Craig Dershowitz, the CEO of Artists 4 Israel, is walking proof that Judaism and activism can co-exist in a meaningful way despite the current political climate. The heavily tattooed self-described “radical thinker” gave up his corporate lifestyle and has found a way to combine his humanitarian efforts with his passion for the arts, fusing them both together to advocate for peace both in the Middle East and in America. And despite its name, most of the artists involved aren’t even Jewish, a testament to Dershowitz’s ability to reach out to other communities and connect with them not just as artists or people of different faiths, but as fellow human beings.
Dershowitz has been carefully monitoring the rise of Antisemitism online as well as in daily life. Statistics show that Antisemitism hit an all-time high in 2020. And there are too many troubling signs pointing to Christian Nationalism only getting worse. But Dershowitz says he remains hopeful that the work Artists4Israel does will help not just change peoples’ minds, but their actions as well.
Jewish Life spoke with Craig Dershowitz about his work and his advocacy.
Jewish Life: You’ve had such an interesting career arc, Craig! You founded Artists4Israel, tell us where the idea came from and why you’ve made it your focus now.
Craig Dershowitz: I was surrounded by an incredible team of visionary, disruptive, professional, passionate individuals. For many years, Artists 4 Israel was led by an entirely volunteer staff. But as it continued to grow, we were forced to make a decision [regarding leadership]. I am honored that I was asked to become the C.E.O. of an organization as powerful as this. I gave up my position at Morgan Stanley and became the first full time Artists 4 Israel employee.
Serving as a CEO for a non-profit organization, which is made up of artists and humanitarian aid workers, I often need to sit down, be quiet and allow the creatives and the experts to speak. So much of Artists 4 Israel’s programming is created from the bottom-up, by the efforts of those who are out there painting the murals, healing the injured and doing the daily work. This idea that those we serve determine the nature of Artists 4 Israel’s work creates our best opportunities for success.
JL: It’s also interesting that so many of the artists you’re working with aren’t Jewish or religious. Maybe they saw the cool tattooed dude and realized Jews can be cool, too?
CD: You’re making me blush!
JL: But too many people think Jews can’t be cool, so as a fellow tattooed Jew I just want to say that’s not true.
CD: Almost every artist we work with isn’t Jewish! Artists 4 Israel believes that allowing for a non-Jewish artist to support Israelis in need and to share their perceptions of the country creates more opportunities for growth, learning, ally building and honesty. The question of how do we get them involved is difficult to answer because it has never truly been a question to us. By being arts-first and having worked with some of the most talented and influential artists in our field, we have created a name and reputation that allows us to meet artists where they are and have them reach out to us in equal measure.
JL: That’s a perfect segway to my next question, which isn’t an easy one to answer, but it speaks to “meeting people where they are”: What do you think is the most important thing for Americans to understand about the conflict between Israel and Palestine? Do you believe there will ever be a time where Israel and Palestine can coexist peacefully?
CD: As the CEO of Artists 4 Israel, I am forced to think not in black and white but in color, shading, texture and nuance which leads me to recognizing many more factors in play than Israel or Palestine. I believe Americans would appreciate learning that it is not just about the Israelis and Palestinians. There are so many other forces at play with their own goals, purposes and influences who affect every moment of the relationship and that Israel and Palestine are proxies only for a number of global concerns.
But I hope so with all my heart. I believe so with less of my heart but still enough to find some comfort in the future. There are a number of intelligent and thoughtful plans out there to create an enduring peace and now that the simplistic two-state solution has been discredited, some of these other, more nuanced and culturally sensitive plans can be considered. More importantly, much of the planning for peace is focusing more and more on direct talks between the two parties involved and not outside negotiators which gives more credibility and stability to any peace process.
JL: The topic of Israel is always a contentious one for American politicians. What do they get right & what do they get wrong?
