HINENI: A Night of Community Pride and Purpose

Michael Rapaport

With a career spanning over three decades and more than 60 films, native New Yorker Michael Rapaport has solidified his place as a force in the entertainment industry. From starring in The War at Home to standout roles in True Romance, Cop Land, and Beautiful Girls, plus TV favorites like Friends and Atypical, Rapaport’s versatility has captivated audiences. He also directed the award-winning documentary Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest and currently stars in Hulu’s Life & Beth. He hosts the popular I Am Rapaport Stereo Podcast. Beyond entertainment, Rapaport is a passionate advocate for Jewish issues and a vocal critic of hate and misinformation. Since the October 7th attack on Israel, his commitment to fighting antisemitism and standing in solidarity with the Jewish community has only deepened.

Hilary Miller

Hilary Miller is a Policy Analyst for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), covering Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Houthis. She previously held research roles with the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, UNESCO, and United Nations Watch in Geneva. She holds an MA in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University and a summa cum laude BA in Political Science, History, and Jewish Studies from the University of Wisconsin.

Micha Biton

Singer-songwriter Micha Biton is a pioneer in the ethnic-rock genre of Israeli music. He performs for sold-out concerts in Israel’s most popular venues and has traveled the world to share his music, both solo and with his band. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists attacked his home, Moshav Netiv Ha’asara, which is close to the border with Gaza. Micha and 11 members of his family hid in their shelter for 13 hours, until they could escape. They were evacuated to Tel Aviv; one of the few items that Micha could take with him was his guitar. He learned that 20 of his friends and neighbors had been murdered in the attack.

Micha realized that he and his family were lucky to be alive – and blessed – and he realized that playing his guitar and singing his music helped him to heal. In October 2024, he released his album “Waiting For a Miracle,” which is a musical reflection on his thoughts and reactions to the events of October 7 and after.

Jonah Kaplan

Emmy Award–winning investigative reporter Jonah Kaplan has more than 15 years of journalism experience with national exposure on CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN, and Jewish Insider. The proud son of two rabbis, Jonah’s connection to Milwaukee runs deep, shaped by meaningful experiences with the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the community’s enduring spirit. He now lives in Minnetonka, MN, with his wife and three daughters and returns to emcee, answering the call: Hineni — here I am.