OVER A HUNDRED YEARS OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Summer 2015 • Volume 100 • No. 3
Feldman’s Host Cocktail Party
How to Get to Carnegie Hall
Project H.U.G.— An Inspiring Story of Giving
Texas Dessert Reception Is a Resounding Success
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contents 4 About the Artist
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5 A Powerful Visit to Israel David H. Eisenberg President 7 Thank You Uncle Sam Jack Grunspan Executive Vice President 9 The Feldman’s Visit our Projects
NORTHEAST REGION 10 64th Annual Israel Folk Dance Festival honors Mel and Arlyne Parness
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11 Post Israel Trip Experience
SPECIAL EVENTS
12 Introducing Project H.U.G.
19 Bnai Zion Hosted Successful Congressional Reception for Medical Center
13 Zumbatique: A Day of Family Fun
Capturing Bialik’s Butterflies
14 Bnai Zion Supporters March in the Annual Celebrate Israel Parade
TEXAS REGION 15 Some Like it Hot
Four Days at the Gaza Border
16 Annual Texas Dessert Reception 17 Breathtaking! To Ahava with Love
WESTERN REGION 18 L’ Dor V’ Dor: From Generation to Generation Meet Los Angeles Donor Tooran Mahboubi
20 Izzy and Sharon Feldman Host Cocktail Party to Benefit Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa 22 Upcoming Events
OUR PROJECTS IN ISRAEL 23 Updates from the Bnai Zion Medical Center 25 The Miya Program at Ahava Village 26 Keep Our Children Safe 27 How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall? 28 Updates from the Quittman Center 29 News from the International Program – Ruti Bar Sinai
events NORTHEAST REGION Wednesday, July 29 Summer Sizzler
Sunday, November 22 Ma’aleh Adumim Youth Orchestra performs at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
SOUTHEAST REGION Tuesday, October 20 Florida Gala honoring Dr. John Armstrong Weston, FL
TEXAS REGION
Tuesday, November 10 Humanitarian Award Dinner honoring Andrea and Dean McWilliams Austin, TX Sunday, November 8 Texas Region Annual Gala Dallas, TX
NATIONAL
Fortify Israel Today & Save Lives Tomorrow Help Make a Modern-day Miracle The Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa has begun construction of a new protected underground emergency department, but needs funds to complete it. With Hezbollah and ISIS in the north, building this new facility is a critical need.
Help protect Israel today! 100% of all designated gifts to Bnai Zion are immediately transferred to our projects in Israel
Contribute at bnaizion.org
see us bnaizion.org FACEBOOK: facebook.com/bnaizionfoundation TWITTER: twitter.com/bnaizion
contact us
NATIONAL OFFICE Cheryl Bier • 212 725 1211 • cheryl.bier@bnaizion.org NORTHEAST REGION Alicia Post • 212 725 0244 • alicia.post@bnaizion.org facebook.com/bnaizionnewyork MID-ATLANTIC REGION 800 564 6399 • midatlanticregion@bnaizion.org SOUTHEAST REGION Jack Grunspan • 305 949 0076 • seregion@bnaizion.org facebook.com/bnaizionsoutheastregion TEXAS REGION Avrille Harris • 972 918 9200 • avrille.harris-cohen@bnaizion.org facebook.com/bnaiziontexasregion WESTERN REGION Judy Podolsky • 818 598 1818 • judy.podolsky@bnaizion.org facebook.com/bnaizionwesternregion
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About the Artist The tantalizing cover for this issue was created by BrookeLynn Danoff, a mixed-media artist and photographer inspired by many different types of art, particularly street art. Her photos of urban angles were exhibited recently in a New York art show.
ISSN: 0884-5565
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jack Grunspan ASSOCIATE EDITOR Brooke-Lynn Danoff BUSINESS MANAGER Cheryl Bier
Brooke is the media manager in the Bnai Zion national office, where she creatively handles many graphic art tasks in which some of the influence of the street can be seen. She enjoys photography, cooking, sci-fi, comedy writing and watersports, and is very devoted to her cat, Wookie.
ART DIRECTOR Matthew Papa COVER ILLUSTRATION Brooke-Lynn Danoff PRINTING & PRODUCING Cummings Printing CONTRIBUTING WRITERS David H. Eisenberg Jack Grunspan
The cover illustrates the Star of David being used as a frame to display images of each of our projects. The helping hands and tree seen in the middle of the star represent the growing need for support in order to help advance the state of our projects and to help save more lives of the people in need.
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Naum Dorkhman Aaron Drazin Audrey Rothstein Denny Simon
ON THE COVER
LOVE PHOTOS?
See many from Bnai Zion events nationwide in our PHOTO GALLERIES on bnaizion.org, and on our Facebook pages: facebook.com/bnaizionfoundation facebook.com/bnaizionnewyork facebook.com/bnaizionsoutheastregion facebook.com/bnaiziontexasregion facebook.com/bnaizionwesternregion And like us on Facebook! 4
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VOICE
SUMMER 2015 VOL. 100 • NO. 3
CIRCULATION MANAGER Rosemary Fletcher Published by BNAI ZION FOUNDATION Annual Subscription: $2 members $5 non members USPS #546980 Bnai Zion Voice (ISSN 0884-5565) postage paid at New York, NY and additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address change to Bnai Zion Voice 136 East 39th Street New York, NY 10016 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.
DAVID H. EISENBERG
A Powerful Visit to Israel In February, our Executive Vice-President, Jack Grunspan, and I had an exciting visit to Israel, which included the annual Conference of Presidents, as well as visits to our projects. During our trip, Jack was bestowed a great honor, having a new Torah dedicated to the Israel Defense Force in his honor. The dedication took place on the IDF base where the Torah will stay. The base is the training grounds for bomb sniffing and attack dogs. Before the ceremony, we watched the dogs, some of whom had actually been in the terror tunnels in Gaza, go through their drills. At the dedication, Jack was called upon by one of the head Rabbis of Israel, to assist the Scribe in completing some of the last letters in the Torah. Jack arranged for me to follow him in completing the letters of the beloved Torah as well, and it was a very emotional and special moment for us, as evident by the tears in our eyes. After the completion of all letters, we were introduced to the soldiers who held the new Torah over their heads while singing and dancing. It was a glorious sight to see.
In addition to the conservatory, Chairman of the Board George W. Schaeffer and his wife Irina, have committed themselves to establishing a wonderful new cultural theater for the arts, which is almost completed and will be dedicated this October. I recommend anyone planning a visit to Israel add a stop at Ma’aleh Adumim to see these new additions to the city.
