Meet the first US-born MK in 30 years

Don't miss Rabbi Dov Lipman, in conversation with David Horovitz, at Jerusalem's Great Synagogue on March 9

Join the Times of Israel on Saturday night, March 9, 2013 for an enlightening conversation between founding editor David Horovitz and Yesh Atid MK Rabbi Dov Lipman, the first American oleh in almost 30 years to become a Knesset member.

On Saturday night March 9, at an event marking the first anniversary of The Times of Israel, founding editor David Horovitz will be talking to Rabbi Lipman at Jerusalem’s Great Synagogue, discussing his aliya, his entry into politics, his goals as a newly minted Knesset member and more.

Dov Lipman, his wife and their four children made aliya from Silver Spring, Maryland, eight years ago. In January, he entered the Knesset as No. 17 on the Yesh Atid slate.

How did he manage that?

A self-styled moderate ultra-Orthodox Jew, Lipman, 41, told the Times of Israel recently that he first decided not all was well with the Jewish state when he was hit by a rock thrown by an ultra-Orthodox demonstrator in his hometown of Beit Shemesh. He now keeps the rock — which did little physical damage, but sparked a remarkably rapid political career — on the desk of his new Knesset office.

Ecstatic scenes at Yesh Atid's headquarters on January 22 as the TV exit polls are broadcast, with putative MK Dov Lipman, bearded with kippa, at center (photo credit: Michal Shmulovich) — Ecstatic scenes at Yesh Atid’s headquarters on January 22 as the TV exit polls are broadcast, with putative MK Dov Lipman, bearded with kippa, at center (photo credit: Michal Shmulovich)

Lipman will be filling in the details of this story on March 9, explaining why he subsequently linked up with Yesh Atid’s Yair Lapid, and detailing the steps he believes can begin to heal some of Israel’s intra-Jewish tensions.

Ahead of the event, we invite you to tweet questions and topics you want Horovitz and Lipman to discuss at @TimesofIsrael, email us at social@timesofisrael.com, or post your question in the comments below.

Don’t miss what promises to be a fascinating evening. Doors open at 7.15 p.m. for a prompt start at 8 p.m., and we’ll even have some refreshments on hand. Several Times of Israel staffers will be on hand, too, to talk about our site. Admission is free. Come join us!