Summer Voice 2018

B N A I Z I O N F O U N D AT I O N

OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE

SUMMER 2018 • VOL. 101 • NO. 1

Israel at

Celebrating 110 years of Bnai Zion Foundation and 70 years of Israel!

In this Issue

4 Remarks on Israel’s 70th

A Message from Stephen Savitsky, President

5 Celebrating 110 Years of Bnai Zion and 70 Years of Israel

A Message from Cheryl Bier, CEO & National Secretary

OUR PROJECTS

6 Bnai Zion Medical Center

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Employing Non-Surgical Innovations for Breast Cancer Treatment

8 Ahava Village

Construction Begins on New Therapy Center

10 Ma’ale Adumim

Ambassadors Through the Arts

12 David Yellin College

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Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Immigrant Communities

14 Israel Elwyn

Urgent Care as Compassionate Care

16 Yad Leah

A Bat Mitzvah That Gives Back

18 Heart for Zion

A Seder Like No Other

EVENTS AND UPDATES

20 Reflections on Celebrate 180 23 A Landmark Trip for the Conference

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of Presidents

24 New York’s Annual Gathering of Remembrance 25 Celebrating Israel at 70 Bnai Zion Supporters March in Annual Parade

26 A Night of Art, Wine, & Culture 27 Flag Raising in Bowling Green 28 Bnai Zion Attends Interfaith Breakfast 29 Breakfasts with Our Projects 30 Texas Hosts Annual Spring Reception

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In Support of Ahava Village for Children and Youth

31 Our Texas Board Gets Cooking

Showcasing Israeli Medical Innovations

32 Combating Religious Violence in the Middle East

Upcoming Events

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33 Visits to Ahava

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BNAI ZION VOICE • Summer 2018 • bnaizion.org

CONTACT&CONNECT

Summer 2018 • Vol. 100 • No. 1 ISSN: 0884-5565 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Cheryl Bier

OUR TEAM:

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ayelet Parness

Cheryl Bier, Chief Executive Officer cheryl.bier@bnaizion.org

BUSINESS MANAGER Cheryl Bier

Rebecca Harary, Senior Vice President rebecca.harary@bnaizion.com

ART DIRECTOR Shelly Kiderman

Debbie Tobias, Director of Development, Texas debbie.tobias@bnaizion.org

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cheryl Bier Rebecca Harary Ayelet Parness Moshe Rothchild Stephen Savitsky

Ayelet Parness, Communications Manager ayelet.parness@bnaizion.org

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Duchin Maxine Dovere Michelle Gevint John Halpern Ulrich Studios CIRCULATION MANAGER Stephanie Solorzano PUBLISHED BY BNAI ZION FOUNDATION Annual Subscription: $2 members • $5 non members

DID YOU KNOW? Bnai Zion was founded in 1908 in order to “help the Zionist Congress in the work of obtaining for the Jewish people a legally secured, publicly assured national home in Palestine.”

Bnai Zion Foundation 1430 Broadway, Suite 1804 New York, NY 10018 phone: 212 725 1211 fax: 212 684 6327 bnaizion.org The Bnai Zion Foundation, Inc. is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Please consult your tax advisor regarding specific questions about your deductions.

BNAI ZION VOICE • Summer 2018 • bnaizion.org

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A message from Stephen Savitsky, President

REMARKS ON ISRAEL’S 70TH

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wish that I had been able to go on the incredible Celebrate 180 trip, led by our Chief Executive Officer, Cheryl Bier, and attended by our Vice President, Donald Vogelman, and Treasurer, Alan Schwartz.

They had the great fortune of being in Israel on the historic moment of it’s 70th birthday.

I celebrated, like so many of you, in my own community, with deep pride in what is a miracle in our lifetime. Is it possible that this small nation, surrounded by enemies, has been able to accomplish so much in so short a time period?

Fortunately for myself and my family, we go to Israel very often, and every time I go, I marvel at the new improvements that I see. On one block, you’ll find an ancient city, dating back thousands of years to the time of King David, and on the next block, you’ll find a hightech company with the latest innovations in water, agricultural, medical, and military technology.

“We should all be so proud of what they have accomplished as the only democratic country in the Middle East.

Israel is not just a strategic ally of the United States, but is their best ally, I think, in the world.”

70 years is a very short time in the history of a country.

But 70 years is not truly 70 years; it’s 3,500 years from the time the Jewish people came to the land of Israel, promised in the bible as our “land of milk and honey.”

I know that at Bnai Zion, we are now embarking on more missions to Israel. I hope that all of you will join us on the various programs that we have and allow us to show you Israel through the eyes of Bnai Zion. We have been around as an organization even before the state was established, and we look with tremendous pride at all they’ve accomplished.

So join us in celebrating 70 years of Israel, and also join us as we look forward to the future and hope and pray that very shortly, there will be peace in the land that we love.

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF ISRAELI INNOVATION

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n May 30, the Israel Economic Mission in New York, Israel Ministry of Economy, Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, and Israel Export Institute hosted “Israel at 70: Global Impact Through Innovation”, a showcase of Israeli technology, at the United Nations. President Stephen Savitsky, CEO Cheryl Bier, Senior Vice President Rebecca Harary, Chairman George Schaeffer, Treasurer Alan Schwartz, Vice President Donald Vogelman, and Board Members David Edrich and Sheryl Safran joined hundreds of visitors in attending the event. The evening began with an exhibit on Israeli technologies, followed by a series of speeches and presentations.

Special guest speakers included: Ambassador Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations; Eli Cohen, Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry; Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the Kraft

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Group and Principal Owner of the New England Patriots; Brigadier General (Res.) Dr. Dani Gold, Head of Israel’s Defense Research and Development Directorate and mastermind of the Iron Dome; and Ran Maidan, President and CEO of Netafim, a global leader in smart drip and micro-irrigation solutions. Israeli Actress Moran Atias served as the evening’s MC, and Grammy Award-winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari performed her music for the audience.

A message from Cheryl Bier, CEO & National Secretary

Celebrating 110 years of Bnai Zion and 70 years of Israel!

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hat an exciting year for the land of Israel and Bnai Zion Foundation! I had the extraordinary privilege of visiting Israel in April with a number of Bnai Zion supporters and members of our board for our Celebrate 180 Mission — commemorating 70 years of Israel and 110 years of Bnai Zion. It was so beautiful to be there for Israel’s 70th birthday, experiencing the excitement, the vitality, and the depth of emotions felt by the people of Israel. From the moment I landed, I could feel the whole country buzzing with a unique energy.

On Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, we saw people pulling over on the highway for the moment of silence. It was a tremendously solemn moment. Even more moving still was our trip to the Lone Soldier center, where we got to hear from the mothers and the comradesin-arms of fallen soldiers. Their speeches were so heart-wrenching, and reminded us of the true cost of Israel’s continued existence.

May 10, we held our annual Texas Spring Reception, and on the 14th we commemorated the 70th anniversary of the declaration of Israel at a flag-raising at Bowling Green Park in New York City. The 14th was also the day that the United States moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Even back in the U.S., we felt an immense joy at seeing Jerusalem recognized as the true capital of Israel.

“Every time I visit Israel, I find something new to love, a new lens through which to view this aweinspiring country. It’s something you can’t experience through photos; you have to see it in person to truly understand.”

But the trip was also incredibly positive and uplifting. We marched through Jerusalem, from Safra Square to the Kotel, with thousands of others, singing and chanting and celebrating Yom Haatzmaut, Israel’s independence day. Everywhere we went, there were festivities in the street celebrating this momentous milestone.

cluding Ma’ale Adumim, Bnai Zion Medical Center, and Ahava Village for Children and Youth. Visiting Ahava Village is always one of the trip’s highlights. It is so special and moving to see the way these children’s lives have been changed for the better by Bnai Zion’s contributions.

