over a hundred years of making a difference
June 2011• Volume 96• No. 4
our outreach Allies Party for Ahava in Florida Dallas Brunch Draws Crowd West Coast Dinner Creates Awareness A New Anchor in Philadelphia
special feature
Israel in Microcosm at Our Projects: What the Numbers Reveal
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contents 3 Getting Specific 5 What’s Going On? By George W. Schaeffer, President 7
26
Doing Your Estate Planning the Smart Way By Jack Grunspan Executive Vice President
8 A Meaningful Moment By Irwin Blank 9 A Letter to President Obama By Mel Parness Executive Vice President Emeritus
New York Region 10 Celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut
Southeast Region 12 Promoting Bnai Zion
events
New York Region Wednesday, August 17 Sangria Splash & Grill
Texas Region
Texas Region
Sunday, August 28 Bnai Zion at Texas Arts Fest in Dallas
14 A Lovely Annual Brunch 17 Dedicating a Gift
western Region
western Region
Monday, July 18 Financial planning seminar
18 Five Honored at Los Angeles Dinner
Monday, August 1 Financial planning seminar
mid-atlantic Region
National
20 An Exclusive Reception
OUR PROJECTS IN ISRAEL 23 Launching a Laparoscopic Center
special feature
24 Israel in Microcosm
Tuesday, September 13 Dinner honoring Doug Mayorga Miami
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10
national
Note from the Editor
Getting Specific and Specifically Inspired by Lisa Paule More than 64,000 visits are made to the emergency room at the Bnai Zion Medical Center every year. 250 at-risk children and youth are cared for at Ahava Village for Children & Youth on an annual basis. 4,500 students at the David Yellin Academic College of Education make up a demographic microcosm of Israeli society. 90% of the residents of the Quittman Center are born in Israel, while the other 10% come from Russia, the USA and Iran. 5,000 new books and journals have been added to the collection at the Bnai Zion Library of Peace in Ma’aleh Adumim. At the institutions Bnai Zion supports, in spite of attacks at Israel’s borders, the prospect of another war, and hostile intentions by Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas, life progresses and work forges on to help people in need of all ages from all different backgrounds and cultures who call Israel home. In this issue you have a detailed picture of the wonderful strides being made to improve the situations of so many people. Won’t you please help?
see us bnaizion.org Facebook: facebook.com/bnaizionfoundation Twitter: twitter.com/bnaizion
contact us
National Office Lisa Paule • 212 725 1211 • lisapaule@bnaizion.org New York Region Cheryl Bier • 646 485 7980 • cheryl.bier@bnaizion.org MID-ATLANTIC REGION Sharona Durry • 267 250 3835 • sharona.durry@bnaizion.org Southeast Region Eileen Glastein • 305 949 0076 • eileen.glastein@bnaizion.org Texas Region Avrille Harris-Cohen • 972 918 9200 • avrille.harris-cohen@bnaizion.org Western Region 818 716 2722 • westernregion@bnaizion.org
Presenting Our Cover Illustrator, Tim Robinson Our cover illustrator for this issue is Tim Robinson, who works from his new studio in Croton-on-Hudson, New York where he lives with his wife Marguerite and his two sons, Wyatt and Luke. With a BFA from Syracuse University, he has been working as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer since 1989. Before that, Tim gained significant experience working for Walter Bernard and Milton Glaser at WBMG where he was introduced to all aspects of publication design and myriad applications of commercial art. Tim’s often-humorous illustrations include conceptual twists and visual metaphor and his digital collage illustrations have been featured in PRINT magazine and GRAPHIC – inside the Sketchbooks of the World’s Great Graphic Designers by Steve Heller. Clients include The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Harvard Business Review, The Nation, Canadian Business, Time Warner, Condé Nast, Xerox, Exxon, The History Channel, Workman Publishing, and Rodale Press, among many others. An author and songwriter, Tim exhibits as a fine artist in New York City and Westchester County as well, and his abstract collages are in several significant collections. Tim’s cover adds vibrancy and perspective for this summer issue.
