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ULTIMATE DEAL WATCH ― The Trump administration is expected to release the much-anticipated Middle East peace plan only after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forms a coalition government, Reuters’ Steve Holland reported on Wednesday. According to a White House official, only four people ― Jared Kushner, Jason Greenblatt, Ambassador David Friedman and Kushner’s aide Avi Berkowitz ― have regular access to the content of the plan. Trump is briefed regularly on the contents but is not believed to have read the entire document of dozens of pages, the official added.

National Security Advisor John Bolton said in an interview on the Hugh Hewitt Show on Wednesday morning: “We’ve been working, President Trump, Jared Kushner and others, for a couple of years now on a Middle East peace plan. We’ve been in the preparatory stages to getting it ready. And I think we’re going to see that coming out in the very near future.”

Rob Satloff,  Executive Director of The Washington Institute, argues that the Trump administration would be wise to shelve the peace plan, given the circumstances. “The Trump administration should not give Iran and its local Islamist allies a political victory by issuing a Middle East peace plan that is likely to earn swift rejection by the Palestinians,” he writes in Foreign Policy magazine. ”It makes little sense to hand Iran’s supreme leader and his regional partners a propaganda coup at a moment when the U.S. pressure campaign might actually be bearing fruit… Issuing the Middle East peace plan in the current environment is a lose-lose-lose proposition.” [ForeignPolicy]

Dov Zakheim writes… “The high price for supporting Bibi Netanyahu: Trump confronts a serious dilemma. If he continues to support Netanyahu, he loses his vaunted peace deal and wrecks his self-molded image as the greatest of all deal-makers. If he betrays Netanyahu, which would not be contrary to his character, he risks losing support not only of the large percentage of Orthodox Jews who are his only real Jewish support, but of the millions of evangelicals who are the bedrock of his base.” [TheHill]

VIEW FROM JERUSALEM — Likud minister Tzachi Hanegbi told Israel Radio on Thursday that the Likud-led government won’t take unilateral action on annexation until after the unveiling of the Trump peace plan. “We have no interest in annexing three million Palestinians living in Judea and Samaria and turning them into citizens of Israel and changing the makeup of the Jewish and democratic state,” says Hanegbi. 

HEARD YESTERDAY — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo deflected on whether the U.S. supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in an exchange with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), during a hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Sen. Kaine: Tell me what U.S. policy is right now: Would we support an annexation of the West Bank, do we oppose it, or are we indifferent to whether that happens?

Sec. Pompeo: “We are now working with many parties to share what our vision is for how to solve this problem. Senator, you would concede that for decades now there have been all of these wonderful experts that have tried resolve this crisis in the Middle East, the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people, and they have each failed. So the old set of ideas aren’t worth retreading… We are hopeful that our vision, our ideas of what this might look like, how we might proceed to do that, will create the conditions where the Israelis and the Palestinians can resolve this. So I am not going to get in front of what’s in there.”

Kaine: Do you think the two-state solution is an old idea whose time has gone?

Pompeo: “It’s certainly been an idea that’s been around a long time, Senator.”

Kaine: Yeah, but you talked about all the ideas that we have to set aside. Is the U.S. policy to set aside the idea of a two state solution that was at the origin of the United States’s recognition of the state of Israel?

Pompeo: “I would argue that millions of man hours have been spent to try and build out a two state solution. It hasn’t worked to date. It may work this afternoon, but it hasn’t worked yet.”

Kaine: Is that still a goal of the U.S. or is that no longer [a goal]?  

Pompeo: “You can probably ask me fifteen other ways too, Senator. I am going to allow this process that we have, engaging with the parties, work its way through.”

Kaine: How about if I say it this way: ‘It has been a policy of the U.S. I agree with that. I think it should be the policy.’ Do you agree with me or disagree with me?

Pompeo: “I think, ultimately, individuals in the region will sort this out. We want good things for the Palestinian people.” [CSPAN]

TRUMP TEAM ― President Trump welcomed the reelection of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, congratulating him on a winning an election, in which the president himself called the candidates ‘two good people.’ “I’d like to congratulate Bibi Netanyahu,” Trump told reporters outside the White House on Wednesday morning. “He’s been a great ally and he’s a friend. I’d like to congratulate him. That was a well fought-out race, I can tell you.”

