Resume

EDUCATION

Oberlin College, 1983
B.A., Creative Writing

San Jose State University, 1992
M.A., Instructional Technology (focus on interface design)
Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, 1986

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EXPERIENCE

Author, TOTALED, 2014-2017

TOTALED: The Billion-Dollar Crash of the Startup that Took on Big Oil, Big Auto and the World tells the riveting inside story of what killed electric car company Better Place, one of the most promising Israeli startups in history. Better Place raised nearly a billion dollars before it went bust. Published Sept. 5, 2017 by Blue Pepper Press. Extensive publicity tour including speaking, written reviews, podcast interviews.

Writer, IMD, 2017-2018

IMD is a leading business school in Switzerland. Together with Prof. Shlomo Ben-Hur, I created a detailed case study based on TOTALED focusing on the perils of entrepreneurship. The case study, “Better Place: An Entrepreneur’s Drive Goes off Track,” is available for universities worldwide to purchase and use in the classroom. I followed the case study with a second piece for IMD on “Addressing the Global Engineering Shortage: Lessons from the Start-up Nation.”

Producer, Israel Story, 2017

In conjunction with the launch of TOTALED, I produced an award-winning episode of the podcast Israel Story, telling the Better Place story. I wrote the script and conducted all interviews.

President, Blum Interactive Media, Ltd, 1996-present

I founded Blum Interactive Media in 1996 to consult in the CD-ROM/multimedia industry. It quickly morphed into an Internet developer and eventually into my corporate entity for writing and media production services. Today, I write for a mix of newspapers, universities, online publications and non-profit organizations. Here are some of those clients:

Writer, Israel21c, 2005-present

I cover high-tech for Israel21, an online publication presenting Israeli innovation “beyond the conflict.” Articles range from high-tech to medical devices to food and agri-tech. Here’s a complete listing of the hundreds of articles I’ve written over the years for Israel21c.

Senior analyst/writer at the AIM Group, 2004-present

I am the senior analyst for the Advanced Interactive Media Group, covering online marketplaces and the classified advertising industry. I’ve written hundreds of articles profiling media publishers across the world, as well as special reports on real estate, automotive, recruitment classified advertising and Craigslist.

Columnist, The Jerusalem Post, 2002-present

This Normal Life is my weekly column in The Jerusalem Post’s Friday Magazine. Columns cover topics from religion and politics to lighthearted family dynamics and healthcare. This Normal Life as a blog is one of the oldest continuously appearing Israeli publications in the blogosphere, started in 2002.

Writer, The Jerusalem Report, Haaretz, Hadassah, IVC Research, 2005-present

My most recent article for The Jerusalem Report was an in-depth profile of Prof. Moshe Bar, a pioneer in brain science. For IVC Research, I wrote about the connection between Israel innovation and “smart cities.”

Writer, Bar Ilan University, 2010-2014

I wrote feature articles for Bar Ilan University Today magazine, focusing on outstanding scientists, alumni and graduate students. I’ve looked at research into a new methodology for diagnosing ADHD, development of new methods for fighting the aging process, and I profiled Oren Harmon, the author of the Pulitzer-prize nominated book, “The Price of Altruism.”

Writer, Jerusalem College of Technology, 2011-2012

I wrote an issue of the annual JCT Perspective Magazine, which focused on interviews with scientists, as well as updates on campus activities. I interviewed a professor attempting to synthesize the theory of relativity with quantum mechanics, profiled one of the leading researchers in Israel working with nano-optics, and looked at a new genetic approach addressing post-partum depression.

Writer, Hebrew University, 2012

I wrote a series of articles on leading researchers in the area of nanotechnology, nano-medicine and nano-materials. The work was for the university’s department of external relations.

Writer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, 2010-2013

I wrote the quarterly Teva Global IT newsletter. While the articles were technical in nature, I always made sure to conduct one-on-one interviews and stick to a “journalistic” in style (a first for Teva’s IT group).

Writer, Shavei Israel, 2009-2018

Shavei Israel is a non-profit organization that assists “lost” and “hidden” Jewish communities around the world. I wrote articles about individuals who have been helped by Shavei Israel, consulted on social media, published a weekly newsletter, and produced several video profiles. My article on the Zion Torah Community appeared on the cover of The Jerusalem Post Magazine.

