascinating career from intelligence analyst to professor, think tank director, diplomat and policy maker – not to mention, Israel’s Ambassador in Washington, Israel’s chief negotiator with Syria and a member of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s inner-circle. Since leaving public service in 1996, Itamar has remained in the public eye, serving as President of Tel Aviv University, writing books on Middle East history and politics and contributing to the public discourse as a key pundit on the Middle East. Come and hear from a man who has experienced history firsthand.
Biography:
Itamar Rabinovich was Israel's former Ambassador to the United States, former chief negotiator with Syria (1990’s) and the former President of Tel Aviv University (1999-2007). Currently, he is Professor Emeritus of Middle Eastern History at Tel Aviv University, distinguished global professor at NYU and a distinguished fellow at the Brookings Institution. Itamar has been a member of Tel Aviv University's faculty since 1971 and served as Ettinger Professor of the contemporary history of the Middle East, Chairman of the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, Director of the Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, Dean of Humanities and Rector. He is the Vice Chairman of the INSS (Institute for National Security Studies), an external institute of Tel Aviv University, and a senior research fellow at the Dayan Center for Middle Eastern studies. He is co-editor of the Center's new review journal, Bustan. Itamar is the author of six books on the modern history and politics of the Middle East and the co-author and co-editor of several other volumes. Over the years, Itamar has held several public positions in Israel and in other countries.
4) Irene Rompa presents Go Green! Sustainability and Environmental Friendliness in Planning Events
Wondering how to plan and organize your events and projects in a more environmentally friendly way? Irene Rompa, a sustainability enthusiast, will lead an interactive session on mistakes made and solutions for new ways to incorporate sustainable practices and "green quick fixes" into your events. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned sustainability advocates to share knowledge and experiences and come up with fun and inventive solutions for problems organizers may face, using the group as a sounding board.
Biography:
Irene Rompa studied organizational psychology at VU University Amsterdam, but soon realized that while she loved her studies, what really makes her happy is improving the world. Over the last few years, Irene has initiated and worked on different projects that create awareness around the issue of sustainability. A volunteer organizer for TEDxAmsterdam since 2010, she currently assists organizations and event-organizers by thinking of sustainable (and fun!) solutions or alternatives to 'green' up their practices. After spending two months in Qatar while working on the TEDxSummit, she's currently back home in Holland.
5) Lior Zoref presents The Future of Crowd Wisdom
Where Can technology Take Us? Wondering how far crowd sourcing can take you? Or how much wisdom can be gleaned from crowds? Let Lior Zoref, a leading crowd wisdom researcher and former Microsoft Marketing VP, be your guide. After achieving his dream of being a TED presenter through the wonders of crowd sourcing, Lior has taken his message on the road and delivers passionate and inspiring talks on the future of thinking and the future of business in the era of social networks. His talks motivate even the most skeptical to set big goals, think big and watch as dreams come true.
Biography:
Lior Zoref, a crowd wisdom researcher and international speaker, gave the first ever crowd sourced TED talk at TED 2012 in Long Beach, California. Growing up in Israel before the invention of the Internet, he discovered personal computers at the age of 12 and has devoted himself to technology ever since. After studying computer science at the Technion, he worked as a programmer and then, for 14 years, as VP of Marketing for Consumer and Online Services at Microsoft. In 2010, Lior retired from Microsoft and started his own consulting practice where he advises brands about digital strategy and digital marketing. He is a frequent speaker about the future of technology and the future of marketing. His video blog about the future of technology contains over 100 episodes. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. from Bar-Ilan University in future studies, he lives in Israel with his wife and three children.
6) Saul Singer presents Start-Up Nation and the Coming Global Innovation Explosion
The world is changing faster than ever with Israel emerging as a major global innovation driver. But this innovation scene is itself changing rapidly. Soon innovation will not just spring from key centers, like Silicon Valley and Israel. Where does that leave Israel, a Start-Up Nation, in this new configuration? What are Israel’s opportunities? What does this new world mean for Jewish activism and the Jewish purpose? Join Saul Singer, co-author of the bestselling Start-Up Nation, for a look at what awaits Israel – and the world.