After lunch, we were taken on a tour of one of the high schools in the city, where some of the best and brightest students are not only working towards their diploma, but are simultaneously receiving training and preparing to join the IDF Air Force, upon their graduation, where they will be future protectors of Israel. We then headed back to our hotel in Jerusalem, where the Conference of Presidents was taking place.
Later that day we were off to Ma’aleh Adumim, a city of over 40,000 residents that acts as part of the security belt protecting Jerusalem, where we had lunch with our good friend, Mayor Benny Kashriel. While there, we visited the George W Schaeffer Music Conservatory, which has been open for a little over a year now, and is very active.
Highlights of Monday’s session included a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, as well as several renowned speakers who discussed Iran and the issue of Israel being delegitimized. Following that was a tour of strategic sights from the Honorable Nir Barkat, mayor of Jerusalem. The day ended with a very special dinner with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. What a memorable evening this was. Security was tight for this event as it was just days before his trip to the United States for his speech with Congress. His remarks were very similar to the points that he made to Congress, which
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centered around the threat of Iran having the bomb, and the further destabilization of the Middle East. Tuesday’s sessions were equally exciting and informative, and included a Special Leader series discussion with Reuben Rivlin, President of Israel, that took place at Beit Hanassi, the official residence of the President, and a panel discussion held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Wednesday began with early morning trips to Tze’elim army base and the Urban Warfare Training Base where we watched live training exercises performed
we had a very nice visit with “Grandpa Yoav”, Ahava’s Executive Director who welcomed us with open arms. Although the village is striving in its efforts to provide not only food and shelter, but education, values, and so much more for the children, they still need your help. Following Operation Protective Edge, the Israeli government requested that Ahava build individual safe rooms for each apartment at Ahava. The total cost is $500,000, of which the government will fund 40%. It is imperative that the remainder of the funds($300,000) be raised during the 2015 calendar year or they will lose the funding opportunity from the government. It was a wonderful and rewarding trip, but we need to increase our funding efforts. Whether for the Bnai Zion Medical Center or Ahava, I ask you to look into your hearts, and dig a little deeper into your pockets. The protection of the citizens of Israel and the well being of its children, are paramount and your help will go a long way.
by IDF soldiers, as well as a briefing from Brig. Gen. Michael Edelstein, commander of the base and former commander in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge. After that it was off to Tel Aviv, where yours truly served as host and panel moderator to Walid Obeidat, the Jordanian Ambassador of Israel. Afterwards, we continued briefings from several officials such as Rear Admiral Oded Gur-Lavi, IDF Planning Division Coordinator, and Major General Herzi Levi, head of the IDF Intelligence Division. We concluded the day with a lovely dinner followed by a panel discussion covering the Syrian Civil War. On Thursday morning, our last day in Israel, we were off to Haifa to visit the Bnai Zion Medical Center and Ahava Village for Children and Youth in Kiryat Bialik. The hospital was impeccable, thanks to everyone’s hard work and dedication. Kudos to the entire team, which includes Dr. Amnon Rofe, CEO of the Medical Center and Dr. Mickey Kafka, Director of the Emergency Department. The hospital remains in harm’s way from Israel’s enemies in the north, and the hospital is moving full steam ahead with the underground emergency department. Drawings are completed and construction is imminent, but it will still require some more funding for its completion. At Ahava Village, a refuge for so many neglected children of Israel, that Fran and I hold so dear in all our hearts,
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JACK GRUNSPAN
Thank You Uncle Sam, No Thank You Today’s marketplace was not making it easy for Caitlyn to make decisions. While there were very little stocks left with Capital Gain concerns, there were also not many dividends being issued, which was really cramping her lifestyle. Suddenly her cash flow was drying up. Caitlyn did have a considerable amount invested in U.S. Savings bonds, $300,000 to be exact, but the original cost of these bonds was $140,000 and cashing them in would mean taxable Interest Income of $160,000. This would give Caitlyn a tax bill of $56,000. At age 90, she was not looking to make such a large ”contribution” to Uncle Sam. However, keeping the investment with Uncle Sam meant no cash flow from a $300,000 asset, and the asset was only earning 2% interest.
Caitlyn met with the Planned Giving people at Bnai Zion and decided to establish a lifetime Gift Annuity, which at her age (90) would give her a lifetime interest at the annual rate of 10.5%. Caitlyn cashed in the Savings Bonds, picking up taxable Interest Income of $160,000. However, establishing the Gift Annuity gave Caitlyn a one-time Charitable Tax Deduction in the amount of $168,504. This eliminates 100% of her taxable Interest Income. In addition, her cash flow from this former non-producing asset will be $2,625 a month, or $31,500 annually. Problem solved!
If you would like more information based on your specific circumstances, please contact Jack Grunspan at 212 725 1211.
SAMPLE SINGLE GIFT ANNUITY RATES A G E
RATE
PRI NCI PAL
INCOME
CHARITABLE DEDUCTION*
75
7%
$10,000
$700
$3,365
80
8%
$10,000
$800
$4,076
85
9%
$10,000
$900
$4,948
90
10.5%
$10,000
$1,050
$5,647
*deduction calculated at time of printing
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Optimum Retirement: Your Future Can Be Enhanced with Smart Planning Support our humanitarian projects in Israel while earning high interest with a
BNAI ZION GIFT ANNUITY High Interest Guaranteed | Income Tax Deduction | Capital Gains Tax Deferral A Bnai Zion Gift Annuity: How It Works A Gift Annuity with our organization is a contract under which the Bnai Zion Foundation, Inc. commits to paying a fixed-rate lifetime annuity to one or two individuals in exchange for a contribution of cash or marketable securities. The fixed annuity rate is based on the age(s) of the annuitant(s) and is drawn from Bnai Zion Gift Annuity tables for one or two lives. More information can be found on bnaizion.org.
