Crossroads: Recent Episodes
Robert Stearns
For over 25 years, Bishop Robert Stearns has been a leading voice in global interfaith dialogue, specifically as a trusted bridge-builder between the Jewish and Christian communities. On that journey, he has had the privilege of cultivating friendships with some of the leading Rabbis and leaders around the globe. As a result of these many rich relationships, an outpouring comes forth uncovering profound truths of living a life set apart in holiness, to and from both Christian and Jewish perspectives. “Crossroads: the intersection between faith and culture” will explore the place where faith and culture intersect. Where scripture and daily life dwell together and where worship becomes a lifestyle.
One of the first developers to embark upon the preservation and revitalization of Los Angeles’ Historic Core, Izek Shomof is a respected and admired real estate entrepreneur who credits his success to a unique brand of charm coupled with a strong work ethic and an unflappable sense of honor. A beloved investor/developer, Izek began his career in the mid 1980s developing tract homes and apartment buildings before eventually going on to develop an extensive portfolio of properties in Los Angeles, Long Beach, the San Fernando Valley and Las Vegas.
Known as the “King of Spring,” for his dedication to rebuilding downtown’s core neighborhood, Izek has overseen the redevelopment of iconic Los Angeles properties like the Alexandria Hotel, Hotel Hayward, Spring Towers and Premier Towers.
A dedicated philanthropist, he remains actively involved in the Downtown Center Business Improvement District, Israel Christian Nexus and Friends of the IDF, as well as Larger than Life, a non-profit dedicated to helping Israeli and Palestinian children with cancer. A loving father of five who prides himself on family values, Izek’s life story was chronicled in the 2010 film, “For the Lover of Money,” the story of a young immigrant who arrived in America and worked hard to fulfill his dreams.
Maher Canawati is the current Mayor of the City of Bethlehem. He is from a Palestinian background with geographic ties to the Arab World. However, as a governing leader of a city, He finds faith in God through his roots in family, specifically through his father, and embraces the differences the Lord brings through different people.
The history of the Canawati family is traced back to the early 17th century, when the family migrated from Antar Valley, which is located between Takowa and the Dead Sea, and settled in Bethlehem. After so many years of hard work, perhaps one of our best traits is the fact that we managed to maintain this business and pass it on from one generation to another and achieve a great deal of progress and success along the way.
In 1853, the Canawatis were in business. It was also the perfect time for practicing this trade, as more and more pilgrims were paying visits to the Holy Land and going back home with presents and souvenirs for their loved ones.
In the early nineteen thirties, the family began to import Mother of Pearl shells from the Gulf, and this natural product was used to make all types of crosses and small gifts for pilgrims. In 1978, the Three Arches received the Number One Business Award granted by the Ministry of Tourism at the time. And from then on, the company grew to become one of the most renowned and leading businesses in Bethlehem. In 1998, the family managed to establish a new sister company known as “the Bethlehem Logo”, which specializes in the production of commemorative gifts of the Millennium. In the same year, the company also introduced a line of Biblical perfumes.
Today, we take pride in our work and the products that we offer to our clients: We Have the widest selection of products, which include but are not limited to, traditional handicrafts, such as olive wood, Mother of Pearl and ceramics, a wide range of the finest gold, silver, pearl and diamond jewelry, along with our collection of ancient precious icons. All of our products are marked with the best prices on the market.
The Three Arches also specializes in jewelry design and manufacturing. Its team of selected designers and manufacturers work together to produce the most beautiful classical and modern designs. Throughout the years, the Three Arches managed to establish three branches for itself, Two large Shops in Bethlehem as its headquarter.
Ambassador David Friedman is an American bankruptcy lawyer and the Donald Trump Administration's Ambassador to Israel. He joined the law firm Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman (then known as Kasowitz, Hoff, Benson & Torres) in 1994, where he met and represented Donald Trump, then chairman and president of The Trump Organization. He served as an advisor to Trump during his successful presidential campaign. In December 2016, President-elect Trump's transition team announced that Friedman was Trump's nominee for ambassador. His nomination was met with support from conservative Israeli and Jewish American activist groups, and opposition from liberal advocacy organizations, particularly J Street. He was confirmed by the Senate on March 23, 2017, with a 52–46 vote, officially sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence on March 29, and presented his credentials on May 15 to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.