Trump added: “The fact that Bibi won, I think we’ll see some pretty good action in terms of peace. Look, everyone said — and I never made it a promise — but everybody said you can’t have peace in the Middle East with Israel and the Palestinians. I think we have a chance. And I think we have, now, a better chance with Bibi having won.”

Trump called Netanyahu aboard Air Force One: “The two leaders agreed to continue working in the coming years in the closest way for Israel and the United States,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement. Trump added in a tweet, “Spoke to Bibi Netanyahu to congratulate him on a great and hard-fought win. The United States is with him and the people of Israel all the way!”

Trump also posted on Twitter: “Trump flags being waived at the Bibi Netanyahu VICTORY celebration last night!” [Pic]

Yair Netanyahu, the prime minister’s oldest son and advisor, replied: “God bless you Mr. President! God bless America and God bless Israel!”

‘Peace plan likely doomed’ — Martin Indyk tells Jewish Insider, “I don’t believe Trump can know whether there’s any chance for peace until the Israeli government is formed, which will certainly take weeks if not months. If Bibi forms a right wing-religious government — as he has promised to do — one price extracted from him is likely to be a commitment to annexation of all West Bank settlements as Netanyahu promised in the campaign. Another commitment is likely to be rejection of any territorial compromise. Unless Trump’s plan accommodates these requirements it will likely be rejected by Netanyahu’s prospective government. And if it does accommodate them then there’ll be no peace with the Palestinians. Either way, Netanyahu’s election likely dooms Trump’s peace plan rather than improving its chances.”

“The Trump administration helped enable and create a situation in which, yes, the president got what he wanted — Benjamin Netanyahu reelected,” the Wilson Center’s Aaron David Miller told The Washington Post. “But the problem with the ‘deal of the century’ in a right-wing government is that anything that appeals to the Palestinians, any credible peace plan, Netanyahu will have an impossible time managing with the government now emerging.”

Tom Friedman writes… “Bibi Trump and Donald Netanyahu: President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are essentially the same person, and they pose the same threat to their respective nations. They are both men utterly without shame, backed by parties utterly without spine, protected by big media outlets utterly without integrity. They are both funded by a Las Vegas casino magnate, Sheldon Adelson. They are both making support for Israel a ‘Republican’ cause — no longer a bipartisan one. And they each could shoot an innocent man in broad daylight in the middle of Fifth Avenue and their supporters would say the victim had it coming.” [NYTimes]

Roger Cohen suggests that Netanyahu’s win is a red light warning to Democrats in 2020 that Trump will use Bibi’s playbook to win his own reelection bid. “It’s not that this could happen. It will happen, absent some decisive factor to upend the logic of it,” writes Cohen. “Netanyahu is savvier than Trump, but they share a shrewd assessment of how to control and manipulate the politics of spectacle, as well as a fierce determination to stay out of jail. They campaign ugly.”

REACTION ON THE HILL ― Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) writes… “Congress cannot afford to ignore Netanyahu’s embrace of the far right: Netanyahu’s full-throated embrace of the far right’s extreme agenda has placed him on a dangerous track that is not in the interest of Israel, the Palestinians or the United States… As longtime supporters of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, we are deeply concerned about recent developments. If enacted, these policies would fundamentally change the character of Israel, undermine basic Palestinian human rights and violate long-held policies and values adopted by U.S. presidents of both parties to achieve a future two-state solution… Being pro-Israel doesn’t mean we have to support Netanyahu’s policies any more than being pro-American requires us to support Trump’s policies.” [WashPost]

“He’s beyond Churchill now. He’s a legend” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said on Fox News’ Hannity program. “It’s a great outcome for the U.S. Bibi is the most reliable partner for the U.S. in the world, a strong man in a tough neighborhood. I am glad he won. It’s a bad day for the ayatollah.”

Rep Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) told JI’s Laura Kelly, “The people of Israel have spoken and Prime Minister Netanyahu is likely going to enjoy a historic fifth term as Prime Minister. We will continue our strong relationship with our crucial ally.”

Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA): “I’m a supporter of Mr. Netanyahu. I don’t know much about the things swirling around him but I think he’s done a remarkable job… As long as he’s going to be the prime minister, I would think — if there is such an effort as the Trump peace plan, obviously he’s going to be there.”