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BNAI ZION FOUNDATION GIFT ANNUITY High Interest Guaranteed • Income Tax Deduction Capital Gains Tax Deferral
Editor In Chief Lisa Paule
Sample Single Gift Annuity Rates
Business Manager Jack Grunspan
age
75 80 85
rate
principal
income
7.7% 8.7% 9.8%
$10,000 $10,000 $10,000
$770 $870 $980
Earn high interest while helping to support Bnai Zion’s life-transforming projects For a confidential Personalized Gift Annuity Proposal, please complete and return the form below. interested in a Personalized Yes, IGiftam Annuity illustration. ❑ Please mail the illustration to me. ❑ Please contact me to arrange an appointment. Name
City
State
Contributing Writers Irwin Blank Jack Grunspan Mel Parness Raymond M. Patt Lisa Paule George W. Schaeffer Jeremy Schwartz Contributing Photographers Ori Chen-Zion Ariel Contreras Amit Gabai Sharon Toll Cover Illustration Tim Robinson
Zip
Phone Email Best time to call
Confidential information is needed to complete illustration. Name of person to receive annuity payments: Name Date of Birth
2nd person if applicable Name Date of Birth Amount to be used for illustration: ($5,000 minimum) $
Type of Asset:
❑ Cash ❑ Stocks/Bonds (original cost) $______________________ ❑ Israel Bonds DESIRED FREQUENCY OF PAYMENT:
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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 • bnaizion.org
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Printing & Producing Cummings Printing
Circulation Manager Rosemary Fletcher
Address
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VO I C E june 2011
Published quarterly by Bnai Zion Foundation Annual Periodical Subscription: $2 members $5 non members USPS #546980 Bnai Zion Voice (ISSN 0884-5565) Periodical 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.com bnaizion.org
president
george W. schaeffer
What’s Going On?
It seems we may all have more in common than we think. Perhaps no one enjoys living under a dictatorship. It looks like people want to be respected everywhere, and want the chance to voice their opinions and decide their own futures. It seems women want a say in what will happen to themselves, their families, their careers, and their countries - even in places where they haven’t been able to speak up in years. And that religious tolerance may be more than a “niche” value.
So far the “Middle East Spring” is only a glimmer of light. But cracks are forming in the cement, and bits of sunlight are seeping through. You can hear voices breaking through the blanket of control. They may not look exactly how you’d expect maybe the student chanting “Democracy for All” in the middle of an enthusiastic crowd wears a kefiyah, and the young woman leading a political meeting covers her hair, but they’re calling out slogans you might hear on any Western college campus or political rally. Perhaps young people are young people everywhere, and everyone hungers for hope. Unfortunately, their battle is far from over - and in most places, has only just begun. Real religious tolerance is far from a reality even in the most “secular” of Middle Eastern societies. And in places like Syria and Iran, even
assembling can mean jail time - or worse. But there are a lot of brave people giving it their best shot. And there’s one Middle Eastern society that’s a shining example of how to do it right - a beacon of multiculturalism, of civil and human rights, of economic opportunity, of compassion and equality. Perhaps the young people yearning for freedom will come to love and appreciate
There’s one Middle Eastern society that’s a shining example of how to do it right a beacon of multiculturalism, of civil and human rights, of economic opportunity, of compassion and equality. Israel for what it is: the embodiment of their own ideals. But whatever their attitudes toward the Jewish State, we can feel confident and proud that Israel will reach out to them in good faith and help them achieve their democratic goals, wherever they might be on the path. B’shalom and happy spring.