Friedman was one of four children born to Morris S. Friedman and Addi Friedman and grew up in North Woodmere, New York. His middle name, Melech, means "king" in Hebrew. His father was a rabbi at Temple Hillel, a Conservative synagogue in North Woodmere, and served as the head of the New York Board of Rabbis. His mother was a high school English teacher.
He earned his bachelor's degree in anthropology from Columbia University in 1978, and his law degree from New York University School of Law, graduating in 1981. He has been a member of the New York Bar since 1982.
Why You Should Liston
Friedman advised Trump on Israeli and Jewish issues during his presidential campaign, co-chairing Trump's Israel Advisory Committee along with Jason D. Greenblatt, an executive vice president for The Trump Organization. During the presidential election, he donated a total of $50,000 to the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee. Four days prior to the election, Friedman and Greenblatt released a joint statement promising to move the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, one of Trump's major campaign promises. Other presidential candidates, including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Hillary Clinton, had also promised to move the embassy to Jerusalem during their campaigns, but moving the embassy would be a significant departure from U.S. policy. Since the end of the Six-Day War in 1967, the U.S. officially maintained that Jerusalem's final status should be decided by direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians; it did not recognize Jerusalem as Israeli territory. Relocation would be in accordance with the Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act, passed by Congress in 1995, which required moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by May 31, 1999. The executive branch has consistently waived implementation of the act, arguing it would have a negative impact on national security.
On December 15, 2016, the transition team of President-elect Donald Trump announced that Friedman had been selected to be the nominee as the United States Ambassador to Israel. Friedman's nomination was controversial; some American, Israeli, and Palestinian individuals and advocacy groups argued against his nomination. Friedman had said in an interview with Haaretz during the campaign that Trump would be open to Israel annexing parts of the West Bank. The U.S. has opposed Israeli settlements in the West Bank since 1967.
Friedman caused a controversy when he called J-Street supporters "Kapos" in an Arutz Sheva interview, referring to the prisoners in the concentration camps that policed the rest of the p
Georgette Bennett works to counter hate and improve human rights. She'll take any opportunity to make the world a better place.
Why You Should Listen
A sociologist and criminologist, Georgette Bennett now specializes in conflict resolution. She founded the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, a secular nonprofit that works to combat religious prejudice, confront hate and build respect for religious differences. In 2013, she founded the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees, which has delivered millions of dollars in aid to Syrian war victims. She also co-founded the nonprofit Global Covenant Partners, which aims to delegitimize the use of religion to justify violence and extremism.
Bennett spent 10 years as a broadcast journalist and served in the US State Department's Religion and Foreign Policy working group on conflict mitigation. She's done pioneering work on community policing with the NYPD, where she also successfully lobbied for the establishment of the first sex crimes unit. She's a winner of the AARP Purpose Prize and was named to the 2021 Forbes "50 Over 50 Women of Impact" list.
Barak Lurie is the managing partner of the firm Lurie & KRAMER in Los Angeles. Barak obtained his BA with honors from Stanford University and his JD and MBA from the UCLA School of Law and Anderson School of Business. He is the host of the Barak Lurie Show, Sunday mornings on AM870 (KRLA) in Los Angeles.
Why You Should Liston
Barak authored Atheism KIlls, an instant #1 best-seller about the dangers of godlessness. His second book, Rise of the Sex Machines, about how godlessness is destroying relationships, also became a #1 bestseller. He’s recently published his latest bestseller, Atheism Destroys, volume 2 in his Atheism Kills series.
Barak has become the “go-to” speaker about the dangers of a world without God. His unique approach is about how godlessness destroys the pillars of civilization, such as justice, country, marriage, free speech, and family.
Barak’s radio show and articles, podcasts, and speeches have impacted the scores of listeners. Barak is a passionate advocate for our Judeo-Christian civilization. He has served on numerous boards, most notably PragerU and Stand With Us.