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) in an email to JI, “Israel’s recent election demonstrates their commitment to serving as an outpost of democracy in the region. I congratulate Prime Minister Netanyahu on his victory.”

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said in a statement, “The only way for Israel to retain its Jewish and democratic character is to support the creation of an independent Palestine by its side. I hope that yesterday’s election doesn’t push a peaceful two-state solution out of reach.”

Feinstein urged restraint in any action that would annex parts of the West Bank, saying “doing so would be a serious blow to lasting peace. It’s not sustainable for Israel to maintain its military occupation of the West Bank in perpetuity. Nor is it just to continue denying Palestinians their inherent right of self-determination.” 

KAFE KNESSET — Bennett and Shaked — In or Out? — by Neri Zilber: Over 36 hours after the polls closed, the final results of Israel’s 2019 election aren’t entirely clear. Counting the some 200,000 “double envelope” ballots — primarily IDF soldiers — was always going to stretch into today, proving crucial to the fate of The New Right, led by Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked, who found themselves just below the 3.25 percent electoral threshold. Early this morning, after the final count, reports had them above the threshold, only for the Central Elections Committee to later report that they fell 1,500 votes short and were out of the Knesset. Bennett and Shaked are now vowing to appeal, alleging voting irregularities and demanding a recount.Read today’s entire Kafe Knesset newsletter by subscribing here [KafeKnesset]

WHAT’S NEXT FOR BLUE & WHITE? — On Wednesday, Benny Gantz’s partner in Blue and White, Yair Lapid, offered a warning to Netanyahu and the Likud: “We are going to make your lives miserable. We will turn the Knesset into a field of battle,” he said. “And we will do one more thing: We will show the citizens of Israel how a real, true alternative looks.”

Gantz spoke less militantly than Lapid of his plans as opposition leader: “I have come not for power, I came for a goal. I came for Israeli society. I came from a place of great love for Israeli society and a place of great love for the country.”

Analysts have speculated that a Trump peace plan might prompt Netanyahu and Gantz to form a broad national unity government. But incoming MK Yoaz Hendel told the NYTimes, “I don’t see any reason to help Netanyahu with a Trump plan. If he has his own coalition, I offer him to do it by himself. I don’t see any reason to give him a defense shield.”

BRIEFS  ― According to the NYT’s David Halbfinger, it’s Netanyahu’s Israel now: Netanyahu proved once again that his talents, stamina and willingness to do what it takes to win are all unmatched in Israeli politics… There is no more able sorcerer when it comes to playing on the prejudices and fears of his base than Netanyahu, writes Jonathan Freedland… Impeccable timing and brilliant campaigning give Netanyahu his biggest win yet, writes Anshel Pfeffer… Global positioning helps Israel’s Netanyahu in election and beyond… The election results will likely give Netanyahu a mandate to continue his aggressive push against Iran… Netanyahu’s victory is big news for Trump, Aaron David Miller and Dan Katz write…

Stu Loeser, a NY-based political communications strategist, comments: “Bibi deserves an Oscar or an Emmy for his portrayal of an electoral underdog on social media and on the news throughout Election Day. I’ve seen attempts at this move in dozens of elections, but nobody’s ever been better at it than Bibi ― not even Ben Gurion.”

Shmuel Rosner writes… “Why Israel Still Loves Netanyahu: Those Israelis who do want Mr. Netanyahu gone — and yes, there are many — want him gone because of his personality, his coarsening of Israeli political discourse, his pettiness and, maybe, his corruption. Those Israelis who want Mr. Netanyahu to stay — and the election makes clear that there are many — want him to stay despite those same characteristics. They can forgive the prime minister for often being a small man, because they appreciate him as a great leader.” [NYTimes]

Wall Street Journal editorial… “Netanyahu’s Triumph: Netanyahu has a remarkable feel for the Israeli public’s mood.” [WSJ]

Financial Times editorial… Benjamin Netanyahu’s re-election spells trouble for Israel: Annexing the West Bank and imposing a solution on the Palestinians would endanger Israel’s future, accelerating the slide towards a single state in which Arabs become the majority but without the same rights as Jews.” [FinancialTimes]

Jake Walles, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and current fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, tells CNBC, ”In  a narrow right wing government, Netanyahu’s legal problems will make him more dependent on his coalition partners, and they will press him to implement a hard right agenda, including his election promise on annexation in the West Bank.”

