Charles Bronfman IPF Atid Conveners Summit Dates: Saturday, October 17 - Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
Calling all Convener alumni! We want to see you in Washington, D.C.
Israel Policy Forum is excited to convene a select group of alumni from the Charles Bronfman IPF Atid Conveners Fellowship for a special Alumni Summit in Washington, D.C. This unique gathering will bring together conveners from across the first eight cohorts to reconnect, deepen relationships, and re-engage with IPF Atid’s growing leadership network.
This summit will provide an opportunity for alumni to return to a cohort-based experience, engaging in high-level policy discussions with analysts, diplomats, and regional experts, while also learning from one another through peer-led sessions and collaborative dialogue. Programming will also include professional development workshops designed to support alumni in their personal and professional growth as leaders in their communities and fields.
Building on the foundation of the original Charles Bronfman Conveners Fellowship, participants will revisit the most pressing policy challenges shaping the current moment in Israeli-Palestinian affairs, with a continued focus on advancing thoughtful, informed engagement and a two-state outcome. The summit will also serve as a space to strengthen the alumni network and explore new opportunities for impact within Israel Policy Forum and beyond.
What is the Charles Bronfman IPF Atid Convener Fellowship?
Israel Policy Forum’s Charles Bronfman Conveners Fellowship is the flagship leadership initiative of IPF Atid. This immersive journey is designed to foster the next generation of leaders committed to advancing a secure, Jewish, and democratic state of Israel and a two-state outcome.
This prestigious fellowship brings together a selective cohort of 25 North American professionals ages 24-39, working across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Many of these individuals are already actively engaged in foreign policy or Jewish communal spaces in both professional and lay capacities.
Conveners begin their journey with a three-day summit in Washington, D.C., where they engage in high-level policy discussions with analysts, diplomats, elected officials, and other Middle East regional experts.
Upon completion of the summit, Charles Bronfman Conveners return to their communities with an in-depth understanding of the policy challenges shaping the current moment in Israeli-Palestinian affairs and a network of relationships with fellow leaders committed to shaping the policy and discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Conveners will work alongside IPF Atid staff to design and implement a project aimed at shaping and enriching discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in their local communities. Additionally, Conveners will attend quarterly calls with experts to build on the knowledge, tools, and insights gained during the summit, ensuring continuous growth and impact.
In-Person Summit in Washington, D.C. featuring:
- Briefings with policy experts on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader Middle East
- Intimate meetings with diplomats and elected officials
- Peer-to-peer learning and strategy sessions
Conveners have come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including holding positions at ADL, AIPAC, Arizona State House of Representatives, Atlantic Council, Brookings, the Department of State, Eurasia Group, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Hillel International, Jewish Federations of North America, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, JStreet, the United Nations, and the White House.
Charles Bronfman Conveners Inaugural Cohort: Where are they now?
Shelley Greenspan, Washington, D.C.
Then: A global innovation policy associate at Amazon and a member of Secretary Hillary Clinton’s State Department Research team on the campaign after three years as a legislative project manager at AIPAC.
Now: Serves as the White House liaison to the Jewish community and a policy advisor on partnerships and global engagement for the National Security Council.
Zachary Schaffer, New York
Then: A senior manager of community strategy of Israel Action Network at JFNA and then the executive director of the Council of Young Jewish Presidents.
Now: Co-founder and vice president of community engagement of Project Shema, an organization that provides training and support to help the American Jewish community and allies navigate the difficult discussions around antisemitism on the progressive left.
Brianna Goodlin, Cambridge, UK
Then: A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant at Kotter, where she worked with clients to accelerate the execution of their strategies and drive large-scale, sustainable change.
Now: Founded invstED, a social enterprise aimed at bringing together first-generation, low-income university students with individuals who want to be a part of their success, while attaining her MBA at Cambridge University in the UK.
Tara Khoshbin, Los Angeles
Then: A communications and project coordinator at Creative Community for Peace, an organization dedicated to promoting music and the arts as a bridge to peace and countering the cultural boycott of Israel.
Now: Became the executive director of the Chaya Community, an organization that strives for an empowered Jewish Iranian community, and now owns her own small business.
FAQ
Who can apply?
This summit is reserved for alumni of the IPF Atid Charles Bronfman Conveners Fellowship. There are no age restrictions for attending, including those who are older than the current age range. Priority will be given to Conveners from earlier cohorts.
What is IPF Atid?
IPF Atid is the young professionals network of Israel Policy Forum, an organization dedicated to building support for a secure, Jewish, and democratic Israel through a viable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel Policy Forum advances this mission by elevating public discourse and promoting pragmatic U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, U.S.-Israel relations, and regional diplomacy among policymakers and community leaders.
Do I need to already be involved with Israel Policy Forum and IPF Atid to be considered?
Yes, this summit is reserved for alumni of the IPF Atid Charles Bronfman Conveners Fellowship.
What does it mean to be a Charles Bronfman Convener?
Participants are selected through an application process to attend a three-day summit in Washington, D.C. in which they have the opportunity to engage in high-level policy discussions with analysts, diplomats, elected officials, and other Middle East regional experts and to build the next generation of leaders committed to a two-state outcome.
Charles Bronfman Conveners return to their communities with an in-depth understanding of the policy challenges shaping the current moment in Israeli-Palestinian affairs and a network of relationships with fellow professional leaders committed to Israel’s secure, Jewish, and democratic future. They will develop projects to engage their local networks and communities with the support of IPF Atid staff.
Is this a 101-level fellowship?
There are no academic requirements for this fellowship. That said, typically conveners have a strong, high-level background and understanding of Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and many have lived or spent extensive time in the Middle East.
What type of projects are the current 2025 Charles Bronfman Conveners engaged in?
Conveners are leading projects on both a local and national level, in private and public settings, and across a variety of target communities. They include community-building programs, educational initiatives, cross-communal dialogues, and large-scale partnerships. Programs take place at synagogues, community institutions, think tanks, private homes, and online. We encourage creative ideas from conveners which can be brought to life through this fellowship, with support from our staff.
How much does the summit cost?
The fellowship is highly subsidized in honor of Charles Bronfman’s lifelong commitment to a secure, Jewish, and democratic Israel. The participation fee is $180.
Israel Policy Forum covers the cost of travel to and from the summit, as well as hotel accommodations for those from outside of the DMV area. We do not want cost to be a barrier to entry. If the participation fee is not affordable, you are encouraged to reach out directly to atid@ipforum.org.
How and why was this summit created?
In November 2017, Israel Policy Forum recognized its Advisory Council Chairman Charles Bronfman for his leadership in the community with an event in New York and an honorary gift to inspire next-generation support for Israel and the two-state outcome. Recognizing that extreme polarization currently characterizes the communal dialogue on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this fellowship strives to further elevate the discourse by educating and empowering current leaders to utilize IPF’s resources in their local communities.
Are students eligible to apply?
This summit is reserved for alumni of the IPF Atid Charles Bronfman Conveners Fellowship.
Is the summit Shabbat-friendly?
Yes, the sessions will not take place during Shabbat.
