The Jerusalem Post compiled a list of the 50 influential Jews of the past year, 5785: the leader is Benjamin Netanyahu – who else is in the ranking?

List of Influential Jews of 2023

The Israeli publication The Jerusalem Post presented a list of 50 influential Jews. Each year, this ranking is published on the occasion of the Jewish New Year, and the laureates receive awards at a special ceremony.

Top Places in the Ranking

The first place this year (5785 in the Jewish calendar) was taken by the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2022, the honorary title was awarded to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, surpassing the Prime Minister of Israel, Yair Lapid, and the Prime Minister of France, Élisabeth Borne. Zelensky was not included in the next list.

In second place was Witkoff, whom The Jerusalem Post calls “Donald Trump’s peace envoy.” The publication notes that Witkoff is known as a “sensitive and empathetic diplomat who does not give up in his efforts to achieve peace in the region.” It is important to note that the diplomat’s Jewish heritage is connected to his grandparents, who emigrated to the USA from Russia after the fall of the Russian Empire.

Regular Participants

Mikhail Mishustin, the Russian Prime Minister, took 18th place on this list. The Jerusalem Post emphasizes that he is considered “the most trusted administrator and problem solver for Vladimir Putin.” Mishustin rarely mentions his heritage, considering the issues of the current political climate in Russia. According to the publication, his father also had Jewish roots.

Mishustin’s management regime is “results-oriented,” which is particularly highlighted in the publication’s rhetoric. While Putin deals with political issues on the international stage, the Prime Minister “focuses on domestic political processes, striving to improve the functionality of the state.”

Unpredictable Postulates

In 2023, the recently liquidated head of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was included in the ranking, taking the last place (52) outside the main list. The material highlights his “restaurant empire” and activities related to interference in the 2016 US presidential elections.

Full Ranking

Every year, The Jerusalem Post highlights the diversity of the Jewish nation, presenting individuals from various fields: politics, art, medicine, literature, and science. This allows us to see how different talents and leadership qualities are present among Jews, contributing to the development of society.

Top 50 Influential Jews 5785

Ranking by The Jerusalem Post:

1. Benjamin Netanyahu — Prime Minister of Israel, a key figure in Middle Eastern politics.
2. Steve Witkoff — businessman, trusted associate of Donald Trump, involved in diplomatic missions.
3. David Barnea — head of Mossad, shaping Israel’s intelligence strategy.
4. Eyal Zamir — Chief of the General Staff of the IDF, responsible for the country’s defense.
5. Stephen Miller and Adam Boehler — advisors to the Trump administration, influencing US policy.
6. Howard Lutnick — US Secretary of Commerce under Trump.
7. Ron Dermer, Israel Katz, Gideon Sa’ar — leading ministers of the Israeli government.
8. Itamar Ben-Gvir — Minister of National Security of Israel.
9. Sergey Brin — co-founder of Google, philanthropist.
10. Assaf Rappaport, Yinon Costica, Roy Reznik, Ami Luttwak — founders of the cybersecurity startup Wiz.
11. Sylvan Adams — philanthropist promoting Israel through sports and culture.
12. Isaac Herzog — President of Israel.
13. Boaz Levy — head of Israel Aerospace Industries, leader in the defense industry.
14. Jan Koum, Michael Dell, Bill Ackman, Marc Benioff, Larry Ellison, Michael Bloomberg — world-class technology and business leaders.
15. Tomer Bar — Commander of the Israeli Air Force.
16. Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz — opposition leaders, former prime ministers.
17. Danny Danon, Yechiel Leiter, Marc Stanley, Charles Kushner — diplomats and public figures.
18. Mikhail Mishustin — Prime Minister of Russia, with Jewish roots.
19. Uri Poliavich — entrepreneur, patron in the field of Jewish education.
20. Eli Bin — head of the Magen David Adom emergency service.
21. Russell Robinson — head of the Jewish National Fund USA.
22. Eric Fingerhut — president of the Jewish Federations of North America.
23. Will Scharf, Martin Marks, Morgan Ortagus, Lee Zeldin — US political figures actively supporting Israel.
24. Norman Brownstein, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Josh Gottheimer — lobbyists and congressmen in the USA.
25. Wendy Freedman — outstanding scientist, a constant force in expanding our knowledge of the universe.
26. Miriam Adelson — physician, philanthropist, and majority owner of Las Vegas Sands; significant influence in philanthropy.
27. David Ellison, Brandon Korff, Adam Neumann — young former executives and entrepreneurs, shaping “under 50 driving forces”; innovative projects and media.
28. Levi Shemtov, Elliot Cosgrove, Nitzan Reuven, Dov Landau — spiritual and religious leaders, rabbis, shaping community values.
29. Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Tony Gelbart — leaders of the Nefesh B’Nefesh organization, facilitating the repatriation of the Jewish diaspora to Israel.
30. Dani Naveh, Andrew Hutter — leaders of Israel Bonds, important in global financing and support for Israel.
31. Gali Baharav-Miara, Noam Sohlberg — significant figures in Israel’s judicial system, lawyers, shaping legal stability.
32. Naftali Bennett — former prime minister, now active as an investor and figure in high-tech and public life.
33. Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Amnon Shashua — leaders in AI and technology, whose projects impact the global technological landscape.
34. Ifat Ovadia-Luski, Doron Almog, Yael Eckstein, Eli Beer — leaders of humanitarian organizations; helping victims of wars and terrorism.
35. Alon Futterman, Yoel Zilberman — leaders of major non-profit organizations in Israel.
36. Ofer Yannai, Amit Leng — entrepreneurs in renewable energy and innovations.
37. Dubi Weissenstern — leader of the volunteer organization ZAKA, key in emergency and crisis situations.
38. Yehoshua Shuki, Shali Mazaki-Tovi — innovators in healthcare and social spheres.
39. Shaun Maguire, Jordan Fried, Joe Lonsdale — innovators transforming industries through strategic investments and technological projects.
40. Sam Grundwerg — World Chairman of Keren Hayesod-UIA, exerting global influence on fundraising and philanthropy.
41. Yisrael Ganz — leader of a significant Jewish organization/movements, with public and financial activities.
42. Eli Sharabi, Yarden Bibas, Einav Zengauker — chairpersons of regional councils, community leaders at the local level.
43. Elliot Brandt, Dr. Bernard Kaminetsky — voices of the hostage crisis; people who gained fame by speaking about their experiences and those who awaited help.
44. Ronald Lauder, Mark Wilf — influential figures in the fight against anti-Semitism, through organizational and media activities.
45. Gal Gadot, Arsen Ostrovsky, Siggy Flicker, Hen Mazzig, Hillel Neuer, Noa Tishby, Eyal Yakoby — celebrities and human rights activists who publicly advocate for Israel and Jewish values.
46. Haim Bibas, Amir Avivi — representatives of the Yesha Council and other local leaders, shaping the voice of regional residents.
47. Dani Avidja, Daniel Peretz, Oscar Gloukh — young sports phenomena representing Israel on the international stage.
48. Yuval Raphael, Debra Messing, Idan Amedi — cultural influencers: through music, cinema, art.
49. Bari Weiss, Mark Levin, Dan Senor — journalists and analysts, voices explaining the world and the Middle East to a wide audience.
50. Representatives of Elbit and Rafael companies — leaders of Israel’s defense industry, manufacturers of technology and security systems.