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Jewish American Summit 2026

A national gathering of Jewish American strength, unity, and action.

August 30, 2026 | Los Angeles, Westside

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A look inside the Jewish American Summit

A glimpse into the conversations, community, and energy that defined the 2025 summit.

About the Jewish American Summit

The Jewish American Summit is an annual gathering that brings together leaders across culture, business, advocacy, and community for thoughtful dialogue and meaningful connection.

Now entering its third year, the summit has become a trusted space for important conversations, shared responsibility, and forward-looking leadership at a pivotal moment for Jewish life in America.

Past Summit Voices & Highlights

Across 2024 and 2025, the Jewish American Summit has featured an extraordinary roster of cultural, civic, and community voices — reflecting the depth and breadth of perspectives shaping Jewish life today.

Bill
Maher

Senator John Fetterman

Montana
Tucker

Michael Rapaport

Michael
Rapaport

Matisyahu

Patricia Heaton

Patricia
Heaton

Dennis Prager

Dennis
Prager

Yoav
Gallant

Darryl Strawberry

Darryl
Strawberry

Emily
Austin

Rebecca De Mornay

Rebecca
De Mornay

Shabbos Kestenbaum

Shabbos
Kestenbaum

Slovie Jungreis Wolff

Slovie
Jungreis-Wolff

Alan Dershowitz

Alan
Dershowitz

Mayor Sharona Nazarian, PsyD

Roz
Rothstein

Rabbi Aaron
Lerner

Rabbi Steve
Burg

Rabbi Noah
Farkas

Liora
Rez

David Suissa

David
Suissa

Tomer
Peretz

Speakers listed are past participants from the 2024 and 2025 Jewish American Summits. The 2026 speaker lineup will be announced soon.

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Why 2026 Matters

This moment calls for leadership, clarity, and connection.

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A Beautiful Westside Los Angeles Setting

The 2026 Jewish American Summit will take place in a thoughtfully selected Westside Los Angeles location, designed to foster openness, conversation, and connection in a light-filled, inspiring environment.

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JAS 2026 Announcement

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Check out JAS 2025

Highlights | Photos | Speakers

See more here

Bill Maher

Comedian/TV Host/Political Commentator

Bill Maher, host of HBO’s Real Time for over 20 years and formerly Politically Incorrect, has been a defining voice in political comedy for more than 25 years. With 42 Emmy nominations and one win as executive producer of VICE, he’s also a bestselling author and filmmaker (Religulous). His podcast Club Random debuted at #1 on Apple Podcasts. Maher continues to perform nationwide stand-up, with 13 HBO specials, while shaping political and cultural conversations. 

Senator John Fetterman

US Senator for Pennsylvania

John Fetterman has served as U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania since 2023. Previously mayor of Braddock (2006–2019) and Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor (2019–2023), he has dedicated his career to fighting for forgotten communities. Inspired by his GED students to enter public service, he worked to create jobs, reduce gun violence, and revitalize Braddock. As Senator, he champions economic justice, criminal justice reform, equal protection, and is a strong supporter of Israel and Jewish community organizations.

Montana Tucker

Singer/Activist

Montana Tucker is an award-winning actress, singer, dancer, and social media activist with nearly 14 million followers, primarily Gen Z. A passionate advocate against antisemitism and hate, she has been honored by leading organizations including FIDF, IAC, Magen David Adom, and WIZO, as well as by NYC Mayor Eric Adams and the City of Beverly Hills. Her acclaimed docu-series How To: Never Forget, chronicling her family’s Holocaust history, earned a Webby Award nomination and widespread media coverage. Featured on Good Morning America, CNN, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Variety, and Forbes, Montana continues to educate and inspire worldwide. 

Matisyahu

Singer/Songwriter

Matisyahu is a world-renowned artist whose music blends reggae, hip hop, and rock with deep spiritual themes. For over 20 years, he has brought Jewish identity, mysticism, and faith into the global spotlight, inspiring audiences with his authenticity and message of redemption. With eight studio albums, including his latest Ancient Child, Matisyahu continues to explore Jewish history, spirituality, and unity, using music as a bridge between tradition and the modern world.

Yoav Gallant

Former Minister of Defense of Israel

General Yoav Gallant has devoted nearly five decades to Israel’s security, most recently serving as Minister of Defense during one of the nation’s most challenging crises. A decorated IDF veteran, he commanded elite units including Shayetet 13, the Gaza Division, and the Southern Command, and served as Military Secretary to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. After retiring as Major General, he held senior ministerial roles and co-founded FIDF’s IMPACT Scholarship Program, advancing education for IDF veterans. 

