{"id":274107,"date":"2026-02-04T19:35:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T19:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/274107\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T19:35:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T19:35:10","slug":"the-blogs-from-jerusalem-to-the-iac-summit-my-experience-among-4000-voices-for-israel-ayelet-raymond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/274107\/","title":{"rendered":"The Blogs: From Jerusalem to the IAC Summit: My Experience Among 4,000 Voices for Israel | Ayelet Raymond"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Miss Israel<\/a> World International born and raised in Jerusalem, I often feel like I carry the country on my shoulders. Many people might think a connection to Israel begins \u2014 and ends \u2014 at Ben-Gurion Airport. For me, it extends beyond its borders, as an Israeli engaging with local Jewish communities abroad.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"
\n\t\tUS Envoy Steve Witkoff and Erin Molan at the IAC Summit, January 2026. Photo credit: Ayelet Raymond (Kosher Barbie)<\/p>\n

I experienced this firsthand last month when I walked into a crowded ballroom at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida, and heard Hebrew spoken with American, Russian, and even Spanish accents. That\u2019s when I realized something simple but profound: Israel doesn\u2019t only live in Israel. It lives in its people.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"
\n\t\tAyelet Raymond aka Kosher Barbie- Miss Israel 2025, Miss World International. IAC Summit January 2026. (Photo courtesy: Ayelet Raymond)<\/p>\n

Attending the IAC\u2019s 10th annual gathering of Israeli-Americans and diaspora Jews felt less like a conference and more like stepping into a family reunion I hadn\u2019t even known existed. While the world debates Israel on screens and stages, what stood out to me were the small, human moments: a mother translating Hebrew slang for her American-born daughter; college students comparing notes about campus antisemitism; and volunteers helping displaced Israeli families, supporting hostage families, and aiding wounded IDF soldiers from the war in Gaza.\n<\/p>\n

One of the highlights for me was a conversation with Tal Shuster, the Co-Chair of the IAC National Board. She shared a story that stayed with me: years ago, a young couple met at one of their events, later married, had a baby, and returned to this year\u2019s gathering as a family. It was a simple story, but it captured exactly what I saw throughout the Summit \u2014 how communities help Jews connect, grow, and maintain their identity across generations.\n<\/p>\n

Culture and identity were also on full display. Today, many Jews feel pressure to hide their Jewishness and Israeliness in public spaces. That\u2019s why watching Israeli performers, like Guy Huchman, joke and speak freely on an American stage was unexpectedly emotional for me. His authentic Israeli humor and bold presence felt like an act of resilience \u2014 especially after his shows in New York and Los Angeles were recently canceled due to protests by pro-Hamas groups.\n<\/p>\n

On the final night, I was invited on stage by Israeli pop icon Ivri Lider. Singing alongside him as a former Hasidic girl, I felt as if the story of my life had stitched itself together in a single moment \u2014 from Jerusalem\u2019s traditional \u2018niggunim\u2019 to contemporary pop music. I joined thousands of participants in singing Hebrew lyrics \u2014 some fluent, others learning the melody as they sang along.\n<\/p>\n

As an Israeli<\/a> living in New York, I feel the importance of highlighting Israel\u2019s survival\u2014advocating against antisemitism through language, humor, music, and friendship. It is pride in a people who refuse to abandon their Jewish identity, even when oceans, politics, and wars try to separate us.\n<\/p>\n

From Jerusalem to New York, from language to laughter, Israel lives wherever its people carry it in their hearts because Israel is not alone.\n\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tAyelet Raymond is a film and musical director who lives in New York City. She collaborated with young Broadway performers to create the American children\u2019s television show \u201cMy Hebrewland.\u201d She is the creative force behind the Kosher Barbie character and social media personality @kosher_Barbie.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t