Biography:
Saul Singer is the co-author, with Dan Senor, of the best-selling book Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle. He is a former Editorial Page Editor and columnist at the Jerusalem Post. Since the book’s release, Saul has spoken across the globe about Israel and innovation, including in Sydney, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Mumbai, Prague, Brussels, Berlin and throughout the United States. In Israel, Singer has spoken at the Israeli headquarters of companies including Johnson & Johnson and Proctor & Gamble, as well as to politicians, journalists, academics and business leaders. Saul is currently an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem and a columnist and editorial board member at The Times of Israel. He also serves on the advisory boards of Vintage Investment Partners, an Israeli fund of funds, and Tevel B’Tsedek, an Israeli NGO working in Nepal and Haiti. In addition to the Jerusalem Post, Saul has written for the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, CNN-Opinion and other publications. Before moving to Israel in 1994, he served for ten years as an adviser to different Members of Congress and on the staffs of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Banking Committees. Start-Up Nation is dedicated in part to Saul’s brother, Alex Singer, who fell in battle while serving in the IDF, and whose writings and art are collected in the book, Alex: Building a Life. Saul lives in Jerusalem with his wife and three children.
7) Shlomo Kalish presents Who Says a Venture Capitalist Can’t Rest on Shabbat? Secrets from a Leading Technology Investor – and Spiritual Jew
Join Shlomo Kalish, CEO and Chairman of Jerusalem Global Ventures Ltd. and one of Israel’s leading technology investors, as he shares his personal career path from a fighter pilot to academia and, ultimately, to the world of venture capital – all the while growing religiously and spiritually. Shlomo will address how his spiritual transformation has changed the way he conducts himself in business and the inherent and constant struggles that go along with it.
Biography:
Shlomo Kalish, the CEO and Chairman of Jerusalem Global Ventures Ltd., is one of Israel's leading technology investors. He founded The Jerusalem Global Group in 1994, following an academic career at the University of Rochester and Tel Aviv University. In 1999, he founded Jerusalem Global Ventures. Shlomo has invested in leading start-ups, including Mellanox Semiconductors, Galileo Semiconductors, Creo, Saifun Semiconductors, Oridion Medical, QXL-Ricardo and Picture Vision, among others. He was included in the Forbes Midas List in 2007, ranking first among the Israelis selected. Shlomo frequently appears in the media and has been cited in The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, Business Week and many Israeli business publications. Shlomo holds a Ph.D. in operations research from MIT, a M.Sc. from the Sloan School of Management at MIT and a B.Sc. from Tel Aviv University. He served in the Israeli Air Force as a fighter pilot. Shlomo is active on the boards of many nonprofit and academic institutions, including Shalom Beineinu, a charitable organization he founded, the Board of Governors, The Technion, The Jerusalem College of Technology and various Chabad educational institutions.
8) Suzanne Landau presents Private vs. Public in the Life of a Chief Curator of Art in Israel
Suzanne Landau is one of Israel’s leading figures in the world of art. After serving as Curator of Contemporary Art at the Israel Museum for 30 years and as Chief Curator of Fine Arts for the past 13 years, she was recently appointed Tel Aviv Museum of Art’s newest Director and Chief Curator. Come hear Suzanne’s riveting story of how she left her native Czechoslovakia in 1968, at the height of the Prague Spring, for a visit to Israel – and never left – only to pursue an exciting and successful curatorial career.
Biography:
Suzanne Landau was appointed the Landeau Family Curator of Contemporary Art at the Israel Museum in 1982, and since 1998 also assumed the position of the Yulla and Jacques Lipchitz Chief Curator of the Arts. In the course of over 20 years she founded the Israel Museum’s international contemporary art collection and curated numerous exhibitions from James Turrell: Two Spaces (1982) and Anselm Kiefer (1984) to Gerhard Richter (1995) and William Kentridge, Five Themes (2011). As the curator of the Billy Rose Art Garden she initiated and curated several notable site-specific projects by Richard Serra (1986), Magdalena Abakanowicz (1987) and many others. She was also co-curator of Art Focus 4, International Biennial of Contemporary Art, Jerusalem (2003) and curator of the Israeli Pavilion at the 52 Venice Biennale with Yehudit Sasportas' Guardians of the Threshold (2007).
A member of the CIMAM organization where she served as a board member for many years, Suzanne participated in many juries, among them the Lenon Ono Grant for Peace, the Wolf Prize in Arts and she served several times as the final judge for the Nathan Gottesdiener prize. She led the renewal project of the Fine Arts Wing at the Israel Museum (2007 – 2010). In February 2012, Suzanne was appointed Director and Chief Curator of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
