Sultan-Dadon: Diplomatic Corps Needs Female Leaders

Israel’s Consul General to the Southeast, Anat Sultan-Dadon, emphasized the importance of placing more women as leaders of Israeli missions throughout the world when she spoke before trustees and guests at the Sept. 11 Impact Forum of the Year, sponsored by the Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta (JWFA).

Moderated by Melanie Nelkin, a JWFA trustee, Sultan-Dadon pointed out that adding more women to the leadership ranks of the diplomatic corps must be intentional and with specific measures in place to support the growth. During the program, which was formatted as a question and answer-style session, Sultan-Dadon said, “This is a work in progress, and will require changes in what some perceive to be a ‘macho culture.’ But women need to be at the table for the sake of a better society and enhanced decision-making. As women, we should not be shy about saying where we should be. Women are capable and do belong.”

Sultan-Dadon (right) provided thought-provoking responses to a myriad of topics raised by Nelkin, ranging from the war in Gaza to strife on American college campuses.

A 20-year veteran of the diplomatic corps, Sultan-Dadon is the ranking diplomat of a seven-state region that includes Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. During the far-reaching conversation on topics ranging from Jewish identity to antisemitism on American college campuses, Sultan-Dadon stressed strengthening Jewish pride in younger generations as an antidote to rising antisemitism.

“When these young people get to college campuses, they will come equipped with a strong, proud sense of Jewish identity,” she said.

Even in the Southern region, which Sultan-Dadon describes as one of the most comfortable places in the country, she noted that there has been a different approach to Israel among college administrators since Oct. 7. She does not believe the college administrators are antisemitic, but that they are afraid of potential backlash.

“Doors at campuses that were once open to us are now closed. Thankfully, we are still able to reach students through the Hillels and Chabads on campus, but this development should be of grave concern to Jews in the United States,” she said.

Sultan-Dadon recounted the Oct. 7 massacre and spoke of the battle being fought in the international arena, stating that that the fight to educate the public is as critical as the one being fought on the ground in Gaza. She recounted the aftermath of the violence, particularly the rape and murder of Israeli women, and called out several international women’s groups and the United Nations for “not speaking out and losing their voice when Jewish women were brutalized.”

Sultan-Dadon spoke of leaders unwilling to take a clear stance on what she believes should not be a complicated subject. “It is about standing for life, humanity and freedom. I ask how is it that many people have given into the demands [of protestors] and are appeasing those who do not share these important values,” she said.

Yet all is not doom and gloom, according to Sultan-Dadon’s assessment. “We are living the dream of generations before us,” she said. “We have regained sovereignty in our ancient homeland. And no matter where we stand politically, Israelis are proud of our long and beautiful history.”

Lisa Freedman, Lanie Kirsch, and Sheila Cranman catch up outside the Selig Auditorium following the event.

JWFA utilizes strategic grant-making to promote social change in the lives of Jewish women and girls living in Atlanta, Israel, and around the world. Each year, JWFA accepts proposals from potential grantee partners and makes allocations according to a group decision-making process. At the Impact Forum, WePower, a JWFA grantee since 2014, was spotlighted. JWFA has donated $180,000 to the organization, which promotes the representation of women in decision-making positions in Israel, particularly in the public and political sectors.

Also during the session, the organization introduced its new executive director, Jodi Hirschfield, and honored Dina Fuchs Beresin, director of strategic programs, who is leaving the organization after six years.