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Zack Bodner

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Apr 4, 2018, 11:02 PM

Is there a future for Jews in Poland?

Sara Zielinski, with her mother Elizabeth, center, and a volunteer at a pre-Shabbat program at the Jewish Community Center of Krakow. Sara is part of the inaugural class of Frajda, the first pluralistic Jewish nursery and preschool in Krakow since World War II. (Courtesy of Jewish Community Center of Krakow/via JTA)

If the rest of the Diaspora stays connected to the Polish Jewish community, then yes

Mar 30, 2017, 3:03 AM

For the first time in Jewish history, there is both a strong Jewish Homeland and a strong Jewish Diaspora. And it raises fundamental questions about our Jewish future. What will the relationship between these two thriving centers of Jewish...

Dec 29, 2016, 8:25 PM

Mr. Kerry – thou dost protest too much!

America’s abstention on the anti-Israel resolution at the UNSC was shameful, and Secretary Kerry’s hypocritical tongue-lashing yesterday was an unprecedented foreign policy disaster. Here are six reasons why. First, you don't talk to friends that way -- much less partners!...

May 5, 2016, 8:05 AM

It’s Time for a Universal Yom HaShoah Tradition — and Meal

Did you know today is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day? What will you do differently today? Maybe you will wear white. Maybe you will go to a ceremony at your local JCC or synagogue. Maybe you will light a yahrtzeit...

Dec 18, 2015, 1:48 AM

How to have the conversation about Israel at your JCC or synagogue

On Sunday, November 22, more than 750 attendees participated in an all-day conference at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, California called “Zionism 3.0: Israel’s place in tomorrow’s world.” In partnership with Ha’aretz newspaper, we hosted speakers from across...

Jun 21, 2015, 11:26 PM

What I Learned from my Dad

Today is both Father's Day and the 6-Month Anniversary of my father's passing. So in honor of his memory, I want to share a few thoughts on what I learned from my dad. For he was, among other things,...

Jun 5, 2015, 7:46 PM

2015 Graduation Message: Don’t Wait!

I have always wanted to be invited to give a speech at a commencement ceremony. And since I am not sure it will ever happen, I decided to use my remarks at our OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool Graduation Ceremony...

Mar 21, 2015, 9:26 AM

Time to cultivate a familial love of Israel

My wife and I agree on just about everything – from the superficial stuff like decorating styles for our house to the more important decisions like parenting calls. But every once in a while we’ll disagree about a significant...

Jul 2, 2014, 3:19 AM

Elu V’Elu: The duality of life in Israel right now – An American perspective

Life in Israel is the embodiment of the duality and contradictions of the Jewish condition. Elu v'Elu (these and these). Sweet parsley dipped in salty water. Breaking a glass at a joyous wedding. Yom HaZikaron immediately followed by Yom Ha'atzmaut. As American...

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About Me

Zack Bodner is the CEO of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, CA. Prior to joining the JCC, Zack served as the Pacific Northwest Director of AIPAC (based in San Francisco) for 14 years. He lives in Silicon Valley with his wife and three kids.