Some Background

Creative Zionist Coalition (CZC) was founded in 2012 by a group of Zionists based in Los Angeles who believed that current pro-Israel organizations were not being daring and creative enough in both their vision and strategy to work towards a safe, secure and prosperous Israel. Worn-out formulas and worn-out solutions have not done enough to stake Israel's claim and make Zionism the attractive, desirable, and captivating movement that it was before the state was founded in 1948.

CZC was founded to fearlessly advocate for Israel to the general public without being bound to political correctness while recognizing the need for new strategies and solutions, informed by a strong sense of ethics and rigorous thought, to enhance Israel's standing the world and to ensure Jewish safety and happiness in Israel and beyond.

The Founders

Orit Arfa, Founder

Born inLos Angeles, CA, Orit Arfa lived in Israel from 1999-2008, where she worked in both non-profit PR and journalism. She has written extensively on American Jewish life and Israeli society primarily for The Jewish Journal of Los Angeles and The Jerusalem Post. Orit returned to Los Angeles in 2008 and served as Executive Director of the Zionist Organization of America, Western Region where she implemented programming, campaigns and projects meant to educate the public and opinion-shapers about the meaning of Zionism, the moral imperative of a strong, prosperous Israel, and the dangers of a policy of appeasement. She helped to create a community of Zionists who felt empowered to stand up for a strong Israel.

Her innovative work in Zionist activism has been complemented and goaded by years of journalism advocacy in Israel on behalf of victims of Arab terror, particularly the Jews who were forcibly removed from their homes in Gaza in 2005, which is also the subject of Orit’s first novel, The Settler. She holds a BA in Jewish Studies and Journalism from American Jewish University and a Masters in Bible and Jewish Thought from Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem. For more about Orit, go to her website at www.oritarfa.net.

Jessica Felber

Jessica Felber is a doctoral student at UCLA in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures with a concentration in Israeli Studies.  At UCLA she also serves as a Graduate Student Representative on the Academic Freedom Committee of the Academic Senate.  Since graduating with a B.A. from UC Berkeley in 2010, Jessica has worked and volunteered for numerous Israel advocacy and education organizations including JerusalemOnlineU.com, Alternative Action, Hasbara Fellowships, and Zionist Organization of America.  She is excited to bring her experience and education to the Creative Zionist Coalition.