August 19, 2025
Featuring: Amjad Faris, Druze Israeli and Jewish Agency Emissary in San Diego, and Shay Zavdi, Associate Director of AJC Jerusalem
Introduced by: Lauren Tapper, Stanford University (Class of 2026) and 2025 AJC Goldman Fellow
Presented by: AJC Campus Affairs (CEA) and AJC Jerusalem (CNME)
About This Program
The Druze community–one of Israel's most distinctive and least understood minorities–has been at the center of recent headlines amid cross-border tensions and regional upheaval. Despite their relatively small numbers, the Druze have a history of unique spiritual traditions, strong communal identity, and a reputation for playing stabilizing and loyal roles in the societies where they live—especially in Israel, where their service and sacrifices are deeply recognized and valued.
AJC Campus Affairs and AJC Jerusalem invite college and graduate students to an illuminating conversation that explores the origins, faith, and lived experience of the Druze people, and reflects on the bonds of solidarity that connect communities across Israel.
This program provides essential context on the Druze experience in Israeli society–from mandatory military service to civic leadership–and examines the challenges facing Druze communities across the Middle East, including in Syria and Lebanon. We trace the distinctive histories of Druze populations in the Golan Heights versus the Galilee and Carmel regions, and explore what cross-cultural understanding means for Israel's future.
This webinar offers rare personal insights into a community whose loyalty, service, and contributions are integral to Israel's social fabric.
Featured Speakers
Amjad Faris, Druze Israeli and Jewish Agency Emissary in San Diego
Born and raised in the Druze town of Hurfeish in northern Israel, Amjad served seven years as a captain in the IDF's intelligence corps before pursuing studies in diplomacy and international relations at Reichman University. There, he is a leader in the StandWithUs Fellowship and the Ambassadors Club and an advocate for LGBTQ+ and disability rights communities. As a Jewish Agency emissary working with Hillel, Amjad brings a truly special voice to building bridges between communities.
Shay Zavdi, AJC Jerusalem, Associate Director
About AJC’s Middle East Webinar Series for Emerging Leaders
AJC's Middle East Webinar Series for Emerging Leaders brings college and graduate students from around the world beyond the headlines to explore the social, political, and cultural dynamics shaping Israel and the broader region. Through conversations with young professional experts in Middle East policy, we provide accessible analysis and nuanced perspectives on the people, debates, and movements redefining the region's future—equipping the next generation to engage thoughtfully with one of the world's most consequential areas. This series is a collaborative effort of AJC’s Center for the New Middle East (Jerusalem Office) and AJC’s Center for Education Advocacy (Campus Affairs).
