The Blogs: Washington Couple Mobilizes Global Support for Israel Through Shared Principles

As a leader of the Jewish community in New York City, I was honored to meet Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy. Seldom do you meet a power couple driven by a mission to mobilize support for Israel—engaging Americans, building bridges with emerging and influential ethnic communities across the United States, and strengthening ties with a rising power in one of the world’s most strategic regions. They feel extremely privileged to meet the leader of the Jewish community worldwide, which I am extremely grateful for.

As a Financial Advisor, I have had the privilege of working at more than eight Fortune 500 companies—including Wells Fargo, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, and now Merrill Lynch. Throughout my career, I have witnessed leaders and remarkable organizations, but few have demonstrated the level of vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment that my dear friends have. Their example has left a lasting impression on me as they acknowledge me as a leader in the Jewish community.

After many phone conversations and repeated attempts to meet despite our demanding travel schedules, nothing could have prepared us for our first encounter. That meeting took place in Washington, DC, amid a city of more than 700,000 residents and a daytime population exceeding one million, the three of us unexpectedly crossed paths on one of the main streets leading to the US Capitol. Some might call it a coincidence, but we experienced it as divine providence—a meeting at the heart of America’s capital while each of us was engaged in advocacy on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people. In Hebrew, such a destined encounter is called bashert. For us, that remarkable meeting became the foundation of a close and enduring collaboration.

For more than two decades, Washington-based public policy leaders Natasha Srdoc, MBA, and Joel Anand Samy have stood at the intersection of entrepreneurship, public policy, and international affairs, championing reforms that strengthen the rule of law, free markets, and strategic alliances. Drawing on their experience as entrepreneurs and senior business executives, they have advanced principled economic and healthcare reforms, promoted transatlantic trade and investment, encouraged innovation and technology partnerships, deepened US-Israel relations, and supported Jewish communities across the United States and Europe. Their work reflects a longstanding commitment to advancing prosperity, security, and the enduring values that unite the strong rule of law nations.

Through their leadership of International Leaders Summit founded in the early 2000s, the Jerusalem Leaders Summit launched in Israel in 2015, and America’s Roundtable, a broadcast program now airing on 68 radio stations and reaching a listening audience of 7 million in America’s heartland, America’s great South and the East Coast — they have created strategic platforms bringing together elected officials, business and government leaders and reformers to discuss shared challenges with a laser focus approach to advance solutions.

Through their visionary leadership, they have established transformative platforms that foster dialogue, collaboration, and meaningful action on the world’s most pressing challenges.

Their journey is shaped not only by their professional experiences but also by deeply personal family histories—stories of perseverance, persecution, faith, and the enduring pursuit of freedom.

Srdoc and Anand Samy’s strategic collaborations have brought together distinguished leaders and steadfast supporters of Israel, including Dr. Ben Carson, Dr. Victor Davis Hanson, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Representative Mike Bost, Chairman of the US House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Kathie Lee Gifford, and many other influential leaders, fostering meaningful partnerships that have translated shared principles into tangible results.

Building Bridges Through Leadership and Advocacy

During the years of 2003 and 2004, Srdoc and Anand Samy formed a leadership team to launch International Leaders Summit, an organization focused on bringing together leaders committed to economic freedom and principled reforms based on the foundational rule of law. The initiative attracted the participation and leadership support of prominent figures, including Nobel Prize-winning economist Dr. Milton Friedman, economist Dr. Rose Friedman, Dr. Alvin Rabushka who served on President Ronald Reagan’s Tax Policy Task Force, the father of the “Flat Tax” and an expert on China and Israel, and former US Attorney General Edwin Meese, who served in President Ronald Reagan’s administration. These partnering stalwarts who hailed from the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California were instrumental in the launch of the International Leaders Summit.

In 2015, Srdoc and Anand Samy established the Jerusalem Leaders Summit, creating a high-level forum in Israel for leaders from the United States, Europe and India to engage on issues including economic reforms, security, entrepreneurship, innovation and technology with a focus on partnerships based on the rule of law and the protection of property rights, including intellectual property. The summit events provide a strategic platform for leaders to experience the significance of Israel’s sovereignty and return to their respective countries equipped with knowledge to educate their constituents and networks about the Jewish state and its vital role through innovation, technology, healthcare breakthroughs and cutting-edge security advances that benefit the world.

Family Histories Rooted in Resilience

The commitment of Natasha Srdoc to the rule of law and freedom is deeply connected to her family’s history in Croatia and the former Yugoslavia. Born in Rijeka, Croatia, she carries the legacy of a family whose ancestral lands were tied to the place called Srdoci overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Her grandparents lived in 6 different countries – without moving out of their home but borders coming to their doorstep.

