About this Event
Tel Aviv International Salon, presents: The American Colony Series
Melanie Phillips
Journalist & Author of 'The Builder's Stone', 'Londonistan' & so much more...
In-Conversation with Ambassador Michael Oren
Discussing the Israel-US relationship, How Jews & Christians Built the West
RSVP: Above on Eventbrite
Cost: 60nis, includes wine
Date: Sunday April 12th 2026, 7:30pm
Venue: The Drisco Hotel, American Colony, 6 Auerbach St, Tel Aviv
About Our Speaker: Melanie Phillips
Melanie Phillips is a British journalist, broadcaster and author. Her weekly column, which currently appears in The Times of London, has been published over the years in the Guardian, Observer, Sunday Times and Daily Mail. She also writes for the Jewish Chronicle and Jewish News Syndicate, and speaks on public platforms throughout the English-speaking world.
Her best-selling book Londonistan, about the British establishment’s capitulation to Islamist aggression, was published in 2006 by Encounter, New York. She followed this in 2010 with The World Turned Upside Down: the Global Battle over God, Truth and Power, with a foreword by David Mamet and also published by Encounter. An updated paperback edition of Guardian Angel, her personal and political memoir, was published in the US by Bombardier in January 2018.
Melanie's book published last year, The Builder’s Stone: How Jews and Christians Built the West—and Why Only They Can Save It, delves into how Western civilization is facing a critical moment. Foreign enemies sensing its weakness are circling. Internally, the West is being consumed by division, decadence, and demoralization. The October 7th attack on Israel presented it with a choice between civilization and barbarism—a challenge the West has failed. But this damaged society is far from lost if it takes advice from an unexpected source. Western culture is based upon Christianity, whose own foundations in turn lie in Judaism. The unique survival of the Jewish People offers both the West and its struggling Christian church, as well as secular people who shun religion, priceless lessons in resilience that they must learn if their culture is to survive. https://www.amazon.com/Builders-Stone-Christians-Built-West/dp/B0DT15VDW6
Her newest book, Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege is being published this March. Melanie blogs at melaniephillips.substack.com.
About Our Venue & Series: The Drisco Hotel & American Colony Series
In honor of the United States of America's 250th birthday, and 160th anniversary of the founding of Tel Aviv's American Colony neighborhood, the Salons have partnered with The Drisco Hotel to create a special series delving into the Israel/US relationship.
The history of The American Colony in Tel Aviv dates back to 1866 when a group of about 150 Americans from Maine and the wider New England region decided to follow their faith and vision to settle in Eretz Yisrael. Led by George Adams, these families made a 42-day journey overseas and landed where the Etzel Museum stands today, on the beach between Tel Aviv and Yafo. They brought with them the wood and household materials to recreate their homes here built in the New England style. When these American pioneers were granted permission from the Ottoman authorities, they ultimatley settled in what has come to be called “The American Colony.”
The Drisco is a heritage-landmark, 5-star superior hotel, established in 1866, and a proud member of Relais & Châteaux. This boutique gem is located in the center of the picturesque and pastoral American colony, in a quiet and pleasant environment surrounded by beautiful historical houses, near Neve Tzedek, Noga & the Yafo Flea Market. With an adults-only policy, and soon-to-be-kosher chef's restarant, the Drisco creates the pefect Salon evironment to savor their in-house Kosher Israeli wine, while engaging with thought leaders in Israel today. thedrisco.com
About Our Organization: Tel Aviv International Salon
Tel Aviv International Salon is the largest speakers forum in Israel. Our nonprofit was established in 2009 to provide a thought provoking nonpartisan platform for Tel Aviv's young adult community. The Salon curates a unique space to debate and discuss global politics, history, economics, social and cultural issues with a diverse range of engaging decision makers and influencers. We are honest brokers working hard to highlight the leading voices leading Israel and the world.
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The Salons are generously supported by Am Yisrael Foundation //
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Drisco Hotel, 6 Auerbach Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
ILS 61.20