CD: American politicians seem to believe that it is better to force themselves from the top down. Every American President, since I can remember, has run full-on into Israel with their plan for peace and, it seems, a Nobel Peace Prize on their mind. It just won’t work that way. America is not Israel, the Middle East is not North America and the issues in question are not in any way similar to that with which Americans wrestle.
As the American political system continues to polarize, so too does Israel. It seems as if American politicians have turned Israel into a bit of a political football, using it to virtue signal and gain points and curry favor with certain demographics. This pandering denies the basic humanity of the people in Israel living with the decisions made by our decision-makers.
JL: Which leads us right into my next question: some people often assume that Jewish people, particularly American Jews, are militant supporters of Israel with no flexibility, which isn’t true. At the same time, Antisemitism is on the rise in America as well as globally. How do we fight the misconceptions about Jewish people that still persist?
CD: After having considered the situation for some time, Artists 4 Israel recently unveiled a series of programs aimed at disrupting antisemitism based on our successful strategies in combatting anti-Israel sentiment. The underlying principles for each program are: focusing on prevention over fighting, considering our allies and preexisting strengths and utilizing those as opposed to considering our enemies and disadvantages, moving away from “shame and blame” and historic fears, minimizing generational trauma, arts-focused activities and finding modern, public/social and large-scale ways to express ourselves. I am happy to go in depth but these strategies inform all Artists 4 Israel’s antisemitism prevention techniques.
JL: The arts bring joy & healing to people every day, a fact that’s often lost in this contentious political climate. How do you use your art to help people, especially marginalized people, who are hurting in America right now because of politics?
CD: Artists 4 Israel determined a few years ago to spread our arts-based healing programs outside of Israel and into communities around the world that could benefit from our support. We have found that art serves two major imperatives in uplifting marginalized communities: helping the individual in direct and personal ways and supporting local communities in beautification and revitalization efforts. In short, we have found that change and progress begin with small, immediately beneficial programs that are built on a foundational belief in the transcendent power of art. We recognize that we do not feed the hungry or cure diseases but communities need beautification, hope and personal and community empowerment while they wait for the larger solutions.
To learn more about Craig Dershowitz and Artists4Israel, check out Artists4Israel.org
When you think about actors, who comes to mind? Brad Pitt? Jennifer Lopez? Laverne Cox? Right away your mind goes to an A list of superstars who earn millions every time they step onto the red carpet. But what you might not know is that there are a lot of actors who work consistently, make a nice living, and are essential to the business of show. Adam Kulbersh is one of those actors. “There’s a big world in the middle,” Adam shares. “I’m a middle-class actor.”
You might not know his name, but you will definitely recognize his face. After hundreds of commercials and recurring tv roles on shows like SVU, Agents of Shield, and Better Things, Adam Kulbersh is a face you shouldn’t forget. A Jewish kid from Atlanta, Adam earned his BA in Russian Literature and his BFA in Theatre at the University of Texas before deciding to apply to be one of the first American college students to study at the famed Moscow Art Theatre in Russia. He was one of only four Americans accepted to the program. He lets me know it was tough. “In American theatre programs you always get the feedback sandwich, you know, praise, criticism, praise. They don’t do that in Moscow.” In fact, to this day when faced with a daunting task, Adam reminds himself, “I made it through the Moscow Art Theatre. I can do anything.” That and he successfully ran the New York marathon in under four hours. Those two accomplishments help him confront all of life’s challenges. And Adam Kulbersh is not a man who shies away from challenges.
As a single gay man wanting to adopt a child, Adam went through a lot to find his beloved son, Jack. “The adoption process is intense,” he recalls, “Especially when you’re going it solo.” From rigorous parenting classes and social worker visits to respectfully navigating complicated emotions from everyone involved, the ups and downs are like a roller coaster.
