Cleveland Native Advances the Vision of Israel’s First Prime Minister

Growing up in Cleveland, Maya Spector would do headstands that were inspired by the image of David Ben-Gurion’s iconic headstand at the beach in Tel Aviv. Fittingly, her new job focuses on rallying Americans around the pioneering spirit of Israel’s first prime minister.

Her Israeli parents — including Leah Spector, principal and director of Judaics at the Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School (Mandel JDS) — instilled within her the importance of Ben-Gurion’s legacy and ideals from an early age. Later, during her gap year with the Nativ College Leadership Program, she lived a mere 30 minutes from Be’er Sheva and the campus of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Now, Spector’s journey has come full circle as Associate Director of Development for New York with Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU), a position she assumed in July.

“I grew up with David Ben-Gurion as my idol. I have a figurine of him next to my nightstand,” Spector says. “It all came together, through finding a role that combines my passion for Israel and for David Ben-Gurion, and my experience in the South.”

Spector, a graduate of Mandel JDS and The Ohio State University, interned with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Young Leadership Division and says that experience motivated her to pursue a career in Jewish philanthropy. Prior to joining A4BGU, she spent four years at the UJA-Federation of New York, most recently as a development executive in its Entertainment, Tech & Lifestyle Division.

At A4BGU, she will work to engage New Yorkers in joining a movement which supports a 21st century unifying vision for Israel by rallying around Ben-Gurion University’s work and role as an apolitical beacon of light in the Negev.

By supporting an academic institution that not only nurtures the Negev, but also shares its expertise locally and globally, A4BGU engages a community of Americans who are committed to improving the world. This mission is rooted in the pioneering spirit of David Ben-Gurion, who envisioned that Israel’s future would be forged in the Negev. Today, the former prime minister’s vision is manifested in the cutting-edge research carried out at Ben-Gurion University, resulting in scalable solutions for all of humanity in water conservation, environmental science, medical research, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and more.

“This is such an incredible opportunity to further the mission of Israel’s forefather, whose greatest vision was to make the desert bloom,” Spector says. “That’s really such a unique story to tell. A successful Israel is only as successful as the South is going to be. Having this university and being a part of that is a huge way to get in on history.”

She adds, “We don’t often have the opportunity in America to do that — to really work on our forefathers’ dreams in such a tangible way.”

Maya Spector can be reached at maya@americansforbgu.org.