Our Website Is Ideal for Updates Go to bnaizion.org to get the latest information about our organization, to see photo galleries with images from our recent events, to learn about Bnai Zion activities taking place nationwide, and to make online contributions. Please check back from time to time! june 2011 VOI C E 5
national
ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE The Annual Meeting for Bnai Zion members will take place on Wednesday evening September 7, 2011 7 PM Eastern time
at the
Bnai Zion House 136 East 39th Street New York, NY 10016
For those who cannot attend in person, arrangements have been made for members to call in to participate in the meeting. National elections will be held at the meeting. For more information call 800 564 6223
AUDITORIUM available at the Bnai Zion House in New York Seats 150-200 Dietary Laws Observed
For more information call 212 725 1211, ext. 6223
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VO I C E june 2011
A Perfect Space Private Parties, Events & Meetings
executive vice president
jack grunspan
Doing Your Estate Planning the Smart Way
George and Ethel had reached the ripe old age of 82 and 80, respectively. As they reviewed their assets, they realized that they had a considerable amount of assets that would be considered IRD Income (“Income in Respect to a Decedent”). This means that whoever would inherit those assets would be responsible to pay income tax on their inheritance. Such items included U.S. savings bonds, IRA accounts, 401k accounts, etc. - basically any assets that the original owners did not pay tax on when the income was earned. George and Ethel’s concern was that they did not want to burden their heirs - both relatives and friends - with such a “gift.” So they were directed to the planned giving opportunities at Bnai Zion for a solution. In reviewing the assets it was determined that their estate consisted of approximately $500,000 of IRD investments, aside from their other assets. As it was their intention to leave that amount to five of their friends
and siblings, the recommendation was made to earmark those assets in their will to be transferred to a charitable remainder trust (“CRT”) to be established with Bnai Zion Foundation as the beneficiary organization. Because this type of trust is tax-exempt, upon liquidation of the assets by the trust there would be no income tax to pay. Looking at the numbers, it was decided to establish one trust naming all five beneficiaries receiving equal portions with surviving beneficiaries getting increased payments as original beneficiaries passed away. The benefit of this type of bequest is that not only will the beneficiaries receive more money, as they will not have to pay tax on any of the IRD income, but the estate would also receive a charitable tax deduction which would help reduce any estate taxes.
For your unique estate issues and questions please contact Jack Grunspan, executive vice president, for a confidential discussion at 800 564 6399.
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A Meaningful Moment by irwin blank
Yom Hazikaron - Israel’s day of remembrance for her fallen soldiers and the victims of terrorism - is much more than the American Memorial Day, which is usually celebrated with barbecues, parades and beach parties; here it is much more somber. Military cemeteries - from the national cemetery on Mt. Herzl to the smallest kibbutz field of graves of those killed in the defense of our country - are overflowing with the relatives and friends of the more than 23,000 Israelis slain in our all too many and too frequent wars. The graves are bedecked with tiny blue and white flags, placed there by soldiers and members of youth movements, and all the graves are prepared for their heartsick and grieving visitors. On that day at 11am I was sitting in the Aroma coffeeshop in the mall here in Ma’aleh Adumim. It was full of people and many small children as it usually is on a weekday morning: mothers with their babies in strollers, older folks having a coffee and meeting friends; a noisy, busy morning. All of a sudden, a siren’s shriek pierces the air as the day of mourning begins – and without a whisper or a break, everyone rises from their seats, workers put down whatever they are doing, the post office comes to a halt, and we all stand in silent contemplation for the two minutes that the siren reminds us of those who aren’t here anymore. It’s kind of eerie as the noise abates and everyone stands, heads bowed in silent prayer. I don’t think there is a single family in Israel that hasn’t known the terrible loss of a loved one at the hands of the enemy and during those two
That day is a holiday without parallel anywhere.
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silent minutes, we are all standing at a graveside. That night, at 8pm, on Mt. Herzl, the blue and white flag emblazoned with the shield of David is brought to full mast from its half mast position of the day and Yom Ha’ Atzma’ut - Independence Day -bursts forth with celebration. The plaza in front of Herzl’s grave becomes a stage for music and dancing, marching bands and the lighting of 12 torches, symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel, lit by 12 outstanding citizens so honored for their contributions to the nation. That next day is a holiday without parallel anywhere: the national parks are full of visitors having picnics and barbeques, military bases all over the country are open to our citizens, the sky is full of the Israel airforce in flyby formations, on beaches from Nahariyah in the north to Ashdod in the south one witnesses a passing flotilla of our Israel navy ships as they ride the waves along the coast, and the national bible quiz takes place in Jerusalem where youth demonstrate their talent at mastering this Hebrew tome. To me, to go from mourning to mirth in such a short period of time is the best medicine for relieving sadness. Those whose sacrifices we honored only twenty-four hours earlier gave their lives so we could celebrate another year of our rebirth. A day makes a difference and we are free Jews – Israelis - living in our eternal and blessed homeland.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s and not necessarily the organization’s. Comments can be sent to the Letters to the Editor column.