“Growing up in the 80s,” Adam confides, “The idea of gay marriage and gay adoption was an absurd concept.. But that all changed over a very short period.” He grew up with a big family and big Jewish holiday celebrations. “Family and family traditions have always been very important to me,” he recalls. “Watching how a big family interacts, I always knew I wanted kids. “But when I was ready to start a family, there wasn’t a spouse or an almost spouse in my life.” So, after a lot of self-searching, Adam realized “Just because this one dream isn’t working out, it doesn’t mean you should delay this other thing. Because the window can pass on both.”
Parenting his son Jack, now in kindergarten, is unquestionably his favorite role. “Adopting a child is a very conscious process.” He states. “And it makes you really think and question what parenting should be about. My job is to give wings, not weights.” While he admits that parenting solo can be tough. He insists that the worst part is not having anyone else to make decisions with. “But the best part,” he laughs, “Is not having anyone else to make decisions with.”
Adam admits he’s faced plenty of roadblocks in his life. He lost his older sister as a young boy in a tragic playground accident. He faced deep struggles as a teen desperately trying to find himself. But he’s never lost his cheery upbeat disposition. “Finding the joy in the struggle is an inherently Jewish value,” he explains, “Nothing ever comes easy for us. We’re everyone’s scapegoat. But as Jews, we’ve learned how to be happy warriors, how to find the ‘ha ha’ in every situation.”
Finding the perfect school for Jack, who is Black, was very important for Kulbersh. The public schools in his area were racially diverse, but that diversity included few Black students. When he discovered Campbell Hall, where nearly half of the students are non-white, and where there is a thriving Black student population, he knew he had found a fabulous community of diversity. Creating a society for their blended family is key for Adam. “I want Jack to see himself in the other students, the teachers, the principals. An essential goal was to make sure he is surrounded by positive role models who look like him.”
Adam counts himself incredibly lucky on both personal and professional fronts. As an actor, he smiles, “I’ve been fortunate to play 3rd Jew from the left on dozens of tv shows. I’m the guy they call when they’re looking for an average Joe.” He lovingly recounts a story about how an agent, early in his career, told him, “They’re looking for an average Joe, and Adam, there’s no one more average than you.”
When he’s not acting, Adam keeps himself creatively active as an acting coach and writer in LA. He’s sold several tv shows and feature films and is now under contract to write movies for The Hallmark Channel. “I absolutely love it,” he shares, “I get to create happy worlds where things go right. It’s a nice escape for people. I’m incredibly lucky to have so many opportunities to stay creative.”
He’s currently loving his behind-the-scenes role as dialogue coach on the popular NBC show Lopez vs Lopez, starring George and Mayan Lopez. Adam’s job is to creatively support the talent in any way they need. The popular sitcom deals with the complicated father/daughter relationship. “It’s incredibly real,” he tells me, “The show deals with real issues that affect real families,” If you follow the Lopez family on social media, you know that George and Mayan have been very public about the challenges in their relationship. Adam says he’s impressed with the Lopez family’s fearless portrayal of the truth. “The show is so great because it’s honest, and funny as hell. They find the humor in awkward situations and uncomfortable relationships. But they never deny the truth.” In a Hollywood filled with perfect posturing and ever sunny family façades, that’s a rarity. After a successful first 13 episodes, the show was picked up for a full first season. And there are high hopes for more seasons to come.
What’s next for Adam Kulbersh? Well, he’s not looking to “make it.” “What does that even mean,” he questions, “There is no destination called ‘made it.” I get to define success for myself.” Continuing to work and be creative is what Kulbersh wants. “If I never move up to 2nd Jew from the left, that’s okay. As long as I get to tell stories and entertain people – I’ve succeeded. That’s my small way of contributing to the world.”
Your brief back story: Where you were born and where do you live now, family background?
I was born and raised in Sacramento, CA, which is where I live now. I grew up in a mixed family, my mother is Chinese American and my father is Jewish American. My upbringing was very “assimilated American” and I experienced both of my cultures in what feels like very “American” ways - through food and holidays. I went to college at Portland State University, where my Jewish journey really took off and my activism for Israel and the Jewish people began. I eventually made Aliyah and lived in Israel for 6 years before returning to the US in 2021.
