On Monday, Israel Foreign Minister Yair Lapid announced the appointment of Noa Tishby as the State of Israel’s first Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism and Delegitimization of Israel. Tishby—a bestselling author, thought leader, and activist—is a proud Wise School parent, and a member of Stephen Wise Temple.
“I couldn’t be more delighted to hear about Noa Tishby’s appointment as the Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism and Delegitimization of Israel,” said Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback. “I can’t think of a more compelling and effective spokesperson for Israel and the Jewish people than Noa Tishby, and we are so proud to call her a member of our congregation.”
Tishby—who rose to fame as a model, singer, and actress in Israel before moving to the United States—will use her platform to advocate for Israel and the Jewish people on behalf of Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
“I am honored to take this position,” Tishby said in a video released by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Anti-Zionism and antisemitism are one in the same. Antisemitism is on the rise, and I’m thrilled to be able to lend my voice to this worthy fight.”
Tisby’s duties will include spearheading initiatives worldwide before key audiences, generating an international dialogue, and responding to acts of antisemitism, according to a statement from Lapid’s office. Her position is not unlike that recently filled by another name familiar to the Wise community, Deborah Lipstadt, who was appointed the United States’ Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in March.
“The State of Israel is under attack right now by people who are calling us an apartheid state,” Lapid said in a video released by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The Jewish people are under attack by people who are blaming Jews for everything that is wrong in this world. It’s time to fight back. It’s time to answer using smart, young voices like Noa Tishby’s.”
Tabbed as one of the 50 most influential Jews in the world by the Jerusalem Post, Tishby has also appeared on the Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Power list. The same publication also called her one of the most important international television executives.
Born in Tel Aviv, Tishby rose to fame as a singer and actress in Israel, before parlaying her success into a role as a producer. She sold the first Israeli television series to an American network, selling “B’Tipul” to HBO and co-producing the critically-acclaimed and award-winning U.S. version, “In Treatment.” Her joint venture between ITV Studios US and the Israeli network Reshet was the first to bring a United States production to film in Israel. She also sold numerous shows to Showtime, ABC, CBS, Comedy Central, and MTV.
In 2011, Tishby founded the nonprofit Act For Israel, Israel’s first online advocacy organization. She has since become a leading voice in the United States and abroad on issues involving antisemitism, and efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel. A regular keynote speaker and panelist at events around the world, Tishby has appeared in front of the United Nations General Assembly, where she has discussed the BDS movement and Israeli innovation. Her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post, the Jewish Journal, the New York Post, and the Jerusalem Post.
In 2021, she released her book, “Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth,” which has since become an Amazon bestseller. The book tells the story of Israel and Zionism and tackles long-held myths about the State of Israel and Jews. Also in 2021, Tishby participated in our Book of Life project. Watch her video below.
