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Daniel Gordis

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  • Senior Vice President and Koret Distinguished Fellow, Shalem Center
  • National Jewish Book Award Winning Author
  • Founding Dean, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the University of Judaism
  • Commentator on Israel and the Jewish People

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Award-winning author Daniel Gordis is a revered scholar and commentator on matters pertaining to Israel. Gordis is the author of twelve books, including Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn – which received the 2016 National Jewish Book Award as “Book of the Year.” Of his book We Stand Divided, Ambassador Michael Oren wrote, “Impassioned, brilliant, and riveting… the essential book for understanding American Jewish-Israel relations.” Gordis’ newest book, Impossible Takes Longer: 75 Years After Its Creation, Has Israel Fulfilled its Founders’ Dreams? is due out in April of 2023. In his writing as he does in his talks, Gordis offers a balanced perspective and a deft and multifaceted assessment of Israel. Leonard Fein has written that Gordis is “perhaps the single most popular speaker on Israel to American Jewish audiences.”

Alan Dershowitz has called Gordis “one of Israel’s most thoughtful observers,” and his writing has appeared in The New York Times, The New Republic, New York Times Magazine, Azure, Commentary, and Foreign Affairs, while his books have received numerous awards. Gordis is a sought-after speaker who consistently receives rave reviews for his speaking engagements, such as: "Dr. Gordis was over the top fabulous. Warm, friendly, and brilliant. Roundtable, cocktail receptions, and program… he nailed every tier of our event. Articulate, knowledgeable and passionate. You could hear a pin drop during his keynote address. Our audience was completely engaged." (Tampa Jewish Federation)

 

 


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Past Hosts Include:
  • Tampa Jewish Federation
  • Beth Tfiloh Synagogue
  • United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto
  • Park Avenue Synagogue
  • Israel Bonds
  • Temple Beth Sholom
  • Beth El Durham
  • Combined Jewish Philanthropies
  • Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
  • Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ
Rave Reviews About Daniel Gordis
“
Of the many renowned speakers whom we host and from whom we learn in Toronto, Daniel Gordis stands tallest. His analysis – on Israel and the Middle East, on other matters, too – is unrelentingly astute and compelling. What he says is delivered with passion, intelligence, warmth and humor – the clarity of his remarks never blurred with a bow toward popularity, however tempting, however hard the facts. He is unfailingly gracious and generous. In short, to host Daniel Gordis and to learn from this leading figure in the Jewish world today is a terrific pleasure and a genuine privilege.

”
More rave reviews

"Dr. Gordis was over the top fabulous. Warm, friendly and brilliant. Roundtable, cocktail receptions and program… he nailed every tier of our event. Articulate, knowledgeable and passionate. You could hear a pin drop during his keynote address. Our audience was completely engaged."

-Tampa Jewish Federation

"You were fabulous! Really! I don’t remember our ever having a speaker who evoked as positive response as you did. Here are some quotes from several emails I received: 'Daniel Gordis was outstanding, riveting, thought-provoking, inspiring and more! It was one of the best discussions we’ve attended in a long time.' ... 'Wonderful program at BT tonight, and EXCELLENT evening with Daniel Gordis, he was spot on!!!!!' ... 'The Gordis talk was great. He’s certainly thoughtful, provocative and erudite!! Thank you.' ... 'Rabbi, Your dialogue with Daniel Gordis was very informative. Thank you for having him as our speaker this evening.' ... 'A really great evening with Daniel Gordis. As I expected, he was terrific. Glad you got me on to him and his books. Gordis was incredibly articulate and insightful...'"

-Beth Tfiloh Synagogue

"Daniel was excellent. Both events were amazing. He is funny and engaging."

-United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto

"The Shabbaton was fantastic! Dr. Gordis was engaging and informative. Thank you for all your assistance along the way."

-Park Avenue Synagogue

"I want to let you know it was a home run! Thanks to you and your HWA team for helping us making this event a success."

-Park Avenue Synagogue

"Dr. Gordis was terrific and the feedback I have received has been overwhelmingly positive. He schmoozed with everyone and was very engaging and he incorporated some great points about Israel bonds into his remarks. I would certainly recommend him and use him again when the opportunity arises."

-Israel Bonds

"Dr. Gordis was wonderful, people were engaged and all walked out talking about his presentation. I cannot thank all of you enough for making this such a special evening for us."

-Temple Beth Sholom

"Everything went great - thank you!"

-Beth El Durham

"Thank you! You guys were such a delight to work with. Daniel was an ease onsite and his speech was very engaging."

-Combined Jewish Philanthropies

"Everything was great! Daniel Gordis was terrific and we got very positive feedback from our community and those who attended-many said it was our best fall lecture they ever attended! Everyone thought he was relevant, on point and so pragmatic. Overall it was a successful evening."

-Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte

"Dr Gordis was excellent Inspiring, informative, on target with the audience, kept to the time frame, and was a great lead in to our caucus. We hope to bring him back soon"

-Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ

"He was really great. He was a delight to host and work with and his performance was stunning ...people really appreciated his presentation. "

-Congregation Adath Jeshurun

"He was amazing! People are raving about our weekend experience with him. Thanks so much for working with us in making this happen. "

-Young Israel of Scarsdale

"He was fabulous and the audience loved him. His train was late, but he did make it with plenty of time to spare. The entire evening was a success from the pre"

-The Associated

"Everything went great ... he was spectacular. "

-AIPAC

"Thanks so much for your graciousness. It is really we who must thank you for an exhilarating, inspiring and informative shabbat. Everyone raved about each of your presentations. "

-Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun

"He did a great job and his speech, as always, was second to none. It’s always great having him with us. Thank you for everything you did to make this happen. "

-AIPAC National Summit

"Stellar performance. Outstanding presentation. Perfect event!!! Big question: How do we top this next year?? "

-Jewish Federation of Collier County

"San Diego always loves Daniel Gordis! Great turn out--he definitely has a following!"

-San Diego Center for Jewish Life

"He is a an inspired, passionate speaker and gifted author. Feedback has been very positive … He presents brilliantly and captivated his audience. He was fair, thoughtful and provocative in a visionary sense – all good things. On behalf of the Jewish Federation of Reading, we were proud to offer Dr. Gordis as a speaker to our community. "

-Jewish Federation of Reading, PA
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An evening with Daniel Gordis | Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Daniel Gordis
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Impossible Takes Longer: The Next 75 Years for Israel

Based on his latest book, Impossible Takes Longer, renowned scholar and commentator DANIEL GORDIS offers a nuanced and thoughtful examination of Israel’s past, present, and future. ...

Based on his latest book, Impossible Takes Longer, renowned scholar and commentator DANIEL GORDIS offers a nuanced and thoughtful examination of Israel’s past, present, and future.

Israel and Zionism

Not a Moment’s Regret: Reflections of an Unabashed Zionist Curious George Goes to the Army: Reflections of a Soldier’s Father 2048: Will Israel Survive until its One Hundredth Birthday? The High Price of Jewish Statehood: Is Israel Really Worth the Cost? Fighting For Israel's Soul While Fighting Is ...

  • Not a Moment’s Regret: Reflections of an Unabashed Zionist
  • Curious George Goes to the Army: Reflections of a Soldier’s Father
  • 2048: Will Israel Survive until its One Hundredth Birthday?
  • The High Price of Jewish Statehood: Is Israel Really Worth the Cost?
  • Fighting For Israel's Soul While Fighting Israel's Enemies

World and Contemporary Judaism

John Lennon vs. The Bible – Today’s Battle between Universalism and Particularism Not “Who Is a Jew?” but “What Is a Jew?” – What Is at the Heart of the Conversion Crisis? Pledges of Jewish Allegiance – What Conversion has Meant in Jewish History, and What It Might Still Mean Today “The Chosen Peop ...

  • John Lennon vs. The Bible – Today’s Battle between Universalism and Particularism
  • Not “Who Is a Jew?” but “What Is a Jew?” – What Is at the Heart of the Conversion Crisis?
  • Pledges of Jewish Allegiance – What Conversion has Meant in Jewish History, and What It Might Still Mean Today
  • “The Chosen People” – Harmful Notion or Necessary Concept?
  • Once Upon a People: What Has Happened to the Idea of Jewish Peoplehood?
  • A Nation that Dwells Apart: The International Assault on Israel – Its Causes and How We Must Address It
  • History, Redux? – Is 2015 Going to Turn into 1938 all over Again?

