Meet Atara Frankel and Harel Turkel, the dynamic co-chairs of The Associated’s Israel and Global Managing Council.

Harel, a native Baltimorean and Atara, who grew up in Montreal, speak candidly about their new roles – their priorities, potential challenges and unwavering support for Jewish communities in Israel and beyond.

Here are 7 things to know about Harel and Atara:

Harel Turkel

How do you respond to those who question giving to Israel?

I think we have a responsibility to maintain the programs that help the most vulnerable, especially in the State of Israel. You’ll see an Ethiopian absorption center in Ashkelon, for example, and how we’re making a difference for people who might be one generation removed from just living in tent cities in rural Ethiopia. I truly believe that donors understand that we’re making an impact locally and abroad. Our stance has to be that we support people on the ground and not politicians or government policies. It’s about really explaining that we support people and not governments as a whole.

What’s on your bucket list?

I’ve always been an avid traveler. I’ve been to about 39 countries. I really just want to see 100 countries in the world over the next 15-20 years – they call it the Century Club. That’s my plan.

Favorite country?

Thailand. I backpacked there with my buddies after we graduated undergrad. Then, my wife Randi and I went on our honeymoon there in 2008. And we just went back again with the kids and my in-laws this past winter. It’s stunning and very magical.

Atara Frankel

Priorities?

I love Israel. I love everything to do with Jewish identity and just being a proud Jew. My goal and my mission are always to create positivity around Israel and keep it in a really positive light. I think it’s just part of who we are as Jews and, whether we agree or disagree with certain current policies, Israel as a whole is still very important to us as Jewish people.

As past co-chair of the Insight Israel Forum, what are you most proud of?

Aside from having the best co-chairs, I’m very proud of the way we were able to keep the conversation around Israel really positive and make it personal in terms of meeting people on the ground and exploring different things that people wouldn’t necessarily have known. And we offer great education from experts in the field, including learning from Avi Malamed, who teaches about context and nuance and the realities in the Middle East.

Favorite thing to do in Israel?

We try to go to Israel once a year. We love walking the streets of Jerusalem. We put so much mileage on our feet when we’re there. We do travel around Israel a bit and a little downtime at Cramim or Beresheet Spa of course – you can’t go wrong with that.

What keeps you busy?

I do a lot of volunteering. I run the local chapter of a nonprofit for single moms in the Orthodox community called Sister to Sister. It was actually founded by Yehuda’s wife, Anne Neuberger.

It’s hard to be a single mom raising your kids alone anywhere but especially within the Orthodox community where boys have to go to shul with their father. Moms might have several children in our society, so being a single mom under these circumstances can be especially trying. So, we try to create a support system that makes them feel a little less alone and raise their families with a little more dignity.