Emily Austin

Broadcaster and Commentator

Emily Austin is an American TV personality and host of The Emily Austin Show. A former MTV anchor, Miss Universe judge, and current sports broadcaster for DAZN, she has excelled across entertainment and media. Frequently seen on major networks commenting on U.S. and Middle East politics, she was recognized at the White House by the President and Vice President for her election work. Emily also owns People’s Beauty, a South Korean skincare brand sold online and in stores. 

Rebecca DeMornay

Actress & Activist

Rising to fame in the early 1980s, Rebecca De Mornay’s screen debut was in the classic film “Risky Business,” in which she played a street-wise call-girl to an impressionable Tom Cruise. In her subsequent 55+ roles on stage and screen she has consistently been singled out by critics as an actress of striking intensity, range, and skill. With a career spanning over four decades, De Mornay continues to be a dynamic presence in the entertainment world, admired for her talent, beauty, and enduring appeal. Upcoming films include “Gentleman Thief” opposite John Travolta and “The Up and Comer” with Noah Emmerich.

Shabbos Kestenbaum

Activist/Harvard Alum

Shabbos Kestenbaum is a PragerU political commentator and student activist known for his landmark lawsuit against Harvard University. He is a regular contributor on national media, has testified multiple times in front of the United States Congress as well as the Israeli Knesset, and lectures internationally on American politics and Jewish communal issues.

Mayor Sharona R. Nazarian, PsyD

Mayor of Beverly Hills

Mayor Sharona Nazarian, PsyD, elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in 2022, is the first Iranian American woman to serve as Mayor (2025–2026). A lifelong resident and community leader, she champions public safety, unity, business innovation, and inclusivity. An outspoken advocate against antisemitism, she has launched initiatives like BHPD Live Link, BH Fire Watch, and Never Again Is Now. Mayor Nazarian also promotes mental health, cultural celebration, and bridge-building. 

Roz Rothstein

Co-founder/CEO, StandWithUs

Roz Rothstein, daughter of Holocaust survivors, is the co-founder and CEO of StandWithUs, an international, non-partisan education organization working on six continents. StandWithUs fights antisemitism, supports Israel, and educates hundreds of thousands of students annually. Its social media reaches tens of millions weekly. Previously, Rothstein was a Family Therapist in California for two decades. Since its inception, Forward Magazine twice named her among the 50 most influential Jews in America, and the Jerusalem Post twice named her among the 50 most influential Jews in the world. 

Rabbi Aaron Lerner

Jewish Community Foundation CEO

Rabbi Aaron Lerner became President and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles in 2023. In his first two years, The Foundation attracted $290 million in contributions, distributed $385 million in grants with 1,400 families, and grew assets to $1.5 billion—earning him recognition among the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 500 most influential leaders. A former UCLA Hillel executive director, Lerner is a noted Jewish organizational builder, author, and advocate for Israel.

Rabbi Steve Burg

Aish CEO

Rabbi Steven Burg is the CEO of Aish, a global Jewish institute, and the Chairman of Aish Ha’am, a new party in the World Zionist Congress. Rabbi Burg also serves on the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency. Prior to Aish, he was Eastern Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, where he oversaw the Museum of Tolerance in New York City and contributed to the center’s fight against antisemitism.

Rabbi Noah Farkas

President/CEO, The Jewish Federation

Rabbi Noah Farkas is President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and was named by The Forward as one of America’s most inspiring rabbis. Formerly of Valley Beth Shalom, he is a civic leader who helped secure $5 billion for housing and services for the vulnerable and served as Chair of LA’s Homelessness Services Authority. A Navy Reserve chaplain and pro-Israel advocate, he is recognized nationally for innovative Jewish leadership.

Liora Rez

Founder, StopAntiSemitism

Liora Rez is the founder and Executive Director of StopAntisemitism, which she launched in 2018 to hold antisemites accountable and ensure real consequences for their actions. With a background in neuroscience and human behavior, as well as expertise in digital marketing, she has built strategies that disrupt antisemitic platforms and narratives. Under her leadership, StopAntisemitism now reaches nearly half a billion people monthly and has driven arrests, expulsions, firings, and lasting accountability nationwide. 

Tomer Peretz

Artist & Activist

Tomer Peretz, an Israeli-American artist born in Jerusalem and based in Los Angeles, creates bold works exploring trauma, identity, and healing. A former IDF combat soldier, he channels his PTSD into art that fosters collective resilience. In 2023, he launched The 8 Project, an art-based healing initiative for trauma survivors. In 2024, he became the first Artist-in-Residence at the Museum of Tolerance, creating ART WILL S8T YOU FREE with 850 October 7th survivors. 

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