2025 Forum Topics

Use this Topics List as a reference page to learn more about the subject matters being discussed at this year’s in-person event. Scroll through the entire page – or – click below to view topics within each category.

Keynote Speakers

INF is excited to welcome the following keynote speakers to our event. ALL attendees will have the opportunity to hear each keynote speech.

“Current Situation in Israel, A Personal Perspective”

Keynote Speaker: Gilad Erdan, Previous Israeli Ambassador to the UN; Global President of Magen David Adom

As a steadfast defender of Israel, Ambassador Erdan constantly fights for Israel on the world stage and makes the truth heard loud and clear. He will address the current situation in Israel, highlighting the resilience of Magen David Adom on and following the October 7th attacks and using his background to speak up for the betterment of Israel and the Jewish people. 

“Israeli Contributions to the US Economy and Defense Exceed US Foreign Aid to Israel”

Keynote Speaker: Yoram Ettinger, Former Israeli Ambassador to the Southwest

Israel serves as a unique force and dollar multiplier for the U.S. commercial and defense industries, as well as a Triple A Store of advanced U.S. military systems, saving the U.S. many years of research and development, enhancing U.S. competitiveness in the global market, increasing U.S. exports, and expanding the U.S. employment base – a mega-billion-dollar bonanza. Over the past few years, U.S. high-tech giants established research & development centers in Israel, to leverage Israel’s brainpower, which has assisted the U.S. in maintaining its global technological leadership.

The annual U.S. foreign aid to Israel has been an annual investment, which has yielded an annual return-on-investment of a few hundred percent.

“Forgotten Frontlines: A Jewish Journey from War to Identity”

Keynote Speaker: Gregg Roman, Executive Director, Middle East Forum

This talk challenges, inspires, and illuminates how individuals can become frontline defenders of Jewish life and identity. Gregg Roman explores asymmetrical harassment, such as social media vitriol, campus intimidation, and hate acts, and offers insights into harnessing political advocacy, communal resilience, and vibrant Jewish engagement to counter antisemitism.

Despite international attention to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, Jewish communities globally face heightened antisemitic sentiment and incidents. American Jews face challenges on college campuses, in communal institutions, and online. Roman’s journey from suburban Pennsylvania to Israeli frontlines and the Knesset provides firsthand experiences from insidious antisemitic rhetoric to physical war zones. He argues that the U.S. Jewish community is the “forgotten front” in a global struggle for Jewish identity, a perspective more relevant now amidst intensified challenges.

Education, Advocacy And Antisemitism 

“AntiZionism in Schools: What To Do About It, Getting Involved and Taking Action”

Speaker: Cheryl Dorchinsky, Executive Director, Atlanta Israel Coalition

This presentation addresses the growing presence of antizionism in educational settings, exploring its definitions, manifestations, and implications for students and school communities. The session begins by distinguishing between legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies and antizionism that crosses into antisemitism, helping attendees recognize when discourse becomes harmful or exclusionary.

The presentation highlights real-world examples of antizionist rhetoric and incidents in schools, including classroom discussions, student organizations, and social media. It examines the impact these experiences have on Jewish students and staff, emphasizing the importance of fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Participants will learn practical strategies for responding to antizionism.

“Fighting the Campus Antisemitism Crisis”

Panel Discussion: Jade (Jonathan) Steinberg, Hillel President and Student at University of Texas at Dallas, Arianna-Rosie Bourgoin, Student at Texas Wesleyan University, Kayla White, Student at University of North Texas,

“The First 7 Minutes”

Speaker: Magen David Adom

Focused on what to do before help arrives in a mass casualty incident, “The First 7 Minutes” training, led by MDA’s expert paramedics, teaches essential skills to stay safe and save lives during the critical seven minutes before EMTs arrive. Through hands-on drills, you’ll reinforce these skills and learn how to assist the injured amidst the chaos and fear.

“Friends Speak Out: Non-Jewish Communities Supporting Israel”

Panel Discussion: Edwin Flores, Esq., Pastor Troy Jackson, Rajiv Pandit, MD

This powerful panel brings together three distinguished non-Jewish voices—a respected attorney, a dedicated medical doctor, and a compassionate pastor—each sharing their personal journey of appreciation for Israel. From legal perspectives on justice and democracy, to firsthand experiences of humanitarian collaboration, to faith-based convictions rooted in biblical values, each speaker offers unique reasons for standing with the Jewish state. Their testimonies highlight why support for Israel transcends ethnicity and religion, inspiring others—especially fellow non-Jews—to recognize Israel’s vital role in promoting freedom, innovation, and shared values in the world today. 

