Schedule

• 2:00–2:30 PM – Gathering and light refreshments

  (Please note: this is not a full lunch)

• 2:30–3:30 PM – Conversation with Chen Ariely

• 3:30–4:00 PM – Open questions and discussion

  
  

How does a grassroots activist become a leading figure in the Israeli establishment?

Chen Ariely has spent her career navigating the delicate and often turbulent space between the streets and the halls of power.

As the Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Chairperson of IGY (Israel’s leading LGBTQ+ youth organization), and founder of “Shitha” (an institute promoting liberal values in local government), she offers a unique perspective on how to create real change without losing one’s activist soul.

Chen will be visiting New York on her way to the J Street Convention and is eager to build meaningful partnerships, explore opportunities for shared work, and strengthen mutual support between Israeli and American Jewish communities.

Join us for a thoughtful and timely discussion about Israeli society, leadership, and the challenges of building inclusive communities today.

Discussion Topics

This gathering will be an opportunity for a meaningful exchange around questions such as:

• What does it mean to be a female leader in political, civic, and community spaces today, and how does gender shape leadership, responsibility, and impact?

• What is the role of local leadership in shaping social change?

• How do we create inclusive spaces while navigating political and ideological tensions?

• How can Jewish communities abroad engage thoughtfully with Israeli complexity?

  
  

About Chen Ariely

Chen Ariely serves as the Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo and oversees the city’s cultural initiatives. She brings over two decades of experience in civil society and is deeply committed to justice, equality, and peace.

She is the first openly lesbian Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv and currently serves as Chairperson of IGY, Israel’s leading LGBTQ+ youth organization.

Alongside her public role, Chen founded and serves as Chair of “Shitha,” an institute for local policy that promotes liberal and democratic values in municipal leadership across Israel. Through this work, she builds partnerships and networks of support for leaders and communities striving for a more just, inclusive, and democratic society.