When and why did you become an activist for Jews and Israel?
My activism began in college after an Israel event was protested. I saw that there was a need to speak up for Israel and the Jewish people on my college campus and decided to take action. This eventually evolved into social media activism once I moved to Israel. I wanted to share my story and experience as a Chinese American Jewish woman who made Aliyah. I wanted to show the real Israel and talk about my ever-evolving Jewish identity.
What is your biggest concern for the Jewish people and Israel?
As we see, antisemitism is growing on both the right and the left, and this is very concerning. Sometimes it feels as though the Jewish people are being pushed out of all spaces, becoming homeless. We can’t let this happen. We must show the world who the Jewish people REALLY are, beyond antisemitic tropes and sterotypes they’ve been fed for thousands of years. I believe this is largely due to a lack of education. Most education about Jews is based in our oppression, like the holocaust, and doesn’t actually teach who we really are. This is hugely problematic.
What accomplishment/s or impact are you most proud of regarding your activism?
Anytime another Jewish person tells me that my content has made them feel more proud as a Jewish person, empowered them to speak up, educate another person, or even just simply be openly Jewish, I feel these are my biggest accomplishments. At the end of the day, I’m one person, and anytime I can empower another person I’m really happy.
What is your advice for young people today who are intimated or afraid to get involved or speak out against antisemitism/antizionism?
I’d say, your fear is warranted. It isn’t always easy. However, you will continue to be Jewish and it will hurt to hide more than it will to face challenges for being proud and unapologetic about who you are. Being Jewish is a beautiful thing to be celebrated and shared. Don’t be afraid to be who you are. You have every right just like every other person out there. Ease into it. Start by doing something as simple as wearing a Magen David. It can be a great conversation starter and you might be pleasantly surprised the opportunities it opens up to teaching people about who the Jewish people are.
What would you like to be your legacy?
New generations of empowered, unapologetic Jews “doing Jewish” their way and not feeling fear to be openly Jewish and Zionist.
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Amy Albertson
She/Her
Social Media Consultant & Jewish Advocate and EducatorFollow me on Instagram: @theamyalbertson
Where you were born and where do you live now, family background?
I was born and raised on Long Island, New York and currently live in Orlando, FL. I have two wonderful sons, both of whom are single.
When and why did you become an activist for Jews and Israel?
I have always been an advocate for Israel but my passion was stirred during a visit to Israel in 2019. As I stood on top of Masada, I was literally overcome with emotion thinking about the history of the Jewish people and what we have endured and overcome. I felt such pride in being Jewish and such love for Israel. I wanted to do something to share my passion and pride and decided to focus on highlighting the bravery and courage of the women of the IDF
What is your biggest concern for the Jewish people and Israel?
I am deeply concerned about the rising tide of anti-Semitism around the world and the efforts to marginalize Jews and del egitimize Israel.
What accomplishment/s or impact are you most proud of regarding your activism?
I have been very gratified by the overwhelming show of support for Israel and the IDF. I’ve tried to humanize the IDF and show the soldiers as human beings who love their country and I think it’s resonated
What is your advice for young people today who are intimated or afraid to get involved or speak out against antisemitism/antizionism?
My advice is to never back down, always be loudly and proudly Jewish. If we don’t stick up for ourselves, no one else will.
What would you like to be your legacy?
My goal in advocating for Israel was to show my pride in being Jewish and my love for Israel. I wanted to show the real Israel, not the Israel portrayed by a biased media.When I started by Instagram page, I said that I would be happy if I could change what people think about Israel, I would be thrilled
Founded in 2001, the non-partisan international education organization StandWithUs (SWU) finds that its core mission of supporting Israel and fighting antisemitism is needed now more than ever.