executive vice president emeritus
mel parness
A Letter to President Obama Dear Mr. President, This is my second letter, written with great respect for the office you hold, to attempt to get you to realize the serious error and dangerous stand you have taken in your attempt to move the Mideast peace talks forward between Israel and the Palestinians. I believe your focus on what Israel should or should not do is entirely counterproductive, if you truly want a just and secure peace in the region. Look at the history and the facts! Ever since the days of the Oslo agreement, Israel has been asked to make major concessions in the interest of peace, and has attempted to negotiate with the Palestinians to reach an accord. Israel has given up territory, moved out of Lebanon and Gaza and increased aid to the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria. What have the Palestinians been asked to do? Israel has placed its citizens in harm’s way in the interest of completing some kind of negotiated peace - and the Palestinians have produced more terrorist attacks and fired more missiles and rockets at the citizens of Israel, killing innocent women and children. The United States, the most powerful country in the world, should be demanding that the Palestinian Authority make major steps toward stopping terrorism. Instead, we present untenable choices to our strongest ally in the entire Middle East - our closest friend - the country that supports us more than any other in the region. We create a lack of trust in the people of Israel when we act in this manner. I believe that your timing in presenting this issue shortly before Prime Minister Netanyahu came to Washington to visit with you and discuss these important issues with you, privately was insulting to say the least - and misguided, if you truly want to reach an accord.
Instead, perhaps, demanding that the Palestinian Authority should take the following steps might have been a more productive approach, considering their new agreement with the terrorist organization, Hamas: • Hamas should agree to the recognition of Israel as the Jewish national homeland. • Hamas must renounce the use of terror and violence. • They must accept all prior agreements and obligations. All of these have been approved by the Quartet consisting of the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the United States. I am sure you are aware that the great majority of the citizens of our country are supportive of Israel and that all of us would like to see peace in the near future. This cannot be accomplished by pressuring Israel to return to its 1967 borders, even with the minor swaps you referred to in your AIPAC speech. The Palestinians have to want peace with Israel, not peace without Israel. Until they accept this reality, there will not be peace! You can have a positive effect on history but only if you recognize that our friend Israel needs our wholehearted support and we must pressure the Arabs in the region to move the Palestinian Authority to become much more realistic in their demands. Israel has offered generous terms in previous negotiations, only to be turned down by the Palestinians. Maybe the time has come to look at the other side of the table for movement toward peace. Sincerely, Mel Parness Executive Vice President Emeritus
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s and not necessarily the organization’s. Comments can be sent to the Letters to the Editor column.
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new york
region
Celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut with Israeli
Style
A crowd of 200 packed the Bnai Zion House on Saturday night, May 14 to celebrate Israel Independence Day – the 63rd birthday of the State of Israel. The evening started off with greetings from Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, who spoke about Israel’s achievements in just 63 years and the advancement of Bnai Zion projects. Dr. Natan Baruch then spoke about Israel’s challenges – past, present, and future. With some comic relief by Yaakov Reshef, the audience was then ready for the main event. Composer and pianist Tomer Adaddi accompanied Nir Chalamish and Sasha Grishkov, whose zesty renditions of old and modern Israeli songs enthused the audience to sing along. Following the singing there was dancing led by Sigal Barzeev and the audience took to the floor, dancing to Israeli and American songs. A festive buffet from Edna’s Falafel Shop (Tahini) featured falafel and typical Israeli dishes that everyone enjoyed, with coffee and dessert catered by Shula Fuchs. This spirited celebration, which benefited Bnai Zion projects as well, carried on until 1:30am and a marvelous time was had by all.
