Shmuel Legesse’s life reads like a modern Zionist journey—from the hills of Ethiopia via cosmopolitan New York to the heart of Jerusalem, guided by strong faith, perseverance and a unique vision of Jewish unity and Israel advocacy.

An Ethiopian-born Israeli educator, activist and diplomacy expert, Legesse believes Israel should be a world leader in what he calls “moral diplomacy”—a global approach rooted in ethics, empathy and education.

“Israel must not only defend itself,” he told JNS in an in-depth interview followed by a studio interview. “It must define itself.”

Legesse, who has represented the Knesset abroad and worked with Jewish and interfaith communities across Africa, the United States and Israel, believes that Israel’s greatest strength lies not only in military might but in moral clarity.

His proposed framework, the “Moral Diplomacy Model,” envisions an academy within the Prime Minister’s Office to train diplomats, journalists and educators to communicate Israel’s values more effectively with what he terms “moral intelligence.”

“Israel has been defined for too long by conflict,” he told JNS. “It’s time to show the world our true identity—democracy, creativity and compassion in action.”

He believes the new academy should train envoys of diverse backgrounds in storytelling, interfaith engagement and public diplomacy, focusing on the new digital era.

For Legesse, diplomacy begins at home. Drawing on his own experience as a member of Israel’s Ethiopian Jewish community, he stresses the importance of inclusion. “When every Israeli—Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrachi, Ethiopian—feels equally seen, Israel’s message abroad gains strength,” he said. “Our diversity is our greatest diplomatic asset.”

‘Israel is not colonialist’

Legasse rejects the accusation that Israel is a colonial or apartheid state, calling this “a false and unjust narrative.” As an African Jew, he sees his own story as the clearest refutation. “Israel is not colonialist; it’s homecoming,” he said. “We are the world’s oldest multicultural family. We didn’t come to conquer; we came home to coexist.”

In an era of increasing polarization, Legasse advocates Jewish unity and mutual respect across all communities. “Antisemitism today is global—so our unity must be global too,” he said. “We must replace competition with cooperation, and fear with faith.”

Representation, he argues, is not cosmetic. “When global networks cover Israel without Ethiopian Israeli voices—soldiers, doctors, teachers—they erase reality. Israel is not a monologue; it’s a mosaic. When all Israel speaks, the world listens.”

Drawing on two decades living in New York City, Legesse praised it as “a warm home for every culture and faith—a place where Jews, Muslims, Christians, black and white, immigrant and native belong.”

Ahead of the city’s mayoral election on Nov. 4, he stated, “New York is not for extremism. It is a city of inclusion. I pray we do not lose that after this election. Extremes divide; moral courage unites.”

Legesse’s personal story reflects his vision. Born in Addis Ababa to a family from the historic Beta Israel community, he made aliyah following years of study and service in Ethiopia and the United States.

After school in Ethiopia, he moved to the United States, where he worked as a youth educator and advocate with the New York State Supreme Court.

In 2008, he made aliyah for the first time, served in the Israel Police and earned a graduate degree from the Hebrew University. He returned to New York to complete a doctorate at Yeshiva University in educational leadership under the mentorship of the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

“Rabbi Sacks taught that Israel’s role is moral as well as political; we must bring light—clarity, compassion and courage—into the world’s most difficult conversations,” he said, referring to Sacks as “my teacher.”

A prolific writer and lecturer, Legesse continues to champion his vision of the Jewish state and the Jewish people united by faith and shared destiny, “building bridges” with the world.

“I’ve devoted my life to strengthening Jewish identity, advancing Zionism and building bridges between Israel and the world. My dream is simple—to serve Israel as a bridge of moral leadership and global understanding,” he said.

He and his wife, Rachel Wyner, who married in 2014, have four children. They made aliyah together in 2023 and live in Jerusalem’s Baka neighborhood.

Legesse concluded with an appeal that, he said, echoes his teacher and his own life story. “The world respects strength, but it follows moral courage,” he said. “Israel must lead with innovation, yes—but also with inspiration. That is how we become the light unto the nations we are called to be.”

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