Karen L. Berman, at The Blogs

Mar 13, 2026, 9:45 PM

A National Crisis Demands National Response

Israel is confronting what may become its next pandemic: trauma. Since October 7, the psychological toll on Israeli society has grown rapidly. Recent studies suggest that hundreds of thousands—perhaps millions—of Israelis will require mental-health support in the years ahead. Even...

Nov 19, 2019, 11:50 PM

Israeli elections: an opportunity for Israel-Diaspora understanding

While the process for determining Israel's next coalition government remains in flux, much attention focuses on American Jewry's continued quest to understand Israeli politics and decision-making — and most importantly, to understand and assess the values and direction of...

Aug 1, 2019, 4:35 PM

Israel in the Far East: The academic collaboration nation

In the Far East, Israel is becoming not only the start-up nation, but also the academic collaboration nation. President Reuven Rivlin’s recent signing of a series of agreements between Israeli academic institutions and their Korean counterparts represents the latest frontier...

Mar 7, 2019, 12:34 PM

Acknowledging and understanding gender gaps in leadership

The growing number of women entering the 2020 presidential race — Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) — has Americans asking the same question they asked...

Jan 21, 2019, 6:01 PM

Bibliophiles, unite: an Israeli library reminds us why libraries matter

Amid the rise of e-books, social media, and other forms of digital content, you might think the brick-and-mortar library is nearing its demise. Think again. According to a study conducted in 2016 by the Pew Research Center, 78 percent of Americans...

Nov 19, 2018, 12:50 PM

As Haifa elects first woman mayor, a university vows to continue city’s progress

With municipalities across Israel holding elections last week and midterm elections this week in the US, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the deep and enduring impact which elected office-holders can make on local communities, their residents, and...

Oct 22, 2018, 11:18 PM

In Haifa, a university propels a downtown’s upswing

To the average observer, a downtown area would appear to be any major city’s top attraction, and its center of commerce and entertainment. Yet for decades, downtown Haifa and its port area were exactly the opposite. Downtown Haifa had been...

Jun 1, 2018, 6:21 PM

Honorary Doctorates are More than Ceremonial

What is the purpose of a university’s annual Board of Governors meeting? To the average observer, the concept does not exactly conjure up excitement, instead sounding more like a days-long meeting filled with generic platitudes of the host institution and...

Apr 19, 2018, 4:55 PM

The ‘multiversity’ as a blueprint for Israel’s next 70 years

What should the State of Israel’s future look like? It’s a question that many stakeholders, both domestic and international, are asking as we celebrate the nation’s 70th birthday on Yom Haatzmaut -- Israeli Independence Day. The answer begins with...

About Me

Karen L. Berman is CEO of American Friends of Sheba Medical Center. A nonprofit executive with more than 25 years of experience in philanthropy and global partnerships, Karen also serves as an independent director on corporate boards. Her work focuses on healthcare innovation, institutional governance, and strengthening civil society in Israel and beyond.

Contact Me