Peter Beinart‏ writes on Twitter: “What the financial crisis did to Millennials’ view of capitalism, Benjamin Netanyahu is doing to American Jewish Millennials’ view of Zionism.”

HEARD LAST NIGHT — Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) addressed the accusations of antisemitism over her tweets about AIPAC on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: “Often times when you’re speaking, you might not understand the historical context of some of the words you might use and the kind of pain it might incite for people.” [Video]

HAPPENING TODAY — Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, will participate in two panels hosted by the Arab American Institute in Washington, D.C. The first event, co-sponsored by the Foundation for Middle East Peace and NYU-Washington, D.C., is billed as a “candid conversation about the BDS movement” between Barghouti and Peter Beinart.

Beinart emails JI, “I disagree with Omar Barghouti on BDS and the existence of a Jewish state. But I believe the American Jewish community’s habit of talking about Palestinians without talking to Palestinians is pathological. It’s a recipe for ignorance and dehumanization. In Pirkei Avot Ben Zoma asks, ‘Who is wise? The one who learns from all people.’ That’s the principle I’m trying to follow.” [JewishInsider]

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) told JI she has no plans to meet with Barghouti while he’s in D.C.

ON THE HILL ― by JI’s Laura Kelly: House Republicans are pushing for a vote rejecting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction movement against Israel, in an effort to get around Democrats stalling on bringing key Israel legislation to the floor.

Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), along with Representatives Mike McCaul (R-TX), David Kustoff (R-TN) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY) introduced Wednesday a rule to discharge petition on the bill “Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East,” which passed the Senate in February.

The move is likely to frustrate Democrats, who voted down a Republican motion to recommit last week which condemned BDS. Democrats voted no on the measure saying it was an effort by Republicans to stall passage of a War Powers Act on Yemen. 

The latest move by Republicans, called a discharged petition, is a savvy legislative tool that allows anyone to bring legislation for a vote if a majority of sponsors are collected. In May, Republicans will have to collect 218 signatures, at least 21 from Democrats, to bring the bill to a vote on the floor. 

“The Senate responded quickly and decisively with appropriate legislation to counter the dangerous BDS movement, but Speaker Pelosi has refused to bring this bipartisan bill to the House Floor and House Democrats stood idly by as their colleagues made senseless anti-Semitic remarks,” Scalise said in a statement. “We will not stand for radically anti-Israel progressives to hide behind Democrat leadership any longer. It is our duty to bring H.R. 336 to the floor so every American can know whether or not their representative stands with our greatest ally Israel.” [JewishInsider]

IRAN SANCTIONS — During a hearing at the of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Pompeo said that the Trump administration will continue to increase pressure on Iran, but had “no announcements” on the possibility of waivers for countries that import Iranian oil.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) asked Pompeo if the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, which allowed for U.S. troops to fight entities responsible for the 9/11 attacks and associated forces, included Iran. Pompeo declined to directly answer the question, saying he’d defer to lawyers. “You do not have the permission of Congress to go to war with Iran,” Paul responded. “Only Congress can declare war.”

AGENDA ITEM — The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed the new U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, retired General John Abizaid, in a vote of 92 to seven and after a vacancy since 2017. The retired four-star Army general is the former head of U.S. Central Command during the Iraq war.[Reuters]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT — Jared Kushner’s relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is coming under scrutiny by Congress, Vanity Fair‘s Abigail Tracey reports. Last month, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo requesting documents and records related to Kushner’s February trip to Saudi Arabia, including any ‘handwritten notes’ related to any meetings attended by Brian Hook, the only State Department official included in Kushner’s delegation. The State Department missed the deadline this past Friday to provide the information and documents requested by the committee, according to a congressional source.

2020 WATCH — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) relaunches ‘Medicare for All’ plans amid divisions among Democrats… Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) had charisma, and then she ran for president, writes Peter Beinart… Democrats are not blowing out the doors in 2020 fundraising… The case for Mayor Pete’s staying power. 

Walt Disney’s Bob Iger and Alan Horn are co-hosting a fundraiser with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for several incumbent Senate Democrats next week.

