Bold Voices: Tefillin, Care & Digital Truth

At this week’s Jerusalem Post Conference, the lobby buzzed with energy — activists, investors, philanthropists, and everyday advocates of Israel crowded into the The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York. But beyond the big-name panels and power networking, it was the personal encounters that truly stole the show. I had the chance to meet several trailblazers who are changing the face of Jewish activism, healthcare, tech, and identity in real time.

Yossi Farro: Wrapping Tefillin with the Rich and Famous

Call him the Hasidic influencer with a mission. Yossi Farro, a proud member of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, is taking a mitzvah on the road — literally. Since his bar mitzvah, he’s helped thousands of Jews put on tefillin, and his targets aren’t just random passersby — they’re celebrities and power brokers.

Farro has wrapped tefillin with actor Michael Rapaport, “Stranger Things” star Bret Gelman, “Gotham”’s David Mazouz, viral creators like the Nelk Boys and Adin Ross, and even high-powered figures like Bill Ackman, Scooter Braun, Joe Lonsdale, and Harley Finkelstein.

“Each time, it’s more than a ritual — it’s a reconnection,” Farro told me. “It’s Jewish pride on camera, for millions to see.”

His ultimate dream? To put tefillin on Mark Zuckerberg. Judging by his track record, it might just happen.

Dr. Dinah Kogan: Bringing World-Class Medicine to Israel’s Frontlines

While many medical leaders stay close to the urban core, Dr. Dinah Kogan is building something bold in Israel’s northern hills. As CEO of Tzafon Medical Center, located above Tiberias, she’s leading one of Israel’s most ambitious hospital expansions — transforming a regional facility into a world-class hub for trauma and rehabilitation.

Serving Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Circassians, IDF soldiers, and even UN personnel, Tzafon is more than a hospital — it’s a symbol of coexistence and resilience.

“October 7 showed us what it means to be on the frontlines of care,” Dr. Kogan said. “Now, we’re building for the future — with a new ER, maternity wing, and underground emergency shelters.”

With over 900 staff and a push toward international JCI accreditation, this is Israel’s northern revolution in healthcare.

Ari Ackerman: Startup Star, Social Media Fighter, and Fearless Jewish Voice

There’s bold, and then there’s Ari Ackerman.

After October 7, this entrepreneur-turned-activist supercharged his Instagram to confront antisemitism and misinformation. No filters, no fluff — just truth, passion, and unapologetic Jewish pride.

Ackerman’s resume reads like a tech titan’s dream: he founded Bunk1, revolutionized camp communication, sold it to private equity, and now helps lead the ownership group of the Miami Marlins alongside Derek Jeter. He’s launching Tribe, a values-driven dating app for Jewish singles, and serves on countless national Jewish boards.

“This is a fight for truth,” Ackerman said. “And I’m not backing down.”

He’s hosted everyone from John McCain to Mike Bloomberg and continues to be a magnetic force for Jewish advocacy — both online and in the boardroom.