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The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) recently coordinated a one-week international speaking tour of a delegation of Israeli female Olympic judo champions, who shared their unique personal stories of perseverance and triumph with a diverse group of audiences in the United States and Brazil.
The delegation consisted Olympic medalists Timna Nelson-Levy, Raz Hershko, and Inbar Lanir, joined by Israeli National Women’s Judo Team Head Coach Shany Hershko and President of the Israel Judo Association Moshe Ponte.
The main leg of the tour was a four-day stint in South Florida, where the itinerary included:
- meetings with Aventura City Commissioner Gustavo Blachman and Aventura Police Chief Michael Bentolila;
- an event with Consul General of Israel in Miami Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, where Aventura Mayor Howard Weinberg spoke;
- visits to the Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton and Jewish Culture High School in Fort Lauderdale;
- speaking engagements with the Genesis Business Humanity Club in Miami Beach — where Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner was in attendance and acknowledged the delegation in his own remarks — and at the Bocaire Country Club in Boca Raton;
- and a campus gathering with Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach at Florida Atlantic University.
The delegation members were also guests of honor at CAM’s “Champions of Courage: A Night of Jewish Resilience” reception last Wednesday at G7 Rooftop in Hollywood, where Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy spoke.
Last night in Hollywood, Florida, we celebrated true champions. The Israeli Women’s Judo Olympic Team showed us what Jewish resilience looks like — not just on the mat, but in life. Their unwavering strength inspires our daily fight against antisemitism. At CAM’s 6th anniversary,… pic.twitter.com/wyiLVk8Hah
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) March 27, 2025
Prior to arriving in Florida, the delegation had traveled to New York City, where they participated in the CAM-hosted Rise & Respond: Global Student Summit Against Antisemitism, including a panel discussion moderated by CAM Chief Operating Officer Yigal Nisell.
They also shared a Shabbat dinner in New York City with a group of young Jewish professionals.
“These world-class female athletes embody resilience, strength, and determination, inspiring us at CAM to stand against antisemitism with the same unwavering spirit they bring to the mat,” Nisell — who accompanied the delegation in U.S. — said. “At every stop, they delivered an important message of Jewish and Israeli hope and pride at this difficult moment in history, and it was overwhelming to see how much support and love they received in return.”
The Brazil portion of the trip was co-organized with Club Hebraica São Paulo and the Brazilian Israelite Confederation (CONIB). The delegation spent two days in São Paulo, where they took part in a series of community events and met with students at the ALEF Peretz School.