“Tackling Antisemitism in Public School”

Panel Discussion: Joy Nathan, Executive Director, Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission, Kenny Goldberg, Chair, Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission

  • The mission of the THGAAC – to combat and confront hatred, prejudice, and indifference by educating all Texans about the Holocaust and other genocides in an effort to dismantle antisemitism and prevent such future atrocities.
  • The commission’s duties and legislative recommendations
  • Behind-the-scenes work advising schools (K-12 and higher education)
  • The THGAAC’s role in ensuring educational resources and connecting to other partner organizations
  • Trends and opportunities to combat antisemitism

“Reclaiming Roots: Teaching Jewish History and Israel in a Time of Crisis”

Speaker: Orly Fass, Educator on Israel

Many Jews today feel disconnected from their story. This session explores how teaching—and learning—Jewish history and Israel together can help rebuild a stronger, more confident Jewish identity. Through practical techniques and real examples, we’ll look at ways to make Jewish history feel personal, relevant, and alive. Perfect for educators, community leaders, and anyone who wants to help others feel more rooted in who they are.

Israel & International Relations

“Education in Israel: Language, Math and Science with a Connection to the Land”

Speaker: Israel Emissary

Israel education is different from education in the U.S. Teachers incorporate an appreciation of the land in the curriculum.  Math, science and language are all approached with a relationship to the land of Israel.  

“How NGOs Dehumanize Jews and Israelis”

Speaker: Naftali Balanson, Chief of Staff, NGO Monitor

Since the devastating Oct. 7th attacks, the international human rights community has repeatedly denied the humanity of Israelis and Jews. Through their silence — whether by failure to embark on sustained campaigns on behalf of hostages or against the rising tide of global antisemitism, by erasing the horrific sexual violence that was a central component of the October 7th atrocities and the experience in captivity, or by ignoring the murderous Iranian barrages that targeted civilian centers — NGOs openly proclaim that Jewish rights matter less. 

Find out why the international community is abandoning Israel and the Jews, and what NGO Monitor is doing to counter this devastating and dangerous phenomenon.

“IDF Update”

Speaker: Friends of the IDF

This IDF Update will provide an update on the current situation in the Middle East as it relates to military activity and IDF priorities. In addition, the presentation will address the impact of the last 2 years on the soldiers of the IDF and their families. 

“Peace, Politics and Propaganda: An Insider’s Look at the Fight for Israel on the Military and Media Battlefields”

Speaker: Gil Hoffman, Executive Director, HonestReporting

Gil will explain what went right and wrong for Israel during its 10 front war and what you can do to help ensure future success.

“The Real Life FAUDA”

Speaker: Major “Guy”, Friends of Duvdevan

The presentation “The Real Life FAUDA” delves into the operations and strategies of the Duvdevan unit, the real-life counterpart to the fictional unit depicted in the popular television series “FAUDA.” 

  1. Operational Strategies: Conduct, Planning, Intelligence, and Execution. Emphasis on adaptability and decision-making in high-pressure situations.
  2. Mission Execution: Detailed accounts of real missions illustrate the complexities involved and the critical nature of teamwork.
  3. Unit Structure and Roles: Explanation of specialized roles of the team, including intelligence analysts, field operatives, and support personnel.
  4. Accomplishments: Successful operations that have contributed to national security, Including innovative tactics and the impact of their actions on regional stability.
  5. Contribution to Society: Counter-terrorism, community outreach, and the training of future operatives with emphasis on national service and societal responsibility.

“U.S. National Security & Israel’s Security Are Intertwined”

Speaker: Clare M. Lopez, Former CIA Officer, Former VP, Center for Security Policy

The Middle East over the last couple of years has been tumultuous. Out of this chaos, a new landscape is still in the process of emerging. Following the horrific HAMAS massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023, Israel has re-emerged as the dominant power of the region. 

The Iranian regime’s Islamic terror jihad proxies, from HAMAS to Palestinian Islamic Jihad to Hizballah, the Houthis & Shi’ite militias operating in Iraq have all been demolished. In Syria, a new threat backed by NATO ‘ally’ Turkey, rules in his stead. The Iranian nuclear weapons program has taken center stage with fall-out for the Iranian people, Israel, the entire Middle East region, as well as the U.S.

“Western Conventional Wisdom Repudiated by Middle East Reality”

Speaker: Yoram Ettinger, Former Israeli Ambassador to the Southwest

Western policymakers have assessed the Middle East through Western lenses, which are detached from Middle East reality. Consequently, Western policy in the Middle East (at least since 1948) has been replete with critical mistakes, adding fuel – not water – to the Middle East fire, undermining regional stability and Western interests. For example, the U.S. paved the road to the rise of the Ayatollahs to power in Iran, assuming that they would be pro-U.S. and anti-USSR. Moreover, Israel has concluded peace accords with 6 Arab countries by defiance of traditional Western makers. In fact, the Abraham Accords have been concluded because the State Department was removed from the center stage of foreign policy making.

Jewish Identity/Community

“From Heartbreak to Action”

Speaker: Dr. Adi Vaxman, Founder and President of Operation Israel

As an Israeli-American businesswoman whose life was shattered on October 7th, Dr. Adi Vaxman offers a rare and intimate view into how profound grief became an unstoppable purpose.                                                                           

Adi will take you through the terrifying moments when her family’s safety hung in the balance – her brother rushing to the front lines, her stepdaughter’s unit under attack, and friends trapped in safe rooms texting goodbye messages as shots are ringing in their homes. Through tears, determination, and sometimes unexpected humor, she reveals how these moments of helplessness sparked a transformation that saved thousands.

Her stories provide a graphic glimpse into aspects of the war that are never covered by the news and known by few, offering powerful testimonies of lives saved through direct action and unwavering commitment. Drawing from her family’s Holocaust survivor legacy and strong Jewish identity, Adi weaves a powerful narrative about what it means to choose action over despair.

“Islamism: Radical Islam World-Wide”

Speaker: Sam Westrop, Director, Islamist Watch

The October 7th attacks put Islamism back in the news, but perhaps too briefly. Once again, too many policymakers and journalists seem to be losing interest in the topic. How much Islamist influence exists within Western Muslim communities here in Texas? What is the future of the Islamist threat in America? And what can we do about it?

“Jews in the Diaspora Respond”

Panel Discussion: Rabbi Zvi Drizin, Rabbi Michael Kushnick, Rabbi Andrew Paley

A rabbinic panel will discuss how Jews in the Diaspora respond to today’s topics of concern. These topics may include: response to October 7th, the waning American support of Israel, international recognition of a Palestinian state, antisemitism in our colleges and schools, and other issues. Please expect to hear different opinions on a variety of topics from this panel of community Rabbis.

“The Roots of Anti-Zionism: Jewish, Arab and Secular Perspectives”

Speaker: Orly Fass, Educator on Israel

This presentation explores the historical roots and evolution of Jewish, Arab, and secular anti-Zionism. The lecture aims to demonstrate how anti-Zionism, in its various forms, is intrinsically linked to antisemitism. By understanding the narratives and motivations behind anti-Zionist movements, students will be able to recognize and respond to opposition to Jewish self-determination, which is often a modern form of longstanding antisemitism.

Middle East and Conflicts

“Israel Advocacy and the State of Israel in the Aftermath of October 7th”

Speaker: Charles Pulman, President, Why Israel Matters

This presentation will focus on two main themes:

  • Applying the history of the State of Israel and its relationship with its neighbors
  • Friends of the IDF (FIDF) Mission in Israel: What was learned as a recent participant

“Report on the October 7th Experience”

Speaker: Israel Emissary

The Israel Emissary has a direct connection to the horrors of October 7, 2023. She is from Nir Yizhak, one of the hardest hit communities on October 7th.  She has friends and family who were killed or taken as hostages by Hamas terrorists. The Israel Emissary can update the community on what is happening now in the communities in the Gaza envelope.  

“The Right of Return: Jews vs Muslims”

Speaker: David Patterson, Senior Research Fellow, University of Texas at Dallas, Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism & Policy

This presentation will examine the key terms right, return, Jews, and Muslims.  We shall consider the following questions:

  • What does right mean? Right endowed by whom?
  • Return from which exile to which homeland? How ancient is the homeland? What is driving the movement of return?
  • What are the contexts of the Jewish return their ancient homeland? What, for the Jews, is the deeper meaning of “return” or teshuvah?
  • How does the Muslim understanding of return differ from an Jewish understanding? And why?