One Sem: Team
Ben Piven
Co-Founder
Ben has spent over a decade as a content editor for Al Jazeera and other outlets. With extensive experience in the languages and societies of the Middle East, the Baltimore native was a Fulbright Scholar in cultural geography. He studied digital media at Columbia University School of Journalism.
Avishay Zelmanovich
Co-Founder
Avishay is a tech entrepreneur and scholar of Middle Eastern cultures and Jewish history. Being fluent in Hebrew and English helped him translate the complexities of the original version of our cookbook. Born in Kibbutz Na’an but raised in New York, he bridges the American and Israeli cultural landscapes.
Board
Jamil Darwish
Media
Experienced journalist and local media expert for news and public affairs channels.
Alein Haddad
Identity
Social worker, humanitarian, and mother of 2 talented children who speak more languages than anyone.
Benny Sedaka
History
Elder of his people, historian, prolific author, and head of the Israelite Samaritan Information Center.
Josh Stanton
Interfaith
Rabbi and spiritual leader at East End Temple, committed activist, and passionate blogger.
Ephraim Isaac
Academia
Erudite polyglot and professor of the Semitic world, with roots in Ethiopia and Yemen.
Naomi Kohen
Research
Teacher and scientist with the ability to dig deep into the problems that surround us.
Erez Safar
Events
Gifted producer, DJ, gallerist, and trailblazing founder of the Sephardic Music Festival.
Iris Zaki
Culture
Documentary filmmaker who explores the complexities of societal fault lines.
Yousef Khalifa
Regionalism
Education and social policy expert with extensive regional experience and scholarship.
Nour Chamoun
Design
Graphics prodigy with a feel for typographic brilliance and the passion of a revolutionary.