Formmer Knesset member Rabbi Dov Lipman grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. He earned rabbinic ordination from Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore, MD and a Masters in Education from Johns Hopkins University.

After ten years as an educator in the United States, Rabbi Lipman moved to Israel with his family in July 2004. He was elected to the 19th Knesset in January 2013, making him the first American born MK in 30 years.

As a member of Knesset, Lipman served as deputy chairman for the Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs committee, and as a member of the Finance Committee and the House Committee. He also served on the Special Committee for the Legislation for Equality in National Service. Rabbi Lipman served as the head of the Knesset taskforce to help the ultra-Orthodox enter the workforce, and chaired the Knesset lobby for dialogue between Israel’s religious and secular populations. MK Lipman also chaired the Knesset delegation to the parliaments of South Africa and Great Britain, and was the most active member of the Knesset Christian Allied Caucus, which brought him before Christian audiences all around the world. His public diplomacy work on behalf of Israel led him to parliaments and college campuses worldwide.

Former MK Lipman serves as a political commentator for ILTV and I24news and is a columnist for the Times of Israel and the Jerusalem Post.

Rabbi Lipman is a sought-after international speaker on numerous topics related to Israel and has emerged as one of the primary sources of optimism, hope, and inspiration regarding Israel and its future.

Rabbi Lipman is also the author of ten books about Judaism and Israel including “To Unify a Nation: My Vision for the Future of Israel,” “An ‘American MK: Behind the Scenes in the 19th Knesset,” “Coming Home: Living in the Land of Israel in Jewish Tradition and Thought.” and “Fact over Fiction” about Israel’s true history.

His latest book, The Magic in the Tragic: Inspirational stories from the Hamas war against Israel is now available for preorders at a discounted price. Please click here to order your copy.

In June 2021, Lipman established Yad L’Olim, an NGO that assists “Olim” – new immigrants to Israel – and advocates on their behalf in the halls of the Israeli government and Knesset. The organization has already assisted more than 40,00 Olim from 40 different countries.

Since the war started on October 7, 2023, Yad L’Olim has been at the forefront of supplying IDF soldiers with needed equipment, providing evacuated families with much needed essentials, and providing Olim and lone soldiers with mental health support.

Former MK Lipman is available to speak to your delegation, school, synagogue, or community. Please click here to contact him.