Two of Israel’s 23 United Nations staff at the Mission in New York are Australian, both graduates of Leibler Yavneh College in Melbourne.
Zoe Brash, 28, serves as Senior Adviser at Israel’s permanent mission to the UN, while 22-year-old Gabe Max works as senior speechwriter for Ambassador Danny Danon.
They credit their Melbourne education with shaping their diplomatic approach in the world’s most challenging posting for Israeli representatives.
The pair have brought some of Australia’s unique cultural positives to the task of navigating unprecedented hostility against Israel in international forums.
“The level of hostilities and aggression I have faced in both the public multilateral forums and in the hallways of the UN are unimaginable,” Brash told The AJN.
“It is incredibly tough being an Israeli representative at the United Nations.”
Max, who writes Israel’s Security Council and General Assembly speeches, described the daily challenge.
“Sitting for hours in the Security Council, hearing Israel slandered, Hamas excused and the hostages forgotten – it’s emotionally jarring every single time,” he told The AJN.
Australian approach proves valuable
Both credit their Australian upbringing with providing unique diplomatic tools in the hostile UN environment.
Brash, who made aliyah five years ago and has served in the Israel Defence Forces in a combat search and rescue unit within the Home Front Command, said Australian values prove crucial to her work.
“Australian values such as mateship, informality, humour, fairness and sportsmanship transcend my expression of diplomacy, particularly in building trust and forging meaningful dialogue,” she explained.
“I think also as an Australian, we do bring this sense of cultural and political intelligence. Growing up in Australia, considering my upbringing and where I studied, how I interact and identify with my international colleagues resonates differently.”
The Australian approach has been noticed at the highest levels.
Brash recalled a conversation with Major General Cheryl Pearce – Deputy Military Adviser, Office of Military Affairs, Department of Peace Operations, formally, Deputy Chief of the Army of the Australian Defence Force.
“I asked her what the most important Australian value that you bring to your leadership is and she replied, ‘Zoe, humility as an Australian goes a long way at this institution’,” Brash said.
Max, who hasn’t made aliyah yet and plans to return to Monash University, said his Australian background provides essential perspective.
“As an Australian, I bring a strong command of English, which is essential for writing speeches for the Ambassador. More importantly, the Australian Jewish education system, particularly my time at Yavneh and in the Bnei Akiva youth movement, gave me a solid foundation in the geopolitical complexities of Israel’s position.”
He said Australians such as him and Brash can bring a lighter touch and a smoother, more pleasant experience when interacting with other countries that are perhaps ambivalent about Israel.
Youth movement skills translate to UN diplomacy
Brash and Max trace their diplomatic abilities directly to their Australian Jewish education and youth movement involvement.
“Even facilitating a UN resolution, I still use the same hadracha tools that
I gained from being a madricha in a youth movement, to bring both sides of the aisle together,” Brash said.
“So much of how I conduct my diplomacy, my tone and diplomatic posture is rooted in the basic tools I learned in my youth movement, Hineini.”
The Israeli mission at the UN’s New York headquarters includes 25 employees from across the diaspora, speaking nine languages including Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, French, Spanish, Japanese, Yiddish and Farsi.
Staff come from Israel, Australia, France, Argentina, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Fighting isolation at the UN
Despite facing what Brash describes as “the most politically saturated concentrated ecosystem where you are constantly fighting over the narrative, the truth,” both insist Israel must maintain its UN presence.
“That’s exactly what our enemies want, for us to pull out, to ostracise ourselves, to throw our hands up in victim mentality and walk away from the negotiating table,” Brash argued.
“It’s more important than ever that we do sit at the negotiating table.”
Beyond Israel-specific issues, she highlighted Israel’s positive contributions to UN policy.
“We absolutely champion policy on mental health and wellbeing of UN staff, the promotion and safety and security of LGBTI persons in the workplace, combating sexual harassment. Combating antisemitism has been my number one priority at the UN in the past few months.”
Security concerns following Washington attacks
The recent shooting deaths of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, DC has heightened security awareness for all Israeli diplomatic personnel.
“It’s one of those sobering reminders that the work that we do at the UN does have an element of risk,” Brash said. “Working at the UN really is a frontline in itself.”
Max said family members in Australia called after the Washington attack telling them “to remove anything that can identify us as Jewish – hostage pins or Star of David necklaces.”
“More than the fear is the heartbreak,” he added. “Just feeling an incredible despair that colleagues of ours were murdered outside of the Jewish Museum coming out of a Jewish event.”
October 7 transforms diaspora relations
Both have observed profound changes in diaspora-Israel relations since October 7.
Max described the relationship as “like a slightly dysfunctional family” but said crises bring unity.
“At every point of crisis in Israel’s history, the entire Jewish world rallied around Israel. And I think that effect was amplified a million times over on October 7,” he said.
He noted meeting many people “who felt little to no connection to Israel and their Judaism before, who have now become fearless and tireless advocates.”
Brash pointed to increased empathy flowing both ways.
“I’ve seen a lot of Israeli kids on campus who have never really encountered antisemitism in the diaspora their whole lives, now living the diaspora Jewish experience.”
Different paths, shared pride
For Australian Jews considering aliyah, their advice reflects their different journeys.
Brash, who found her Jewish identity connection “in the language, the anthem, and the flag of Israel,” encourages diaspora Jews to maintain ownership of their identity.
“We must continue to be a positive representation of our people and not allow the word ‘Zionist’ to be hijacked by those who seek to weaponise it,” she said.
“So wear your Magen David or Chai necklace with pride and keep your Zionism close to you.”
Max takes a slightly different view.
“I don’t think the core equation has changed, even in today’s hostile climate.
I love the idea of making aliyah and hope to do it one day. But I also believe there’s real pride and duty in staying in Australia and fighting for our place as Jews there. Both paths are honourable and both are necessary.”
Praise for Australian Jewish community
Recent visits home reinforced their connection to Australia.
Max said his Passover visit left him even more convinced that the Australian Jewish community is the best in the world.
“It’s tight-knit, full of camaraderie and unapologetically Zionist. Watching antisemitism rise in Australia has been deeply painful, but I’m constantly inspired by the community’s resilience and unity.”
New York representing Israel for Gabe Max. Photo: Zoe Brash.
Both praised the Australian Jewish educational infrastructure.
“Youth movements and the educational system really makes the Australian Jewish community stand out as one of the most ardent, proud, politically engaged and highly intelligent communities in the world,” Brash said.
Max highlighted the remarkable Leibler Yavneh College connection.
“Another Australian has recently joined our team, Dahlia Paneth, who will be taking on the role of UN Coordinator, liaising between the Israeli Mission and the UN. Now there are only about 23 employees, three of them are Australian, and all three of them are Yavneh graduates and have also had connections to the youth movements”
Unexpected moments of support
Despite the hostile environment, positive encounters provide encouragement.
Max recalled an experience in the General Assembly teleprompter booth when the operator spontaneously expressed his support for Israel.
“He revealed how much he adores Israel, how he volunteers in any way he can to be involved in the logistics anytime Israel speaks or holds an event, because he’s been so frustrated by the UN’s bias,” Max said.
The encounter “completely changed my perspective on the UN as a whole.”
Maintaining Australian connections
Both remain deeply connected to their Aussie origins while serving Israel’s interests.
“I’m so proud to be from Melbourne. So proud to be an Australian Jew,” Brash said.
As they continue representing Israel in what they describe as a diplomatic frontline, they are ensuring that Australian values have a voice in the corridors of international power, even as Israel faces unprecedented isolation on the world stage.
And if your child is a budding diplomat, it appears Leibler Yavneh College might be a good place for them to start their training.
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