PAST EVENTS
Exclusive Member Discussion with Glenn Ivey (D), PIA PAC Endorsed Candidate for Congress in MD-04
Pro-Israel America PAC hosted Glenn Ivey, who is running in the open seat MD-04 congressional race for an exclusive, members only conversation with Executive Director Jeff Mendelsohn. A former Prince George’s County prosecutor, Ivey – who supports Israel’s right to defend itself, supports continued U.S. security assistance to Israel, and opposes BDS and other efforts to delegitimize Israel – is running against former Congresswoman Donna Edwards, who while serving in Congress, repeatedly took positions out of the mainstream on the U.S.-Israel relationship, including failing to support Israel’s right to defend itself. Ivey spoke about his competitive race and how he plans to be a champion of the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress.
Exclusive Member Discussion with Gilbert Villegas (D), PIA PAC Endorsed Candidate for Congress in IL-03
Pro-Israel America PAC had an exclusive, members-only event with endorsed candidate, Gilbert Villegas, who ran to represent Illinois’ 3rd congressional district. Villegas, who currently serves as the alderman for the 35th ward in Northwest Chicago and the chair of the Latino and Veterans caucuses, is a committed supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship. He opposes the BDS movement – which he has labeled antisemitic – and advocates for defense funding for Israel. VIllegas joined PIA PAC’s Executive Director Jeff Mendelsohn and spoke about his race and his commitment to advance the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress.
Exclusive Member Discussion with Steve Irwin (D) (PA-12), PIA Endorsed Candidate for Congress
Pro-Israel America PAC hosted an exclusive, members-only event with endorsed candidate, Steve Irwin, who is running to represent the newly redrawn 12th congressional district in Pennsylvania. Irwin, who serves as the chair of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission’s State Advisory Board and was previously appointed to head the Pennsylvania Securities Commission by Governor Ed Rendell, is a steadfast supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship. He strongly opposes the BDS movement, supports security assistance to Israel, and has pledged that he will be a leader on the U.S.-Israel relationship while in Congress. Irwin is currently facing a very competitive primary election in 2022 from Justice Democrats-backed candidate Summer Lee. Lee is accepting support from PACs who support adding unnecessary political conditions to security aid to Israel.
Exclusive Member Discussion with Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) (WA-03), PIA Endorsed Candidate for Congress
Pro-Israel America hosted an exclusive, members-only event with endorsed candidate, Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, running for re-election in Washington’s 3rd district. Rep. Herrera Beutler, who currently serves on the Appropriations Committee, has been committed to supporting the US-Israel relationship throughout her tenure in Congress. Herrera Beutler opposes the BDS movement and placing unnecessary political conditions on security assistance to Israel. She has cosponsored numerous pieces of pro-Israel legislation since being elected in 2010. Rep. Herrera Beutler is facing a very competitive primary election and a potentially competitive general election in 2022. Rep. Herrera Beutler will join PIA’s Executive Director Jeff Mendelsohn to talk about her work to advance the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress and her upcoming re-election campaign.
Exclusive Member Discussion with Rep. Peter Meijer (R) (MI-03), PIA Endorsed Candidate for Congress
Pro-Israel America hosted an exclusive, members-only event with endorsed candidate, Congressman Peter Meijer, running for re-election in Michigan’s 3rd district. Meijer currently serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Homeland Security Committee and Science, Space & Technology Committee. Rep Meijer is a steadfast supporter of the US-Israel relationship, he introduced bipartisan legislation, the Israel Normalization Act, which builds on the Abraham Accords. Additionally, Meijer is vocally opposed to the BDS movement and supports granting foreign aid to Israel. Meijer is facing a competitive primary election and a competitive general election in 2022. In 2020, Meijer was elected by a 6-point margin. Rep. Meijer will join PIA’s Executive Director Jeff Mendelsohn to talk about his to advance the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress and his upcoming re-election campaign.
Exclusive Member Discussion with Rep. John Katko (R) (NY-24), PIA Endorsed Candidate for Congress
Pro-Israel America had an exclusive, members-only event with endorsed candidate, Congressman John Katko, running for re-election in New York’s 24th district. Katko has served in Congress since 2014, and is currently the Ranking Member on the Homeland Security Committee. Rep. Katko has been committed to supporting the US-Israel relationship throughout his tenure in Congress – he strongly opposes the BDS movement, supports foreign aid to Israel, and has cosponsored numerous pro-Israel bills and resolutions. In 2020, Katko defeated Democratic challenger Dana Balter by just 5% of the vote. His election is expected to be even more competitive this year. Rep. Katko joined PIA’s Executive Director Jeff Mendelsohn and spoke about his resolve to advance the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress and his upcoming re-election campaign.
Exclusive Member Discussion with Daniel Hernandez: PIA Endorsed Candidate for Congress
Recorded: September 23, 2021
On September 23, 2021, PIA hosted an exclusive, members-only event with endorsed candidate Daniel Hernandez, Democratic candidate for Arizona’s Second Congressional District. Since 2017, Daniel has served in the Arizona State House where he was one of the youngest elected members and is now a co-founder of the House LGBTQ caucus. Daniel attended the University of Arizona when he interned for then-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and was there on the day of the tragic attack on her life which resulted in 6 deaths and 13 people injured. Daniel was the first to administer first aid to the Congresswoman before the EMTs arrived and was named a national hero by President Obama. A vocal supporter of Israel in the Arizona State House, Hernandez has been unwavering in standing up for Israel’s right to defend itself and has condemned efforts to add conditions to US security assistance for our ally. Hernandez joined PIA’s Executive Director Jeff Mendelsohn to talk about his work as a state representative, his support for the U.S.-Israel relationship, and his bid to represent AZ-02 in Congress.
Exclusive Member Discussion with Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY15): PIA Endorsed Candidate for Congress
Recorded: August 17, 2021
On August 17, Pro-Israel America hosted a members-only event with endorsed candidate and pro-Israel champion, Congressman Ritchie Torres, Democratic representative for New York’s Fifteenth Congressional District. Rep. Torres serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. In his first term in Congress, Torres has been an outspoken advocate for the U.S.-Israel relationship, speaking out against the BDS movement, supporting aid to Israel without condition, and taking a strong stand in support of Israel’s safety and security during the recent Hamas terrorist attacks. This event was an opportunity for our members to thank Rep. Torres for his commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship and to learn more about Rep. Torres’ work to advance pro-Israel policies.
Exclusive Discussion with Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX12): PIA Endorsed Candidate for Congress
Recorded: May 25, 2021
Pro-Israel America endorsed Congresswoman Kay Granger, Republican representative for Texas’ Twelfth Congressional District, joined PIA’s Executive Director Jeff Mendelsohn for a discussion about current events, national security, and the importance of bipartisan support of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Rep. Granger serves as the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for all federal discretionary spending, Vice Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, and Co-Chair of the US Bipartisan Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism. In 1997, Congresswoman Granger made history as the first Republican woman to represent Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives, and previously made history as the first female Mayor of Fort Worth.
Exclusive Discussion with Rep. Elaine Luria: Bipartisanship and Advancing the U.S.-Israel Relationship in Congress
Recorded: April 28, 2021
Pro-Israel America endorsed Congresswoman Elaine Luria, Democrat representative for Virginia’s Second Congressional District, joined PIA’s Executive Director Jeff Mendelsohn for a discussion about national security, the importance of bipartisan support of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and what may lay ahead for security in the Middle East. Rep. Luria serves as Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and is the Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Congresswoman Luria served two decades in the Navy, retiring at the rank of Commander. Serving as a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer, she deployed to the Middle East and Western Pacific and commanded a combat-ready unit of 400 sailors.
Discussion with David Horovitz: Insider’s Update from Israel – Insights on the U.S.-Israel Relationship and Current Events
Featuring: David Horovitz, Founding Editor of the Times of Israel
Recorded: April 19, 2021
Pro-Israel America joined David Horovitz, founding editor of Jerusalem-based The Times of Israel, for an exclusive discussion and Q&A. Former editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post, Horovitz has written extensively from Israel for newspapers around the world, including The New York Times and The Independent, and is a frequent interviewee on CNN, the BBC, NPR, and other TV and radio stations. One of the most sought-after speakers on contemporary Israel, David talked with Pro-Israel America’s Executive Director Jeff Mendelsohn about current events in Israel and the U.S. impacting the U.S.-Israel relationship, politics, and more.
Conversation with Shontel Brown: Pro-Israel Candidate in the OH-11 Special Election
Featuring: Councilwoman Shontel Brown, Candidate in the OH-11 Special Election
Recorded: April 6, 2021
Pro-Israel America joined Councilwoman Shontel Brown for a discussion and Q&A about about the special election and her plans for furthering the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress. The primary, which will likely determine the winner of the general election in this strongly Democratic district, will be held on August 3. A native Clevelander, Shontel began her service as a Warrensville Heights city council member in 2012. She went on to be elected to Cuyahoga County Council where she currently serves. Click HERE to learn more about Councilwoman Brown’s campaign.
Discussion with Michael Eisenstadt: How the U.S. Can Keep Benefiting from Its Alliance with Israel
Featuring: Michael Eisenstadt, Kahn Fellow and Director of The Washington Institute’s Military and Security Studies Program
Recorded: March 23, 2021
Pro-Israel America joined Michael Eisenstadt for a discussion and Q&A about the Washington Institute’s recent presidential transition policy paper, “Asset Test 2021: How the U.S. Can Keep Benefiting from Its Alliance with Israel,” co-authored by Eisenstadt with his Washington Institute colleague David Pollock, which highlights opportunities for increased U.S.-Israel cooperation, from security to climate resilience and everything in between.
Discussion with Jarrod Bernstein & Rich Goldberg: The U.S.-Israel Relationship & the 117th Congress
Featuring: Jarrod Bernstein and Rich Goldberg, Hosts of Jewish Insider’s Limited Liability Podcast
Recorded: March 10, 2021
Pro-Israel America joined Jarrod Bernstein and Rich Goldberg for an intimate discussion on bipartisanship, the U.S.-Israel relationship, and the new Congress. Jarrod and Rich are both top political operatives – Jarrod a Democrat and Rich a Republican – with extensive experience in the political arena and a deep rolodex to match.
When Politics are Personal: My Journey with Pro-Israel Activism
Featuring: Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham, Congregation B’Nai Amoona and Jeff Mendelsohn, Executive Director of Pro Israel America
Recorded: February 16, 2021
Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham serves at Congregation B’nai Amoona in Saint Louis. His interest in pro-Israel activism began as a teenager but took off to new levels when he became a rabbi. He has lobbied members of Congress and regularly teaches about Israel to a growing audience around the country. Pro-Israel America joined Rabbi Abraham to hear his expert opinions and personal stories about his experience advocating for the U.S.-Israel relationship.
View from Israel: The Abraham Accords
Featuring: Avi Mayer, Managing Director of Global Communications at AJC
Recorded: February 3, 2021
Pro-Israel America joined Avi Mayer, Managing Director, Global Communications at the American Jewish Committee (AJC), Jerusalem, for a discussion about the positive impacts for Israel, the region and the U.S. of the Abraham Accords, which are normalizing relations between Israel and its neighbors.