Her personal history is also marked by the experiences of her father and grandmother, who were liberated from the World War II concentration camp in northern Italy by brave American soldiers who landed on the Italian peninsula in September 1943. Her maternal grandfather died defending the city which which was the home of the Great Synagogue of Rijeka and a thriving Jewish community.

On January 25, 1944, Nazi soldiers destroyed the Great Synagogue of Rijeka, a landmark synagogue which was mined and set on fire. Eighty-percent of Jews in Croatia were murdered at death camps in the region including the Jasenovac concentration camp controlled by the pro-Nazi Croatian Ustasha government.

Under communist rule of former Yugoslavia, vast portions of the Srdoc family’s private property were confiscated, and efforts related to restitution of private property and accountability remain an important part of her broader advocacy for protection of private property rights, transparency, and institutional reform.

Srdoc continues to advocate for the restitution of Jewish property confiscated during WWII and to abolish anti-Semitic laws still upheld by politicians in Croatia.

Born under communist rule and later becoming an American citizen, Srdoc pursued economics and earned her MBA from Bentley University’s McCallum Graduate School in greater Boston, Massachusetts. Her professional background in international banking, economic policy, and institutional reform and as a regular contributor to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), The Economist Group, has shaped her commitment to strengthen free markets underpinned by the rule of law and protection of property rights.

Joel Anand Samy’s family story reflects another historic connection between cultures and communities. His ancestral roots trace to Kerala, India—a region known for its longstanding Jewish presence and history of welcoming Jewish communities for centuries. According to historical accounts, Jews arrived in Kerala in ancient times, forming communities that became known as the Cochin Jews and establishing some of the earliest synagogues in South Asia.

In 1945, members of Kerala’s Jewish community begin immigrating to Israel with the vast majority making aliyah following the establishment of the State of Israel. One such community in Israel settled in Nevatim near Be’er-Sheva, with a synagogue constructed by parts of the building from Kerala.

Anand Samy’s father, Rev. Joseph A. Samy, arrived in San Francisco, California in 1959 and was a strong supporter of Israel and Jewish communities by sharing the stories from the pulpit across America and Asia, and also presenting films to the public that revealed the plight of Jews during the Holocaust including the story of Corrie Ten Boom who saved Jews in the Netherlands during Nazi occupation in World War II.

In 1998, at the invitation extended by their son, Joseph and his wife Janki, visited Israel, beginning their journey at the Kotel—Western Wall—an experience that reflected their family’s appreciation for the historic and spiritual significance of Israel.

A Shared Commitment to Shared Values and Principles

Together, Srdoc and Anand Samy have built networks connecting reform-minded leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and advocates across continents. Their engagement has included dialogue with elected officials in the United States, Europe, India, and Israel, with a focus on strengthening alliances and addressing challenges including corruption, economic stagnation, security threats, and antisemitism.

Bringing Global Leaders Together in Jerusalem

Since 2015, Srdoc and Anand Samy have hosted international gatherings in Jerusalem, bringing together elected officials, business and government leaders, academics, and from the United States, Europe, India, and Israel.

Participants have included members of the US Congress, European parliamentarians, national lawmakers, governors, business executives, and civic leaders. These delegations have visited historic and strategic locations throughout Israel, including ancient Shiloh, and have engaged with Israeli elected officials, entrepreneurs, university leaders, and policy experts throughout Judea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank.

The delegations have highlighted examples of economic cooperation involving both Jewish and Arab employees and entrepreneurs. They have also visited Ariel University and participated in discussions with Jewish and Arab students, emphasizing education, dialogue, innovation, and opportunities for coexistence.

Students from Samaria have participated in Jerusalem Leaders Summit programs, engaging with elected officials and international leaders from America and Europe.

Strengthening US-India-Israel Partnerships

Srdoc and Anand Samy have also worked to advance stronger relationships among the United States, India, and Israel—three nations with growing ties in areas including technology, innovation, security, and economic partnerships.

In early 2008, a delegation of Indian political leaders and economic thinkers visiting the US engaged with Srdoc and Anand Samy to discuss market-oriented reforms, trade, and foreign policy. The discussions included leaders associated with India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including a meeting with party president Rajnath Singh in early 2014 in Washington, DC, who worked closely with then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi from the state of Gujarat. The discussions underscored the importance of expanding economic opportunity and fostering deeper cooperation on the security front, and building stronger people-to-people ties among the citizens of the United States, India, and Israel.

In 2014, Srdoc and Anand Samy traveled to Bangalore and New Delhi, engaging with business and technology leaders focused on India’s economic transformation. Their discussions included prominent entrepreneurs such as Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder and chairperson of Biocon Group, regarding innovation, healthcare, and the potential for expanded global partnerships.

A year later, the Jerusalem Leaders Summit hosted an Indian business delegation in Israel, bringing together leaders to discuss economic and security cooperation between India and Israel. The gathering took place shortly before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Israel in 2017, which marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two countries.

