TEL AVIV – The great part of being from Minneapolis and having the American ambassador to Israel being a Minnesotan? If the right people ask, you get a few minutes to ask a few questions. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, that’s exactly what we did as Shabbat closed in Friday night.
TC Jewfolk editor Lonny Goldsmith and Thomas Nides, the U.S. ambassador to Israel. (Photo by Ethan Roberts Photography)
Ambassador Thomas Nides, a Duluth native, spoke to the 237 Minnesotans as part of the Experience Israel 2023 Mega Mission at the Dan Panorama Hotel on Friday, giving the group an update on life Israel, talking about the intense current state of democracy, and generally what the first two years in the embassy have been like in his return to public life.
Before you listen, some backstory here. In our chat, Nides referenced some things in his earlier address for the group. Also, it was a very tight five-minute chat with a hard stop-time and I was doing my best to talk quickly and be respectful of the time. Obviously, the ambassador is a busy guy and I was grateful for any time we had. Finally, this was recorded with a live audience of a few people from the trip and the ambassador’s staff in the room so there may be some background noise. It only adds to its authenticity.
Listen to “Amb. Thomas Nides” on Spreaker.
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U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides addresses the Experience Israel 2023 Mega Mission participants. (Photo by Ethan Roberts Photography)
