Zack Bodner is a seeker, writer, storyteller, community organizer, and above all else, a doer. While serving as the CEO of the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, he oversaw the creation of the Center for Social Impact, the Taube Center for Jewish Peoplehood, and the Z3 Project, a global effort to reimagine Diaspora-Israel relations. Additionally, he studied at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Ohr Someyach yeshiva, and Stanford Graduate School of Business. Zack is an accomplished speaker, including as a MOTH storyteller and TEDx presenter. He is a member of YPO and participated in the Executive Leadership Seminar at the Aspen Institute. Zack lives in Silicon Valley with his wife and three children.

“Why Do Jewish is the book so many of us were waiting for. I am confident that it will become the main guidebook on how to practically connect Judaism to dynamic life in the 21st century.” -- Micah Goodman, Israeli author

“Writing from the front lines of the Jewish encounter with the 21st century, Zack Bodner offers a wise and courageous road map to navigating the challenges and opportunities of this time. Bodner presents a vision of a Jewish community that embraces diversity and experimentation, even as it rediscovers the essentials of a timeless Jewish life. There is no better guide to the Jewish future than Zack Bodner; and as he makes clear in this compelling book, the future is now.” -- Yossi Klein Halevi, Senior Fellow at Shalom Hartman Institute, author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor

“Zack Bodner has done that rare thing — written a book that makes those who of us who love being Jewish want to revisit the tradition anew, and those who have written off Judaism want to take a second look. Why Do Jewish explains our magical inheritance in concrete, accessible, relevant terms, and gives us a roadmap to explore it, understand it, practice it, and pass it on.” -- Abigail Pogrebin, author of My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew”

“Zack Bodner brings to all his work – on behalf of Israel, American Jewish communities, now, his writing – both an infectious love for Judaism and the Jewish people as well as a deep intelligence. His passion, his wit and his devotion to life rich with meaning make this book a wonderful read.” -- Daniel Gordis, author of Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn, Shalem College in Jerusalem Israeli author

“Why Do Jewish? A Manifesto for 21st Century Jewish Peoplehood is brilliant and required reading for anyone who wants to explore why Jewish wisdom is so relevant and important for living a good life and building a good society.” -- Tiffany Shlain, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, author of 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week

“Zack Bodner is one of the most innovative leaders in today’s American Jewish community, and this book is packed with ideas - about where we’ve come from, where we are headed, and what from our tradition can help us - in service of a vibrant Jewish future.” -- Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, President of The Shalom Hartman Institute of North America

“Judaism isn’t a spectator’s sport. In a friendly, down-to-earth, passionate tone, with humor and depth, Bodner is giving fresh answers to the ancient questions Jews have been always asking: why, how, and what makes them Jews.” -- Ruth Calderon, Founder and Director of ALMA Home for Hebrew Culture, author of A Bride for One Night: Talmud Tales