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Speaking Engagements

Ira Kohler, author of Once a Paratrooper, shares a firsthand account of his service as a lone soldier in the IDF Paratroopers on October 7th and throughout the Gaza War. Through reading and conversation, Ira offers a powerful reflection on service, identity, and the lasting impact of war.

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Available for book talks and community events.

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

  • May 21, 2026: Merrick Jewish Center (Merrick, NY)

  • June 11, 2026: Woodbury Jewish Center (Woodbury, NY)

  • June 13, 2026: Young Israel of Plainview (Plainview, NY)

  • June 22, 2026: JNFuture Program, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue (New York, NY)

  • June 23, 2026: Melville Jewish Center (Melville, NY)

  • June 24, 2026: Jewish War Veterans of Long Island Chapter (Plainview, NY)

  • June 24, 2026: Temple Emanu-El of the South Shore (Long Beach, NY)

Previous Speaking Engagements

  • May 5, 2026: Sid Jacobson JCC (East Hills, NY)

  • April 29, 2026: Mid Island Y JCC (Plainview, NY)

  • April 26, 2026: Midway Jewish Center (Syosset, NY)

  • April 22, 2026: Merrick Jewish Center Religious School (Merrick, NY)

  • April 22, 2026: Schechter School of Long Island (Williston Park, NY)

  • April 21, 2026: Dix Hills Jewish Center (Dix Hills, NY)

  • April 20, 2026: Temple Israel Center (White Plains, NY)

  • April 19, 2026: ​Jewish War Veterans of Long Island Chapter (Oceanside, NY)

  • February 26, 2026: UJA Witness Project (East Hills, NY)

  • February 16, 2026: Cordoza Law School (New York, NY)

  • January 22, 2026: Boca West Country Club (Boca Raton, FL)

  • December 4, 2025: B'nai B'rith International (New York, NY)

  • November 16, 2025: Congregation L'Dor V'Dor (Oyster Bay, NY)

  • October 9, 2025: Ryder University Hillel (Lawrenceville, NJ)

  • October 3, 2025: Yeshivat Har Torah (Little Neck, NY)

  • September 28, 2025: Merrick Jewish Center (Merrick, NY)

  • September 28, 2025: The Brandeis Association (Manhasset, NY)

  • September 25, 2025: UJA Suffolk Signature Event Kickoff Meeting (Commack, ny)

  • September 16, 2025: ​Iranian American Jewish Federation Major Donor Luncheon (Great Neck, NY)

  • September 3, 2025: Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County (Glen Cove, NY)

  • August 20, 2025: UJA Glen Head Country Club Committee Meeting (Glen Head, NY)

  • July 23: 2025: Temple Adas Israel (Sag Harbor, NY)

  • July 16, 2025: UJA Glen Oaks  Country Club Committee Meeting (Old Westbury, NY)

  • June 24, 2025: UJA Young Leaders Committee Meeting (New York, NY)

  • May 18, 2025: Garin Tzabar Event (New York, NY)

  • May 8, 2025: UJA Staff Presentation (New York, NY)

  • May 4, 2025: Jewish Federation of Delaware (Wilmington, DE)

  • April 30, 2025: Shefa School (New York, NY)

  • April 16, 2025: Country Point of Plainview (Plainview, NY)

  • April 6, 2025: Project Israel Youth Group (East Hills, NY)

  • April 6, 2025: Plainview Fire Department (Plainview, NY)

  • March 23, 2025: New City Jewish Center (New City, NY)

  • February 16, 2025: Union College Chabad (Schenectady, NY)

  • February 6, 2025: UJA Witness Project (East Hills, NY)

  • January 26, 2025: Shelter Rock Jewish Center (Searingtown, NY)

  • December 15, 2024: AJC LFT Program (East Hills, NY)

  • November 12, 2024: University at Albany Chabad (Albany, NY)

  • November 11, 2024: Syracuse University Hillel (Syracuse, NY)

  • November 10, 2024: Binghamton University Hillel (Vestal, NY)

  • November 10, 2024: Cornell University Hillel (Ithaca, NY)

  • November 6, 2024: Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Center (East Rockaway, NY)

  • November 4, 2024: Tottenville High School (Staten Island, NY)

  • November 3, 2024: Tzofim Garin Tzabar (Elizabeth, NJ)

  • October 22, 2024: Chabad of Brookville CTeens Group (Brookville, NY)

  • October 8, 2024: Midway Jewish Center Religious School (Syosset, NY)

  • October 8, 2024: College of Staten Island Hillel (Staten Island, NY)

  • October 7, 2024: Long Island One Year October 7th Commemoration (East Meadow, NY)

  • October 7, 2024: Ramaz Jewish Day School (New York, NY)

  • October 6, 2024: Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut (Southbury, CT)

  • October 6, 2024: Huntington Jewish Center (Huntington, NY)

  • September 28, 2024: Temple Israel (Lawrence, NY)

  • September 26, 2024: East Meadow Beth El Jewish Center (East Meadow, NY)

  • September 24, 2024: Temple Chaverim (Plainview, NY)

  • September 17, 2024: Huntington Jewish Center Religious School (Huntington, NY)

  • September 8, 2024: Temple Or Elohim (Jericho, NY)

  • July 31, 2024: Old Westbury Jewish Center (Old Westbury, NY)

  • May 22, 2024: Temple Beth Am (Merrick, NY)

  • May 21, 2024: Brotherhood Synagogue Haddasah Chapter (New York, NY)

  • May 19, 2024: Town of Oyster Bay Israel Rally (Plainview, NY)

  • May 19, 2024: North Shore Jewish Center (Port Jefferson, NY)

  • May 15, 2024: Melville Jewish Center (Melville, NY)​

  • May 15, 2024: North Shore Synagogue (Syosset, NY)

  • May 13, 2024: Tzofim North America Long Island Chapter (Syosset, NY)

  • May 9, 2024: Temple Torat Emet (Boynton Beach, FL)

  • May 8, 2024: B'nai Torah Congregation (Boca Raton, FL)

  • April 18, 2024: Schechter School of Long Island (Williston Park, NY)

  • April 14, 2024: Midway Jewish Center (Syosset, NY)

  • April 7, 2024: Run for Their Lives Six Months Rally (Plainview, NY)

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