United in History and Values Armenia and Israel Share Values, History, and Challenges

Shared Memory. Shared Responsibility. Shared Future.

The Armenian Jewish Friendship Council brings together leaders from the Jewish and Armenian communities, as well as allies beyond both communities, who are committed to strengthening understanding, solidarity, and principled engagement on behalf of Armenia.

Rooted in shared historical experience and a deep respect for memory, dignity, and justice, the Council reflects a collaborative approach rather than a single-community initiative. Its members engage across faith, civic, academic, and policy spaces to ensure Armenia’s story is understood with nuance, responsibility, and care.

A Bridge Between Communities

The Council serves as a bridge between Armenian and Jewish leaders while welcoming partners from broader civic and policy circles. Through dialogue, relationship-building, and firsthand engagement with Armenia, the Council fosters mutual understanding and coordinated leadership that transcends identity alone.

Members of the Council have engaged directly with Armenia through delegations and meetings with civic leaders, government officials, religious leaders, and citizens. These experiences inform how the Council elevates Armenia’s challenges and opportunities within diverse networks in the United States and beyond.

Purpose and Engagement

The Armenian Jewish Friendship Council contributes to Save Armenia’s broader Leadership Network by supporting informed awareness, ethical leadership, and sustained engagement rooted in historical understanding and shared responsibility.

The Council’s work is not symbolic. It is grounded in listening, learning, and long-term commitment to ensuring that Armenia’s security, religious freedom, and future remain visible and thoughtfully engaged across communities and institutions.

Robert nicholson

Robert Nicholson

Co-Founder & Executive Director

David Akopyan

Former UN Development Program Executive

Levon aronian

Levon Aronian

Chess Grandmaster

Dr. Ani Avetisyan

Judaeo-Arabic Scholar

Rabbi diana fersko

Rabbi Diana Fersko

Senior Rabbi, The Village Temple

Amb grigor hovhannissian

Amb. Grigor Hovhannissian

Former Armenian Ambassador to the United States

Rabbi dr ari lamm

Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm

Co-Founder & President, SoulShop Studios

Liel Leibovitz

Liel Leibovitz

Editor at Large, Tablet Magazine

Michael rubin

Michael Rubin

Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

Armen v sahakyan

Armen V. Sahakyan

International Affairs Professional

Rabbi jeffrey k salkin

Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin

Senior Rabbi, Temple Israel of West Palm Beach

Emily schrader

Emily Schrader

Founder, Social Lite Creative

Lara setrakian

Lara Setrakian

President, Applied Policy Research Center

Dor shabashewitz

Dor Shabashewitz

Russian-Israeli Journalist & Political Analyst

Nathaniel trubkin

Nathaniel Trubkin

Founder & President, Yerevan Jewish Home

Torgom varzhapetyan

Torgom (Tom) Varzhapetyan

Board Member, Jewish Community of Armenia

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