We also got to visit a few of Bnai Zion’s many projects in Israel, in-

The celebration didn’t end when my trip to Israel was over, either; on

This year promises to bring exciting developments to our projects in Israel. Construction has already begun on our new Therapy Center at Ahava Village; at the time of writing this, the foundation for the building is being excavated and an old building is being taken down to make room for the new center.

Additionally, our Senior Center Expansion in Ma’ale Adumim and our Protected Emergency Room for Bnai Zion Medical Center are set to begin construction in the near future. All of these incredible projects are getting underway as we continue to raise funds for their completion.

Every time I visit Israel, I find something new to love, a new lens through which to view this awe-inspiring country. It’s something you can’t experience through photos; you have to see it in person to truly understand. I hope that you will all be able to join us for our upcoming Israel missions in December and May Israel to see for yourselves!

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Bnai Zion Medical Center

Bnai Zion

MEDICAL CENTER Employing Non-Surgical Innovations for Breast Cancer Treatment

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he staff at Bnai Zion Medical Center are always working to improve outcomes for the patients in their care.

That’s why the Medical Center is now working with an Israeli tech company, IceCure Medical, to provide a minimally invasive, inoffice treatment to destroy small breast tumors, both benign and cancerous.

Cryoablation is a minimally-invasive ultrasound/CT guided treatment that uses extreme cold to freeze and accurately destroy diseased tissue within the tumor zone. The tumor shrinks until it is absorbed by the immune system.

While cryoablation has existed for 6

more than two decades and has been successfully used in various applications, older versions of the technology have used slow, gasbased technology. IceCure’s proprietary IceSense3™ system uses liquid-Nitrogen based technology which is more compact, faster, and more efficient.

IceCure’s procedure holds a number of advantages over traditional treatments, and has had promising results under clinical studies in the US and Japan. The procedure can be performed during an office visit, with only local anesthesia, over the course of 5-15 minutes. The pain is minimal, and there is no scar and no removal of breast tissue. The recovery time

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after the procedure is short.

IceCure sells its products in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Their U.S. clients include both reputable breast cancer centers and private clinics. Bnai Zion Medical Center is very glad to be working with IceCure Medical in Israel in order to offer its solutions to their patients. Dr. Robert Sachner, Diagnostic and Invasive Radiologist, practices this technique at the Medical Center.

“I am very pleased to offer this treatment to our patients,” says Dr. Sachner, “I hope that the use of this innovative treatment will expand to help cure many patients all over the world.”

Leading with Excellence in Teaching and Patient Satisfaction

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or decades, Bnai Zion Medical Center has been affiliated with the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine in the Technion and served as a teaching hospital for its students. Many of our department heads and senior physicians are on its faculty and are associated with its varied and wideranging medical research activities.

Every year, the students select our physicians as the best teachers on the Technion’s faculty. At the beginning of April, the faculty of medi-

Prof. Majed Odeh

cine organized a ceremony for the doctors and departments selected.

The winning departments were: Internal Medicine A, managed by Prof. Majed Odeh (who himself has won the award for best lecture nine times in a row); Neurology, headed

by Prof. Boaz Weller; Pediatrics, headed by Prof. Isaac Srugo; Maternity & Gynecology, headed by Dr. Shlomi Sagi; Diagnostic Imaging, headed by Dr. Tamar Gaspar; and Urology, headed by Prof. Ofer Nativ.

Prof. Boaz Weller

Prof. Isaac Srugo

Bnai Zion Medical Center is also continuing to lead in patient satisfaction. The Ophthalmology and E.N.T. outpatient clinics received the highest score among hospitals in Haifa in a patient experience survey conducted by the Ministry of Health.

Hospital management thanks the hundreds of patients who participated in the survey to express their gratitude, appreciation and vote of confidence regarding the medical treatment and care they received at the Medical Center.

Dr. Shlomi Sagi

Dr. Tamar Gaspar

PEDIATRIC HEMATO-ONCOLOGY CRITICAL CARE UNIT EXPANDED DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF RIVKA ZYSMAN

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r. Amnon Rofe, CEO of Bnai Zion Medical Center, joined together with Frances and Glenn Schor and their family in early April for a dedication ceremony at the Medical Center.

The Schors dedicated the expansion of the Medical Center’s Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Critical Care Unit to the memory of Frances’s mother, Rivka Zysman Z”L. All in attendance found the dedication to be very moving. We are very grateful to the Schor family for their generosity in raising funds for this vital department at the Medical Center.

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Ahava Village “We have the utmost confidence that we will be able to complete the project and, in doing so, improve the therapies that our children receive.”

AHAVA VILLAGE

Construction Begins on New Therapy Center

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n early May, construction began on Ahava Village for Children and Youth’s new therapy center. The new therapy center will unite all of Ahava’s different therapeutic offerings under one roof, making it easier for the staff to collaborate with each other and access the materials needed to provide each child with the most customized, cutting-edge, coordinated treatment possible.

Currently, all of Ahava’s therapies are spread out and conducted in whatever space is available, from trailers to bomb shelters.

The therapy center will benefit the over 250 children currently receiving services at Ahava, allowing them to transcend their traumatic pasts, maximize their capabilities, and embrace opportunities for their future. The center will also continue to benefit disadvantaged children who come through the residential program for generations to come.

In the first stage of construction, the workers began to tear down an outof-use building sitting on the area 8

and dug the hole for the building’s foundation. In early June, Chairman George Schaeffer attended a groundbreaking for the therapy center, during which he helped place the cornerstone. Currently, the building’s foundation is being laid. While the funding to finish the therapy center is still ongoing, Ahava Village’s Executive Director, Yoav Apelboim, is excited for the

project to be underway and optimistic about the future.

“We are so grateful to Bnai Zion for their generosity towards building our therapy center,” said Mr. Apelboim. “We have the utmost confidence that we will be able to complete the project and, in doing so, improve the therapies that our children receive.”

ROBERTA’S CORNER

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uring our Celebrate 180 mission this April, participants gathered at Ahava Village for a special dedication ceremony in memory of Roberta Kirsch, Z”L. Roberta, who was an incredible teacher, loved children and was very passionate about Ahava Village, which she visited every time she was in Israel. In her honor, a new bench was built and decorated by the children next to Ahava’s animal therapy area. We are grateful for Roberta’s advocacy for Bnai Zion Foundation during her lifetime, and to her husband, Ted Kirsch, and their family for their continued commitment to Bnai Zion.

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Liraz’s Story

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iraz“Now, was removed from her home when she American was 8, because her mother was a physically families can be even more abusive drug user. She was sent to a children’s involved tobut provide hope there; the other center in Afula, was unhappy children were cruel, and she often ran away and and support for the youth got into trouble. When she was in 5th grade, Liraz’s living in the Ahava Village.” older brother was in a car accident and his leg was amputated. This caused a great deal of stress and pain for Liraz and her family.

In 6th grade, Liraz went to live with her father and stepmother. A year later, her father was shot and had to stay in the hospital for over a year. While he was there, Liraz lived with her uncle, where she was happy but still taunted by her classmates due to her family background. She moved back in with her father and stepmother, but they did not give her the care and attention she needed.

After approaching her lawyer for help, Liraz was referred to Ahava. Liraz has a family history with Ahava; her aunt and uncle, who often cared for her, met as Ahava residents. She decided to give it a try—and it changed her life.

“I have been here for two years, and I feel like I have become a new person,” she says. “I have found a place to call home and people who are family to me.

I have found friends for life, and I have found my way in the world. It is the best choice I have ever made.”

Liraz, now 15, is thriving at Ahava. She excels in school, and is even taking law classes at the University of Haifa. Thanks to a generous donation from board member Shelley Kilcoyne, Liraz received an iPad to help her in her studies. We hope that this gift will help her continue those studies and fulfill her dream of becoming a lawyer.

ZE’EV ORENSHTEIN: REMEMBERING THE BIRTH OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL

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e’ev Orenshtein, now 87 years old, arrived in Ahava Village as a Ukrainian refugee at age 13. After his father was killed, he and his mother hid on a pig farm from the Nazis and their Ukrainian collaborators. There, his mother became sick and died as well. The Jewish Agency helped bring him to Israel, but he was gravely ill with Typhoid fever.

When he arrived at Ahava, Ze’ev was immediately taken to the sick bay, where he was nursed back to health by the dedicated medical staff. When he had recovered, he joined the rest of Ahava’s children and remained at the village for six years.

Ze’ev will never forget the day that Israel was officially recognized as a state; in fact, he has a physical reminder with him always. When Ze’ev learned of the UN vote, he immediately ran to ring the bell that stood next to the dining hall so that everyone would know. At the same time, the village’s security guard began running to ring the bell as well. In their rush to share the good news, the two knocked into each other, and Ze’ev was hit in the face, giving him a small but permanent scar. Ze’ev doesn’t mind though; it reminds him of the joy he felt on that day.

To this day, Ze’ev is grateful for the loving environment that Ahava provided for him, as well as the educational staff who helped him adapt to this new country. As he says, “Ahava wasn’t just a warm home, but a place where I could re-start my life.”

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Ma’ale Adumim

MA’ALE ADUMIM Ambassadors Through the Arts Machol Midbar dance troupe goes on Florida tour

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his April, Bnai Zion Foundation sponsored Ma’ale Adumim’s dance troupe, Machol Midbar, to go on tour in Florida in honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut. Machol Midbar, which performs traditional Israeli dance under the guidance of choreographer Elron Reuveni, danced for enthusiastic crowds in five different locations in the Miami and Orlando areas across seven days – a real marathon! The 21 dancers were accompanied by Rachely Vassal, Mayor Kashriel’s Assistant for Foreign Affairs, as well as singer Meital Voldan, who provided live accompaniment for all the dances. Our Celebrate 180 mission was lucky enough to catch a Machol Midbar performance before they headed off on their trip.

The aim of the tour was to foster a greater recognition and appreciation for both Israel as a whole and Ma’ale Adumim in particular among communities in Florida.

In the United States, many are only familiar with Israel through what we see in the news. This trip sought to create a greater sense of familiarity, giving the Jewish communities of Florida a more human connection to the people of Ma’ale Adumim.

The troupe began their tour at the MAR-JCC’s Israel Community Celebration on Wednesday, April 18, where they also shared the stage with local Israeli dance students. They also performed at the Meyer Academy in Palm Beach, a Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration at the Orlando JCC, and a Shabbat dinner performance at 10

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Beth David Congregation in Miami. While most of their performances were at Jewish venues, the group ended their trip with a special performance at Disney World in Orlando! At the end of each performance, the audience was welcomed to participate in an Israeli dance.

“The dancers were welcomed warmly and were cheered at every stop,” said Rachely Vassal. “You could feel the crowd’s enthusiasm in the air throughout the show, but especially when Meital performed ‘Hallelujah’.”

Bnai Zion Foundation will continue this arts initiative on December 12 in New York City, when we welcome the Ma’ale Adumim Youth Symphony to perform at Carnegie Hall. Stay tuned for more details!

Construction to Begin on the Expansion of the Yuvalim Center

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onstruction is set to begin on the expansion to Ma’ale Adumim’s Yuvalim Center within the next few months. Celebrate 180 participants were able to visit the site in April, where a sign has been erected marking the area of the future expansion.

The Yuvalim Center is the only community center serving the area’s 3,500 seniors. The center provides social and enrichment activities for nearly 700 people each day. Due to space constraints, however, a large percentage of the region’s elderly population is unable to benefit from the center’s activities. This building expansion will allow the Yuvalim center to increase the number of existing activities, reach a larger percentage of an ever-

growing population, and provide services that are not currently possible due to lack of space.

REMEMBERING ISRAEL’S BIRTH AT YUVALIM

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On Yom Ha’atzmaut, the senior citizens of Ma’ale Adumim gathered at the Yuvalim Center for a special celebration of Israel’s 70th anniversary. While they were enjoying a festive meal, members of the staff asked them to reflect on their memories of the founding of Israel and their feelings on its 70th birthday. Here are some of their answers:

“I was in first grade at the Alliance School in Morocco. The principal announced it by walking into the classroom waiving the Israeli flag, and we all jumped up and danced.

From that moment I have been a patriot. To me, the State of Israel is my home! It is the state we longed for from the time we came out from Egypt.” — SUZAN ROIMI, 76

“I was at home. There wasn’t a radio in each household — only a few had, and people were listening at the windows of those who had them. They were dancing in Geula; we went to watch the dancers.

For me, the state of Israel is a source of pride: an independent, Zionist state.” — MEIR MIZRACHI, 79

“I remember walking down the street, with trucks passing by filled with people dancing and singing.

We danced all night.

Even though there are sometimes changes I do not agree with, Israel is my home!” — ZIPORA GOLDENBERG, 85

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David Yellin Academic College of Education

DAVID YELLIN COLLEGE Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Immigrant Communities David Yellin’s Preschool Intervention program in Ir Ganim

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or the past six years, David Yellin College has been running an innovative and inclusive preschool program in Ir Ganim, a low-income neighborhood in Jerusalem. Many of the area’s children are immigrants from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union, have single parents, and/or come from families who have been low-income going back multiple generations. The children must contend with numerous barriers to education and development, including difficulty integrating into Israeli society; cultural, economic, and social gaps; housing and employment problems; and familial histories of violence, neglect, and incarceration.

In the Preschool Intervention project, David Yellin students work with ten kindergartens in Ir Ganim with the aim of developing an educational approach that addresses the needs of the diverse populations in this neighborhood. The aim is to create an ecological-educational method that highlights the students’ differing familial, cultural, and communal backgrounds in a way that is positive and includes input from the parents and the community. The students working in the kindergarten are instructed and accompanied by a supervisor, but they truly take ownership of teaching the children and guiding the curriculum.

The students organize special multi12

cultural activities in the kindergartens, especially in ones with large Ethiopian immigrant communities.

They create games aimed at exposing the preschoolers to the culture of Ethiopian Jewry through the story of their aliyah (immigration to Israel). A few games are also based on aliyah narratives from other countries, such as Yemen and Morocco, and are intended to contextualize the story of the Ethiopian Jews within the larger story of immigration to Israel. The aliyah stories enable the non-immigrant children to identify and empathize with their classmates who have immigrated. These children are portrayed as heroes to their friends and peers, and their feelings of inferior-

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ity, discrimination, and culture shock are thus transformed into pride. The games transform the othering stereotypes that the children internalize regarding immigrant communities into relatable narratives.

One common problem within the Ethiopian immigrant community is that the lack of Hebrew language and literacy skills is a barrier to adult involvement in the educational system. The program works to foster greater involvement in the children’s kindergarten education through photography. The children are provided with digital cameras to record any special activities in the kindergarten during the week. On

the weekends, they take the photographs home and share all their experiences with their parents. During the course of the year, the children are also assigned joint photography projects with their parents and families on various topics. This collaboration helps the adults become involved in and actively contribute to their children’s education.

Other games and activities are designed to foster a sense of pride in and belonging to their neighborhood. For example, in an activity on the subject of cyclamens (a type of flower), the children prepare signs and place them next to the cyclamens in their neighborhood. They then photograph the flowers and signs and create a memory game with the photos. In a unit on classic Israeli stories and poetry, the preschoolers and the residents of their neighborhood appear in the photographs that illustrate the topics of the poems and stories.

David Yellin is encouraged by the progress that the children have exhibited as a result of this project, and looks forward to serving the community of Ir Ganim for many years to come.

YOM HAZIKARON AT DAVID YELLIN

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n Monday, April 16, a ceremony was held at David Yellin to commemorate Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of hostilities. At this ceremony, three members of the college community shared their stories about a family member they had lost.

The ceremony was very moving, and there was not a dry eye in the hall. The David Yellin community is hopeful for an end to the conflict and for a peaceful and tranquil Israel.

HERE’S WHAT DAVID YELLIN RETIREES HAD TO SAY ABOUT WHERE THEY WERE WHEN THE STATE WAS DECLARED AND WHAT THEY FELT ON ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY: • 70 years of the State of Israel signifies to me, along with great pride, success stories such as Nobel prizes in Chemistry and Economics, innovative inventions such as Waze and the Iron Dome, and an opportunity to get to know the people and events that shaped our country.

• I am saddened by the fact that although 70 years have already passed, there are still rifts and conflicts in our society. I hope that they will be healed soon.

• I am a third-generation Israeli. I was born here, just as my parents and grandmother were. I find it moving to know that my family’s roots have been deep-seated in this land for so many years.

• As far as I am concerned, this year’s celebrations are about Gal Gadot’s huge success as an Israeli woman, and I am so very proud!

• This year, I have decided to buy nothing but Israeli-made products.

• Despite all that we have been through, the Holocaust and the attempts to annihilate us, we have a country and a strong army and we are here to stay for many more years.

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Israel Elwyn

ISRAEL ELWYN Urgent Care as Compassionate Care Making the ER Accessible to Patients with Intellectual Disabilities

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eing in the emergency room is never a pleasant experience. Most patients experience terrible pain, fear about their condition, and feelings of loss of control over their situation. These feelings of anxiety and disorientation are only further magnified for patients with intellectual disabilities. The environment is unfamiliar, the atmosphere is hurried and tense, and members of the hospital staff often speak quickly and complexly. This makes the ER experience even scarier and less comfortable for patients with intellectual disabilities.

As part of their ongoing effort to create more compassionate and effective care for people with intellectual disabilities, Israel Elwyn partnered with Hadassah School of Nursing (Hebrew University) and Hadassah Medical Center – Ein Kerem to present a conference entitled “Making the ER Accessible” this past February. Built on a longstanding collaboration between the three organiza-

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tions, the conference addressed the many ways that Hadassah’s emergency room staff can better serve the unique needs of patients with intellectual disabilities.

By its very nature, an emergency room can be noisy and hectic. Hadassah Ein Kerem’s emergency room alone treats 90,000 patients annually, with anywhere from 20 to 30 patients arriving each hour. The staff treats many patients at a time, some of whom are facing life-threatening conditions. Efficient communication

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with patients and those accompanying them to the ER is essential.

Last year, 180 residents of Israel Elwyn’s Supported Living Services in Jerusalem had to visit Hadassah’s ER. These and other individuals with a range of disabilities have unique needs based on their ages, behavioral characteristics, interpersonal communication abilities, levels of cognitive understanding, and physical abilities, all of which are made more challenging with the pressure of intense situations such as ER vis-

its. The reality is that the existing model for emergency room care has proven inaccessible to them.

The seeds of this symposium were sown in 2013, when Israel Elwyn, Hadassah School of Nursing, and Hadassah Ein Kerem collaborated for a conference addressing medical service accessibility in broad terms. Over the course of that engagement, the partners identified a critical need to delve more deeply into the ER experience in particular.

The “Making the ER Accessible” Conference was attended by 120 professionals from the medical and social services fields, as well as many of Israel Elwyn’s service recipients and their families. Presentations included: • A review of the services provided to people with intellectual disabilities in Israel • Characteristics of intellectual disabilities • Filmed interviews with Israel Elwyn residents and their families on their experiences in the ER • Making information cognitively accessible for people with intellectual disabilities • Challenges faced by ER staff • Communication methods • Accessible health studies A panel discussion led by individuals with intellectual disabilities, their family members, Israel Elwyn staff, and health professionals tied the numerous topics together and gave the conference real-life context to enrich the experience for all attendees.

The conference was a rare and rewarding opportunity for caregivers, patients, and patients’ families to exchange ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This engagement produced many thoughtful and innovative approaches to ER accessibility. For example, a proposal was put forward to develop an “identification form” that would lay out the individualized needs and capabilities of each patient with an intellectual disability. The thought is that if a patient with an intellectual disability brought this emergency ID to the ER, the urgent care team could quickly adjust their encounters to put the patient at ease and make the treatment process go more smoothly.

We are confident that this conference is just the first step, and that this conversation will continue to evolve and expand to reach additional medical teams within Hadassah and other hospitals.

ISRAEL ELWYN CELEBRATES ISRAEL’S 70TH

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n the days leading up to Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Elwyn’s service recipients across the country – including the Quittman Center, one of the Supported Living Programs in Jerusalem – held parties, released balloons, and enjoyed typical Israeli foods in celebration. They recognized the significance of Israel’s 70th and celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut with even greater enthusiasm than usual.

When asked about the occasion, their remarks included a definite nod to the day’s importance:

“I’m glad we’re in our own country, not the Diaspora.

I love this country and its people.”

“It’s important to have our own country, our home. It makes us feel safer. I’d like there to be peace.”

Some talked about their family history and experiences growing up: “I remember that during the Six Day War we went into the air raid shelters whenever there was an attack. We had to turn off the electricity and there were sandbags in the windows.”

“I never met my father, he was killed in the War of Independence. I was named Israel for him and for the State.”

Others expressed their sadness at the conflict in Israel and their desire for peace and safety: “May the country succeed, all our soldiers always come home safely, and there be no wars or violence.”

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Yad Leah

YAD LEAH

A Bat Mitzvah That Gives Back

By Shira Weiner

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appreciated the importance of this project. Every week we ran ads encouraging people to come on the big day to donate their clothing and participate with me in my bat mitzvah. We even had a class trip to Yad Leah’s warehouse in New Jersey to help sort some clothing for their next shipment to Israel.

n April 15, after many months of planning, my very special bat mitzvah took place. My family is deeply committed to acts of kindness and charity, particularly when it comes to the people and the state of Israel. Therefore, when my parents and I started to think about my bat mitzvah, it was only natural that we would try to find a way of incorporating this wonderful day into a fundraiser and project that would benefit the people of Israel.

I am very fortunate that my grandfather, Stephen Savitsky, is the president of Bnai Zion; when I spoke to him, he told me he had the perfect project for me. The project was a new venture of Bnai Zion: their affiliation with Yad Leah, an amazing organization that sends millions of dollars of clothing to people in Israel in over 30 locations. What a great way to celebrate my bat mitzvah! A fun time, music, dancing…

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but more importantly, a clothing drive for our whole community to help those in Israel that can’t afford to buy new clothing for themselves or their children.

We were fortunate that many people helped us, including Larry Gordon, the editor of the Five Towns Jewish Times, who really understood and

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When the big day arrived, I was very nervous, but I had confidence that we would do well. In fact, we did better than we ever dreamt!

By the end of the day, after all the celebrations were over, there was a truck that was packed to the brim with hundreds and hundreds of bags of clothing, which will now be sorted out and sent to Israel.

I would like to thank Bnai Zion for all their help in this project, and Yad Leah for all the wonderful work they do. I feel so proud that my bat mitzvah was not just about me, but about helping the Jewish people.

Bnai Zion and Yad Leah Host Clothing Drives Coast to Coast Benefiting Disadvantaged Families in Israel

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ince our partnership with Yad Leah began in October, Bnai Zion and our supporters have arranged several successful clothing drives on their behalf in the tristate area and beyond. In February, Irina Schaeffer and her husband, George, Chairman of the National Board, organized a clothing drive at the Beverly Hills Synagogue in California. The drive was a massive success, and Mr. Schaeffer’s business shipped 2 pallets worth of clothing to Yad Leah, free of charge.

In March, New York synagogues Congregation Talmud Torah Adereth El and Temple Emanuel held clothing drives, and Cheryl Bier, Bnai Zion’s CEO, organized a drive at her home synagogue, AABJ&D of West Orange. David Edrich, National Board Member, collected nearly 30 bags at the drive he organized at Young Israel of North Woodmere this May.

PLACE YOUR LOGO HERE Lior Edrich

www.bnaizion.org/donate

Thank you to all of those who brought clothing to send to Yad Leah’s over 30 community locations in Israel, as well as those who contributed funds to cover their shipping. We anticipate many more opportunities to donate in the future, so stay tuned!

212-725-1211

bnaizion.org BNAI ZION VOICE • Summer 2018 • bnaizion.org 17 © 2017 Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. All rights reserved. The content and images included in this publication may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.

Heart for Zion

HEART FOR ZION

A Seder Like No Other Heart for Zion Visits Ahava Village

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assover is the most family-oriented holiday on the Jewish calendar; families sit around the table together for the Seder, recounting the story of the exodus from Egypt, with the children taking on special roles throughout the night. Because of this, it has the potential to be a very painful reminder for those children who have, by necessity, been removed from their homes and from their families.

Each year, the Ahava Village for Children and Youth conducts a model Passover Seder for all the children in the week prior to the holiday of

Passover. This allows them to celebrate together as a community before the children disperse for the holiday – some to their families, some to foster families, and some staying on the Village’s campus.

This year, Bnai Zion’s Passover appeal was directed to help the Village pay for the model seder, travel costs, meals, and programming for those remaining at Ahava.

“It was beautiful to see them singing the songs of Passover and participating in the Seder,” says Rabbi Moshe Rothchild, who was fortunate enough to join the children of

Ahava Village for this year’s model seder. “They ate the matzah, drank grape juice, told the story of the Exodus, and enjoyed the company of all the other kids around them.

They were smiling and laughing.”

The Passover Seder is centered around the education of our children. In fact, the passage, “you shall tell your child on that day…”

(Exodus 13:8) forms the basis for the evening of Passover. Heart for Zion thanks G-d for the staff of Ahava Village, who educate this next generation of children, who need extra care and warmth, with love.

Churches Celebrate Israel’s 70th

12 American Congregations join Heart for Zion Initiative

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his year, Heart for Zion initiated a program in anticipation of a special Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day) celebration in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary. As part of our efforts to increase support for Israel in America’s churches, we asked church leaders to have their congregants show their solidarity with Israel on her 70th birthday.

Participating churches were asked to conduct a program in three parts acknowledging Israel’s 70th anniversary.

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First, the pastor put together and gave a sermon about the miracle of Israel’s existence. Next, the churches showed a video greeting that was recorded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Finally, they collected charitable donations on behalf of one of Bnai Zion’s projects in Israel.

Response to this push has been very enthusiastic. This year we had 12 churches participate in our program. We hope to continue with this drive in the coming years, and we expect the number of participants to increase every year.

Israel at

Baskets of Love

Heart for Zion Thanks Soldiers in Purim Appeal

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eart for Zion has a deep appreciation for the soldiers serving in the IDF. We recognize the incredible sacrifice they make to keep Israel safe and secure; they give years of their lives to this important task, while risking their own lives in the process.

As such, it is important that we show our gratitude to our IDF soldiers and demonstrate how much we care for and appreciate them. Our efforts cannot possibly repay their incredible selflessness, but a tangible demonstration of our appreciation can brighten their days and help ease the load of their service.

In preparation for Purim, Heart for Zion ran a campaign to purchase and deliver mishloach manot (food baskets that are sent to others in observance the holiday) for our IDF soldiers, hoping to bring some extra brightness to the days of those soldiers who spent their holidays on duty. This was our first time running this kind of campaign, and we were very pleased with the results! We received enough donations to distribute fifty baskets to our soldiers on Purim day. Rabbi Moshe Rothchild and his family delivered the baskets personally.

The soldiers were very thankful for the gifts that they received. Their faces showed how deeply they appreciated the greater meaning behind this minor gesture.

Our soldiers take great comfort in knowing that so many people care about them.

FIRST HEART FOR ZION ISRAEL CONFERENCE

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eart for Zion is excited to announce our first ever Israel Conference, to be held on Sunday, October 14, 2018 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The conference aims to strengthen Israel’s relationships with her supporters throughout America, particularly within Christian communities.

Presenters at the Israel Conference will speak on the critical issues facing Israel today. Jewish and Christian, American and Israeli, these esteemed leaders will share their experiences and their knowledge regarding the important events currently unfolding. At the Israel Conference, faith and knowledge will come together to inspire meaningful action.

Confirmed presenters include Stuart Force and his family, who were instrumental in the creation of the Taylor Force Act; Pastor Sharon Daugherty, founding pastor at Victory Tulsa; Daniel Carlson, Deputy Director at CBN Israel; Rabbi Moshe Rothchild, Director of Heart for Zion; Cheryl Bier, Bnai Zion CEO; and Stephen Savitsky, Bnai Zion National President.

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National

Reflections on

CELEBRATE 180 Bnai Zion’s Mission to Israel in Honor of Israel’s 70th

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rom April 13 - 21, some incredible members of the Bnai Zion community traveled to Israel to celebrate Israel’s 70th anniversary and 110 years of Bnai Zion Foundation. The trip was led by Rabbi Moshe Rothchild, Director of Heart for Zion, and attendees included Cheryl Bier, Bnai Zion Foundation’s CEO, and her husband, Paul Bier; Alan Schwartz, Treasurer, and his wife, Ilene Tannen; Donald Vogelman, Vice President, and his wife, Sharon Kaplan; Julie and Joel Yohay; Stuart Shenkman; and Stuart and Susan Wohl.

Ilene Tannen, Donald Vogelman, Sharon Kaplan, Susan Wohl

Stuart Wohl, Susan Wohl, Julie Yohay, Joel Yohay, Cheryl Bier, Dr. Amnon Rofe, Sharon Kaplan, Donald Vogelman, Ilene Tannen, Alan Schwartz, Paul Bier

Donald Vogelman, Sharon Kaplan, Susan Wohl, Stuart Woh

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Mission Participants meet with Jacob Even and Yoav Apelboim at Ahava

HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THEIR TRIP: On Sunday, April 15, they visited the city of Ma’ale Adumim, where Bnai Zion has funded many successful projects, and had a chance to see how the city has been transformed. That evening, they watched a special program commemorating Israel’s 70th anniversary, including a beautiful performance by their dance troupe, Mahol Midbar – right before the group left for a tour in Florida!

The next day, they had the opportunity to tour two of Bnai Zion’s amazing project organizations. In the morning, they visited Bnai Zion Medical Center, where they saw some of Bnai Zion Foundation’s completed improvement projects and learned about the hospital’s incredible technological advancements. Bnai Zion Medical Center is at the forefront of innovation and excellence in areas such as neonatology, immunology, gene therapy, and more.

After a stop at the gorgeous Baha’i Gardens and lunch, they proceeded to Ahava Village for Children and Youth, which houses children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Meeting the children whose lives have been improved

by Bnai Zion’s work at Ahava was an emotional experience for the whole group. Inside the center was a beautiful display commemorating those who gave their lives in Israel’s armed forces. The mission also had the chance to see the area recently dedicated to Roberta Kirsch Z”L, and the site on which our new Therapy Center would soon begin construction.

Gabi Coneal and Yehuda Harel

Yehuda Harel, Gabi Coneal, Yotam Coneal

Yom Hazikaron Memorial

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National

Marching in the Yom Ha’atzamaut Parade

For Yom Hazikaron, the group had the honor of joining the Lone Soldier Center for their memorial program.

This truly moving ceremony included speeches from the mothers of Michael Levin and Max Steinberg Z”L, lone soldiers who lost their lives in defense of Israel, as well as speeches and musical performances from former soldiers in memory of their fallen comrades-in-arms.

The Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations were truly the high point of the trip – the moment that all the anticipation finally gave way to an incredible, joyous outpouring of excitement.

After an evening of celebration at

the Mahane Yehuda Market, the group spent the next morning at the national cemetery on Mount Herzl, where they reflected on the bitter losses that were necessary to create and maintain Israel as it is today. That afternoon, they joined thousands of marchers in a parade across Jerusalem, from City Hall to the Western Wall, followed by a spectacular evening of food, music, and entertainment with March of the Living at Latrun.

Many thanks to those who joined us for Celebrate 180, as well as all of our friends in Israel who made this trip so meaningful and joyous!

Rabbi Moshe Rothchild, Aryeh Lightstone, Senior Advisor to Ambassador David Friedman, and Cheryl Bier

Save the Date for Our Upcoming Missions Hanukkah Mission to Israel December 1 – 9 Led by Rabbi Elie Abadie, M.D.

Yom Ha’atzmaut Mission May 2 - 9

Visit bnaizion.org to learn more!

At the Lone Soldier Center’s Yom Hazikaron Ceremony

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A Landmark Trip for the

CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS Stephen Savitsky Joins Pre-Mission to the UAE and Jordan

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nai Zion Foundation is proud to belong to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, which serves as the official voice of the Jewish community in America regarding foreign affairs. As part of the Conference, Bnai Zion’s leadership is often briefed by top military and political officials as to what is really going on in Israel and elsewhere in the Middle East.

One of the Conference’s highlights each year is their annual pre-mission, which takes place immediately before their mission to Israel. This past year, the conference was invited to visit the United Arab Emirates and Jordan to get a firsthand look at what is happening in the ever-changing Middle East. President Stephen Savitsky was fortunate enough to attend this year’s pre-mission and reported back on the following: On the trip, the Conference learned that Israel is seen by many countries in the Persian Gulf as a strategic ally. The group was welcomed to the UAE with open arms; they were even allowed to bring in their own kosher food, and were treated to delicious, fresh meals prepared in a kosher kitchen in Abu Dhabi.

Stephen Savitsky with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister for Tolerance

Reflecting on the trip, Mr. Savitsky identified the following areas of accomplishment: 1. Strengthening the ties between the American Jewish Community and the UAE’s government

In the UAE, the Conference met with the small Jewish community, which is growing in spite of many obstacles. At the meetings with the country’s top leaders, they were able to not only listen, but ask questions regarding the current climate.

2. Re-establishing a connection with the UAE’s Jewish Community

“They were very frank with us,” said Mr. Savitsky. “They told us that they hope relations with Israel will improve over the next few years.”

4. Becoming goodwill ambassadors for the UAE in their quest for peace and a friendly Middle East

In addition to learning about relations with Israel and the Jewish community, the group learned more about the UAE. The country is exciting, industrious, and rich in natural resources, which they’ve used to invest in very meaningful projects.

3. Helping to pave the way for diplomatic relations to develop between Israel and the UAE

Bnai Zion is very grateful to the Conference for all they do, and for allowing us to connect to other organizations in America that share our love of Israel. We look forward to providing updates over the course of the year as Mr. Savitsky and Cheryl Bier attend meetings of the Conference of Presidents.

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Northeast Israel TripsRegion

Caption

New York’s Annual

GATHERING OF REMEMBRANCE Honoring the Victims and Survivors of the Holocaust

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Attendees heard from Holocaust survivor Toby Levy, who immigrated to the US from Poland in 1949. Levy and her family survived by hiding from the Nazis, first in a barn for three months, and then in an attic for nearly two years before being liberated by the Russians in 1944. Her message was one of love of and survival: “my father taught me to remember, not hate.

Hate will destroy you.”

nai Zion Foundation’s CEO, Cheryl Bier, and many of our supporters joined over 3,000 people at Temple Emanu-El on Sunday, April 8, for New Yorks Annual Gathering of Remembrance. The event, which honors the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, is held each year on the Sunday before Yom HaShoah and organized by the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Bnai Zion is proud to sponsor this meaningful event every year.

The afternoon included two candle lighting ceremonies: one focused specifically on women survivors, and one in which six survivors, both men and women, lit candles in commemoration of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.

Both ceremonies were accom-

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panied by the Temple Emanu-El choir. HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir performed two songs as well.

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Other speakers included Amanda Lanceter, granddaughter of survivors Gina and Henry (Z”L) Lanceter; Michael S. Glickman, President and CEO of the Museum of Jewish Heritage; and Rita Lerner and Ann Oster, Museum Trustees and Event Co-Chairs.

CELEBRATING ISRAEL AT 70 Bnai Zion Supporters March in Annual Parade

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ively music, gorgeous floats, costumed performers, and plenty of Israeli flags adorned Fifth Avenue in NYC on Sunday, June 3 during the annual Celebrate Israel Parade! Thousands of people lined the streets and cheered while hundreds of schools and Zionist organizations paraded through.

Bnai Zion Foundation was proud to share a beautiful float with the American Zionist Movement. In attendance were Bnai Zion President Stephen Savitsky, CEO Cheryl Bier, Vice President Jan Kiderman, Board Member David Edrich,

joined by his wife, Dr. Edna Edrich, Senior VP Rebecca Harary, and dozens of volunteers and friends of Bnai Zion Foundation.

Before the parade, Bnai Zion hosted a delicious breakfast for our marchers and their families. While everyone dined on fresh omelets, bagels, and coffee, Cheryl Bier energized the audience and thanked them for spending their day with us. Everyone had a great day, and proudly represented Bnai Zion Foundation while celebrating Israel’s 70th birthday.

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Northeast Region

A Night of

ART, WINE, & CULTURE Artist Robert Bery Hosts Bnai Zion Supporters

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rtist Robert Bery generously welcomed Bnai Zion supporters to his studio for an Art and Wine Night on February 6. Mr. Bery is a renowned artist whose work has been shown at the Miami Museum of Art, Soho West in Santa Monica, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Artopia in New York, Gallery Function Art, Blum Helman Warehouse, and several other notable galleries.

Attendees enjoyed Israeli wines while they viewed a collection of Mr. Bery’s artwork, and they received an autographed print at the end of the night.

Proceeds from this event were donated to the Rehabilitation Department at Bnai Zion Medical Center. Rehabilitation Department Head Dr. Katlin Goldenberg attended the event and spoke about her department’s role at the medical center.