Lunch for a Brave Bunch at the Bnai Zion House An unusual farewell lunch was held on May 24 at the Bnai Zion House, when a group of ten wounded Israeli soldiers visited, along with Rabbi Uriel Vigler from Chabad on the Upper East Side. These former active-duty members of the Israel Defense Forces were among the most serious casualties of Operation Cast Lead, Israel’s defensive action in Gaza in December 2008. They were in NY on holiday to help heal their post traumatic stress disorder. Avri Fuchs, a member of the Bnai Zion New York region board, brought the group to Bnai Zion, thinking it would be appropriate because of the connection with the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa, which has treated countless members of the IDF. Some of these soldiers are receiving treatment in Bet Halochem, which helps more than 51,000 physically-challenged veterans and victims of terrorism, and which Bnai Zion introduced to the American community and for which it raised funds until the institution was able to generate public support. Issy Bank, who helped coordinate this lunch, gave each soldier a lovely new watch. Ruti Cohen entertained with her recorder as everyone sang Israeli songs. It was sparkling and meaningful tribute to some of Israel’s most courageous soldiers.
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Bnai Zion Returns to the 25th Annual Israel Film Festival Becoming a yearly tradition, Bnai Zion returned for a benefit at the 25th annual Israel Film Festival in New York, which brings a selection of outstanding Israeli cinema to the States. Over three hundred people came to view the acclaimed Israeli drama Brothers, a riveting story that probes the ramifications of secular and religious society on the state. Welcoming the crowd, festival organizer Meir Fenigstein introduced Bnai Zion national media director Lisa Paule, who said, “We are thrilled to participate once again in this outstanding film festival, which brings the best of Israeli culture and diversity to our shores.” The screening was preceded by a video about the role of the Bnai Zion Medical Center during the 2006 Second Lebanon War and the need for funds to construct a new protected emergency department at the hospital. At the conclusion of the program, attendees were heard admiring that film as well as the moving video about the Medical Center, in which graphic scenes impart a sense of realism and urgency to this project.
Our Speaker Series Continues
Encouraging a Look Toward the Future
Asaf Selinger returns to the Bnai Zion House for an update On the lovely spring evening of June 2, journalist Asaf Selinger - a former information officer at the Consulate of Israel in New York - returned to the Bnai Zion House to present a view of the current situation in Israel. Alan Schwartz, president of the New York region, recognized longtime Bnai Zion members and Voice columnist Irwin Blank and his wife Iris, who were visiting from Ma’aleh Adumim, having made aliyah three years ago, and then introduced Asaf. Speaking to an audience of Bnai Zion supporters, Asaf discussed the recent dialogue between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu, commenting that whoever sits in the seat of the prime minister thinks not only of the present, but the ramifications of the present on future generations – and that it is a difficult job. He added, “The world has changed. We cannot look to the past, we must look to the future.” Asaf believes in the value of promoting a positive image of Israel and highlighting Israel’s achievements and what they mean to humanity: the invention of the mobile phone, medical innovations such as the camera that provides an inside view of the gastrointestinal tract, Israel’s blossoming film industry, and many others. A formidable lecturer who served as a reporter for the Israeli newspaper Maariv in Jerusalem and as a reporter for the IDF radio Galei Zahal on environmental issues, Asaf took part in the news coverage of some of Israel’s major events of the past decade, including the Second Lebanon War and the Second Intifada, and he worked as a news reporter in the West Bank. Asaf’s last assignment in Israel before joining the Consulate was the terrorist attack on the Merkaz Ha’Rav yeshiva in Jerusalem. A graduate of Hebrew University with a BA in philosophy, he is currently a candidate for a master of public administration degree at Columbia University. Editor’s note: Please check future issues of this magazine for a column by Asaf Selinger.
