An Israeli and an Australian, Ayal is passionate about Israeli society, politics and the future of the Jewish people. A realist optimist and graduate of the United World College, he believes in education as a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and sustainable global future! Ayal is President of ARZA and Chair of the Israeli Awareness Committee at the Leo Baeck Centre in Melbourne, where his wife Karen Silberberg’s family have held various leadership positions within the shul and the Progressive community for several generations. Ayal studied Law, Philosophy and International Development, was a tutor of Media Law in Israeli universities and in the “Israel Vision and Reality” course at Monash University. He served as a board member of the Ministerial Multicultural Business Advisory Council for the Victorian Government, mentoring and coaching for startups. Ayal was Manager of the Victoria Israel Science and Technology R&D Fund and has been managing investments and businesses throughout his career. Ayal and Karen have raised three children with Progressive Jewish, Pluralistic and Zionist values and have been involved in various volunteering and professional capacity with protection of women and children in Israel and Australia escaping domestic violence, people with mental and physical impairment, educating and supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
