Michael Freund
Michael Freund | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Alma mater |
|
| Occupation | Founder and Chairman of Shavei Israel |
An American-born Israeli, Michael Freund is an author, journalist, non-profit executive, political activist and advocate. He is the founder and chairman of Shavei Israel, an organization that assists far-flung Jewish communities to reclaim their roots and return to Zion. Freund has been instrumental in advocating for the rights of Jewish communities, including descendants of the Lost Tribes of Israel and other hidden Jews.
Michael Freund was born and raised in New York and made Aliya (relocated to Israel) in 1995, driven by a strong connection to his Jewish heritage and roots. He is known for his work as Deputy Communications Director to Benjamin Netanyahu and for his syndicated column in The Jerusalem Post, Israel’s largest English-language daily.
Freund is a thought leader within the global Jewish community and has leveraged his education and experiences to serve others. He has won a number of awards for his advocacy and journalistic contributions. Above all, Michael Freund is a champion for the rights and recognition of diverse Jewish communities throughout the world.
Early Life & Education
Born in 1968 in New York City, New York, Michael Freund spent his formative years in Westchester County, New York. After completing his high school education at the Ramaz School, he went on to study at Princeton University where he earned his undergraduate degree with honors from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Hereceived his MBA in finance and marketing from Columbia University’s Business School, graduating with honors.[1] Subsequently, Freund received ordination as a rabbi after many years of study.[2]
After completing his undergraduate studies, Freund spent a year post-college in Israel, during which he immersed himself in Jewish studies at a yeshiva.
Career
While studying at a yeshiva during his year abroad in Israel, Michael Freund worked part-time for accomplished concert pianist and journalist, David Bar-Illan, who at the time was the Opinion Editor at the Jerusalem Post. He would later credit his experiences during this year as the spark for his future passion to promote and preserve Jewish identity through the medium of writing.
Upon his return to New York, Freund pursued a career in international affairs and at the age of just 23 he joined the Israeli Mission to the United Nations as a speechwriter and aide to the Israeli Ambassador. While working at the Mission to the UN, he drafted speeches for members of the Israeli diplomatic delegation which were delivered in the General Assembly and the Security Council, as well as letters to the UN Secretary-General,
In 1995, Freund made Aliyah and became an immigrant to Israel. This epoch in Freund’s life brought about his status as a thought leader and global advocate. At the age of 28, Freund was appointed to serve as Deputy Communications Director in the Israeli Prime Minister’s office from 1996 through 1999, during Binyamin Netanyahu’s first term in office.[1] He worked with the foreign media defending Israel’s image, wrote speeches for the Prime Minister and crafted dozens of press releases and articles on government policy.
Upon leaving the Prime Minister’s Office, Freund worked for two years at the Jerusalem office of Ruder Finn, the global public relations firm.
Shavei Israel & Journalistic Pursuits
Freund founded Shavei Israel in 2002 and is the current chair.[3] The organization assists lost Jewish communities to reclaim their roots and return to Zion. He was inspired to start Shavei Israel during his tenure in the Prime Minister’s office, where he received mail from the Bnei Menashe community in India, descendants of one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, asking how they could return to Israel.[4] Shavei Israel is now the largest and oldest organization in the world working with lost tribes and descendants of Jews returning to their roots.[4]
Shavei Israel is active in over 12 countries,[5] working with a variety of communities such as the Chinese Jews of Kaifeng, China; the Bnei Anousim (Marranos) of Spain, Portugal and South America; the Subbotnik Jews of Russia and others.
Over the past two decades, Shavei Israel has assisted more than 5,000 Bnei Menashe to move to Israel, and the organization runs educational centers in northeastern India to prepare community members for life in the Jewish state.
In addition,Shavei Israel’s outreach has included assistance to the Zion Torah Center in Erode, India,[6] the creation of the first-ever Mandarin Chinese dreidel for Chanukah inKaifeng, China and a Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony at Mexico City’s Palace of Inquisition.[7][8] Shavei Israel has also led thousands to come to Israel and learn more about their Jewish heritage.[4]
In 2014, Freund was awarded the prestigious Moskowitz Prize for Zionism at a ceremony held in Jerusalem.[9]
In 2021, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic awarded Freund with the Gold Medal of Merit, Serbia’s highest honor for non-citizens, in appreciation for his efforts over the years to improve relations between Israel and Serbia.[10]
Since 2002, Freund has written the “Fundamentally Freund” syndicated column for The Jerusalem Post.[1]
Freund is the author of two books, including A Drop in the Ocean: A Daily Dose of the Land of Israel.[11]
Additional activities
Michael Freund has lived in Israel for over 27 years. He has five sons. Outside of his work, he is involved in many humanitarian and political efforts.[12] He is a lifelong New York Mets fan.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Michael Freund". linkedin. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ "Michael Freund". michaelfreund.net. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ "About Us". Shavei Israel. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Nolan, Zach; TechBullion, Angela Scott-Briggs (15 March 2023). "A Conversation with Michael Freund: Building Bridges for Jewish People Around the World". TechBullion. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ "Home". Shavei Israel. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ Relations, Media (17 January 2023). "Shavei Israel's Rabbi Michael Freund Spreads Jewish Traditions to India's Zion Torah Center With Machon Milton Program". EIN Presswire. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ Relations, Media (31 January 2022). "MICHAEL FREUND SPEARHEADS DREIDEL INITIATIVE TO PRODUCE FIRST MANDARIN DREIDELS". EIN Presswire. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ Relations, Media (11 January 2023). "Rabbi Michael Freund Leads Historic First-Ever Chanukah Candlelighting at Mexico City's Infamous Palace of Inquisition". EIN Presswire. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ "michael-freund-founder-of-shavei-israel-awarded-moskowitz-prize". jewishlink.news. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ "Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić presents Michael Freund with award". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ "A Drop in the Ocean". Shavei Israel. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ Nolan, Zach; TechBullion, Angela Scott-Briggs (1 March 2023). "Michael Freund Shares 5 Strategies for Growing Your Business". TechBullion. Retrieved 16 August 2023.