Raz Malka was born and raised in Kiryat Shmona, a city that has benefited from record philanthropic investments from Jewish National Fund-USA. The city is a place where Zionism has always meant more than words. It has meant choosing to stay, build, and take responsibility for Israel’s northern frontier. At age eighteen he ran for Kiryat Shmona City Council, becoming one of Israel’s youngest municipal candidates. Today, he is completing Reichman University’s Honors Track in Strategy and Decision-Making.
Over the past three years, while pursuing an intensive degree and living through the war and evacuation of the North, Malka has worked to bring the North’s story to every platform he could, in Israel and abroad. The loss of his cousin, Regev Amar, on October 7 strengthened his determination to act. Malka co-founded Lobby 1701, a movement that represents thousands of residents and shares the story of the North. He has given hundreds of interviews, joined advocacy missions abroad, met decision-makers, and led tours and briefings for Knesset members, diplomats, soldiers, and Jewish leaders.