50 Influential Jews 2017
He left Kazakhstan for a brighter future in Israel
“My dream is to be an engineer, work in my field in an exciting company that is bringing positive change to this world, and start a family. Israel is where my present and future come together.”
22. Roman Abramovich
1. Avichai Mandelblit
2. Benjamin Netanyahu
#18 Judges Kagan, Breyer and Bader Ginsburg - The legal world’s biggest change-makers
Whenever one of them speaks, the entire country listens.
#16 Janet Yellen - The Fed’s steady hand
One of the most powerful women in the world, Yellen is the third consecutive Jew to head the Federal Reserve.
#50 Bini Zomer - The businessman wielding a quiet influence
In recent years, Noble Energy has become almost a household name in Israel.
#7 Volodymyr Groysman - Ukraine’s western modernizer
Groysman is a symbol of acceptance of Jews and his high profile stature provides a positive image of Jews in Ukraine.
#49 Micah Goodman - A philosopher for all
Micah Goodman says he “does not want to be a provocateur” but rather wants to phrase the ideas of what he sees as mainstream Israelis.
#30 Jerry Silverman - Fighting the diaspora’s uphill battle
Silverman was among leading US Jewish figures who expressed their anger and disappointment in June after the Israeli government indefinitely froze an agreement for an egalitarian prayer.
#32 Danny Danon and Ron Dermer - Israel’s defenders in the global arena
Since the Trump administration settled in the White House, Dermer has proven particularly useful for his ties with the new administration.
#15 Ayelet Shaked - Justice with a hammer
One of the only times Ayelet Shaked backed down from a confrontation was over appointing Esther Hayut to be the next chief justice when Miriam Naor steps down in October.
#31 Alona Barkat - Making a difference off the pitch
When she purchased the Hapoel Beersheba soccer club a decade ago she didn’t do it so thousands of fans would shout her name in admiration or to make local sporting history.
#48 Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein - A builder of bridges
In addition to these charitable efforts, the Fellowship of Christians and Jews is responsible for bringing needy Diaspora Jews to Israel.