Researcher, Japanese Ministry of Defense, 2014-2015

I wrote a 200-page report for the Japanese Ministry of Defense on civilian and consumer applications of technology that originated in the Israeli military. The report covered 80 companies in 4 main categories: UAVs, land equipment, air defense and cyber-security.

Book editor, 2010-present

I have edited several books, including “Faith Unravels” by Daniel Greyber (the story of a rabbi’s crisis of faith after a friend dies, published in 2012) and “Marrying the Y-Divide” by Aryeh Pamenksy.

Blogger, Israelity, 2009-2013

Posted articles about life in Israel with fresh takes on local news items.

Media Trainer, NetOptics, 2013

Working with Linda Lovitch Communications, I participated in one-on-one media training for an executive at this high-tech company. I played the “role” of a journalist interviewing the executive while Linda provided guidance on how best to present himself to the media.

Editor, Shaffer Enterprises, 2009-2010

I edited a 500-page curriculum to teach Hebrew to English speakers. The project also included recording and editing 150 audio snippets for the dialogues contained in the curriculum.

Producer and Host, “Brainwaves,” 2011-present

I host a two-hour weekly “eclectic alternative” music program called Brainwaves airing on several Internet radio stations, including andHow.FM, Firebrand Radio, Radio Free Nachlaot, Radio Lantau and Voodoo Radio. An archive of the show with playlists can be found here and on Mixcloud.

App development, iAccomplish, 2013

Blum Interactive Media developed iAccomplish, an app for the iPhone and iPad that used principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help users understand where they spend their time during the day. The app has been discontinued.

Vice President Marketing, Comverse, 2001-2004

As a VP of Marketing for telecommunications provider Comverse, I helped craft branding and positioning, worked with PR and advertising, wrote marketing collateral, spoke at industry conferences, gave corporate presentations to analysts, served as the liaison to the Mobile Entertainment Forum and managed the company’s website and corporate Intranet.

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Jerusalem Global Ventures, 2000

I helped evaluate high-tech companies for investment for a leading venture capital firm.

Founder and CEO, Neta4, 1997-1999

I founded Neta4, a startup which developed a personalized web publishing platform. The company raised over $3 million and grew to a staff of 25 in Jerusalem, New York and San Francisco. Position involved a full range of entrepreneurial skills, including conceptualization; fund raising; negotiations; working with legal, HR (recruitment) and advertising; product definition and management; presentation at industry events; frequent overseas travel to conferences; and interfacing with investors and board of directors.

Author, Interactive Media: Essentials for Success, Ziff-Davis Press, 1996

I wrote a consumer paperback on interactive multimedia (CD-ROM) conceptualization, design and product management. Published by Ziff-Davis Press as part of its “Essentials for Success” series. Still available on Amazon.

Producer, Encyclopedia of Judaica, 1996

I managed production of the CD-ROM version of this classic print publication for Judaica Multimedia.

Senior Producer, SuperStudio, 1994-1995

SuperStudio developed award winning edutainment and infotainment multimedia CD-ROM titles. My position involved conceptualization and project management; working with video and audio; flowcharting; budgeting; storyboarding and scriptwriting; and generating new business overseas.

Producer, Mindscape (formerly The Software Toolworks), 1992-1994

I produced multimedia CD-ROM titles in education, infotainment, edutainment and games for this top 5 multimedia publisher. Specific titles included “How Multimedia Computers Work” and “How Your Body Works” (both in cooperation with Ziff Davis Press), “The Adventures of Nikko,” Grolier’s “Interactive Encyclopedia,” and “Oceans Below.”

Instructor, Interactive Multimedia, San Francisco State University, 1991-1994 and Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center’s Digital Media Studies Program, 1996

I taught interactive multimedia to students at both universities.

Producer, InfoUse, 1991-1992

I worked on a team developing multimedia titles for healthcare for InfoUse. Two main projects: “Take Control” taught learning-disabled young adults how to stay safe from HIV, and the award-winning “Ashtown” presented interactive games to help fifth graders stay away from smoking.

International President, International Interactive Communications Society, 1991-1992

I served as International President for the largest professional association of the multimedia industry in 1992. In 1991, I was president of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter.