NEW YORK, NY — Friends of Israel Sci-Tech Schools (ISTS) announced April 6 the appointment of Stuart N. Brotman to its Board of Directors, adding a veteran communications policy expert with decades of experience in government, academia, and international cooperation.
Brotman has served in roles across four U.S. presidential administrations on a bipartisan basis. During the administration of President George W. Bush, he chaired the U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation, where he helped strengthen bilateral cooperation in science and technology between the United States and Israel.
ISTS officials said the appointment reflects the organization’s continued effort to expand its global reach and reinforce leadership in science and technology education.
“We are honored to welcome Stuart Brotman to our Board,” said Dar Nadler, Executive Director of Friends of Israel Sci-Tech Schools, in an official statement. “His expertise, leadership, and global perspective will help us further advance excellence in science and technology education in Israel and strengthen our international connections.”
Brotman has played a significant role in shaping modern communications policy in the United States. His public service contributions include involvement in federal initiatives that supported the introduction of cellular telephony, direct broadcast satellite services, and the development of email as a competitive commercial platform.
His experience also includes serving as an appointed member of the U.S. Department of State’s Advisory Committee on International Communications and Information Policy. In that role, he advised on global economic, legal, and policy issues related to communications and information systems.
In addition, Brotman was appointed to the Library of Congress Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel, contributing to regulatory decisions affecting intellectual property and media distribution.
Earlier in his career, during the Carter administration, Brotman served as Special Assistant to the President’s principal communications policy adviser. He also held the role of Chief of Staff at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, where he was involved in shaping federal telecommunications strategy.
Beyond public service, Brotman has held academic roles at Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School Executive Education. His teaching has focused on communications, policymaking, and entertainment and media law, contributing to the development of emerging fields in those disciplines.
He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley, where he served as Note and Comment Editor of the California Law Review. He also earned a Master of Arts in Communications from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, in Communication Studies and Mass Media from Northwestern University.
In a statement, Brotman said he looks forward to contributing to the organization’s mission and expanding its presence.
“I’m excited to join the board of the Friends of Israel Sci-Tech Schools and continue my longtime support of Israeli education and tech,” Brotman said. “I’m looking forward to exploring new ways to make Israel Sci-Tech Schools more prominent in the U.S. Jewish community and beyond.”
Friends of Israel Sci-Tech Schools supports Israel Sci-Tech Schools, the country’s largest independent charter school network. Founded in 1949, the network educates approximately 100,000 students across 264 institutions, including middle and high schools, vocational training centers, and colleges of practical engineering in 54 municipalities.
The network provides iSTEAM education, which includes innovation, science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, to students from diverse backgrounds. These include Jewish students across the religious spectrum, as well as Muslim, Christian, Bedouin, and Druze communities.
ISTS states that its mission is to deliver inclusive, high-quality education that prepares students for careers in high-demand sectors while helping reduce social and economic disparities across Israeli society.
Brotman’s appointment comes as ISTS continues to position itself as a key institution supporting Israel’s future workforce and technological leadership through education, training, and international collaboration.