Yes,
I am interested in a Personalized Gift Annuity illustration. ❑ Please mail the illustration to me
❑ Please contact me to
Compelling Reasons to Enroll One wants assurance that one’s fixed income investments are secure and that the income received is enough to help with the high cost of living when retired. Reputable, stable charitable organizations have made regular and reliable payments to annuitants over decades, throughout all sorts of economic fluctuations. The Bnai Zion Gift Annuity reserve fund, required to conform to regulations of the New York State Insurance Department, provides our annuitants with assured, timely income.
arrange an appointment
NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE
ZIP
PHONE EMAIL BEST TIME TO CALL
Learn More For a confidential, customized Gift Annuity proposal, contact Jack Grunspan, Bnai Zion Executive Vice President, at 800 564 6399 or via grunspan@bnaizion.org
Confidential information is needed to complete illustration. Name of person to receive annuity payments: NAME
For a confidential personalized Gift Annuity proposal, please complete and return the form at right.
bnaizion.org
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DATE OF BIRTH
Mail this form to: Jack Grunspan Executive Vice President Bnai Zion Foundation 136 East 39th Street New York, NY 10016 212 725 1211 or 800 564 6399
Why would I choose to visit a hospital on my vacation in Israel? by SHARON FELDMAN
T
hankfully, not because I was ill, but because I wanted to see the Bnai Zion Hospital which my husband and I have been asked to support. My girlfriend, Judith, and I traveled by train from Jerusalem to Haifa to meet with Dr. Amnon Rofe, the CEO of the facility, and Keren Kabiry, the Executive Director of the Friends of Bnai Zion Hospital. Dr. Rofe took us onto the balcony outside his office and showed us the spectacular view of Haifa and the bay - pointing out where the Katyusha rockets fell right under the patients’ windows. Chillingly, Dr. Rofe explained to us that he could see the enemy from his balcony. He said; “If I can see them - they can see us.”
“I came away with a clear understanding of the importance of building a protected emergency room” Following a historical briefing about the hospital, Dr. Rofe proudly showed us awards which they had received for outstanding quality of care provided to patients of all ethnic and religious backgrounds. We were shown the only protected neo-natal ward in Israel. It is also the only rehab unit in Northern Israel and the current triage area at the front of the medical center, including the area where victims of biological warfare would be treated. If a siren goes off, the hospital staff has a matter of seconds to get the vulnerable patients to a protected area. Some patients are lucky enough to be ambulatory and can go themselves but when a patient cannot move on their own the staff must get them there as quickly as possible. I imagined the scenario of a siren sounding outside and the panic of everyone trying to rush into a safe area quickly.
The final important stop on our tour was the parking lot. Why the parking lot? Because the hospital desperately needs a protected emergency room where patients could be taken during times of war, but there is no possibility for expansion - except underground. I came away with a clear understanding of the importance of building a protected emergency room under the parking lot. Funds are desperately needed to complete this tremendously important project, and the Israeli Government has agreed to match funds raised by the Bnai Zion Foundation for this purpose. I urge everyone who goes to Israel, to include a visit to the Bnai Zion Hospital in their itinerary, to see with their own eyes the importance of this life-saving project. I know that Dr. Rofe and his dedicated staff will welcome you with open arms.
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POST ISRAEL TRIP EXPERIENCE by ALICIA POST, DIRECTOR, NORTHEAST REGION I recently visited the Bnai Zion projects in Israel. On my first day, I visited The Quittman Center at Israel Elwyn, in Jerusalem, where I was warmly greeted by the center’s Director, Janet Elion, and spent the morning touring the center. Quittman provides physically and mentally challenged adults life enriching activities, teaching skills in order to maximize their potential and to be able to live more independent lives. The residents design items that are sold at the gift shop on the grounds. When their items are sold, they are then given the latitude to purchase items of their choice, at the store on site. Another highlight of my visit was the Sensory Garden. They provide an environment with equipment to understand and explore all the different senses. I was thrilled to see the wonderful work that Janet and her staff are doing at Quittman.
That afternoon, I visited the David Yellin Academic College of Education. The college’s Director of Resource Development and Public Relations, Michal Goshczini gave me the VIP tour around the campus. The collaborative, welcoming spirit on the grounds were enhanced by the focus on environmental sustainability. The college was awarded the Green Campus certification by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the campus’s Avinoam Garden runs waste-processing, recycling, and water management programs. My final stop of the day was the campus library, where beautiful plaques dedicated from Bnai Zion supporters hang proudly.
Another highlight of my trip was my visit to the ‘pearl in the desert’, the vibrant city of Ma’aleh Adumim, where I was welcomed by Mayor Benny Kashriel and his team from the municipality, including Hizki Zisman & Eli
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Wiazemski. I was overwhelmed at the beauty of the city while touring the amazing Bnai Zion projects and experiencing their impact on the community, including an elderly community center, a school, the Bnai Zion Library of Peace and the incredible George W. Schaeffer music conservatory and a cultural theater which will be dedicated in October.
Next was my visit to the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa, which demonstrated excellence in all aspects of this award winning medical center. The events of last summer, as Israel was dealing with rockets landing all over the country, emphasized the importance for our financial commitment to the vital need for an underground emergency department. Outstanding patient care, doctors, needed equipment and more brought light to the need for our ongoing financial assistance and critical reasons to continue to support the hospital.
A diamond in the Bnai Zion project list is our Ahava Village for Children & Youth. There, I was greeted by the familiar face of Director Yoav Apelboim. I had the chance to tour the grounds and experience the significant impact Bnai Zion supporters have had, such the building of the life-saving emergency shelter and 18+ apartments. While visiting a family I came to understand how the chores, cooking dinner etc teaches responsibility and necessary life skills. The family proudly shared their wall of trophy’s the kids won. It is clearly understood that this trip to Israel added more meaning to my commitment to my work in providing resources for Bnai Zion projects to operate, maintain and enhance all of our projects. I encourage all Bnai Zion supporters to make their way to the projects when visiting Israel.
64th Annual Israel Folk Dance Festival honors Mel and Arlyne Parness by RUTH GOODMAN
M
el Parness, Executive Vice-President Emeritus of Bnai Zion and his wife, Arlyne, were honored at the 64th Annual Israel Folk Dance Festival and Festival of the Arts for their lifetime commitment to Israel and Jewish culture. “Arlyne and I are proud to be part of the Israeli Dance Institute and the Israel Folk Dance Festival that brings joy to so many people”, said Mel. The Festival, a day-long celebration, was held on Sunday, March 29th in New York City and featured over 250 dancers and singers ranging in age from barely 7 to almost 80 representing national organizations, schools and communities from across the United States. The festival theme, “Gesharim Bamachol - Bridges of Dance” spanned generations, eras, styles, and cultures and brought together a diverse selection of Jewish dance, music, and art. This year’s Festival was the perfect setting for the Israeli Dance Institute to honor Mel and Arlyne for their belief in Israeli folk dance as an important way to strengthen our connection to Israel, Jewish heritage and Israeli culture and their “leading from the heart” with a lifetime of exemplary service to Bnai Zion and their work with so many organizations that they have nurtured with unparalleled warmth and inspiring leadership. Mel and Arlyne truly bring the “human” to humankind. The presentation was made by Bob Levine, Israeli Dance Institute Board Chairman and Ruth Goodman, Israeli Dance Institute and Festival Director. Donald Vogelman, Bnai Zion Treasurer, accepted on behalf of Mel and Arlyne and beautifully articulated from his heart what we know and love about these two extraordinary individuals: their selfless service to Israel and the Jewish people through an incredible partnership for over 50 years. Kol Hakavod Mel and Arlyne! It has been an honor to have you in our lives.
