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Lou Balcher

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Mar 23, 2018, 7:13 AM

Matzah Aisle Meet-Up for the Heart & Sole

Much Jewish community efforts are focused on young adult engagement and leadership development. Here is a twist on the Pub “Happy Hour,” as a means to connect post-college age young adults. Aside from the High Holidays, Passover is the one...

Jan 24, 2018, 11:41 PM

Getting past Pence on Har Herzl — Michael would be Proud … Eagles Going to the Super Bowl!

On Tuesday, January 23, 2018, as US VP Pence was traveling in Jerusalem, roads were clogged, security was enhanced everywhere, and a Birthright “Foodie” tour had trouble getting to the Kotel. They made adjustments and spent a short 8...

Jan 1, 2018, 11:06 AM

Jerusalem no longer “occupied” for US, or Princess Leia?

With a New Year's trip to Pompano Beach, Jocelyne, the boys, and I saw the latest Star Wars movie, "The Last Jedi." Not knowing what to expect, I was surprised that Carrie Fisher had such a major role in...

Oct 31, 2017, 9:24 AM

From Balfour to medical miracles and fantastic voyages

The recent marking of the 120th anniversary of the First Zionist Congress, and that on November 2 we celebrate the Centennial of the Balfour Declaration, has us looking backwards as we move forwards. The promise of Zionism we see every...

Jul 4, 2017, 10:55 PM

A July 4th shared American-Israel narrative to engage millennials

“Shared values have been the bedrock of the American-Israeli relationship. Without this connection, the future of the alliance is in jeopardy, claims the BIG group” (Branding Israel Group), as reported in the Times of Israel on 6.21.17 The article further...

Feb 1, 2017, 9:03 AM

Secret of the UN Holocaust Remembrance Day — A personal perspective

January 27, 2017 was the 12th annual observance of the UN’s Holocaust Remembrance Day. Have you ever wondered why it took sixty years from the end of WWII in 1945, till January 2006, for the UN to finally come to recognize...

Jan 13, 2017, 1:07 PM

Why is UN Res. 2334 Evil? Biblical Jerusalem/Zion…is Palestine — Thank you President Obama

Why is the December 23, 2016 UN Res. 2334 Evil? … Because we saw it before. On November 10, 1975 the UN adopted General Assembly Resolution 3379 which declared Zionism as Racism. The resolution stood for 16 years as a...

Dec 28, 2016, 8:01 AM

We met Princess Leia in “occupied” Jerusalem

"A long time ago, in a Galaxy Far Away..." Jocelyne, at that time my bride of two years, and I met Carrie Fisher – Princess Leia, in the Old City Shuk, … Now in December 2016, per the UN,...

Dec 8, 2016, 12:36 PM

Murray Shusterman Remembered – a personal, & B’nai B’rith Recollection

Personal stories in the Jewish community intertwine as we remember legends in our time. This is the story of connections with Murray Shusterman, through B’nai B’rith, that you may not hear otherwise. The news came from Israel, in an e-mail...

Oct 11, 2016, 9:50 PM

With AEPI, it’s all about leadership!

On Saturday evening, October 8, I was excited about being initiated as an honorary member of the AEPi Jewish fraternity. The special Initiation Ceremony would take place at the conclusion of one day of their weekend of student leadership...

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About Me

Lou Balcher served from 2004 - 2013 as Director of Academic Affairs to Consulate General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region. He also served as Education Director for Congregation Tifereth Israel in Bensalem, PA, and as administrator and teacher for Gratz College's Jewish Community High School. He is a former Membership Director for the Philadelphia and Cincinnati regions of B'nai B'rith International. For three decades, he has coordinated post-college young leadership programs for Young Jewish Leadership Concepts. Additionally, he consults as National Director of the American Friends of the Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel which serves more than one million Israeli citizens.