by Shmuel Legesse, ROI Micro Grant recipient

I have a dream that one day I will speak in the UN General Assembly as the State of Israel’s representative, sharing that “justice and equality are our Jewish state’s primary values... which we strive for in our land and long to see in our neighboring countries (and that our hope for) peace is  grounded in our Jewish values.”

I am a Zionist Ethiopian Jew/ Israeli living in the twenty first century. As a 21st century Zionist I strongly believe that our responsibility as Jews is to rebuild, restore and nurture the land and the people of Israel. Many people and entire nations do not like our views and actions. It is good that we have a modern national defense force built and manned with brilliant young men and women. But the major attack on us is not only through military attack but rather through modern technology via the mass and social media. Israel needs to do a better job of counter-attacking, and I believe that I was born for this. I love public speaking. Many people tell me that I am a passionate public speaker. As a passionate Zionist I want use my natural gifts and unique personality to further the internal and external growth of our Jewish State.

It’s clear that by myself I cannot fulfill the dream that is burning in my heart. I need more resources and the support of the international Jewish community. I am very thankful that ROI understood my passion and vision. By developing my professional skills and connecting me with international Jewish professionals, ROI showed me in a practical way its commitment to recruit international Jewish leaders with all the resources that it can provide.


Shmuel Legesse and Natan Sharansky, Jewish Agency Chair, at the 2011 ROI Summit

ROI provided a short media training course in early September, 2011 by Headline Media facilitator, ROIer Mira Marcus. I learnt that I needed to develop my public interview and presentation techniques. I felt that more in-depth interview presentation training by Headline Media would help bring me closer to fulfilling my dreams. On November 15, 2011, I received an ROI Micro Grant to get personal training by Headline Media. I learned a lot of professional skills and techniques that boosted my self-confidence to deliver quality presentations. It is difficult for me to explain every detail that I learned from this special personal training, but I can tell you that it was very helpful and especially relevant to me at this point in time, as I am preparing to take a doctorate of educational leadership program in the USA. I will have many opportunities to give interviews and to present to higher education students in the US. I have started honing my skills and now have a better chance of advocating more effectively for Israel’s positions and our Jewish values of justice and equality.
 
I encourage all ROI members who wish to improve their public presentation skills to take this training. Mira was excellent and I highly recommend Headline Media. If you're interested, I'm happy to give you more details about my experience with Headline Media.


Sandy Cardin, Guila Kessous, Plia Chetner, Shmuel Legesse, Tera Nova Jade Greene, Lynn Schusterman and Sam Bodenheimer at the 2011 ROI Summit

I strongly belive that I will put of the techniques and skills I gained from the training to good use. Once again, thank you to ROI, I am proud to be part of the international ROI family. I am confident this will not be the last time that I will be blessed with the support of ROI to enable me to realize my vision. I have emunah that soon I will achieve my dream with the support of ROI and Jewish communities around the world.