The program highlights the incredible story of a Virginia-based robotics team and their experiences in Israel on October 7, 2023 when the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas invaded the sovereign state of Israel and murdered over 1,200 people, injuring nearly 5,000 Israelis and taking some 240 hostages into Gaza. Brent Leppke shares this inspiring story and reveal the deep connection Americans had with their Israeli hosts as well as the impact on the lives of both American and Israeli youth.

Coach Brent Leppke was an electrical engineer at Raytheon for 34 years designing space-based systems. In 2006, he started the FRESTA Valley Robotics club in Midland, Virginia and is now the chairman of the board of directors of Virginia STEM. He and like-minded leaders launched this endeavor in mentoring Virginia's youth in STEM and led them to international high school robotics competition at finals with leading champions from around the world.

The robotics team has had a 10-year relationship with the Israeli team and its organizers, and had traveled to Israel in October 2023 for an offseason competition.

americasrt.com
https://ileaderssummit.org/ | https://jerusalemleaderssummit.com/

America's Roundtable on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-roundtable/id1518878472

Twitter:
@ileaderssummit
@AmericasRT
@NatashaSrdoc
@JoelAnandUSA
@supertalk

America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit.

America’s Roundtable radio program - a strategic initiative of International Leaders Summit, focuses on America’s economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world.

Tune into America’s Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 65 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms.

Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm

America's Roundtable conversation with Rabbi Eliot Pearlson includes the following key topics:

1. Is “American exceptionalism” fading?

2. The agenda to re-write America’s unique role in advancing freedom and the rule of law.

3. Socialism in Latin America and lessons for America’s citizens.

4. How October 7, 2023 changed Israel. The call to free Americans and Israeli hostages still held captive in Gaza. The significance of remembrance.

5. The future of the Abraham Accords.

6. Is Biden’s new executive order targeting Israeli citizens and politicians ⏤ a departure of US support for the Jewish state?

Brief biography | Rabbit Eliot H. Pearlson

In 1989, Rabbi Eliot H. Pearlson succeeded Rabbi Meyer Abramowitz ז”ל, who had served Temple Menorah since its founding in 1949. Rabbi Pearlson was no stranger to Temple Menorah, having served as our Director of Education before leaving for a pulpit in Asheville, North Carolina.

Born in upstate New York, he is the youngest of eight children. His parents, Sylvia and Ben ז”ל were farmers near Buffalo until moving to Miami Beach in 1963, where they entered the Hotel and Hospitality industry.

Within months of assuming his duties, Rabbi Pearlson followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, affirming the well-deserved notoriety of Temple Menorah by opening the institution to hundreds of Russian Jews escaping from the Soviet Union. Along with the survivors of the Holocaust and the refugees of Castro’s Cuba, another generation of Jewish refugees were guaranteed a spiritual home and place to worship.

Education

Rabbi Pearlson’s Jewish education is varied and diverse. Although serving in a Traditional synagogue, Rabbi Pearlson has studied in “Litvishe” Yeshiva programs such as the Greater Miami Mesifta, The Talmudic University , Lubavitch Yeshiva-Tomchei Tmimim, and Yeshiva University. In addition to his religious studies, Rabbi Pearlson has undergraduate degrees in Jewish Studies and Biochemistry, a Masters Degree in Rabbinic Literature, and graduate studies in Microbiology at the University of Florida. He was granted his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree in Community Leadership by The Florida Center for Theological Studies in 2010. Rabbi Pearlson received Orthodox Rabbinic Ordination at the Diaspora Yeshiva on Mt. Zion-Jerusalem.

Community

Among Rabbi Pearlson’s community outreach efforts has been the ‘adoption’ of an African American Church. ln addition to a pulpit exchange with its minister, Temple Menorah also sponsored its Afternoon Computer Lab for Children at Risk. As a Jewish activist, Rabbi Pearlson has been arrested defending Jewish causes in Auschwitz-Birkenau, New York City and Miami—as his supporters note: “Arrested, but never convicted.”

Further reading:

Is America Exceptional? By Norman Podhoretz | Author, My Love Affair with America

Brief excerpt: "We have excelled by following our Founding Fathers in directing our energies, as our Constitution exhorts us to do, to the preservation of the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, as well as to the pursuit of happiness tacitly understood by the Declaration of Independence to require prosperity as a precondition. (In his original draft of the Declaration, of course, Jefferson used the word “property” instead of “pursuit of happiness.”) By remaining faithful in principle—and to a considerable extent in practice—to the ideas by which the Founders hoped to accomplish these ends, we and our forebears have fashioned a country in which more liberty and more prosperity are more widely shared than among any other people in human history. Yes, even today that holds true, despite policies unfaithful both to the letter and to the spirit of the traditional American system that have resulted in a series of political and economic setbacks."

Victor Davis Hanson: America's Exceptional Role in the World

Fox News | American exceptionalism 'running on fumes' as woke ideology stifles creativity and meritocracy, scholars say

With individual initiative discouraged, US could identify as mediocre, insist scholars

"We're running on fumes," said Victor Davis Hanson, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, when asked if American exceptionalism still exists. "We still have more talent and wealth than any other nation. We're still the freest nation.

americasrt.com
https://ileaderssummit.org/ | https://jerusalemleaderssummit.com/

America's Roundtable on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-roundtable/id1518878472

Twitter:
@ileaderssummit
@AmericasRT
@NatashaSrdoc
@JoelAnandUSA
@supertalk

America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit.

America’s Roundtable radio program - a strategic initiative of International Leaders Summit, focuses on America’s economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world.

Tune into America’s Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 65 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms.

Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm

Upon hearing of the news that their close friend David Newman was at the music festival near the Gaza border and under attack by Hamas terrorists, Gidon Hazony and another friend made a decision to go and save him. Enroute to the music festival from Jerusalem, Gidon Hazony, a trained Israeli Defense Force medic began to realize the extent of the invasion by terrorists as they passed the dead bodies of innocent Israeli Jews on the road heading south.

As Gidon Hazony and other medics were working to save the lives of Israeli soldiers and civilians, he received a message that their friend David Newman was killed at the music festival.

In David Newman's honor, close friends including Hazony founded Soldiers Save Lives.

Learn about the heroism of Israel's unsung heroes on October 7, 2023. You will hear about the on-going efforts to provide help and hope to displaced Jews within Israel and how projects like Soldiers Save Lives are providing essential equipment and supplies to safeguard Israeli reservists on the frontlines.

About Gidon Hazony

Gidon’s parents met at Princeton University and made Aliyah in 1994. Gidon met David Newman while playing American Football, and quickly became best friends. Gidon is a valedictorian in Mathematics at Hebrew University, spent a year in America working in the field of Probability and Game Theory, and, before October 7th, was teaching calculus at Hebrew University.

americasrt.com
https://ileaderssummit.org/ | https://jerusalemleaderssummit.com/

America's Roundtable on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-roundtable/id1518878472

Twitter:
@ileaderssummit
@AmericasRT
@NatashaSrdoc
@JoelAnandUSA
@supertalk

America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit.

America’s Roundtable radio program - a strategic initiative of International Leaders Summit, focuses on America’s economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world.

Tune into America’s Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 65 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms.

Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm

Derrick’s journey of public service started when he joined the Navy at the age of 18 and served for 26 years, retiring as a Navy SEAL Senior Chief with 5 combat deployments and several others to troubled areas in the world. His first combat deployment was to Bosnia Herzegovina immediately following the signing of the Dayton Accords. Derrick Van Orden continued his service with multiple combat tours to Afghanistan and Iraq. Additionally, he served in the Horn of Africa, Asia, Europe, and South and Central America. During his tour in Europe in 2012, under the Obama administration, he was responsible for planning Special Operations contingency operations for the European Continent.

Congressman Van Orden understands the significance of freedom and the tremendous cost paid to protect America and its citizens. He lost close colleagues ⏤the tragic killing of his former teammate Ty Woods and fellow SEAL Glen Doherty during the terrorist attack on the embassy annex in Benghazi, Libya.

Congressman Van Orden serves on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Agriculture, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Key Topics:

⏤ The national security crisis on America’s southern border, the waves of millions of illegal immigrants entering the United States, and the heavy economic toll on American citizens and taxpayers across the country. Newsweek report: “With illegal immigration now costing $150.7 billion annually, the burden inevitably trickles down to the taxpayer. Individually, the FAIR study found that each illegal alien or their U.S.-born child costs the U.S. $8,776 annually.”

⏤Israel’s war against Iran-backed Hamas and Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s visit to Israel right after October 7, 2023.

⏤ The Iran threat | International Atomic Energy Agency released a report saying Iran “increased its production of highly enriched uranium, reversing a previous output reduction from mid-2023. Iran had increased its output of 60 percent enriched uranium to a rate of about nine kilograms (20 pounds) a month since the end of November [2020]. Enrichment levels of around 90% are required for use in a nuclear weapon.”

⏤ The Biden Administration's pressures on Israel for a ceasefire and the recent announcement of a new White House Executive Order targeting Israeli citizens in the West Bank also known as Judea and Samaria.

⏤ Addressing the Biden administration's failed foreign policies when reviewing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the chaotic withdrawal of the US military from Afghanistan and the Middle East entering a new phase of instability and expanding conflicts.

⏤ US bases in the Middle East under attack | Three American soldiers killed in Jordan | US Navy vessels targeted by Iran-backed Houthi terror group. What is the status of America’s response?

americasrt.com
https://ileaderssummit.org/ | https://jerusalemleaderssummit.com/

America's Roundtable on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-roundtable/id1518878472

Twitter:
@RepVanOrden
@ileaderssummit
@AmericasRT
@NatashaSrdoc
@JoelAnandUSA
@supertalk

America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit.

America’s Roundtable radio program - a strategic initiative of International Leaders Summit, focuses on America’s economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world.

Tune into America’s Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 65 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms.

Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm

Senator Marsha Blackburn delivered her remarks at the Solidarity with Israel event, organized by the International Leaders Summit and America's Roundtable, and co-hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson and Chairman Mike Bost on Capitol Hill on December 12, 2023.

americasrt.com
https://ileaderssummit.org/ | https://jerusalemleaderssummit.com/

America's Roundtable on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-roundtable/id1518878472

Twitter:
@MarshaBlackburn
@ileaderssummit
@AmericasRT
@NatashaSrdoc
@JoelAnandUSA
@supertalk

America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit.

America’s Roundtable radio program - a strategic initiative of International Leaders Summit, focuses on America’s economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world.

Tune into America’s Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 65 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms.

Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm

Speakers - Leading Members of Congress (Part I):
Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL), The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA)
Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS)
Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R-WA)
Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE)

americasrt.com
https://ileaderssummit.org/ | https://jerusalemleaderssummit.com/

America's Roundtable on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-roundtable/id1518878472

Twitter:
@RepBost
@RepNewhouse
@RepAmata
@derrickvanorden
@RepDonBacon
@ileaderssummit
@AmericasRT
@NatashaSrdoc
@JoelAnandUSA
@supertalk

America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit.

America’s Roundtable radio program - a strategic initiative of International Leaders Summit, focuses on America’s economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world.

Tune into America’s Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 65 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms.

Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm