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Jewish News Service (JNS) CEO Alex Traiman recently sat down with Panama’s ambassador to Israel, Ezra Cohen, for a far-ranging discussion about international affairs and Panama’s thriving Jewish community.

Cohen’s story alone is worth hearing about. He made his fortune in the tech world, creating a company that was eventually listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. When he sold the company, he decided to give back to the community, becoming a leader in Panama’s Jewish community.

“I wanted to do something different,” he told JNS.

Cohen helped lead a population of 14,000 Jews in Panama, including about 10,000 Sephardim, 2,000 Ashkenazim, and 2,000 Reform Jews. Panama’s Jewish community faces very little antisemitism, Cohen says, and is “very active” in the country’s economy, representing many industries.

“We as Jews and Panamanians are always looking for the benefit of Panama as our own country,” he said.

The interview touches on many interesting topics, including rescuing stranded Panamanians during the 12-day clash with Iran, the deepening ties between Panama and Israel, and what people get wrong about Israel’s global image.