Using Social Media to Innovate Jewish Education SARI KOPITNIKOFF ’11 Stern College for Women ’12 Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration Certificate in Experiential Jewish Education Founder, thatjewishmoment.com
company’s world-leading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, which have reached over $700 million in annual global sales. According to Ferziger, the complex transactions that he negotiates enable some of Israel’s most important innovations to reach the global market. “These technolo- gies were born out of the spirit of Israeli in- novation with the objective of not only im- proving the lives of those on the battlefield but also fuel life-changing solutions in agri- culture, green transportation technologies and energy exploration.” Ferziger can speak firsthand about the lifesaving efficacy of the hardware solutions he is responsible for marketing. The same UAV systems he is selling abroad also help secure Israel’s borders and protect his son, a commander in the IDF’s ground forces. “I’ve developed an enhanced appreciation for the brilliant engineers who develop im- portant technologies, such as the advanced overhead surveillance systems that protect my son and country,” he said. In a certain sense, Ferziger’s profession has made him a pseudo-ambassador for the Jewish State as his work travels have led him to negotiations in 22 countries and closed deals in over 30. During these meet- ings, Ferziger places an emphasis on forg- ing the important person-to-person con- nections necessary for two parties to come to a deal. “My work has allowed me to discuss the hard things—people, politics and religion— with our business partners,” Ferziger said. “I am frequently encouraged to learn that most people are reasonable and want to cre- ate safe, comfortable environments that al- low their families and societies to thrive.” These respectful conversations have en- abled Ferziger to convey the points of view of Israelis to those in both government and private industry as well as some of the chal- lenges that they face at home. Ultimately, Ferziger credits the values and skills that he developed in his earlier years at YU as the foundation for his career achievements, referring to “the values learned in my parents’ home, those nur- tured during the course of my yeshiva edu- cation and at YU.” It is those important principles that led him to make the decision to leave his career on Wall Street and move to the Start-up Nation to pursue a career with both meaning and impact.
S ari Kopitnikoff loves the wonder that happens when a child gets excited about learning. In 2014, the full-time middle-school teacher and self- described “11-year-old at heart” started an Instagram page, a gallery of her own digital art showcasing her particular brand of Jewish joy: fun, creative, exuberant. The page garnered an instant following. “I always wanted to contribute to Jewish education in a bigger, more meaningful way,” Kopitnikoff said, “but I wasn’t sure how to go about it. This became my outlet.” Then came March 2020 and the beginning of lockdown. She thought, “Im lo achshav, eimatai?” (“If not now, when?”) Within 24 hours, “That Jewish Moment”—a website that includes printable games, activities, shows and virtual escape-room challenges—was born. “It was in response to what I saw all over social media: parents who were totally overwhelmed, juggling their own jobs and overseeing their children’s education in a way they never had to before,” she said. The requests from parents and educators from across the world kept coming. It was time to quit her day job. Nearly three years later, Kopitnikoff, who lives in New Jersey with her husband and two young children, runs her own publishing empire of educational games, books and workshops. Her newest book, Only Kidding: My First Book of Jewish Jokes, released in No- vember, shot to No. 1 in new releases in Children’s Judaism Books on Amazon, while My Davening Diary, My Escape from Egypt and Jewmagine That! have all made Amazon’s bestseller lists. For her, it’s all about giving Jewishness a positive spin. “The in- ternet is filled with negative memes and sarcasm when it comes to being Jewish,” she said. “I want to counteract that.” After earning her master’s degree in Jewish education from Azrieli (and studying animation and computer graphics at the Fashion Institute of Technology), Kopitnikoff spent 10 years teach- ing elementary, middle and high school, honing her skills and un- knowingly preparing for her own debut. “It’s beautiful to inspire 22 students, but now I have an even bigger impact,” said Kopitnikoff. While she seems to be a natural-born educator, it took a while for Kopitnikoff to discover her calling. Indeed, the biology major nearly became a pediatric dentist until she realized it wasn’t the teeth that drew her—it was the kids. “I dreamed of creating a magi- cal, calm space where children would want to come,” she said. “But I couldn’t imagine filling cavities all day.”
Putting ‘Eyes’ in the Sky, A Lawyer Protects his Nation ARI FERZIGER ’92 Yeshiva College Executive Vice President of Corporate Development & Legal Affairs HevenDrones Former Assistant General Counsel at Israel Aerospace Industries
F or close to two decades, Ari Fer- ziger has been working in the in- tersection of Israel’s military and the commercial drone industry. A self-described “drone lawyer” in Israel’s bustling high-tech scene, Ferziger has nego- tiated export contracts and partnerships for some of Israel’s most innovative companies. He recently joined the Israeli-founded startup HevenDrones, which specializes in cutting-edge technologies for rotary drones whose applications are used in homeland security, firefighting, green tech, transpor- tation and industrial site management. Ferziger began his law journey at Yeshi- va University, where he majored in philoso- phy and finance. Following a stint with a high-powered New York corporate law firm, he and his wife, Meira, moved to Israel in 2000 to raise their family. “We wanted to
contribute to the Jewish State’s strong eco- nomic development and do our small part to make Israel’s society into a more perfect one, worthy of its mission, to be a light unto the nations.” Prior to joining HevenDrones, Ferziger worked for many years at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)—the state-owned R&D company responsible for some of Israel’s most innovative lifesaving defense technol- ogies found in the Iron Dome system, tacti- cal and reconnaissance drones, satellite technologies and air defense systems. At IAI, he played a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of Israel. His work in the legal department at IAI encompassed the full range of the company’s aerospace prod- ucts. As a leader of the contract negotiation team, Ferziger was responsible for negotiat- ing and securing export deals involving the
She finally had her “aha!” moment after seeing an ad promoting Azrieli’s one-year master’s degree program. It read: “Become the inspiring teacher you always wish you had,” and it spoke directly to her. “The way I create every piece of educational content goes back to the pedagogical fundamentals I learned at Azrieli,” she said. Kopitnikoff prides herself on stepping up to provide what the moment calls for. And these days, people are searching for meaning and community. “With the world the way it is, it’s more important than ever to have a strong hold on Judaism and Jewish life,” she said. “My goal is to infuse daily life with creativity, enjoyment and meaning, to get in touch with the child in all of us.” Find free Jewish educational materials on thatjewishmoment.com and follow Kopitnikoff on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @thatjewishmoment.
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YU Today : Powered by Innovators, Guided by Values
YU Today : Powered by Innovators, Guided by Values
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