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southeast
region
Promoting Bnai Zion in Sparkling
A Fashion Fundraiser Features Stylish Giving
A Networking Evening Draws a Crowd Allies for Ahava hosts a cocktail party at a trendy location
Allies for Ahava, a group of young professionals from South Florida who came together to support Ahava Village for Children & Youth held a fabulous opener at B Ocean Resort, Ft. Lauderdale’s newest hot spot with a view. “This is just the beginning,” said Kim Cohen, chairperson and founder of the group, pictured below standing behind Brad Minto and Lauren Kahn, members of the Allies board. This group is made up of exceptional men and women who believe in helping others and having a good time at it, and they plan a trip to Israel in 2012 to visit Ahava Village. An active bunch, they are planning other fundraisers for the South Florida area.
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The Miche Bag is all the craze around south Florida. Shari Kwitney of Shari’s Creations is a local distributor from her design studio in Hallandale. A reception entitled A Bit of Bubbly and a Bite of Cake gave Shari the opportunity to showcase the new Miche Collection. Bnai Zion certificates were purchased by several of the attendees and a percentage of profits from the event’s Miche Bag sales went to Bnai Zion.
South Florida A Theme Expo
Highlights the Role of the Military
The Newport Beachside Resort was the settting for the Military Expo hosted by the Aventura Marketing Council. Bnai Zion’s booth proudly displayed the flag of Israel next to the American flag. Our two countries have been bound together since the establishment of the State and many individuals have served both countries. Many service members attended the expo, each one aware of the expert training and equipment shared by both democratic countries. The event - which brought out many members of the surrounding communities - paired great food with over eighty vendors who made the most of the military theme for the evening.
Promoting the Value of Bnai Zion Certificates At the monthly WINK (Women in Networking Know) meeting, where fifty women from all sectors of the business community gather to have lunch and explore how business can be done together, Bnai Zion certificates were discussed as a way that a business can say “thank you” to its clients or celebrate any occasion. WINK members are always looking to do business with each other. Pictured are Anat Goldstein and Annie Sturman. Anat rarely misses a Bnai Zion event and Annie believes in sending BZ certificates for all occasions.
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texas
region
The Westin Galleria is a Lovely Setting for Annual Brunch
With a room filled to capacity, this Dallas event always attracts a crowd
T
he Texas region held its fourth annual brunch for the benefit of Ahava Village for Children & Youth, honoring Zelda & Shawn Mash and Debbie & Eric Georgatos. The program included awards presented to the honorees, as well as remarks from Yoav Apelboim, executive director of Ahava, who came from Israel for the event with Nissim Shem-Tov, a graduate of Ahava currently serving in the paratrooper division of the IDF. Greetings were extended by the new president of the Texas region, David Eisenberg; national anthems were beautifully delivered by Sara Dekelbaum; a moving invocation was delivered by Rabbi Shawn Zell; the hamotzi was presented by 98-year old Cantor Leo Keiles, and a special award was presented by vice-president Diane Benjamin to outgoing regional president Larry Strauss, who will continue to seve as chairman of the board. Recognition was given to the staff - director Avrille Harris-Cohen and executive assistant Anita Warner - for their excellent job coordinating this event.
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texas
region
Presenting our
Annual Dallas Gala Benefiting the Bnai Zion Medical Center
Sunday, November 6, 2011 Reception 6pm • Program & Dinner 7pm at the Westin Galleria
honoring
Pastors Mike & Kathy Hayes • Dr. Jerrold Grodin
For reservations and information call 972 918 9200 or email avrille.harris-cohen@bnaizion.org
David Eisenberg Takes the Reins as Texas Region President David Eisenberg, a long-time supporter of Bnai Zion, was recently elected as the new president of the Texas region. He follows Larry Strauss, the Texas region president for many years who helped establish Bnai Zion in Dallas as one of the leading Zionist organizations in the city. David said, “Larry left me a big pair of shoes to fill, and with the help of the board and supporters, I am sure our region will continue to grow.” Avrille Harris-Cohen, the Bnai Zion Texas regional director, noted that “David is a wonderful supporter of Bnai Zion and I look forward to working with him in his new capacity.” Larry Strauss will continue to serve on the board as chairman.
