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CALLUM BARTON
Callum Barton is a second year Undergraduate student at King’s College London, studying Politics. Former Head of Operations at ‘King’s Geopolitics Forum’. Keen interests in global traditional cultures & music, academic focuses on sectarian conflict reconciliation & cross community dialogue.
SHIRA ELYASZADEH
I am a Political Science student at Barnard College, Columbia University, with a concentration in international politics. I previously studied International Relations at New York University as a Presidential Honors Scholar, where I developed a foundation in research methods and foreign policy. My experience spans policy research, academic analysis, and advocacy. I have worked as a policy intern at the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under the Law, where I supported public-facing content and legal advocacy. I served as a summer intern at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle East and African Studies at Tel Aviv University, conducting open-source research on southern Syria, contributing to regional security analysis, and developing independent research on IDF Farsi-language social media. I have also copy-edited scholarly work for MDC. Currently, I am a research intern at UCLA’s Center for Middle East Development, where I analyze political and security developments in Israel and the broader Middle East and collaborate with faculty and graduate researchers. Alongside my academic work, I was a Rising Voices Fellow with the Jewish Women’s Archive, where I published original articles relating to Jewish identity. I am proficient in speaking Farsi and am actively developing Hebrew proficiency.
GRETCHEN FOSTER
Gretchen Foster is a dedicated undergraduate student at Texas Tech University specializing in Global Studies, with minors in Russian and Artificial Intelligence. Originally a Business Management major, Gretchen realigned her degree plan to match a growing passion for international relations and the complicated dynamics of the modern world. This transition reflects her commitment to addressing global challenges through a multidisciplinary lens, combining linguistic proficiency with technical literacy.Raised in California, Gretchen is originally from Texas and now considers herself to be a proud resident of San Antonio, Texas, Gretchen’s worldview is shaped by a deep-seated fascination with Middle Eastern history and politics. She seeks to bridge the gap between traditional diplomatic studies and the evolving role of emerging technologies in global governance. This unique intersection of interests was solidified during a transformative AI internship in Israel. While the internship provided a rigorous environment to hone her technical capabilities, its most profound impact was the cultural immersion it offered. By working within Israel’s high-tech sector at John Bryce Technical Institute, Gretchen gained a nuanced understanding of the country’s internal diversity and, by extension, the broader complexities of the Middle East. This experience moved her beyond theoretical study, providing a firsthand look at how innovation and identity coexist in a pivotal geopolitical region. Gretchen’s academic and professional pursuits are driven by a desire to foster cross-cultural understanding and to leverage AI as a tool for informed global policy. As a fellowship candidate, she brings a rare blend of technical insight, linguistic ambition, and a proven willingness to follow her intellectual curiosity across borders. She is committed to continuing her exploration of the Middle East, utilizing her background in Global Studies to contribute meaningfully to international discourse and security.
MAYA FRIEDLANDER
Maya Friedlander is a sophomore at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) where she is currently pursuing a major in History and a minor in public health. She plans on obtaining a masters in Bioethics Medical Anthropology in her senior year with the intent of attending law school after graduation. Originally from Denver, Colorado, and now living in Atlanta, Georgia, she has always had a passion for community service. At CWRU she has been a GED tutor through the organization Seeds of Literacy and is a current ACT tutor through Minds Matter Cleveland. Both of these organizations are created with the purpose of helping individuals in need. This upcoming semester, Maya is planning on becoming a writing tutor for juvenile delinquents in the Cuyahoga county jail. Maya has always valued the importance of community. Attending Camp Sabra for eight summers has given Maya an appreciation towards connection. She is currently on board at Cleveland Hillel. In this role she helps to connect Jewish students to resources in order to create a more vibrant community. Additionally, Maya is the current StandWithUs Emerson Fellow, where she is able to create lasting connections with individuals around the world in order to better the CWRU community and other students. Maya is an avid runner, where in her freshman year was on the varsity cross country and track and field teams. This year, Maya is planning on completing a half marathon. In her free time, she is outside; whether that be running, hiking, biking, or skiing. Additionally, she loves to read, watch movies, and be with close friends and family.
JUSTIN GREENBAUM
Justin Greenbaum is a Jewish community professional dedicated to creating meaningful, welcoming spaces for young people to learn, connect, and grow. He currently serves as the Camp Hoover Director and BBYO City Director/Teen Coordinator at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus, where he oversees teen programming, leadership development initiatives, and year-round camp experiences. Before moving to Columbus, Justin spent several years at the Asheville JCC, where he helped design and expand youth programs, developed a comprehensive Leaders-in-Training program, and supported families and staff through the day-to-day rhythms of Jewish communal life. His work has continually centered on building environments where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead. Justin is passionate about camp as a vehicle for identity formation, relationship-building, and community. His long-term goal is to direct an overnight Jewish summer camp that is both joyful and deeply values-driven, and he approaches his professional growth with that vision in mind. He believes that strong leadership requires curiosity, humility, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Justin joined the Inside the Middle East Fellowship out of a desire to deepen his understanding of the complex histories, narratives, and lived realities that shape Israel and the broader Middle East. As someone who regularly facilitates conversations about Israel with teens, families, and staff, he is committed to engaging with nuance, asking thoughtful questions, and fostering dialogue rooted in respect and empathy. When he is not at camp or working with teens, Justin enjoys exploring new ideas, planning creative programs, and staying connected with the communities that have helped shape his path. He is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the ITME Fellowship and looks forward to bringing what he learns back to the young people and families he serves.
ERIC LANE
Hello there, my name is Eric Lane, and I am a senior in history at the University of Texas at San Antonio. I feel a deep passion for studying and teaching history, in particular Jewish and Israeli history. I am an active member of his local Jewish community, both on campus, with high involvement in my local Hillel, as well as the founder of my local Chabad on Campus, or off, having served for over two years as a volunteer gallery attendant at the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio, as well as an internship at the location in Spring of 2023. I am also involved beyond my Jewish community, serving as the history representative for the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts’ Dean’s Student Advisory Council for over a year, directing and facilitating student research as a part of the UTSA History Club in my role as chair of student research, and am a Mellon Humanities Pathway Fellow with the UTSA Mexico Center. I am excited to be part of the ITME Fellowship, learning about the Middle East in impactful ways that I seek to apply to my everyday life. Knowledge is worth nothing if it cannot be shared. I strive to use what I learn from this fellowship to better inform people about Israel, the region as a whole, and to facilitate productive conversations amongst a variety of different people.
TESS MADNICK
Tess Madnick is a Sophomore at the George Washington University’s Elliott School, studying International Affairs with double concentrations in security policy and international development. Tess is also pursuing a minor in Hebrew. Born and raised in Washington, DC Tess has always been surrounded by and interested in policy making. Starting in January 2025 she served as an Intern for the Aspen Institute Congressional Program, which provides educational opportunities for members of congress. In this role, she prepares briefing materials, compliance documents, and logistical support for domestic and international convenings that bring together lawmakers and subject-matter experts. Her work also includes weekly interaction with members of Congress through a Capitol speaker
series. Her position at Aspen, amplified by her staffing a delegation to Zambia and Botswana in 2025, has sparked Tess’s growing academic attention in international development. In January 2026 Tess will transition from intern to part time employee of the Congressional Program, as its Programming Assistant. Previously, Tess worked as a Data Science Intern for a data analytics firm specializing in national political campaigns and advocacy, particularly focusing on ballot initiatives. She also gained campaign experience as a Campaign Finance Intern for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s 2024 reelection effort. In addition to these internships, Tess has also worked as a Barista and Lifeguard, and deeply appreciates the customer facing skills these experiences provided. Prior to college Tess attended Georgetown Day School, an independent school located in Washington, DC. At GDS she was peer mentor, a campus tour guide, participated in Model United Nations, and was a fellow for the GDS Policy Institute. At the institute her concentration was criminal justice reform and mass incarceration in the United States. Tess also competed for many years as a nationally ranked equestrian, believing this experience gifted her with many life skills, especially hard work, determination, and empathy for others.
JAKE PLEVA
Originally from New Jersey, Jake Pleva is a second year student at McGill University, majoring in geography, with a concentration in urban studies. His academic interests focus on the way urban spaces shape political, economic, and social forces, and how planning decisions impact everyday life. Through his coursework, Jake has developed experience in spatial analysis, including GIS-based projects that examine green infrastructure, public space accessibility, and neighborhood-level inequalities. He is particularly interested in the relationship between the built environment and social well-being, and how cities can be designed to better serve diverse populations. Outside the classroom, Jake strives to live life to the fullest through outdoor exploration and creative expression. He enjoys hiking and biking, and during the summer of 2024, he biked from Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon. These experiences have depended his appreciation for landscapes, mobility, and the way people interact with their environments. Jake is also passionate about music, and plays the alto and baritone saxophone. As a former drum major, he proudly led his marching band to the 2023 US Bands National Championship, an experience that strengthened his leadership skills and sense of teamwork. Jake also values cultural exchange and meaningful human connection. He enjoys learning languages and engaging with people across linguistic and cultural boundaries. He believes that these interactions offer insight that cannot be gained through just reading a textbook. Jake is drawn to programs like the Inside the Middle East Fellowship because of the emphasis on dialogue and firsthand learning. He aspires to gain this nuanced understanding of the Middle East, beyond just headlines and assumptions, while engaging with its urban landscapes, cultures, and people. Ultimately, Jake would like to pursue work in urban planning or related fields that combine research, cultural awareness, and public services. He views ITME as an opportunity to grow academically and personally.
TAL ROZENBLIT
Tal Rozenblit is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a double major in International Relations and Public Policy, with a minor in Music History and Culture and a Certificate in International Affairs. Born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area to Israeli parents, he grew up with a strong Jewish identity, closely connected to both Canadian and Israeli political, cultural, and civic life – an experience that has shaped his academic interests in history, diplomacy, and the politics of the Middle East. On campus, Tal is deeply involved in Jewish advocacy and student leadership. He currently serves as a StandWithUs Emerson Fellow, a CJPAC Fellow, and a Board Member of Hillel at the University of Toronto, contributing to campus advocacy and Jewish community engagement. Tal previously served as a Senator with the University of Toronto Students’ Union, one of the largest student unions in Canada, where he successfully advanced motions addressing campus priorities, including antisemitism. He is also a founding executive of the Canadian Union of Jewish Students (CUJS) at the University of Toronto. In these roles, he has worked to strengthen Jewish engagement in student politics, combat antisemitism, and promote constructive dialogue on campus. His leadership experience spans advocacy, coalition-building, and strategic communications, with a focus on navigating contentious political environments thoughtfully and effectively. Tal is also a lifelong, dedicated musician, playing a variety of instruments, including drums and guitar, and having performed in various venues around Toronto. As an Inside The Middle East (ITME) Fellow, Tal is committed to developing a nuanced, historically grounded understanding of the region and to engaging seriously with complex political realities. He brings to ITME a strong foundation in writing, research and public speaking, experience working under pressure, and a dedication to principled leadership in both academic and public spheres.
ALEX RUBEL
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Alex Rubel is currently a master’s student studying Middle East Policy at Pepperdine University in Washington, D.C through their partnership with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. After finishing high school, Alex took a gap year in Israel to study at a yeshiva in Ramat Bet Shemesh. Upon his return to the states, he started college at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he graduated in three years with his B.A. in Business Economics in December 2024. In college, Alex wrote for and served on the editorial board of UCLA’s Jewish student newspaper, Ha’am, and was published in the award-winning Jewish Journal as well. In the spring of 2025, Alex moved to Washington, D.C. to intern at the Israeli Embassy in Washington. Alex is very excited to participate in the ITME fellowship’s second cohort. He values the opportunity to learn directly from insiders in the region, which will complement his traditional classroom studies. In addition, Alex is eager to connect with peers who have shared interests and experiences, and to gain additional insight into the realms of policy, diplomacy, and intelligence. Alex speaks Hebrew proficiently and seeks out opportunities to improve his Arabic. In his free time, Alex likes to read, follow sports, and play chess. He also enjoys aviation and traveling, and would like to explore more of the Middle East region firsthand.
ZOEY WEISS
adi stern
Adi Stern is an undergraduate researcher studying International Politics with a concentration in International Security and a minor in Arabic at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. She brings a multilingual and cross-regional perspective to her work, informed by lived experience across multiple regions including Mexico and Israel. Her work focuses on militant and hybrid organizations, state–nonstate power dynamics, and the policy implications of security developments in the Middle East. She brings a multilingual perspective to her analysis, with fluency in Spanish and Hebrew and intermediate proficiency in Arabic, and regularly works across Middle Eastern, Latin American, and European sources. Adi currently serves as a Teaching and Research Assistant in Georgetown’s Security Studies Program, supporting research on insurgency, counterinsurgency, and transnational militant networks. Her research has included analysis of Palestinian armed factions, ISIS-K operations, and insurgent activity in fragile states. Previously, she conducted multilingual open-source analysis at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, tracking Arabic- and Hebrew-language reporting on militant activity, hostages, and regional security developments. She is an analyst with Georgetown’s Concord Group, where her research focuses on defense technologies, supply chains, and the strategic implications of emerging military capabilities, and has led client-facing consulting projects through TAMID Group. Adi is interested in pursuing a career in geopolitical risk analysis and strategic advisory work, applying rigorous open-source research to assess security, policy, and commercial risk for public- and private-sector stakeholders.