American Judaism

Where Has All the Passion Gone? – Is There a Future for American Judaism? “But My Kids Feel Left Out” – Raising Jewish Children in an American Society Living with Risk: Modern Jews and the Struggle to Believe in God The American Jewish Assault on Jewish Peoplehood – It is Really Happening? Why? ...

  • Where Has All the Passion Gone? – Is There a Future for American Judaism?
  • “But My Kids Feel Left Out” – Raising Jewish Children in an American Society
  • Living with Risk: Modern Jews and the Struggle to Believe in God
  • The American Jewish Assault on Jewish Peoplehood – It is Really Happening? Why?

Other topics specifically tailored for individual institutions or events are always possible.

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Speaker News

On Israel’s 75th anniversary, Daniel Gordis offers a nuanced and thoughtful examination of its past, present, and future in his latest book, ‘Impossible Takes Longer’

With his latest book, Impossible Takes Longer, renowned scholar and commentator DANIEL GORDIS asks: Has Israel lived up to its founders’ vision? Published on the country’s 75th anniversary, Gordis offers a nuanced and thoughtful examination of Israel’s past, present, and future. The two-time National Jewish Book Award-winning author of Israel weaves a story of both unprecedented human triumph and great suffering.

In this new book, as he does in sought-after speaking engagements, Gordis offers new angles of thinking about Israel that bring moderation and clarity to the prevailing discourse. And through weighing Israel’s successes, critiquing its failures, and acknowledging its inherent contradictions, he ultimately suggests that—in ways its founders could not have foreseen—the Jewish state is a success far beyond anything they could have imagined.

Watch Daniel Gordis in conversation at The Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center >>

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Books by Daniel Gordis
Impossible Takes Longer: 75 Years After Its Creation, Has Israel Fulfilled Its Founders' Dreams?

Impossible Takes Longer: 75 Years After Its Creation, Has Israel Fulfilled Its Founders' Dreams?

We Stand Divided: The Rift Between American Jews and Israel

We Stand Divided: The Rift Between American Jews and Israel

Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn

Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn

Menachem Begin: The Battle for Israel's Soul

Menachem Begin: The Battle for Israel's Soul

The Promise of Israel

The Promise of Israel

Saving Israel: How the Jewish People Can Win a War That May Never End

Saving Israel: How the Jewish People Can Win a War That May Never End

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Press & Media
As the State of Israel turns 75, author Daniel Gordis asks: Is it a success story? - Times of Israel
Why Daniel Gordis thinks American Jews need to be ‘morally clear’ about situation in Israel - Jewish Insider
A new book explores the ties that no longer bind the Jews. It’s a good start - The Times of Israel
The Road to Sovereignty was Paved with Clarity - The Jerusalem Post
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Ideas for the Meeting Planner
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Biography

 

The author of twelve books, Dr. Daniel Gordis is Senior Vice President and Koret Distinguished Fellow at Shalem College. 

Gordis’ history of Israel entitled Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn received the 2016 National Jewish Book Award as “Book of the Year.” Ambassador Dennis Ross, reflecting on the book, wrote, “When I am asked ‘Is there one book to read about Israel’ I now have an answer.”

Gordis’ writing has appeared in magazines and newspapers including the New York Times, The New Republic, the New York Times Magazine, Azure, Commentary and Foreign Affairs, and his books have received numerous awards.  He previously won the National Jewish Book Award, in 2008, for Saving Israel, and two of his other books were Finalists for the National Jewish Book Award.  

Professor Alan Dershowitz has called Gordis “one of Israel’s most thoughtful observers.”  The Forward has called him “one of the most respected Israel analysts around.” In 2014, the Jerusalem Post listed him as one of the world’s 50 most influential Jews, while Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic has written, “If you asked me, ‘of all the people you know, who cares the most about the physical, moral and spiritual health of Israel?’ I would put the commentator and scholar Daniel Gordis at the top of the list.”

Gordis’ newest book, We Stand Divided: The Rift Between American Jews and Israel, was published in 2019. Commenting on the book, Ambassador Michael Oren wrote, “Impassioned, brilliant, and riveting, We Stand Divided is the essential book for understanding American Jewish-Israel relations.”

Gordis and his wife live in Jerusalem. They are the parents of three married children, and the grandparents of two.”

 

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