From its humble beginnings in the living room of co-founders Roz (CEO) and Jerry (COO) Rothstein together with Esther Renzer (international president), StandWithUs – headquartered in Los Angeles – now has chapters and runs programs throughout the United States, Canada, in Israel, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, South Africa, the Netherlands and Australia.
Antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment continue to grow rampantly worldwide, and are especially prevalent on college campuses. Roz Rothstein recalls that SWU did not start out as a campus organization, but students began bombarding the fledgling organization with calls for help when StandWithUs opened its doors. Students were upset by what they saw, and lost as to how to respond. Muslim Student Unions and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) student groups were hosting antisemitic speakers and bringing hateful displays to campuses to create ill-will against Israel and anyone that supports it
SWU responded immediately by creating educational materials, holding conferences, galvanizing students and teaching them context and ways to respond. The Emerson Fellowship was created in 2007 to formalize a growing network of StandWithUs Zionist students, and the Saidoff Legal Department was created a few years later to help students “Know Their Rights” on campus and engage pro bono attorneys to help students who were being bullied by anti-Israel student groups and professors because of their Zionism.
On August 3, 2022, SWU sent a letter to 3,0000 university administrators and stakeholders, alerting them to five issues related to antisemitism that may arise on campuses this academic year, and offering remedies.
In 2012 StandWithUs opened the high school department because the executive staff recognized that students were unprepared for the challenges they were facing in college, and that education, inspiration and support for students who love Israel needed to start earlier than college. The StandWithUs Kenneth Leventhal High School Internship empowers young Jewish leaders before they arrive in college. Both the Emerson Fellowship and the Kenneth Leventhal High School Internship select and train hundreds of students annually to confront antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric at their schools and communities while also bringing proactive, educational programs to their peers. In the last year, the campus and high school student leaders engaged over 250,000 students with programs across the US and Canada. The 2022-23 Fellows and Leventhal Interns just completed their respective August training conferences and are preparing for the new academic year.
Recognizing that education needs to start even earlier, SWU now has a middle school curriculum, IsraelLINK, that is used across the U.S. in over 200 schools, to inspire and connect young teens to Israel through the lens of their own interests and core values.
Moreover, the organization’s community directors host educational programs for different audiences and also deal with antisemitism on the local level.
SWU also challenges anti-Israel campaigns whether on social media, on campuses, in high schools or in communities. For example, the organization was very involved in the Ben & Jerry’s boycott of Israel campaign. Unilever, the parent company that owns Ben & Jerry’s, recently sold the franchise to its long-time Israel distributor Avi Zinger, which put a quick end to the boycott. The move ensures that the thousands of Israeli and Palestinians employees keep their jobs, and be able to continue enjoying the ice cream.
This victory was nearly a year in the making with SWU and other organizations working from a variety of angles including letter-writing that gathered over 19,000, social media campaigns, and legal angles. The organization also deployed trucks to Unilever’s headquarters with signs protesting Ben and Jerry’s stance. The StandWithUs Saidoff Legal Department worked to hold Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever legally accountable for its discriminatory decision. Avi Zinger personally thanked SWU and other organizations who stood by him and challenged the destructive campaign by Ben and Jerry’s.
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is another example of a recent antisemitic campaign against Israel which has required a strong response by SWU and other organizations who are paying attention to the double standards constantly promoted by UN agencies. The UNHRC has recently continued its endless vilification of Israel through an unprecedented, open-ended “Commission of Inquiry” (COI) led by a proponent of the Boycott campaign against Israel. As usual, its latest report blames Israel for the suffering of the Palestinians without taking into account the Palestinian Authority and Hamas’ intransigence and terrorism.
In response, SWU launched a letter-writing campaign to the UNHRC and held a mock funeral at UN headquarters in New York. The funeral procession included grim reaper figures in black robes and hoods and skeleton masks, carrying coffins with imprinted signs signaling the death of human rights. The message points a finger at the UNHRC for ignoring human rights abuses throughout the world in favor of its obsession with Israel, harming endless numbers of people who need help, like the Uyghurs in China who are reportedly being tortured in concentration camps.
