Development News

EVENT Highlights NATIONAL The Second Annual Bessies Virtual Gala

AMIT held its second annual national virtual gala, The Bessies, on Sunday, November 21. We went big and virtual for a second year in a row as circumstances did not allow for in-person regional events. Named after AMIT founder Bessie Gotsfeld, the gala showcased student filmmakers from various schools around Israel who were given the opportunity to present their short films. The event honored supporters throughout the United States who have demonstrated enormous passion for AMIT’s mission, including Renee & Steve Bellin, Joyce Kosowksy, Naomi & Carl Lopkin, and Sarah Okon (Boston); Beverly Elefant, Naomi Redisch, and Shirley and Milton Sabin (Florida); Judy and Mark Teitelbaum (Greater Washington, DC); Yael and Jessy Battash, and Lisa and Ephraim Dardashti (Philadelphia); Frank Lee and Joel Levine (Los Angeles); Wendy Lefko Messeloff (Cleveland); Rachelle Gold (Chicago), Barbara Bloom (Baltimore), Barbara Fisher and Keren Fisher (Atlanta); Marilyn and Greg Adler and Melissa Adler (New York). We also awarded The Marvin Leff, z”l, Leadership Award to Rosalyn Bramson. The Bessies was hosted by Shira Haas, star of Unorthodox and Shtisel. It featured AMIT student filmmakers who created films on various topics, and we were honored to have guest host judge Assaf Bernstein, director of The Debt and Season One of Fauda.

During the gala, participants voted for their favorite student film in real-time. The winning film, Night and Day in Sderot, was created by Ayala Mastbaum, a twelfth grader at the AMIT Sderot Religious Junior and Senior High School.

Together, we laughed, we cried, and felt proud as we heard about the innovative and groundbreaking work that AMIT is doing and the impact it is having on our more than 44,000 students. Almost 1,500 people watched the Gala, AMIT’s biggest annual fundraising effort. Not only will your support help prepare our children to compete in the 21st century, but you are responsible for lifting up so many students from disadvantaged backgrounds and enabling them to reach their full potential and thrive as productive Israeli citizens.

AMIT + ANU: VIP Access to New Museum of the Jewish People

In December, AMIT hosted a virtual event providing supporters to an at-home tour of Tel Aviv’s newest museum, ANU – Museum of the Jewish People. The museum celebrates the multiculturalism of Jewish diversity and adopts an inclusive, pluralistic approach.

The virtual visit included a tour of the “Wonder Women” exhibit, highlighting Jewish women who made significant contributions to society throughout the ages. -30-

TRI-STATE Men’s Night Out

AMIT Poker Night 2021 was simultaneously familiar while being fresh and new. We were back in person, at a new all outdoor venue in New York City, but stuck to our roots with amazing steaks, charcuterie, and carving stations — nary a vegetable was found (potatoes don’t count)! Needless to say, the food was mouth-watering, the cigars smoky and rich, and the Scotch was aged and delicious. Over 125 attendees gambled (for a good cause) the night away on a beautiful evening, mingling and networking with other leaders who are invested and passionate about AMIT and our 44,000 students. Chairs Avi Adelsberg and Andrew Gadlin stewarded the dedicated committee across the tri-state area through planning the event and garnering an incredible response from all over. Poker 2021 was incredible and we can’t wait to see what 2022 brings. Congratulations to Jason Saibel on his first place poker win, Zev Gontownik for his second-place win, and Yoni Gontownik for bronze! Also, congratulations to Jessie Fisch and David Ohana on their respective blackjack and roulette wins.

EMERGING LEADERS AFLI Movie Night at the Safra Center

Even a lightning storm couldn’t ruin the vibe at The Safra Center in New York as over 40 supporters attended AMIT’s Movie Under the Stars event. Participants enjoyed catching up with friends, classic movie snacks, fresh popcorn, and a night to remember! Thank you to our generous sponsors: Jonathan Tropper, The Fried Family, and The Sturm Family.