** Good Thursday Morning! Enjoying the Daily Kickoff? Please share us with your friends & tell them to sign up at [JI]. Have a tip? We’d love to hear from you. Anything from hard news and punditry to the lighter stuff, including event coverage, job transitions, or even special birthdays, is much appreciated. Email [email protected] **

BUSINESS BRIEFS: Jason Strauss and Noah Tepperberg’s Marquee for all, Singapore’s newest and largest nightclub [Straitstimes] • Elbit Intends to Raise $186M in Private Offering [Calcalist]

STARTUP NATION — Lemonade picks up $300 million Series D led by SoftBank Group — by Jordan Crook: “Lemonade, the insurance startup founded by Daniel Schreiber and Shai Wininger, has today announced a $300 million Series D financing led by the SoftBank Group, with participation from Allianz, General Catalyst, GV, OurCrowd and Thrive Capital… The company has grown significantly since launch, last year hitting $57 million in revenue. Co-founder and CEO Schreiber says that the company is on track to do $100 million in revenue this year, and that they’ve sold 500,000 policies to date.” [TechCrunch; Reuters]

Amir Mizroch, communications director at Start-Up Nation Central in Tel Aviv, explains the significance of Lemonade being one of the few Israeli-founded B2C companies: “It shows that Israeli tech entrepreneurs can do B2C — just as long as they’re globally focused from the outset. And it could inspire Israeli entrepreneurs to go the B2C route if they want to, as the vast majority of Israeli startups (80%) are currently B2B.”

ISRAEL TO THE MOON — After 47 days and 6.5 million kilometers, Space IL’s Beresheet journey is set to draw to a close today as the four-legged spacecraft aims to land on the moon’s surface at 3:25 pm EST. If successful, it will make Israel the fourth country to land a spacecraft on the moon. Engineers activated Beresheet’s engines on Wednesday night for the final maneuver, putting the spacecraft into its smallest elliptical orbit around the moon, which meant it completed a full circuit in just two hours. [Livestream]

SPOTLIGHT — Madonna’s Israel Trip for Eurovision Finale Has Billionaire Backer Aiming to Bolster Country’s Image — by David Caspi: “Following weeks of speculation, Live Nation Israel announced Monday that Madonna will serve as the interval act in the Grand Final of the annual Eurovision competition on May 18… Jewish-Canadian philanthropist Sylvan Adams — whose real estate mogul father Marcel Adams has long helped finance concerts in Israel by such artists as Elton John, Justin Bieber and Leonard Cohen — reportedly put up $1.35 million to secure Madonna. Last year, Adams was behind bringing the multi-stage bicycle race Giro d’Italia to Jerusalem, the biggest sporting event ever in Israel. A self-proclaimed Zionist who recently started a cultural fund to help draw big name artists to perform in Israel, Adams’ business partner Danny Ben Naim told Ynet that securing Madonna for Eurovision was a way to ‘increase the exposure and media coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest itself … as well as of the wonderful people and beauty of the State of Israel.'” [Billboard]

LONG READ — Morton Klein and the Future of American Zionism — by Armin Rosen: “Antagonism between Klein and the rest of the Jewish institutional world has been especially high in recent months, as tensions within the right-wing Jewish world emerged over a 2018 trip by Klein to Qatar and a fight with the Anti-Defamation League led to a rare rebuke of the ZOA by a prominent Jewish umbrella group. These have kicked a hornet’s nest of accusations of wrongdoing against Klein — from former ZOA staffers, once-close associates, political rivals, and an assortment of other sources. They span claims of financial impropriety, verbal abuse and prank telephone calls, to allegations of sexual harassment and domestic violence.”

“Last year, former ZOA Executive Director David Drimer filed a lawsuit against the organization alleging that Klein received off-record payments from donors during his first five years as president, and that, after making a whistleblower complaint to the New York State Attorney General’s office, Drimer ‘suffered intimidation, harassment, discrimination and other retaliation.'” [Tablet]

STATE-SIDE  — Texas House amends anti-Israel boycott law — by Madlin Mekelburg: “The Texas House on Wednesday approved a bill to tweak a state law barring governmental entities from contracting with businesses that support a boycott of Israel… The new legislation, filed by Republican Rep. Phil King of Weatherford, attempts to preserve the spirit of the 2017 law while addressing concerns that it may violate the First Amendment rights of some individuals… King’s bill would limit the scope of the law to exclude individuals and smaller companies, like those with fewer than 10 full-time employees or those valued at under $100,000. Several legal challenges to the law were filed on behalf of individuals who either had government contracts terminated or lost out on opportunities.” [Statesman]