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INTRODUCING
PROJECT When it came to choosing a theme for celebrating her bat mitzvah, Naomi Wiener knew it would involve helping the people of Israel. “After watching the news last summer and seeing how people have only a few seconds to run into a safe place when the alarm sounds, I started thinking about what might happen to someone who couldn’t run that quickly. That thought made me very scared,” Naomi recalled. Then, Project H.U.G. (Hope UnderGround) was launched, in lieu of a fun party and all the gifts that accompany it. Instead, Naomi has created a series of FUNdraising events to enjoy with her friends and help her reach her goal to support Bnai Zion Medical Center’s Underground Emergency Department. This state-of-theart facility will be designed to hold 30 beds, two trauma rooms, and six professional clinics, as well as a protected hospitalization department for ongoing care with 90 beds and a complete range of services, treatment rooms, doctors’ offices, a pharmacy, and other features, at a cost of $12 million. Helping now means the new protected unit will save lives in the near future. Naomi’s mother, Penina, who has taken on a second fulltime job arranging all the details of this multi-pronged celebration, admits that it would have been far easier to throw a five-hour party as the traditional bat mitzvah celebration goes, since she is a party planner by trade. But she and her husband are extremely impressed and inspired by the sense of empathy and responsibility that their daughter has exuded and have put their full support behind every aspect in order to maximize the potential of this campaign, which will no doubt save lives in a time of need. Among the events were a bake sale, car wash, Purim card sales, and a Zumbatique. A huge catch was that the biggest supporters got to join the Bnai Zion team on their float during the Israel Parade on May 31st.
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H.U.G.
Project H.U.G. (Hope UnderGround) was launched, in lieu of a fun party and all the gifts that accompany it.
Zumbatique: a day of family fun by PENINA WIENER
The final FUNdraising event for Project H.U.G. was originally going to be a Zumbathon. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with all of our events as there was a snowstorm on both the date of the bake sale and on Purim. In order to “finish strong”, we decided to change the zumbathon into a much larger community family fun day. And so, the ZUMBAtique was born! It took place on May 17th at the Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Center. The event featured amazing pre-camp boutiques, a tiny tots fashion show, family portrait sessions, delicious dairy buffet and a live concert. All proceeds were directly donated to the Bnai Zion Medical Center Underground Emergency Department. The buzz about this project has been overwhelming. People have been most impressed by the selflessness of this 11 year old girl. Naomi has forgone the fabulous party and all of the gifts associated with it in order to really give back in a BIG way. She has also included all of her friends in this journey in order to inspire them to forge their own path into philanthropy and social responsibility. A local newspaper, the Five Towns Jewish Times has run numerous articles about Naomi and her journey. She has received many donations on her website from complete strangers. Naomi continues to be amazed at how far reaching this project has become, and we are extremely proud of her.
Capturing Bialik’s Butterflies: Poet’s Voice Meets Camera’s Eye On the evening of April 30th a lovely crowd gathered to kick off the current art exhibit being featured at the Bnai Zion house. Friends, family and other supporters joined together for this unique exhibition from curator and photographer, Henry J. Spencer. The opening reception featured Rabbi Dr. Marc Mandel of Touro Synagogue - Newport, RI, the oldest synagogue in North America, who spoke about “Bialik’s butterflies: a call for environmental activism”. Artist Henry Spencer described his inspiration, from Modern Hebrew poet, Chaim Nachman Bialik and the connection to butterflies. The pictures highlighted Hebrew verses taken from Bialik’s popular children’s poems: “The Butterfly to the Blossom,” and “The Blossom to the Butterfly”. The vibrant pictures enhanced both the poems and the art.
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BNAI ZION SUPPORTERS MARCH
in the ANNUAL CELEBRATE ISRAEL PARADE
On the last Sunday in May, a large crowd of Israel supporters gathered for a festive walk up Fifth Avenue in solidarity with the Jewish State. Bnai Zion members and Project H.U.G. participants of various ages took part and joined us on and around our float. It was a wonderful experience. We’d like to thank everyone who participated and helped to make this a very memorable day. The outpouring of support for Israel on this special day continues to be an emotional experience. We are always proud to be a part of this annual celebration.
HOLD THE DATE FOR OUR
Summer
SIZZLER at the Bnai Zion House
July 29 • 6:30 - 9:30
ON OUR TERRACE
VISIT BNAIZION.ORG FOR MORE DETAILS
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Some Like it Hot The 22nd Annual Dallas Kosher Chili Cook-off has become a Dallas tradition. This year’s event was held on Sunday, March 22nd at Congregation Tiferet Israel, and was a tremendous success. There were over 50 entries in this outstanding community-wide, Texas – sized extravaganza. Annually, the cook-off attracts over 3,000 visitors and participants, including, of course, the fabulous Bnai Zion team of chili chefs. Theresa Wilson, Chairman and Chief cook was assisted by board members Haia Goldenberg, Lauren Rose, Michael Wilson and Bnai Zion Texas Region President, Diane Benjamin. Additionally, volunteers, coordinated by Bnai Zion executive assistant Anita Warner, sold an abundant supply of goodies, proceeds of these sales were raised for Ahava Village for Children & Youth, located in Kiryat Bialik, Israel. It was a glorious afternoon, deep in the heart of Texas where we, once again, gave Bnai Zion the community-wide visibility that we deserve and made it known that aside from our chili, Bnai Zion is HOT!
Four Days at the Gaza Border Recently, we had the pleasure of having Charles Pullman, Dallas attorney and former Bnai Zion honoree, discuss the unique experience that he and his wife, Janine, had while spending four days on the southern border of Israel near Gaza. During their visit they met with the IDF Yahalom Unit that locates and destroys the Hamas terror tunnels crossing into Israel. They employ Israeli residents and security teams in the communities along the border, and with support from mayors of the several Regional Councils along the border. In addition, Charles and Janine descended into a Hamas terror tunnel deep underground. This program is one of many community service involvements that the Texas Region of Bnai Zion fosters. Among the attendees was Dr. Bill Katz, Chairman of the Texas Region of Bnai Zion’s Speakers Forum, and professor of behavioral and brain sciences at UTD.
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Annual Texas Dessert Reception …..turns out to be a very sweet occasion On May 14th, Bnai Zion hosted its annual Texas Region Dessert Reception at Congregation Shearith Israel in Dallas. It was a very successful event. Recently the Israeli government mandated that Ahava Village for Children & Youth, Bnai Zion’s residence for abused and neglected children, must build a Safe Room for each of the apartments by the end of the year. Hence, it is clearly our directive to act now! In light of this directive, the Co-Chairs Shane Stein and Brett Lazarus, two outstanding Dallas community leaders, served as the Chairmen of this event. Honorees were carefully chosen based upon their humanitarian efforts locally and within the Jewish community. The honorees included Lauren and Dr. Steven Davidoff, Megan and Brian Hodges, Naomi and Rav Jeff Schrager, and Kim and Rob Velevis. Our honorees were aware and expressed this in their comments, of the immediate needs of Ahava. If the money is raised by the end of 2015, the Israeli government will match $11,000 for every $17,000 Bnai Zion raises. The Safe Rooms will have double reinforced concrete walls. Windows will be airtight so that no nerve gas or any other harmful microbes can permeate. Additionally, they will be shuttered by a steel cover, a door of steel which will withstand a bomb blast, a special highly sophisticated air filtration system and of course necessary supplies for the room. Pastor Larry Huch was the featured speaker who presented a magnanimous check from DFW New Beginnings Church to Yoav Apelboim, the Executive Director of Ahava. Our Bnai Zion National President, David Eisenberg’s 11 year old grandson, Connor, who is an Honors student at school, gave the captive audience a heartfelt introduction about Ahava from the eyes of a child, prior to a short film on the youth village.
“The Dessert Reception was an outstanding event, kudos to all who worked so hard to make it successful. The evening went smoothly, and we finished our message in less than 2 hours! I want to congratulate Avrille, our Texas Region Executive Director, for overseeing the entire evening. Avrille, along with Anita Warner, Executive Assistant, did an outstanding job, of selling ads, as well as getting almost 300 folks at the event. It was Dallas’s kickoff for Bnai Zion’s goal of raising $300,000 for our safe rooms. As mentioned earlier the Israeli government will contribute the other $200,000 to complete the safety project to protect the children of Ahava. So please, take the lead, and give generously to our Bnai Zion project and help protect the children of Israel, as they are our future.” —DAVID EISENBERG
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BREATHTAKING!
TO AHAVA with LOVE....
It is said that it’s not the amount of breaths that one takes, but the amount of breathtaking moments that really count! And so, it is so true with our recent mission to Israel. Our recent trip to Israel was breathtaking! After a most spectacular 29th Annual Allied Mission to Israel with the Jewish War Veterans, Jerry and I delayed our return back to Dallas in order that I might see, first hand, the incredible Bnai Zion Medical Center that I eagerly anticipated this to be the highlight of our trip! This leading medical facility, in Haifa, that was recently rated, by Israelis as the #1 mid-sized hospital in Israel, has served northern Israel for the past 90 years, and most certainly, presently as it faces the concerns of instability in this virulent part of our globe! Breathtaking as the trip was, as we visited the various departments in the hospital, the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Amnon Rofe, noticed with his caring gaze that Jerry wasn’t well. He immediately summoned the Chief of the emergency facility, Dr. Michael Kafka, to examine Jerry who was immediately admitted as a patient to the Bnai Zion hospital. Had we not been at the hospital at this very time it was predicted that in another half hour, Jerry would’ve had no breath at all! Now that we are back home after Jerry, having learning firsthand about the Bnai Zion hospital as a patient, there is no better spokesperson than
Jerry Benjamin for his information about the Bnai Zion Medical Center, as a recipient of the hospital’s lifesaving efforts! While Jerry was hospitalized, I also had the opportunity to take a day trip to visit yet another one of Bnai Zion Foundation’s incredible facilities, the Ahava Youth Village, in nearby Kiryat Bialik. Ahava Village is a residential center for children ages 6 - 18 removed by court order from abusive home situations. Composed of apartments, educational facilities, and recreation areas, one of which was donated by Alon Carmel, the founder of J-Date, who, himself, has benefited by the service of this life-saving facility, has given to its over 250 current children and countless others from its inception in 1935. The loving customized care, education and training that has nurtured so many. I personally witnessed the different kinds of therapy and range of activities that help children overcome past traumas and persevere with hope by me as I was given this special tour by Yoav Apelboim, the executive director of Ahava Village. Now that Jerry and I are back in Dallas, we feel so blessed to not only have seen the miraculous workings of the Bnai Zion hospital as a spectator, but also as a patient, who with every breath, can truly sing the praises of the Bnai Zion Foundation’s valuable life-saving benefits to mankind.
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WESTERN
region
L’ Dor V’ Dor: From Generation to Generation Meet Los Angeles Donor Tooran Mahboubi interview by JUDY PODOLSKY One of the most special components of working to better the quality of life for the people of Israel is meeting donors who love the work we do for the organization that we do it for! Bnai Zion is on the top of the list for the family of Tooran Mahboubi a long time supporter of Bnai Zion. Tooran has recently sponsored our Adopt-a-Family Program by adopting 3 families in the last few months. Her granddaughter Daniela is a wonderful young woman who is also eager to be a part of supporting the work of Bnai Zion. It has been my privilege to interview both Tooran and Daniela. Enjoy getting to know this wonderful woman and her granddaughter. When did you come to America? My first visit to America was in 1968. My daughter got married and she came to America first. In 1979, after the revolution in IRAN, my children and I came to California. Upon my arrival here in America, I became involved with Bnai Zion as well as NA’ AMAT USA. I am also a life member of Hadassah. In addition I did charity work in Iran. I have lived in my home, here in Los Angeles, for 35 years. Whatever causes I support I also convey to my many friends. Since I’ve known you, you have supported the Bnai Zion “ADOPT-A-FAMILY” PROJECT AT AHAVA VILLAGE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH. In the last few months you have adopted two families! One family has a girl and one family has a boy. And now TODAY you have given your support to yet another family for the coming year – and have requested there be a baby boy in this new family! Please tell our readers why you love this project. My love for my own children and grandchildren made my support of this project a very special mitzvah
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which provides the children and families at Ahava Village the same kind of love and support. I hope that sometime in this coming year, perhaps next Spring, our family will organize a trip to Israel with Bnai Zion at which time we will see the many projects of Bnai Zion – and especially make a visit to the Ahava Village. Daniela – what is it that you would like to say about your Grandma? I am always awed by my Grandma’s goodness, her charity work and love for people. She is passionate about helping Jewish people in Los Angeles and our family is very supportive of what she does with the SOVA PROJECT in which we feed those in need at the Sova Food Pantry. Daniela – what suggestions might you have to help get Bnai Zion Foundation more visible in LA? Sometimes the younger generation becomes desensitized. I would like to see a Bnai Zion event which I would organize with friends to focus our younger generation – if I can make this happen it will indeed help put Bnai Zion on the map in our community – L’Dor V’Dor!
special EVENTS
Bnai Zion Hosted Successful Congressional Reception for Medical Center by MARC NADELMAN
The Bnai Zion Foundation takes this opportunity to thank Jerry Levey, a trusted advisor to the foundation for suggesting that the Foundation sponsor a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC. Due to his idea, and guidance throughout the process, Bnai Zion hosted a reception on Capitol Hill on April 29. The following ten members of Congress served as honorary co-hosts: United States Senate Hon. Ben Cardin Maryland United States House of Representatives Hon. Karen Bass California Hon. Brendan Boyle Pennsylvania Hon. Robert Brady Pennsylvania Hon. Michael Capuano Massachusetts Hon. Janice Hahn California Hon. Ted Lieu California
Ted Kirsch, National Board Member of the Bnai Zion Foundation served as the Master of Ceremonies for the program, which attracted over fifty individuals representing government, business, healthcare and law. Dr. Amnon Rofe, CEO of the Bnai Zion Medical Center, the featured speaker, delivered a moving speech about Israel’s medical response to terrorism and the need to construct a protected emergency department at the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa. As he said so eloquently, “It was an honor to meet with and discuss the needs of the Bnai Zion Medical Center to create an emergency department with members of Congress and business leaders.” Congresswoman Bass, Congressman Boyle, Congresswoman Hahn and Congresswoman Titus spoke at the event; each of whom pledged their support for the construction of the protected emergency department. David Eisenberg, President of the Bnai Zion Foundation played an instrumental part in the program. He concluded with the following powerful statement, “We thank each and every one of you and welcome you as our partners in this endeavor.” TO P : Jerry Levey, a political, labor and healthcare consultant based in Los Angeles, CA. L E F T: Left to right - Peter Jensen, Assistant Director, Institute for Public Health, Emergency Readiness, MedStar Washington Hospital Center; James Ott, Hospital Emergency Manager, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; James Thomas, Emergency Management Planner, Sibley Memorial Hospital; Dr. Amnon Rofe, CEO, Bnai Zion Medical Center; David Eisenberg, President, Bnai Zion Foundation.
Hon. Jerrold Nadler New York Hon. Kathleen Rice New York Hon. Dina Titus Nevada
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special EVENTS
Congressional Reception
CONTINUED
Izzy and Sharon Feldman Host Cocktail Party to BENEFIT BNAI ZION
MEDICAL CENTER in HAIFA
Dr. Amnon Rofe, CEO of the medical center discusses urgent need to build a protected underground emergency room at the hospital
On May 3, Izzy and Sharon Feldman hosted a cocktail reception in their Bethesda, Maryland home on behalf of the Bnai Zion Foundation. The Feldmans have devoted themselves to Jewish causes and Israel in the capacity of philanthropists, leaders, visionaries and professionals. Among the attendees were a number of prominent members of the Greater Washington, DC Jewish community. The event benefited the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa.
“I am happy to give my support to Bnai Zion Medical Center. Last August, I was in Israel during the attacks, and I know that Israel must be prepared for terror attacks. The new protected emergency room will provide this preparedness and allow Bnai Zion to continue to provide excellent care to all people in need of medical services.” — CO N GRE SSWO MAN JANICE H AH N
“It was an honor to attend the Bnai Zion Reception on Capitol Hill in April to join with my Congressional colleagues and Dr. Rofe to highlight all of the good work that the hospital performs in Northern Israel.” — CO N GRE SSWO MAN DINA T I TU S
“Israel is an important ally, and hospitals like Bnai Zion are the facilitators of the health and well-being of all Israeli citizens. The fact that Israel is constantly under threat of attack only underscores the crucial need for state-of-theart medical facilities, like Bnai Zion, in the country. I look forward to continuing my relationship with the Bnai Zion community and supporting the Foundation for years to come.” —CO N GRESS MAN B R ENDAN B OYLE
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Lillian Klein Abensohn, Event Chair, spoke passionately about the project and her optimism for its completion. She also mentioned that the Technion’s Ruth and Bruce Rappoport Faculty of Medicine is a teaching hospital for the Bnai Zion Medical Center. Sharon Feldman reflected on her visit to the medical center in January 2015. “Dr. Rofe, CEO of the Bnai Zion Medical Center, showed us awards received for
“Funds are desperately needed to complete this tremendously important project..” outstanding quality of care provided to patients of all ethnic and religious backgrounds. We were shown the only protected neo-natal ward in Israel and the only rehab unit in the North. The final stop on our tour was the parking lot. The hospital desperately needs a protected emergency room where patients can be taken during times of war. There is no possibility for expansion except underground. Funds are desperately needed to complete this tremendously important project.”
Dr. Rofe reinforced Sharon’s sentiments when referring to the constant danger the medical center faces, “it is not a matter of if there will be another attack, but when”. The audience also heard from Daniela Wolf, a Haifa native residing in the Washington, DC area. Daniela spoke about the continuous high quality medical care her late mother received and that her father continues to receive at the hospital. “He is treated by a top ranking cardiologist—an Arab Muslim and the head of the cardiology department.” Daniela shared her experience of being in Haifa during the 2006 Lebanon War when rockets landed in the Bnai Zion Medical Center parking lot and the reality of the hospital’s vulnerability. “We could have been there at that very moment. Unlike the distorted portrayal of Israel in the media, the Bnai Zion Medical Center—its diversity between doctors, staff and patients and high quality medical care is what Israel is really about.”
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special EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS SOUTH FLORIDA Tuesday, October 20
John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS, Surgeon General and Secretary of Health for the State of Florida will be honored by the Bnai Zion Foundation at a dinner, on Tuesday evening, October 20 in Weston Florida. Dr. Armstrong will be recognized for his contributions to the fields of trauma medicine and public health. Proceeds from the dinner will be used to fund the protected emergency department at the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa. Dr. Armstrong is a passionate advocate for healthy choices by Florida’s children, adults, and families. The meal at his dinner will offer only healthy choices to attendees, in support of this initiative.
AUSTIN, TEXAS Tuesday, November 10
Dean and Andrea McWilliams, Founders of McWilliams Governmental Affairs Consultants of Austin, Texas will be honored by the Bnai Zion Foundation at a Wine Pairing Dinner on Tuesday evening, November 10, 2015. Seating will be limited to the first 100 individuals who make reservations. Proceeds from the dinner will be used to fund the protected emergency department at the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa. Professionally, the McWilliams’ are the preeminent governmental affairs professionals in the state of Texas. Personally, they are committed to their family, community and the safety of the people of Israel.
SAVE THE DATE
for our
TEXAS REGION ANNUAL GALA on Sunday, November 8th 22 VO I CE summer 2015
our PROJECTS in ISRAEL
Updates from the Bnai Zion Medical Center THE BNAI ZION MEDICAL CENTER PARTICIPATES in NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE As part of a national program that was established a year ago to increase efforts against the difficult situation faced in NICU departments around the country, hospitals were asked to invest in adding personnel and infrastructure in the hopes of reducing infections. As a result, the Bnai Zion Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit received a special grant from the Ministry of Health. One year later, analysis shows that those who invested were not the large and well-funded hospitals, but rather the medium and small ones, like Bnai Zion. Once again, it is clear that Bnai Zion Medical Center is on the “excellence” map of medical care. According to Dr. Amnon Rofe, CEO of the Bnai Zion Medical Center, the hospital’s motto believes that excellent medical care has to be integrated with a personal and human touch, and to constantly nurture what they like to call, “Bnai Zion Spirit”. This is just one of the intangible qualities that set the medical center apart from other hospitals. Bnai Zion – to feel at home even when sick.
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our PROJECTS in ISRAEL
The Cardiology Department Leads Israel in New Technology For the first time in Israel, a unique filter that prevents an embolus at catheterization was transplanted at the heart of a patient. The WIRION is a distal embolic protection system that can be delivered, locked and deployed on any commercially marketed guide wires according to physician preference - anywhere on the wire, in minimally invasive interventional procedures. According to Prof. Uri Rosenschein, the head of the cardiology department and the catheterization unit, the filter constitutes protection from an embolus and significantly reduces major complications that may occur following a stent transplant, when an embolus can cause damage to the heart muscle and stenosis.
BZMC Ranked #1 hospital in Israel
A survey of 11,000 people conducted by the Israeli Ministry of Health was released yesterday. Among the medium size hospitals (200-800 beds), the
Bnai Zion Medical Center received the highest score for patient satisfaction with 81%. Hospitals were also evaluated based on their physical conditions. The Bnai Zion Medical Center and Hadassah were ranked first in the medium size category as well.
The cardiology department continues to be a pioneer in surgery and catheterization. Recently, the medical staff was the first in Israel (and eighth in the world) to transplant the unique filter to be used during catheterization.
of all DESIGNATED GIFTS to BNAI ZION are TRANSFERRED to our PROJECTS IN ISRAEL. 100%
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At Ahava Village for Children & Youth
Miya Program
The program includes 58 girls, all residents of Ahava, ages 6-18. It focuses on education and empowerment of the young female residents of Ahava Village in order to break the cycle of abuse and poverty, and to improve their capabilities to successfully integrate into society. The Miya Program’s objective is to strengthen their self-esteem and self-image, to assimilate knowledge and skills, and to improve their decision making capabilities in order to improve their ability to cope with the challenges that face women and girls in modern Israeli society. Our challenge is to break the cycle of ignorance, abuse and poverty by providing the girls with the required knowledge and education, and at the same time, also strengthen their family values and community connections and relationships, while also strengthening their Jewish cultural heritage. We expand and improve their opportunities in life, and prepare them to make the right choices for their own well-being (mental, emotional and economical). The main educational subjects addressed by the program are: normal, physical, emotional and sexual development; woman’s body and health; boys-girls relationships; how to avoid and handle problems in relationships; how to avoid sexual and other abuse; enhancing self-image and selfconfidence; career opportunities for women; and more. The program includes group and individual activities that include educational sessions, meetings with experts, in-depth discussions of relevant topics (individual and group based), individual treatment, workshops and outdoor activities. Most work is done in 3 age groups: 9-11, 12-14, and 15-18. Last year, a major part of the program had been dedicated to creating intimate and supportive relationships among the girls. Living in a residential environment causes refraining from sharing and asking questions. The program changed that, causing more openness, personal awareness, and more peer-group discussions. The topic of Normal Sexual Development (in addition to the focus on sexual abuse prevention) had been added to the program in 2012 as a pilot activity. Based on last year’s success, we intend to strengthen this aspect of the program even more, if sufficient funds will be available.
according to their ages, in areas such as physical development during puberty (with OBGYN), safe sex, nutrition, safe internet surfing, boys-girls relationships, how to avoid dangers in relationships (“red-lights”) and abuse etc. • Workshops: body image, special photography projects to enhance self-image, meeting with stylists that teach the girls how to match their wardrobe to their body structure • Discussions with the girls within the age-groups, and individually, where the girls share their emotions, experiences and doubts within their peer-group and the group leader • Special events, with all the girls: opening, midyear and end-year parties, bazaars, and a special challenging outdoor event, where the girls cope with physical as well as social challenges • Girls-mothers- care-givers meeting. We aim to strengthen these very delicate triangular relationships, through creation of positive experiences. We develop the meetings’ contents according to the girls’ specific needs and developmental stages.
בתוקף עד valid until
09/2015
This is to certify that Ahava Children and Youth Village was evaluated by Midot and awarded
the Midot Seal of Effectiveness The Midot Seal of Effectiveness signifies that the organization is focused in its commitment to results, constant improvement, and social impact. Midot’s analysis included the organization’s planning, performance, learning, evaluation processes, leadership, finances, ethics, transparency, supervision, and social impact.
PROGRAM MAIN AREAS OF ACTIVITY: Training sessions for the project staff • Training sessions for the residential care staff regarding handling situations related to normal and abnormal sexual conducts • Educational meetings with the girls
Guy Beigel Midot CEO
Avinoam Armoni Midot Chairman
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our PROJECTS in ISRAEL At Ahava Village for Children & Youth
Keep Our Children Safe
Ahava Children and Youth Village is located in the northern part of Israel, and is the home for 250 at risk children, youth and young adults. The residential care is organized as Family Care Units, each unit cares for 13 children. Ahava is located within the Hezbollah advanced rockets range, and is located only 5Km (air distance) from strategic facilities (such as the refineries and other chemical industrial facilities). In 2006, during the 2nd Lebanon war, we had to evacuate our children to the center, and then to the southern part of Israel, for their safety. During Operation Protective Edge, we realized that no part of Israel is safe. Under the requirement of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, and the Home Front Command, we were advised that we needed to build safety rooms for each family care unit. Our current safety shelters are located in the base floor of each building, and since the alert time in our location is only 1 minute there is not sufficient time to arrive safely to the current shelters. The new safety rooms, added to each family care unit will ensure the safety of our children under rocket attacks from the north. The total cost is $500,000, of which the government will fund 40%. We need to come up with the rest of the funds by the end of the calendar year or we lose the government funding opportunity. The need is URGENT, and we expect your support.