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Robert Bery

Flag Raising at Bowling Green

Marking the 70th Anniversary of Israel’s Statehood

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nai Zion’s Cheryl Bier and Rebecca Harary joined dozens of Israel supporters at a moving flag ceremony on the evening of Monday, May 14, in honor of the English anniversary of Israel’s statehood. The ceremony was conducted in downtown Manhattan at Bowling Green Park. Speakers included Arthur Piccolo, Bowling Green Association; Ibrahim Kurtulus; Rabbi Joe Potasnik, New York Board of Rabbis; Cheryl Bier; Dr. Esther Serok, World Zionist Organization; and Herbert Block, American Zionist Movement. Other event organizers included the America-Israel Friendship League and the Consulate General of Israel in New York. Cantor Eric Friedman sang the Star Spangled Banner and Hatikva as each flag was raised, and closed out the event with Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold).

Introducing Rebecca Harary

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nai Zion is proud to announce the newest member of our national team: Rebecca Salame Harary, Senior Vice President. Rebecca is a highly accomplished nonprofit founder, executive, and thought leader with more than 25 years of success in nonprofit, education, government, events, women’s empowerment, and mental health. To date, she has founded four successful nonprofit organizations and is a board member for each of them. Her key areas of expertise include strategic planning, marketing and communications, fundraising, growth, public speaking, and dynamic leadership.

Rebecca holds a Master’s Degree in Business and Fundraising Management from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s in Display and Exhibit Design from FIT. She has been nominated to run for office in New York twice. Rebecca has been married to Joseph Harary for 34 years, and together they have been blessed with six children and several grandchildren. We at Bnai Zion are very excited to have Rebecca join our team, and can’t wait to see how she helps our organization grow!

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Northeast Region

Bnai Zion Attends Interfaith Breakfast

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n January 11, 2018, Bnai Zion CEO Cheryl Bier was invited to join with faith leaders and members of charity organizations from across New York for an Interfaith Breakfast aimed at helping the city’s most underserved residents. The morning included invocations from faith leaders of many religions, as well as remarks from Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray. Bnai Zion was proud to be a contributor for this important event.

Remarks from Rev. Al Sharpton

Mayor Bill de Blasio with Rabbi Joe Potasnik, Board Member

Board Member Stephanie Garry and Cheryl Bier

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BREAKFASTS WITH OUR PROJECTS

Bnai Zion and IDB Host Dr. Amnon Rofe and Yoav Apelboim

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ver the past few months, members of the New York community were invited to a series of breakfast events highlighting Bnai Zion’s projects in Israel.

In March, we welcomed Dr. Amnon Rofe, CEO of Bnai Zion Medical Center, to speak at Tiberias about recent innovations at the Medical Center. Dr. Rofe spoke about the medical center’s incredible breakthroughs in the field of emotional intelligence. President Stephen Savitsky and CEO Cheryl Bier spoke about the Bnai Zion Medical Center’s vital role in Northern Israel and its position as the most highly rated hospital in the region. Treasurer Alan Schwartz and Board Members Sheryl Safran, David Edrich, and Rabbi Joe Potasnik were in attendance, as were members of the local banking and real estate communities, including Israel Discount Bank’s Alain Mahani.

Israel Discount Bank then invited Bnai Zion to hold a special breakfast in their building on May 15, with

Yoav Apelboim, Executive Director of Ahava Village for Children and Youth, as the guest speaker. Yoav told moving stories about some of the more than 250 children at Ahava. Their lives were filled with abuse, violence, neglect, familial drug use, and other hardships. Since then, each of their lives has been turned around by the special care they are given at Ahava. Yoav’s stories warmed the hearts of all the guests, including IDB’s CEO, Uri Levin, who shared that his own sister had spent some time volunteering at Ahava.

Stephen Savitsky and Cheryl Bier spoke about Ahava’s importance to ensuring stability and safety for children who have endured Uri Levin extreme trauma and personal tragedy. By the end of the event, everyone present recognized Ahava’s role in creating a healthy and happy future for the children.

AN EVENING OF LAUGHTER AND LEARNING

Alex Edelman Performs at Bnai Zion Event

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t was all laughs at the Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach, NY on Saturday night, May 26! Talented comedian Alex Edelman performed for a packed audience in a show sponsored by Bnai Zion Foundation. Everyone, including the synagogue’s own Rabbi Marc Schneier, roared with laughter as Alex took the crowd through his 29 years of growing up as a Jew in New York City.

Before the show, Senior Vice President Rebecca Harary addressed the audience and spoke about how Bnai Zion was instrumental in saving her husband Joe’s life after he was born prematurely. After the show, many of the more than 400 audience members spoke with her to learn more about the organization. Special thanks to Jack and Esther Goldman for hosting the Hararys for Shabbat.

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Texas Region

Texas Hosts Annual Spring Reception In Support of Ahava Village for Children and Youth

Texas Board

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“The Spring Reception is a celebration of both Israel’s 70th birthday and the 110th anniversary of Bnai Zion Foundation,” said Debbie Tobias, Director of Development. “But along with the fantastic party, we hope to raise the much-needed funds to complete the construction of a new therapy center at Ahava Village, which has long been our trusted partner.”

n May 10, Bnai Zion Texas Region held its annual Spring Reception fundraiser in support of Ahava Village for Children and Youth. Held at Temple Emanu-El, the reception showcased Israeli food, wine, and agricultural advancements through both its catering and its programing.

The event honored Lowell Michelson, Summer Pailet, and Caleb Waller. Lowell Michelson is the wellknown owner of Simcha Catering, which provided the evening’s Israeli-style cuisine, as well as an ardent supporter of the Dallas Jewish community and of Israel. Summer Pailet, Collaborating Managing Director at ID360, demonstrates her commitment to the Jewish people through her participation on mission trips to Israel and work in the local Jewish community. Caleb Waller, a key spokesperson for HaYovel, works to strengthen independent farmers in Israel through his advocacy.

Honoree Summer Pailet, who had just returned from a trip to Israel, spoke passionately about her visit

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Diane Benjamin

to Ahava. “It was a true eye opener as to what Bnai Zion does for Israel.

I was in awe of the staff’s integrity and depth of care, but even more so of the children’s joy despite where they were prior.”

As part of the evening’s programming, emcee Jay Arbetter moderated a panel on Israeli food and wine, focusing particularly on innovations in food technology. Panelists were Alyssa Wernick, a highly sought-after food stylist and pastry chef; Jordona Kohn, an award-winning chef; and Josh Friedman, a wine expert and sales manager for Royal Wine.

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Also presenting was Yoav Apelboim, Executive Director of Ahava Village, who shared moving stories about the children in his care. “This new therapy center will serve the 250 at-risk youth currently at Ahava and will continue to benefit children who come to the residential facility for generations to come.”

Awards were presented by Honorary Chair Kim Kaliser, and the Honorary Committee members were Fonda and Jay Arbetter, Kim Zoller, and Ann Stacy. Members of the Bnai Zion Texas Region Executive Board are Diane Benjamin, President; Larry Strauss, Chairman of the Board; and Dr. Kathi Silver, Secretary.

Jay Arbetter, MC, and Food Panelists Alyssa Wernick, Jordana Kohn, and Joshua Feldman

“This new therapy center will serve the 250 at-risk youth currently at Ahava and will continue to benefit children who come to the residential facility for generations to come.”