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Dallas Gala Honoree Leads Mission to Israel Covenant Church group visits the Bnai Zion Medical Center to dedicate their gift
D
uring a major mission to Israel in February, the Covenant Church group of close to one hundred people from Texas visited the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa. During the Bnai Zion Dallas Gala last November, Covenant Church made a major gift to the hospital that enabled the purchase of a portable x-ray machine, which was desperately needed for patient care. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the machine, Pastor Mike Hayes said, "This is something critically needed by the residents of the city and the church is thrilled to have been guided to participate in the saving of lives. Now let's finish the ceremony and put the machine to work!� The group had a tour of the hospital and were treated to lunch and greetings by distinguished guests including Dr. Amnon Rofe, CEO of the Medical Center, and the Hon. Yona Yahav, the mayor of Haifa.
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western
region
Five Feted at Los Angeles Dinner
This event attracts a cross-section of the philanthropic community
T
he achievements of five individuals were recognized at the Los Angeles Community Dinner at Sinai Temple on May 18 that over 160 people attended. Honored were the music icon Pat Boone, spiritual leader Rabbi Michael Barclay, film director and pathologist Isaac and Dr. Barbara Florentine and psychologist Dr. Daryl Temkin. Each honoree received the Bnai Zion Distinguished Humanitarian award. Jack Grunspan, the organization’s executive vice president, served as the evening’s emcee. Dr. Amnon Rofe, CEO of the Bnai Zion Medical Center, spoke about the urgent need for funds for the hospital as it strives to safeguard the health and well-being of the citizens of northern Israel. George Schaeffer, the national president of Bnai Zion, and Ben Zion Kogen, western region executive director, each presented awards. Yuval Ron, the Academy Award-winning composer, provided a musical interlude. Proceeds from the dinner are being directed to the Bnai Zion Medical Center to build a new protected underground emergency department, the priority of the hospital. The dinner is an opportunity for the western region to continue its outreach to the Israel Christian Nexus, Pepperdine University, Utopia Residences, the Milken Family Foundation and others, and expand its fundraising in the greater Los Angeles area.
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mid-atlantic
region
An Exclusive Reception Marks the Debut of the Mid-Atlantic Region The Consul General of Israel in Philadelphia and his wife open their home to Bnai Zion guests
O
n Wednesday evening, May 4 a reception to launch the new Bnai Zion Mid-Atlantic region was held in the home of the Consul General of Israel in Philadelphia, Daniel Kutner, and his wife, Dr. Shirley Kutner, who welcomed nearly forty guests. Mr. Kutner is a renowned expert in Middle Eastern politics and a regular lecturer at the National Security College in Israel. In this intimate setting, guests had a fascinating opportunity to hear Mr. Kutner’s views on the remarkable developments across the Middle East. Mr. Kutner, describing the activities of Bnai Zion in Israel, said, “We are fortunate to now have this vibrant Bnai Zion presence in Philadelphia and appreciate the fine work that Bnai Zion is doing to benefit Israel.” In conclusion, guests were invited to attend both the memorial ceremony for fallen Israeli soldiers and Israel’s 63rd Independence Day celebration. With this auspicious start, the nascent Mid-Atlantic region is planning additional activities in the fall. Please check bnaizion.org for updates.
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special events
Bnai Zion hosts September Dinner in miami
Doug Mayorga will be honored
President and global director of the Minority Chamber of Commerce since 2000, Doug Mayorga has built the MCC into a business and professional economic development forum with influence in the United States, Central and South America, the Mideast and Europe. Originally founded by fourteen local minority business owners lead by Mr. Mayorga to promote, maintain and sustain economic progress for minority business-owned enterprises in the Miami Dade County area, the MCC also serves to ensure the participation of these enterprises in the overall business and economic development plans of the area. A voluntary action and advocacy organization comprised of individuals and businesses that have come together to advance the commercial, financial, industrial, educational, preservation, and civic interest of the minority business community, the MCC serves Broward, Palm Beach, