Laura E. Adkins is an award-winning writer, editor, and speaker based in New York. She is the Opinion Editor of the Forward.
Laura’s writing on antisemitism, Orthodox Judaism, data, and gender has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Review of Books, Glamour, and other outlets. She was previously the Opinion Editor of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the editor of Jewish Insider, and an assistant blogs editor at The Times of Israel.
Laura is a frequently requested speaker and leads hands-on writing workshops for a variety of organizations and nonprofit groups. For speaking inquiries, click here.
You can also find Laura on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Post, and BlueSky (phew!)
Laura E. Adkins is an award-winning writer, editor, and speaker based in New York. She is the Opinion Editor of the Forward.
Laura’s writing on antisemitism, Orthodox Judaism, data, and gender has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Review of Books, Glamour, and other outlets. She was previously the Opinion Editor of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the editor of Jewish Insider, and an assistant blogs editor at The Times of Israel.
Laura is a frequently requested speaker and leads hands-on writing workshops for a variety of organizations and nonprofit groups. For speaking inquiries, click here.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Upcoming Events
Trauma, memory and hope: 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War
Oct. 19, 2023
At this event, we will discuss the Yom Kippur War’s impacts on Israeli society, national morale and politics. We will also take a look at how the war affected the Middle East, and how such a brutal war led to a historic peace agreement with Egypt only six years later. A live band will accompany the conversation, playing Israeli songs from the 1970s.
Manhattan JCC
Past Events
What happens next with Israel’s judicial overhaul?
Sept. 11, 2023
A conversation with Israeli experts Daniel Gordis and Dahlia Scheindlin on what to watch and expect as the Israeli Supreme Court and government contemplate their next moves.
Israel@75: How did we get here?
A brutally honest conversation with Israel’s leading literary voice Etgar Keret
May 4, 2023
The Jewish state’s milestone moment comes amid an intense crisis over the nature of its democracy. Etgar Keret, perhaps the most influential Israeli writer of his generation, has been an outspoken member of the protest movement. Join our editor in chief, Jodi Rudoren, and opinion editor, Laura E. Adkins, for a thoughtful and provocative conversation.
Unearthed
April 27, 2023
In this book talk with author Meryl Frank, we discussed her new book, “Unearthed,” in which she discovers a secret family history and reveals a lost world destroyed by hatred, illuminating the cultural haven of Vilna and its resistance during World War II.
YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
New York, NY
What does it mean to be a Bad Jew?
December 16, 2022
In this book talk with journalist and author Emily Tamkin, we will explore the profound ways in which American Jewish identities have transformed in the past 100 years.
Marlene Meyerson JCC
New York, NY
Z3 Conference
December 11, 2022
The annual Z3 conference gathers leading voices from across the political spectrum for a day of debate and conversation, aimed at creating a new model of Jewish engagement in the 21st century.
Oshman Family JCC
Palo Alto, CA
Antisemitism Now: How Should We Respond?
December 09, 2022
Following synagogue services, Laura will deliver a brief talk about positive responses to antisemitism.
Congregation Emanu-El
San Franscisco, CA
Watch Here (begins at 42:12)
Haart to Haart with “My Unorthodox Life”
December 8, 2022
A conversation with Julia and Shlomo Haart, the stars of Netflix’s show “My Unorthodox Life,” about the latest season of the hit series.
Jewish Media from Right to Left
November 18, 2022
A podcast conversation on “Identity/Crisis” with journalist Ari Hoffman and Yehuda Kurtzer of the Hartman Institute to discuss what happens when the mission of a publication changes and how Jewish media can continue to serve as a public square for communal discourse.
Israeli Politics and Arab Affairs
September 22, 2022
A conversation with journalist and former member of the Knesset Ksenia Svetlova on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the upcoming elections, how to get out of political stalemate, and what role the conflict played in the coalition government and its downfall.
Marlene Meyerson JCC
New York, NY
The Evolving Conversation on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
December 8, 2021
A panel discussion on the challenges facing Jewish communities in the U.S. and Israel with Alisa F. Levin, Yona Shem Tov, and Michael Koplow.