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How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall? Practice! Practice! Practice! And practice they have. So much so that on Sunday, November 22nd, Bnai Zion is bringing the Ma’aleh Adumim Youth Orchestra to perform at Carnegie Hall. The youth orchestra, part of The George W. Schaeffer Music Conservatory in Ma’aleh Adumim, is composed of musicians who are handpicked from elementary school music programs and invited to continue their musical education, and are taught by the some of the country’s leading artists. The conservatory was established through the generosity of Bnai Zion’s Chairman George Schaeffer. The conservatory establishes a venue for youth of all ages and musical backgrounds to not only learn instrumental music but study
music appreciation as well. It is a center with amenities rivaling some of the best schools of its kind around the country and maybe around the world, and is now recognized as one of the leading music schools in the state of Israel, and its Youth Symphony rivals the country’s best orchestras. It also serves as a place where residents of the city can gather to enjoy performances.
Meet the Man Behind the Music Benjamin Shapira, is a renowned Israeli cellist, conductor and educator, and a protégé of Isaac Stern. He has been acknowledged as an “Artist of National Interest” by the United States Government, and was the winner of numerous competitions, including the prestigious Artists International Competition. His talent was recognized at a very early age. He was immediately embraced by the America Israel Cultural Foundation and by the Jerusalem Music Center, both under the direct supervision of Stern himself. He launched an international career after his performance of Bach’s complete Suites for Cello Solo at Carnegie Hall, and has been in constant demand ever since, performing in some of the most prestigious venues in the United States and Europe. Benjamin is also an active educator. He has served as the Director of Orchestral Activities and head of the string programs at the University of Wisconsin, has taught at Middle Tennessee State University and directed numerous youth symphonies in the United States and abroad.
Shapira returned to his native country, Israel, in order to serve as the director of the George Schaeffer School of Music in Ma’aleh Adumim. “I was fortunate to be exposed to some wonderful learning opportunities” says Shapira, “and I now feel that, in a small part, I help provide some of these opportunities to the children of Ma’aleh Adumim”. “This is a life mission for me”, continued Shapira. “Bringing first rate music education to these children is nothing less than a Zionist act. None of these talented, wonderful children would have had any chance of even being exposed to it without the dedicated faculty and staff of the George Schaeffer School of Music.”
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE
dedication of the
GEORGE & IRINA SCHAEFFER CULTURAL THEATRE
October 11, 2015 in Ma’aleh Adumim, Israel For more information call Cheryl Bier (646) 485-7980
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our PROJECTS in ISRAEL At the Quittman Center
Students from Rutgers University Visit Israel Elwyn In each of the past several years, a delegation of students and faculty from Rutgers University’s School of Social Work have visited Israel Elwyn (IE) in Jerusalem as part of a two week study tour. This year, the focus was on IE’s “Reshet” (“Network” in Hebrew) program, which provides Israeli high school students with disabilities studying in the regular educational system with experiential preparation for what life as an adult offers them. Sixteen students from Rutgers – undergraduates and Master’s candidates – were introduced to IE’s programs and toured the Sabbah Occupational Training Center. They also had an opportunity to enjoy the Katie Manson Sensory Garden, which is fully accessible for individuals with any disability and provides a green environment in which to experiment with the senses – sight, hearing, touch and taste/smell. The highlight of the visit was their meeting with three students from IE’s Reshet program in Ashdod following a presentation explaining Reshet’s aims and content by Moshe Pensachov, Reshet Coordinator in Ashdod. Answering questions from the Rutgers students, the teens explained what exposure to their post-graduation opportunities has meant to them and how meeting other high school students with disabilities through Reshet activities has expanded and enriched their social life. In previous years, the groups of Rutgers students have been exposed to IE’s Self-Advocacy Project, retiree program for adults with disabilities, and work with the Jerusalem Rape Crisis Center to educate teens and adults with disabilities about protecting themselves from sexual predators.
“The teens explained what exposure to their post-graduation opportunities has meant to them”
TWO PROJECTS COLLIDE Three residents of the Quittman Center at Israel Elwyn were recently invited to teach first year students at the David Yellin Academic College of Education in Jerusalem about self-advocacy. This is the second year that IE self-advocates with disabilities have been invited to provide Yellin’s students with exposure to what self-advocacy means to them. They prepared carefully for their 40-minute lecture, during which they explained to the 34 students how their group operates and what they do, on both the personal and community level. The highly successful lecture was followed by a lively question and answer period, and students continued to speak with the self-advocates even as they prepared to leave.
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At the David Yellin Academic College of Education
News from the International Program – Ruti Bar Sinai by MICHAL MOR In the first semester we attended the Live Spark - IsraelPoland Dialogue Seminar for the third time, that was held in Warsaw together with the Academy for Education and Theology. The Seminar was led by Dr. Edna Green and Ruti BarSinai, and was attended by 15 early education lecturers and students. The intensive seminar included dialogue workshops, tours, and a meeting with the staff in kindergardens, schools and the Ministry of Education, visits to museums and sites, and many hours of informal dialogue. For the first time this year we included an academic conference, in which the lecturers presented research papers and the students presented topics on the subject of early education, following which there was a lively discussion. An extremely deep and warm connection developed between the two groups of students and lecturers and we hope the Poles will still be able to visit Israel this year, in order to continue the joint seminar in a parallel program in Israel. In May we will hold a joint seminar with teaching students from the Inholland University in Amsterdam, on the subject of “Places and Narratives”. Dr. Diana Daboul and Ruti Bar-Sinai lead the seminar which will be held in Israel and in Holland, and will focus on dilemmas and conflicts in the educational processes in a multi-identity society. The students’ formal and informal dialogue will be expanded by the encounter with the Dutch students. Together we will tour schools, meet with educational leaders and entrepreneurs, visit meaningful sites and museums, and explore the connection between the place and the various narratives. Twelve students - Jewish and Arab - participate in the seminar. During the first seminar we hosted two groups of students and lecturers from the Vestfold University in Norway for dialogue with the students, alongside conversations with Ari Shalit and Ruti Bar-Sinai.
complexity of the connection between the Jews and Poland; Dr. Eivin Winstrom spoke about his educational work in distressed areas, Ukraine and Gaza. In May a lecture will be given by Dr. Nick de Wilde. We signed cooperation agreements with universities in Norway, Poland, Hungary and Rumania, submitting requests to the EU for budgets for such cooperation (mainly to cover the cost of lecturers going to study abroad for brief periods of time) and for students to attend seminars.
Two lectures were given by foreign lecturers – Prof. Andre Klotchinski of Warsaw who spoke in Hebrew about the
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P E RI OD I C A L S
THE MAGAZINE OF THE BNAI ZION FOUNDATION
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