Meet Me at The Weitzman | Conversation with Hen Mazzig and Michael Solomonov
6 pm Check In and Cash Bar | 7 pm Program
$40 General Admission | $35 Weitzman Members
$45 Day of Event
$20 Livestream (coming soon)
For millions of people around the world, Hen Mazzig has become a trusted voice on Jewish identity, Israel, antisemitism, and the complex conversations shaping Jewish life today. Before he was a globally recognized author, speaker, and advocate, though, he was a child growing up in the state of Israel in a family whose story stretches from Iraq to Tunisia to the modern Jewish State.
Join The Weitzman for an intimate evening with Mazzig as he sits down with James Beard Award-winning chef, restauranteur, and Philadelphia favorite Michael Solomonov. Together, they’ll explore Hen’s family history, his upbringing in Israel, and the experiences that shaped his path to becoming one of the most influential Jewish voices of his generation.
From the rich and often overlooked history of Middle Eastern and North African Jewish communities to the growing conversations around Zionism, Jewish identity, and the relationship between Israeli and American Jews, Mazzig will share personal stories, insights, and questions that continue to guide his work.
Most importantly, this conversation will look toward the future. In a time that has felt especially heavy for many Jews, Hen and Mike will explore where they find resilience, connection, and hope, and what Jewish joy can look like in a post October 7 world.
Thoughtful, candid, and deeply personal, this inaugural edition of Meet Me at The Weitzman offers an opportunity to engage with one of today’s most compelling Jewish storytellers and to consider how our individual stories shape the broader Jewish story.
More About Hen Mazzig
Hen Mazzig is one of the world’s most trusted voices on issues impacting the global Jewish community. He has appeared as an expert commentator across four continents on outlets including MS NOW, BBC, CNN, Sky News, Washington Post, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times.
As co- founder and senior fellow at the Tel Aviv Institute, Hen leads interactive workshops that equip public figures and community leaders with strategic messaging to effectively advocate for Jews and Israel on social media. Notable figures who have participated in his workshops include Debra Messing, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Jonah Platt. Hen is also the creator and host of And They’re Jewish , a YouTube series celebrating high- profile Jewish creatives and the impact they have on culture at large.
Hen was born in Israel to a family of Mizrahi heritage with roots in Iraq and Tunisia. His family history of displacement from the Middle East shapes his work as a bridge between cultures. He served for five years as a humanitarian officer in the West Bank and Gaza, working as a liaison between Israeli security forces, the Palestinian Authority, and international NGOs. In his bestselling debut book, The Wrong Kind of Jew, explores the Mizrahi Jewish story and the complexities of Jewish identity in modern discourse.
In recognition of his invaluable advocacy, Hen received CAMERA’s Portrait in Courage Award and was named one of The Algemeiner ’s Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life (2018, 2021), the Top 50 Most Influential Jewish LGBT Voices (2020), Jewish News ’ Top 20 Young Jewish Creatives (2024), The Jerusalem Post’s 25 Most Influential Young Jews (2023), and the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World (2025).
With every endeavor, Hen Mazzig builds bridges that unite communities and inspires audiences to boldly stand up for what is right.
More About Michael Solomonov
Michael Solomonov is a beloved champion of Israel’s extraordinarily diverse culinary landscape, and the chef widely recognized for bringing Israeli cuisine to diners across the U.S., and around the world. He is Chef of the trailblazing restaurant Zahav, and co-owner of Philadelphia’s CookNSolo Restaurants with hospitality entrepreneur, Steve Cook. Solomonov is the co-author of three cookbooks, and the recipient of five James Beard awards including “Outstanding Restaurant” for Zahav, making it the first Israeli-American restaurant to be awarded this great honor. The CookNSolo portfolio also features Federal Donuts, Dizengoff, Goldie, K’Far, Laser Wolf, and Lilah. CookNSolo expanded to Brooklyn bringing grill house sensation Laser Wolf, Israeli bakery & café K’Far, and Jaffa Cocktail & Raw Bar to The Hoxton hotel. Solomonov is a member of the American Culinary Corps and was appointed by President Biden to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. Outside of the restaurants, you can often find Mike with Steve at Pho 75 in South Philly, working out the kinks in their Israeli village.