Israel Policy Forum
New York, NY
Antisemitism in America: Stories from the Front Lines
November 15, 2021
An investigation into the roots and manifestations of antisemitism in America today, moderated by Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt and featuring Laura E. Adkins, Nathan Diament, Rabbi Eli Cohen, and Rabbi Motti Seligson
Marlene Meyerson JCC
Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Orthodox Community
June 7, 2021
An hour-long training for the board of JOFA on how to effectively craft a speech or an op-ed of lasting impact
Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance
Peacebuilding in the Wake of Violence
June 2, 2021
A conversation with Huda Abuarquob and Alon-Lee Green for Israel Policy Forum‘s inaugural Policy Summit, “Realistic Reset Restoring U.S. Leadership in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”
Israel Policy Forum
Being A Voice
May 20, 2021
A masterclass for Jewish Communal Women’s Leadership Project fellows on using your voice to effect change in the workplace, your industry, your community and the world, co-hosted with Pam Sherman
Jewish Women International
Make Your Words Count: The Art of the Op-Ed
April 6, 13, and 20, 2021
This three-part, virtual workshop will teach women the basics of writing an impactful Op-Ed – choosing your topic of discussion, writing challenges and goals, and working with the media.
Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta
Is There Room for All Opinions?
September 14, 2020
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin and Laura E. Adkins discuss the art of remaining true to one’s identity while engaging with disparate viewpoints.
18Forty Podcast
Rules of Engagement: Maintaining Dignity Amid Political and Pandemic Dischord
Talking To Younger Generations About the Tough Issues
A panel discussion with Molly Tolsky and Jason Holtzman
June 28, 2020
Jewish Federations of North America
Evolution of the U.S.-Israel Relationship: From Assistance to Alliance
A panel discussion with Aryeh Halivni, Dan Raviv, Professor Kenneth Stein, and Dr. Lauren Strauss
March 2, 2020
AIPAC Policy Conference
Washington, DC
Waging Peace: Israel’s Historic Pursuit of Negotiations With Her Neighbors
A panel discussion with Ambassador Itamar Rabinovich and Ambassador Dennis Ross
March 1, 2020
AIPAC Policy Conference
Washington, DC
The Israel Forum: 2020 Candidates and Israel — Where the Democratic Party is Heading
A panel discussion with Halie Soifer, executive director of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, and Mark Mellman, president and CEO of the Democratic Majority For Israel.
February 19, 2020
Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
New York, NY
The Day All Jewish Women Turned Invisible…and All the Days After That
A panel discussion with writer Esther Kustanowitz and Jewish Women’s Foundation CEO Jamie Allen Black.
February 16, 2020
Jewish Theological Seminary
New York, NY
Yeshiva University Student Newspaper Shabbaton
A weekend with the YU Commentator and YU Observer communities featuring three interactive discussions on Jewish journalism:
• How to win sources and influence your campus: a crash course in reporting
• Just the facts? What makes a news story or opinion piece worth reading — and writing
• From Pittsburgh to Poway and the City Streets: the challenges of understanding anti-Semitism in America today
December 13-14, 2019
Yeshiva University
New York, NY
Zionism and Communal Red Lines
A panel discussion with Peter Beinart and Lex Rofeberg
June 5, 2019
Temple Israel of Boston
Boston, MA
The Knesset Dissolved. What’s Next for Israel?
A television special with Thane Rosenbaum, Heather Robinson, and Rabbi Mark S. Golub
May 31, 2019
Jewish Broadcasting Service
Detecting BS: Sourcing Accurate Information
A panel discussion with Richard Eisenberg, Michele Hollow, and Madeline Bodin
May 5, 2019
ASJA Writers Conference
New York, NY
America/Israel Policy: Next Voices
A panel discussion with Jeremy Ben-Ami, Amanda Berman, Sophia Kruger, and Matan Arad-Neeman
April 17, 2019
National Museum of American Jewish History
Philadelphia, PA
Understanding Millennials
A panel discussion with David Yarus, Sheila Katz, and Adam Teitelbaum
AIPAC Policy Conference
March 25, 2019
Washington, DC
The History of the Movement to Boycott, Sanction, and Divest From Israel (BDS)
Progressive Student Retreat
February 10, 2019
Washington, DC
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