Originally from California. Journalist and news anchor at Ynet and ILTV. In addition, she is one of the leading advocacy figures in Israel and internationally, even before the current war, with a focus on the fight for women’s rights and freedom everywhere, and especially in Iran, sending these messages to hundreds of thousands of followers she holds in her social media assets. In December 2023, Emily initiated an open letter condemning terror activities of the Islamic republic of Iran and Hamas which was co-signed by 55 female leaders from 12 middle eastern countries. She was named by Algemeiner as one of the 100 people positively influencing Jewish life in 2022, and in 2023 as one of the 18 “Women to Watch” by Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization. She is the recipient of the 2023 Bonei Zion award for Young Leadership from Nefesh-b’Nefesh. Emily will soon be publishing her first book.
MEET EMILY:
Tell us about Your Work/project:
I became a journalist because I saw the totally inaccurate reporting on the Middle East and that problematic “news” sources were at times engaging in intentional disinformation at the behest of regimes like that in Iran or in Qatar. As someone with a background in digital campaigns and political marketing, I saw through the campaigns of subversion that we often see being spread around social media and media. Sadly, international media continues to pick up inaccurate and biased information that misrepresents the situation in Israel and throughout the region. For this reason, I dedicated myself to getting more accurate information out about all the Middle East from Tehran, my primary focus, to Tel Aviv, my home.
I also have a book coming out in the next few months, 10 Things Every Jew Should Know Before Going to College in which I detail the conflict from A to Z. I wrote this after I saw that so many students just have no idea where to begin. The idea is to understand all the players and make your own decisions based on that information.
What is your proudest achievement?
There have been many highlights for me in my career but reporting from inside Gaza during this war has been pretty impactful and in addition to that my interview with the Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi. I also have had the privilege of interviewing the Foreign Minister of Taiwan Joseph Wu, when I visited Taipei, which was a great honor. However, the most meaningful work I’ve done as a journalist is telling the stories of Iranian women and political prisoners who have risked everything to stand and protest against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
How would you describe the impact of your Masa program on your life and professional path?
Simply put, none of this would have happened. Masa enabled me to obtain my MA from Tel Aviv University and to learn more about the Middle East practically. This is where I discovered what I want to do with my life, despite studying political communications and not journalism, and it is where I saw the major problems in the region with international media. I knew I had to act.
Who is your role model?
My role model is and has always been Margaret Thatcher for her tenacity and commitment to her values, I also admire Salman Rushdie for his commitment to free speech and expression, and I admire Ayaan Hirsi Ali for her dedication to women’s rights and defense of liberal democracies.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Israeli Ambassador to (a free) Iran.
What is your advice for young Jews around the world who want to make a difference?
Take pride in who you are and be fearless even when you don’t feel fearless. Don’t ever compromise or apologize for who you are or where you come from -you don’t owe anyone an explanation simply because of who you are or what nationality you may hold. Trust in the reality that you have every reason to be proud of your Jewish heritage and don’t ever let antisemitic narratives counter this or silence your voice.