SWU believes it must do what it can to ensure Israel remains a secure, thriving Jewish and democratic state that can make peace with its neighbors from a position of strength, and that it must stop antisemitism from threatening Jewish communities and their students around the world.
Roz Rothstein states, “At StandWithUs, we empower people around the world to fight antisemitism and support Israel.”
“As a daughter of Holocaust survivors who lost 80 family members, I deeply understand the urgency to fight dangerous hatred, harassment and violence,” Rothstein continued. “I also believe that now, more than ever, we must proactively tell our story, build new relationships and inspire people around the world about Israel. At StandWithUs, we see this as a race against time.”
StandWithUs’ proactive, cutting-edge resources and programs which are available to you, your family and your community include:
1. The StandWithUs Saidoff Legal Department, which is a relentless force that works around the clock helping students and community members use legal tools to fight anti-Jewish, and anti-Israel discrimination. It analyzes antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents and brings all StandWithUs resources to bear with a unique response to each situation. Using a variety of tools and approaches, the department, sponsored by Debbie and Naty Saidoff, has resolved over 1,800 incidents since its founding. If you have a question, contact Legal@standwithus.com.
2. The Center for Combating Antisemitism (CCA) educates about and fights antisemitism across the political spectrum. It has published over 20 new booklets about antisemitism. CCA’s new online portal allows individuals to report antisemitic incidents in real-time so we can take proper action in response. To learn more and download publications, visit www.StandUpToHatred.com.
3. The StandWithUs International Conference, funded by the Milstein Family Foundation, brings together over 500 high school and college student leaders from all over the world. Participants walk away from the conference feeling more empowered, supported and hopeful about what each of them can do to fight antisemitism and educate about Israel in their communities.
4. The brand-new Holocaust Education Center has already made presentations to 1,150 high school students, many of whom are not Jewish. To learn more and to book a presentation, visit https://www.standwithus.com/holocaustedctr,
5. Over 500,000 college students have been reached through SWU’s Emerson Fellowship and other campus programs in the U.S. and worldwide. Thousands of elite college student leaders have already graduated from the StandWithUs Emerson Fellowship, sponsored by Rita and Steven Emerson, empowering and creating the next generation of Jewish and pro-Israel leaders. To learn more and encourage your children or grandchildren to apply, visit https://www.standwithus.com/emerson-fellowship.
6. SWU has reached over 500,000 high school students with programs in North America and Israel through the StandWithUs Kenneth Leventhal High School Internship and Teen Leadership Council (TLC). To learn more and to encourage your children and grandchildren to apply, visithttps://www.standwithus.com/hs-internship.
7. Over 3,000 middle school students in over 200 schools across the U.S. have already been inspired about Israel through the IsraelLINK middle school curriculum, sponsored by the Sandra and Lawrence Post Foundation. To learn more and encourage your child’s school to adopt it, visit https://israellink.org/.
8. The StandWithUs Israel Education Center located in the heart of Jerusalem (across from the King David Hotel), has reached over 150,000 young visitors from all over the world during their trips to Israel. Its Jerusalem office is so busy, it recently doubled its space, including a state-of-the-art auditorium, TV recording studio and new Visitor’s Experience — poised to host tens of thousands of visitors annually. https://www.standwithus.com/post/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-held-as-standwithus-opens-expanded-center-in-jerusalem-on-may-22-2022
9. As a global leader in social media, SWU has over one billion interactions on its many StandWithUs Polak Social Media Department platforms, in a variety of languages with millions of people viewing and sharing its content every day. People can join the organization and educate their peers and communities at:
https://www.standwithus.tv
10. StandWithUs produces educational materials about Israel in a variety of languages. Thanks to Evelyn and Dr. Shmuel Katz, millions of StandWithUs publications have been distributed and used in schools, synagogues, churches, and communities. Order yours at https://www.standwithus.com/booklets
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