Initially I thought Yishai Fleisher was only coming to be a guest speaker at the Florida Loves Israel Conference. He fulfilled those expectations rather easily, and was exactly what the conference needed. Yishai’s ability to transcend religious differences among the Jewish people, as well as different religions left a mark on me, and almost every participant I spoke to. However, even though he had initially just been labeled a “speaker”, having different views than other people with regards to Israel, he displayed a candid and natural ability to connect with each of the participats through his genuine love for the Jewish people and Israel. On the Saturday of the Conference, we had not planned Yishai into the schedule because we were scheduled to go to the FSU Lake Reservation which required a 6 mile drive. With him being observant of shabbat, we assumed he would not come. His response was, “That’s ok, I’ll just walk there.” It was at this point I realized he had brought another dimension to the Conference that none of the organizers saw coming. He showed us what it means to be true leader for the Jewish people as well as a passionate representative for the State of Israel. He ceased to be a “speaker,” and became a “participant” with us in bringing the State of Israel to Tallahassee, Florida. I hope to work with Yishai again at some point in the future and spend at least one shabbat with him in Eretz Yisrael.