In September 2019, Srdoc and Anand Samy launched the inaugural US-India Leaders Summit at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The event highlighted opportunities for collaboration in healthcare, biotechnology, and medical innovation, including expanding access to affordable treatments through biologics and biosimilars.

The summit also included discussions with members of Congress and officials from the Trump administration on healthcare challenges facing American families, including the high cost of insulin and the importance of innovation-driven solutions.

Standing Firm with Israel and Jewish Communities After October 7

Following the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, Srdoc and Anand Samy convened gatherings of American leaders and supporters of Israel on Capitol Hill to affirm solidarity with the Jewish community and address concerns about rising antisemitism around the world.

They organized and participated in meetings and events focused on supporting Israel’s security, strengthening US-Israel relations, and standing with Jewish communities facing increased hostility.

One significant gathering took place on December 12, 2023, during Chanukah, when America’s Roundtable and International Leaders Summit hosted an event dedicated to solidarity with Israel and the Jewish American community. The event, co-sponsored by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Congressman Mike Bost, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, brought together members of Congress, community leaders, and advocates at a time of heightened concern over antisemitism and public hostility toward Israel.

The gathering reflected a broader message: freedom, opposition to hatred, and the protection of religious liberty remain a moral responsibility for rule of law nations.

Honoring Jewish Contributions to the American Story

As America commemorates its 250th anniversary, America’s Roundtable, led by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, is creating America: Our Story of Freedom—America’s 250th Commemorative Book project in partnership with Freedom 250, an organization launched by President Donald Trump honoring the nation’s founding ideals of liberty and self-government.

This intellectual artifact will recognize the profound contributions of Jewish Americans who have helped shape the American story across generations. The project seeks to explore the relationship between the American Founding and principles of freedom and religious liberty found in the Hebrew sacred texts. It will feature stories of Jewish individuals whose contributions helped shape the nation—from the Revolutionary era to the modern civil rights movement.

Among the historical figures highlighted is Haym Salomon, the Polish-born Jewish financier who played an important role in supporting the American Revolution. The project will also examine the relationships between Jewish Americans and influential American leaders, including the friendships between Jewish community members and President Abraham Lincoln, as well as Jewish American support for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the broader Civil Rights Movement.

The commemorative work will also explore the longstanding expressions of support among some of the early American leaders for the Jewish people’s historic connection to their ancestral homeland. Founding Father John Adams expressed sympathy for the idea of Jewish restoration, reflecting an early American awareness of Jewish history and aspirations, with the modern Zionist movement emerging later in the 19th century supporting the establishment of a modern Jewish state.

Through this endeavor and their strategic initiatives, Srdoc and Anand Samy aim to preserve the stories of individuals and communities whose contributions have strengthened the American experience while emphasizing the significance of freedom and the rule of law.

Srdoc and Anand Samy see their strategic efforts as being vital for this season as public opinion toward Jews and Israel have changed with the rise of antisemitism among the youth of America, the noticeable decline for support of Israel within the Democratic Party and the growing schism on the fringe among conservatives that are being fueled by influencers opposing Israel.

Srdoc and Anand Samy see their pioneering approach by engaging citizens in America, sovereign states of Europe and India as crucial in preserving freedom’s principles.

They have long appreciated the example set by Senator Lindsay Graham, who passed away recently. Srdoc and Anand Samy were inspired by the mission of the late senator, a stalwart in Congress who stood in support of Israel and came to its defense when critics pushed false narratives about Israeli leaders or made attempts to pass legislative measures weakening the security of the Jewish state.

They remain optimistic that the expansion through America’s Roundtable broadcast media with new radio stations being added and the think tank initiatives reaching more Americans and engaging key universities and students across the nation, will augment the movement for freedom and building stronger ties between the citizens of America and Israel with India joining this dynamic partnership for the 21st century.

Quotes from Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy:

“I remain optimistic with a keen awareness of history’s lessons, the trajectory of freedom’s noble cause and how people sharing core principles have rolled-up their sleeves and made sacrifices to work together to overcome unsurmountable challenges,” said Srdoc. “The American story of freedom inspires us all. Through the brave actions of its founding fathers when signing the Declaration of Independence, these leaders pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor for unalienable rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. My own family’s survival on a civilization faultline over the centuries and their quest for liberty, the story of America’s freedom by its founding fathers and the resilience of the Jewish people in forging a sovereign and prosperous state in a hostile region present us with a worthy challenge to renew our commitment to preserving our freedom and saving our rule of law civilization.”

“Never before has our certitude to educate, inform, and mobilize our fellow Americans to stand unwaveringly in support of the Jewish people and Israel been stronger,” said Anand Samy. “It is through our moral responsibility and steadfast commitment to unite in our shared principles, we are more determined than ever to advance this worthy mission.”

America’s Roundtable: https://americasrt.com/

International Leaders Summit: https://summitleadersusa.com/