One people. Many voices. Yours matters.

How David Cards Spark Conversations About Jewish Identity and Israel. A converstaion with Yoni Alon - creator of David Cards.

When we think about how we connect to our Jewish identity, or how we talk about Israel, the conversations aren’t always easy. They can be emotional, complex, and sometimes even divisive. That’s exactly why David Cards were created: to give Jewish communities, families, and educators a meaningful yet approachable way to explore these topics together.

Recently, I sat down with Yoni Alon, the Israeli entrepreneur behind the David Cards project, to hear the story of how it all began — and where it’s heading.

From Denver to a Global Idea

Yoni’s journey with David Cards started over a decade ago, when he was an emissary (Shaliach) of the Jewish Agency for Israel at the Denver JCC. During a seminar in New York, he encountered a set of posters featuring the same character interacting with planet Earth — hugging it, wrestling with it, even stepping on it.

“It created fascinating conversations about the environment,” Yoni recalled. “And I thought — what if we replace the globe with the Star of David? What if we use illustrations to invite conversations about Jewish identity and Israel?”

That spark grew into what we now know as David Cards — a box of illustrated discussion cards that open the door to conversations about Israel, Judaism, and Jewish life today.

What’s Inside the Box?

Each David Cards set includes:

• 40 illustrated cards — powerful images ranging from uplifting to challenging.

• An educational booklet in Hebrew and English (already translated into Spanish, French, Russian, and German).

• A quick start guide for anyone who wants to dive right in.

The illustrations are intentionally diverse. Some are playful, others deeply serious. Some bring joy, others spark tension. And that’s the point.

“I didn’t want a box full of only positive images,” Yoni explained. “Jewish life is complex. Sometimes the cards lead to laughter, sometimes to painful memories. But always, they lead to connection.”

A Tool for Jewish Communities Everywhere

David Cards have already reached over 5,000 sets in more than 20 countries, from Israel and the U.S. to Canada, Morocco, Japan, and beyond.

They’ve been used in:

• Jewish day schools and Hebrew schools

• Summer camps and youth movements

• Synagogues and community centers

• Even board meetings of Jewish Federations

“I get emails from federation leaders who tell me that their board members sat around the table with David Cards and suddenly had deeper conversations about Israel than ever before,” Yoni shared.

Families Around the Table

What surprised Yoni most was how families began using the cards at home. Parents reached out to say that David Cards gave them a way to talk to their children about Israel, Jewish values, and even difficult moments in Jewish history.

This inspired the creation of a family version — a smaller, parent-and-child-oriented set of cards that is now on its way.

October 7th and New Conversations

The war that began on October 7, 2023, added another dimension.

“The effect was tremendous,” Yoni said. “Jewish organizations all over the world were searching for new ways to process what it means to be Jewish today. Five new illustrations in the set were directly inspired by October 7th.”

These additions give Jewish communities a way to reflect on grief, resilience, and solidarity while staying grounded in open conversation.

The Long-Term Vision

When asked where he hopes the project will go, Yoni didn’t hesitate:

“I would like to see David Cards in every synagogue, every summer camp, every Jewish day school, everywhere Jewish education is happening. Wherever there are brave conversations about Israel, I want David Cards on the table.”

Why This Matters

For Jews in North America, ages 30 to 70 — whether you’re an educator, a community leader, or a parent — David Cards offer something rare: a tool that makes tough conversations possible, meaningful, and even joyful.

The cards aren’t a game. They’re a bridge. They’re a way for us to look at our Jewish identity and our connection to Israel with honesty, curiosity, and heart.

As Yoni said at the end of our conversation:

“It’s my pleasure to bring you into the world of David Cards.”

Growing Reach and New Directions

As of September 2025, David Cards have already reached a circulation of 7,000 copies worldwide. The instruction booklet, once bilingual, is now available in eight languages, making it easier than ever for diverse Jewish communities to use the cards in their own voices. In August 2025, a brand-new A6-sized edition was introduced — a compact, family-friendly set designed for more intimate conversations at the dinner table or in small gatherings.

Perhaps most intriguingly, interest in David Cards is now surging within Israeli society itself. More and more organizations in Israel are adopting the cards to lead conversations about Israeli identity, Jewish identity, and the complex relationship Israelis have with Diaspora Jews and with their own sense of Israeliness. What began as a global Jewish tool is now circling back home, sparking dialogue across communities in Israel.

At its heart, David Cards are more than just illustrations on paper — they’re invitations to talk, to listen, and to connect. Whether around a family table, in a classroom, or across oceans, they remind us that the Jewish story is one we continue to write together. One people. Many voices. Yours matters.