It was an absolute honor to speak with Maria Friedman, the Executive Director of RICI (Rhode Island Coalition for Israel). Together, we explored our Zionism journeys, both being Russian Judeans and how that shaped our initial connection/disconnect to our actual identity. Despite obstacles, we both leaned in to Zionism, in different ways. Maria and the organization she leads, RICI, embodies what activism ought to be - meeting Jew-hatred straight on and countering effectively without a vi...