Something to Talk JNF-USA Speakers is the go-to bureau for eloquent experts on all things Jewish About
by Emma Dixon
J NF-USA Speakers is a curated bureau that connects communities with expert speakers from all walks of life, primarily for topics concerning Jewish matters. The bureau offers a roster of more than 50 top-notch speakers to educate and inspire audiences, discussing Israel, the Middle East, antisemitism, and Zionism with a mission of excellence, diversity, and inclusivity. A longtime go-to resource for Jewish communal programming, the bureau works primarily with the Jewish National Fund and the World Jewish Congress. Its speakers are available to both Jewish and non-Jewish organizations, as well as businesses. Virag Gulyas, the director of JNF-USA Speakers since July 2023, has spearheaded the recent repositioning and rebranding of the bureau. Virag is a distinguished public speaker, an international Jewish affairs specialist, and a survivor of two terrorist attacks in Europe. She also served as a diplomat to the European Union and worked at the United Nations through the Touro College Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust. “The Speakers Bureau had always existed within JNF-USA, but it functioned more as a side project, passed from person to person without clear ownership,” says Virag. “The vision behind relaunching and rebranding the bureau was to build a centralized hub for all speaker and event-related affairs for JNF-USA. At the same time, we wanted to offer a platform for other organizations, college campuses, and congregations seeking expert speakers.” Virag adds, “As a speaker myself, our CEO believed I could bring valuable insight into the speaking world, not only in understanding the market and relevant topics, but also in building strong, lasting relationships with speakers. And that’s exactly what I strive to do every day.” A Vital Resource The current iteration of the bureau officially launched mere months before the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel in 2023. “At the time, we could not have anticipated how vital the bureau would become after the events of October 7,” says Virag. “That day profoundly changed the speaker landscape and event market, both for better and worse. Our goal now is to navigate this new reality in a way that ensures both the event hosts and the speakers feel respected, heard, and seen throughout the entire process.”
Colonel Richard Kemp, one of the experts affiliated with JNF-USA Speakers
Virag Gulyas, director of JNF-USA Speakers
The bureau’s many fascinating speakers include Colonel Richard Kemp, CBE, who spent most of his 30-year career in the British Army fighting terrorism and insurgency. He commanded British forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland, and the Balkans and headed the international terrorism team at the UK Government’s Joint Intelligence Committee. Since retiring, Col. Kemp has been present during each of the conflicts between Israel and Hamas dating back to Operation Cast Lead in 2008. He has been in Israel from the start of the current war in Gaza, during which he has gone inside Gaza with the Israel Defense Forces several times. Col. Kemp brings his considerable expertise to JNF-USA Speakers, engaging audiences with his extensive knowledge and educating them on the topics at hand. “As bureau director,” says Virag, “the most important aspect for me is that every speaker who joins a JNF-USA event feels a deep sense of pride in doing so. ” Harrison Shames, director of JNF-USA Orlando, agrees with Virag about the important role the bureau and its speakers play in enlightening audiences in Central Florida and around the world. “The JNF Speakers Bureau is our bridge between community and cause – bringing expert, diverse voices who illuminate Jewish identity, Israel, and the fight against antisemitism,” says Harrison. “Their stories educate, inspire, and strengthen our collective connection to Israel and each other.”
For more information, please visit JNFGlobalSpeakers.org.
41 FALL 2025 | J LIFE
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