David Moiger, Farzin Bakhshian, Ximena Moiger, Mojgan Bakhshian, Jay Arbetter, Fonda Arbetter, Fanny Hartman, Susan Schwarz, Mary Jo Gartner, Jay Gartner, Diana Frid, Leon Frid

Summer Pailet and Yoav Apelboim

Debbie Georgatos and Cheryl Bier

Lizzy Greif and Jane Hurst

Ruth Spirer, Gilit Mandelbaum, and Mary Jo Gartner

Jeffrey Kollinger and Jeffrey Pailet

Fredell Shulkin, Vivian Steinborn, and Sarina Schick

Debbie Tobias, Summer Pailet, Lowell Michelson, and Cheryl Bier

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Texas Region

Our Texas Board Gets Cooking 25th Annual Dallas Kosher Chili Cookoff

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his year was the 25th Annual Dallas Kosher Chili Cookoff, held March 18 at Tiferet Israel under the supervision of the Dallas Vaad. This event draws over 4,000 people each year, with proceeds benefiting local charities. It was Bnai Zion’s 6th year participating, with Texas Region Board Members Larry Strauss, Kathy Silver, Reed Wernick, and Theresa Wilson filling out team “Chili Chili Bang Bang”.

In honor of the event’s silver anniversary, this year’s event was even more spectacular than usual, with live music, children’s rides, a silent auction, and several vendors. The 47+ teams were heating up by 10 AM and ready to serve up some of the best kosher chili in Texas! Jews from every congregation in Dallas joined together to cook, eat, and brag about their chili. Altogether, the teams cooked up around 940 gallons of chili of all varieties, including the Bnai Zion team special (spicy with a sweet ending). While we did not bring home any prizes this year, everyone had a great time. We hope to see all of our Texas supporters there next year, when we try again!

Showcasing Israeli Medical Innovations Bnai Zion Texas Presents the Medical Center’s Recent Work

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s part of its celebration of Israel’s 70th, Temple Shalom recently hosted a forum promoting medical and technological advancements in Israel.

Bnai Zion Foundation was invited to present on behalf of our project, the Bnai Zion Medical Center.

Diane Benjamin, Texas Region President, and Larry Strauss, Texas Region Chairman and National Board Member, presented on Bnai Zion Medical Center’s history and some recent innovations, including its current drug trials for diabetic patients, implementation of emotional intelligence, and the integration of eastern and western medicine. The presentation was exceptionally well-received and informative, and provided Bnai Zion with an opportunity to bring awareness to the great work being done at Bnai Zion Medical Center, as well as its current needs.

INTRODUCING DEBBIE TOBIAS

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ebbie Tobias is a seasoned non-profit professional with nearly two decades of experience working with the Dallas Jewish community.

She holds a Master’s degree in Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University and has worked with numerous prestigious Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, the Dallas Jewish Historical Society, and Shearith Israel. She also has a wealth of experience in the for-profit sector, most recently as the founder of a fashion truck business, which she ran successfully for three years before selling it in order to spend more time at home

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with her children. Originally from South Africa, Debbie now lives in Dallas with her husband, David, and their three daughters, ranging in age from 8 to 18. Debbie is thrilled to be on staff at Bnai Zion as Director of Development for the Texas Region and looks forward to the challenge of increasing its donor base, working on securing major gifts, and engaging our supporters in the Texas region.

Combating Religious Violence in the Middle East

Please join us at our UPCOMING EVENTS

Bnai Zion Hosts Screening of Faithkeepers

Sunday, July 8 • 12:30 PM Citi Field, Queens, New York

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n April, Bnai Zion sponsored a screening of the documentary Faithkeepers at the Studio Movie Grill. Faithkeepers documents the violent persecution of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East. The film, produced by The Clarion Project, features exclusive footage and testimonials from those impacted by this violence, as well as a historical context for the persecution in the region. Dr. William ‘Bill’ Katz, Chair of the Bnai Zion Foundation Texas Region Speakers Forum, introduced the film and Bnai Zion to the audience.

Faithkeepers Executive Producer and Clarion Project co-founder Rabbi Richard Green led a dynamic discussion following the film. The audience, most of whom were not aware of the current situation, found the movie both shocking and compelling. In fact, many attendees requested that the film be screened in their synagogues and churches. Bnai Zion is confident that this event has helped to spread awareness of and compel action to combat this ongoing crisis.

Game Day: Mets vs. Rays

Women’s Day: Fall Forward Wednesday, August 22 Deal, New Jersey

6th Annual Alan Marx Memorial IFPA Pinball Fundraiser Sunday, September 23 • 12:00 PM The Marx Home • Garland,Texas

Jewish Film Festival of Dallas: The Last Suit by writer-director Pablo Solarz Thursday, September 27 • 7:00 pm Studio Movie Grill — Spring Valley • Dallas, Texas

Heart for Zion: Israel Conference Sunday, October 14 Tulsa, Oklahoma

New York Gala Honoring Rabbi Elie Abadie, M.D., Ken Abromowitz, and William and Mark Langfan, and featuring Oz Perlman Sunday, November 4 Museum of Jewish Heritage • New York, New York

Annual Texas Gala

Sunday, November 18 Dallas, Texas

Save the Date Ma’ale Adumum Youth Symphony Performance and Reception Wednesday, December 12 Carnegie Hall Conducted by award-winning cellist, conductor, and educator Benjamin Shapira Dr. Bettina Fehr, Rabbi Richard Green, Tania Joya, Barry Wernick, Diane Benjamin, Dr. William ‘Bill’ Katz

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Israel Trips

Summer Pailet

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hank you, Bnai Zion, for opening my eyes and my heart to Ahava Village! I’m so grateful that my journey to Israel included such a meaningful visit. I had the opportunity to meet with Yoav, several staff members, and, most importantly, the children.

I was completely awestruck by what is being done and what still needs to be done for these children, both psychologically and physically. The facility is so well structured, with 5 different types of care being provided, including a home-like structure that shows the children what a normal and loving family is like.

While touring the grounds, every few minutes another child would run up to hug or high five Yoav, as if he were their father. I saw the classrooms, playgrounds, garden, recreational fields, theater, and the stable, where equine therapy is offered twice a day. The highlight was actually dining with 7 of the children and a married couple, both social workers, who live with the children to provide them with a consistent home environment.

While my heart was breaking at the trials the children have been through, it was also overflowing. Knowing that these children have the ‘earth angels’ of Ahava Village to protect them and help their lights shine bright again meant so much to me. I cannot wait to bring my own family to visit.

Levine Academy

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n April, Levine Academy’s 8th grade class visited Ahava Village on their trip to Israel. Students Jordyn Behr and Noa Ksabi wrote about their experiences: Jordyn: At the beginning of the visit, I met a shy 14-year-old girl. As we spoke about our interests and found we had a lot in common, she began to open up to me. While I loved having the opportunity to get to know her, I didn’t realize the impact I’d made until later, when I saw her talking to Yoav, the Village’s grandfather.

“I did it, I can’t believe I did it,” she told him. “I actually made a connec-

34

Carole Wolanow

M

y sister-in-law and I visited Ahava on Purim.

Yoav and other members of his staff gave us an extensive tour. He was decked out as the Cat in the Hat for Purim, and all of the kids were dressed up and partying. We had a chance to see the new safe rooms in the apartments, as well as the 18 plus facilities. We also visited the emergency facility where kids are taken in at a moment’s notice.

The whole place is so amazing and full of love.

tion with another girl, and now she is my friend.” She was beaming with confidence and was clearly as grateful to have met me as I was to have met her.

Noa: One of our first activities was the music circle. My classmates and the kids each had a drum to beat to an overall rhythm. The language barrier disappeared while we played the international dialect of music.

I became close with two of the younger girls during arts and crafts.

They asked me to translate what other kids in my grade said, as I speak Hebrew easily. I stayed with them all evening, and we sadly said our goodbyes when it was time to leave. I knew that I had made a con-

BNAI ZION VOICE • Summer 2018 • bnaizion.org

nection with these two girls, and I hope they felt it too.

Despite their backgrounds, these kids were normal, like everyone else.

Our big takeaway from the visit was appreciating what we have. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a safe home and loving parents, and we are so lucky that we do.

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