Israeli movers and shakers

Israeli cultural ambassadors we are proud of

By SARAH LUGER
Sacha Baron Cohen and Noa Tishby 521 (photo credit: courtesy)
Sacha Baron Cohen and Noa Tishby 521
(photo credit: courtesy)
We know of many famous people from Israel, but who are some less known faces? Find out our favorite Israeli cultural ambassadors, new and old.
1. Natalie Portman – Movie star and activist – Portman has become one of the brightest stars in Hollywood. Born in Jerusalem, she attended Harvard and has advocated for animal rights, antipoverty measures, and same sex marriage.
2. Safra A. Catz – Israeli-American co-president of Oracle Corporation – Oracle is also the third-largest software maker by revenue. Catz was ranked the 12th most powerful woman in business by Fortune in 2009.
3. Yisrael Aharoni – Israeli celebrity chef, restauranteur, and TV host – He traveled to become an expert in Chinese cooking, and then opened multiple restaurants in Israel. He hosts cooking shows, writes a culinary column, and has published many cookbooks. He also DJs! 4. Yuval Elazar – Agricultural development specialist – Head of training activities at the Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation, he teaches agricultural developers from all over the world how to utilize Israel’s irrigation and fertilization technologies.
5. Avi Arad and Isaac Perlmutter – Owners of Marvel Comics – After fighting in the IDF, they went to America where they came to co-own Toy Biz. In 1996, due to financial reasons, they took over Marvel Comics.
6. Noa Tishby – Israeli actress, model, and singer – She quickly became a well-known actress in Israel and America, and she was the first Israeli to release an English album. She has also lobbied for Israel on Capitol Hill.
7. Uri Geller – “Mystifier” and entertainer – He is best known for bending spoons, and claiming that aliens may have given him psychic powers. Geller has performed everywhere, from military bases to television.
8. Rahm Emanuel – First Jewish mayor of Chicago – He also served as the White House Chief of Staff.
9. Adi Ezroni – Israeli actress, TV host, and model – Immediately after leaving the IDF she started acting.
Since then, she has become a star on the popular show Hatufim, which Homeland is based upon.
10. Sacha Baron Cohen – Actor and comedian – Known for playing characters like Ali G and Borat without revealing that he is an actor, Baron Cohen has won a number of awards. He has also been involved in a number of controversies as a result.