Pulitzer Prize-Winning Columnist Bret Stephens to Open 2026 Rappaport Speaker Series in Stuart

Stuart, Fla. – Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and New York Times op-ed columnist Bret Stephens will open the 2026 Rappaport Speaker Series on January 15, bringing his sharp analysis and fearless commentary to the Treasure Coast.

 

Known for challenging conventional wisdom and grounding his arguments in hard facts, Stephens commands attention across the political spectrum. His global reporting and outspoken views have earned him international recognition - and even a ban from Russia - making his appearance in Stuart a highly anticipated event.

 

Stephens kicks off the 2026 season with his presentation titled “America at a Crossroads – The Future of Conservatism.” A political contributor for NBC and MSNBC, Stephens will offer a candid examination of the ideological forces shaping American politics and the evolving role of conservatism in a divided nation.

 

Stephens brings decades of journalistic experience to the discussion. In addition to his work at The New York Times, he previously served as deputy editorial page editor at The Wall Street Journal, overseeing international opinion, and spent 11 years as the paper’s principal foreign-affairs columnist. Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post, directing its news, editorial, digital, and international operations.

 

Each year the Rappaport Speaker Series brings nationally recognized voices to Temple Beit HaYam in Stuart establishing itself as a trusted forum for thoughtful dialogue and intellectual exchange on the Treasure Coast.

 

Following Stephens’ January presentation, the series continues with two additional speakers:

 

• On February 26, Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale University professor, psychologist and host of the popular podcast The Happiness Lab will present “Calm Amidst the Chaos – The Science of Happiness.”
• On March 26, Eve Samples, former journalist and executive director of Friends of the Everglades, will speak about “Everglades on Trial – A Test for Environmental Policy in America.”

 

Tickets for Bret Stephens’ January 15 event are $50. Series tickets for all three events are $100. All presentations begin at 7 p.m. at Temple Beit HaYam. Tickets are available at www.RappaportSpeakerSeries.com.

 

The Rappaport Speaker Series is supported by the Phyllis & Jerome Lyle Rappaport Foundation through a grant to Temple Beit HaYam and is designed to broaden civic understanding on issues of national and global importance. Past speakers have included renowned figures such as David Gergen, advisor to four U.S. presidents; Marty Baron, former editor of The Washington Post; and bestselling author Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie.

 

“My husband Jerry and I founded the Rappaport Speaker Series to bring distinguished, intellectually honest voices to Florida’s Treasure Coast,” said Phyllis Rappaport. “The 2026 lineup reflects that mission, and Bret Stephens exemplifies it. His willingness to challenge assumptions, confront difficult truths, and elevate public discourse makes him exactly the kind of speaker we believe our community needs right now.”

 

More information about the Rappaport Center, the Speaker Series, and the 2026 presenters is available at www.RappaportSpeakerSeries.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RappaportCenterSpeakerSeries.

 

About the Rappaport Foundation

 

The Phyllis & Jerome Lyle Rappaport Foundation partners with leading institutions in Boston and beyond to cultivate emerging leaders in public policy, mental health, neurodegenerative research, and the arts. The Foundation has a long and proud history of supporting emerging leaders, including civic leaders who improve the lives of their constituents and communities, medical researchers who have unlocked the mysteries of the brain, mental illness and Alzheimer’s disease, and artists who enrich lives, ignite imaginations, and challenge us to see the world in a new light. In Stuart, Florida, the Foundation sponsors the Rappaport Center Speaker Series to promote informed dialogue on issues of national and international importance.

 

About Temple Beit HaYam

 

Founded in 1993, Temple Beit HaYam is a Reform Jewish congregation in Stuart dedicated to Torah (lifelong learning), Avodah (worship), and Gemilut Chasadim (acts of kindness and justice). Temple Beit HaYam is a Reform Jewish Congregation committed to Torah (life-long Jewish education), avodah (worship through prayer and service) and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness). The Temple offers Hebrew and religious training to youngsters from kindergarten through high school, has active Sisterhood and Brotherhood programs, and is an active cultural hub, hosting concerts, lectures, and community events that enrich the Treasure Coast.