FED—”Like TED Talks, but you also get fed”—is dedicated to presenting unconventional and at times completely counterintuitive perspectives to help us gain in-depth access to vantage points we might never have noticed otherwise. In that spirit, this Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day), we present a delicious Israeli Shabbat dinner with FED Talk by our special speaker: Colonel Michael Scott CSC.

Michael Scott served over 30 years in the Australian Army, with multiple operational deployments, including Iraq and two tours of Afghanistan. From July 2019 to September 2021, he was based in Jerusalem while seconded to the United Nations, with responsibilities spanning Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt—where he travelled extensively and gained remarkable insights. Michael will share his personal story, about his time in the region, and how it led him, a non-Jewish Australian, to refuse to be a bystander in the face of rising antisemitism. Instead, he founded The 2023 Foundation, a nascent global charity, whose programs include scholarships and placements designed to provide opportunities that align with its mission to introduce gentiles, beginning with Australians—who may have little or no prior knowledge or experience with Israel—to its rich culture, history, innovation, and people.

Reflecting on Israel’s independence celebration this year—and particularly our experience of it, from our vantage point in the Diaspora—the current environment around Israel can feel challenging existentially to us as Jews, and we may legitimately feel discouraged and powerless to change our own reality. Michael Scott, personally and through his work with the foundation, is a living testament to the insight that building strong, strategic allies is one crucial key to our continued safety and security as Jews living in the Diaspora. Come hear his story, ask questions, and get energized about this example of working within the present-day reality toward connection, a shared vision, and solutions.

Learn more about The 2023 Foundation here.

The evening will also feature a live Israeli musical performance in tribute to Yom Ha’atzmaut by Soof Sela!

Soof Sela is an Israeli singer-songwriter and pianist based in New York, known for his warm, rough voice and soulful performances. His musical journey began in the military “Nahal Band,” followed by a B.A. in composition at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. After years of collaborating with well-known artists across Israel, Soof debuted with his album “It’s Not That We Didn’t Know” in April 2021. The album blends Israeli folk-pop with elements of classical, jazz, and country, drawing influences from artists like Billy Joel and Yoni Rechter. It is dedicated to Soof’s late mother, Razia Sela, who passed away from cancer a year before the album was recorded. Her memory is honored through a special font based on her handwriting. Now based in New York, Soof performs across the U.S. while continuing annual musical tours in Israel.