Israel Insights Webinar with Vivian Bercovici

From Canadian Ambassador to Israeli Podcaster: Life in State of Tel-Aviv and Beyond

After a distinguished career in law, public policy, and broadcasting in her native Toronto, Vivian Bercovici served as Canada's Ambassador to Israel from 2014 to 2016. She then made Aliyah, becoming an Israeli citizen and settling in Tel-Aviv. Over the past decade, Bercovici has become a leading commentator on Israeli society and politics, foreign policy, and Israel-Diaspora relations. In February 2023, she founded the State of Tel-Aviv podcast and newsletter. After the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack, Vivian Bercovici moved to Kibbutz Ruchama in the south of Israel, renaming her podcast State of Tel-Aviv and Beyond. Join Amichai Magen in conversation with Vivian Bercovici.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Vivian Bercovici served as Canada’s Ambassador to Israel from 2014-16 and, in a short time, established herself as a strong, articulate, and forceful commentator and leader on Israeli politics, foreign policy relationships, and the business environment. Prior to her appointment as Ambassador by former PM Stephen Harper, Vivian practiced law in Toronto for 24 years. She was actively involved in Toronto's dynamic Jewish community, wrote a column on Israel-related issues for The Toronto Star, and taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. She currently resides in Israel and is engaged in private business ventures as well as public speaking on issues related to the Middle East, with a particular focus on Israel.

ABOUT THE JAN KOUM ISRAEL STUDIES PROGRAM

The Jan Koum Israel Studies Program fosters cross-disciplinary education and research on modern Israel. Based at the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL), the program offers courses, mentorship, internships, research support, webinars, conferences, and other in-person and online events to educate Stanford students and the broader Stanford community about the State of Israel — its culture, economy, history, legal system, politics, security challenges, society, scientific and technological innovation, as well as external relations. The program promotes engagement with Israel by bringing Israeli visiting faculty, scholars, and policy experts to Stanford and supporting educational and research activities in Israel for Stanford students and faculty. The Israel Studies Program also engages other centers and programs within its larger home, the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), as well as across the Stanford campus and the Bay Area.