TALK OF THE TOWN — Pennsylvania lawmakers honor victims of synagogue massacre — by Mark Scolforo: “Pennsylvania lawmakers solemnly remembered the 11 worshippers killed in an anti-Semitic attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue last fall… The rare joint session in the chambers of the state’s House of Representatives was attended by nearly two dozen family members of victims of the Oct. 27 attack on the three congregations holding services that day… The service was held a day after the Pittsburgh mayor signed new gun control measures that were introduced weeks after the attack… On Wednesday, lawmakers passed identical resolutions that highlighted the history of the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and remembered the victims individually. The resolutions established April 10 as Stronger Than Hate Day in Pennsylvania.” [AP]

Attacks Against Jews in Crown Heights Stir Old Fears and New Dialogue — by Matt Katz: “The situation in Crown Heights is an ‘anomaly’ compared to the anti-Semitic activity elsewhere in the country because ‘it doesn’t fit the normal script of anti-Semitism’ tied to white supremacy, ADL’s Evan Bernstein said. ‘Look around other cities, you don’t see this. And it’s not happening in Manhattan. And it’s not happening in the Bronx,’ he said… According to Richard Green, a longtime black leader and founder of the Crown Heights Youth Collective, some anti-Semitism plays out in the street — but often it’s simple economics. Unemployment among teens and young people is phenomenally high, he said.” [WYNC]

SCENE LAST NIGHT — NYC Mayor de Blasio received the New York City Leadership Award at the Jewish Children’s Museum 14th annual gala in Brooklyn. [Pic]

DESSERT — Izzy’s Fried Chicken To Open In Crown Heights — by Kadia Goba: “Last month, Israel ‘Izzy’ Eidelman opened Izzy’s Taqueria, just three years after his first food venture — Izzy’s Smokehouse. Both businesses bring life to the developing Troy Avenue corridor. In June, Edelman will open Izzy’s Fried Chicken at 262 Kingston Avenue… Edelman, 31, said he’s working with a network of people who’ll help create the menu, including food consultant Jose Soto who he’s worked with in the past.” [Bklyner] 

BIRTHDAYS: Australian billionaire, executive chairman of Visy Industries and Pratt Industries US, the world’s largest privately owned packaging company, Anthony Pratt (family name in Poland was Przecicki) turns 59… Executive chairman of The Estée Lauder Companies, he serves on several boards including the University of Pennsylvania and the 92nd Street Y, William P. Lauder turns 59… Actress who played the title character on the 325-episode soap opera satire “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” Louise Lasser turns 80… Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and syndicated columnist, co-founder (2010) and director of “The Conversation Project” focused on end-of-life care, Ellen Goodman turns 78… Founder and CEO of the USA Network in 1977, she is the co-founder and chairman of Springboard Enterprises, Kay Koplovitz turns 74… West Bloomfield, Michigan-based inventor, Barry Schwab turns 72… Sarita Dery turns 70…

Deputy Director of WomenStrong International, a consortium of non-profit organizations in five nations supporting women-driven solutions to urban poverty, Sydney Rubin turns 67… Managing partner and a founder of LA-based law firm Glass & Goldberg, Marshall F. Goldberg turns 65… Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 1999 from the Pittsburgh area, he serves as the Democratic Caucus Chairman, Dan B. Frankel turns 63… Professor and chair of Religion at Sarah Lawrence College, he is the co-editor-in-chief of Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies, Glenn Dynner turns 50… Co-founder of Caracal Global Strategies and founder and CEO of Brigadoon, Marc A. Ross turns 48… Israeli-based angel investor and entrepreneur, he is a partner at Tel Aviv-based Accomplice Blockchain, David Galper turns 44… Senior sales and relationship manager at Citadel LLC, he was previously a VP at Goldman Sachs and a Major League Soccer midfielder, Jordan Cila turns 37…

BIRTHWEEK: Shelley Greenspan, Global Innovation Policy Associate at Amazon, board member of Jewish Women International and KAHAL, and definitely worth a follow on Twitter.