For the purpose of our conversation here, the important elements of my identity are that I am Jewish, a Zionist and Israeli. In that order. I have chosen to make my Judaism, Zionism and the State of Israel the focus of my professional life. A Link in the Chain is the story of that choice, in small slices.

I was born in Israel in 1970 and grew up in Holon, just south of Tel-Aviv. I studied economics and law at Tel-Aviv University and governance at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government as a Wexner Israel Fellow. I served as an economist in the Navy with the rank of Captain. My wife and I are parents of her three children (16,17 and 18) and are expecting our first daughter shortly. My wife's family is Haredi, two of our children study in a Yeshiva, she is modern-orthodox and I am secular. When our relationship began roughly two years ago, she was living in Los Angeles; we got married less then one year later in Tel-Aviv.

I have two married brothers who live in Tel-Aviv. Both of my parents are engineers. My father was born in Romania and my mother in Tel-Aviv. To a large degree, my family represents the Israeli middle class: two bedrooms for three children; two salaries that are barely enough; two cars; and generous parental support until the age of 30.

My immediate family, my brothers and my parents, my grandparents, and their parents are all links in the chain. Each kept some of the heritage and changed a little or a lot. Our family story is a microcosm of Jewish world of the past 150 years: Judaism and assimilation; Israel and the Diaspora; many languages; survivors and victims of Nazi Germany; the pre-state underground movements and the IDF; wealth as well as material difficulties; hard work and good fortune; Zionism and involvement -- but also indifference. Our family is only one of a great many that make up the Zionist mosaic.

The story of the Jewish people, Zionism and the State of Israel fascinates me. From an early age, I knew that I would not be satisfied with living alongside history. I wanted to be a part of it by dealing with the important and pressing issues of Zionism and Israel, which are the biggest story of the Jewish people in our time. I wanted to be in the place where the futures of these issues is shaped, or at least, close to it.

This aspiration has guided by choices. Among other things, this is how I came to be involved with the peace process (1995-1999); was one of the people who helped transform the "Birthright Israel" project - that brings young Jews for a visit to Israel - from an idea into a work plan (1995-1999); took part in the "Israel 2020" project (1997-99); had the privilege of working in the Bureau of the Prime Minister as the Secretary of the Negotiation Team on the Permanent Status Agreement with the Palestinians (1991-01); founded the "Yesodot Group" for reforming Israeli governance (2002); dealt with the question of how to boost the standard of living in Israel (2000-01); and finally founded the Reut Institute (2004).

A Link in the Chain is my blog. This is the space where I will share with you my thoughts and insights regarding two main subjects. First, I believe that my work with the Reut Institute creates a unique perspective on the agenda of the state of Israel and the Jewish people. A link in the chain will share with you some of these experiences and the insights that come with them.

The second subject is the Reut Institute. My co-founders, friends and I are accidental innovators. As far as we know, the Reut Institute is unique due to a package of theory, methodology, software tools and management. A Link in the Chain will share with you the experiences of building and developing Reut.

From time to time, I will also share with you other experiences of my personal and professional life.

A Link in the Chain will be very happy to hear your feedback. It will warmly welcome every comment or question that deals with the facts or the logic that stands behind them. This is in the hope that we will form a community of people who share a dedication to offering a significant and continuous contribution to the State of Israel and the Jewish people as a whole.

Yours,

Gidi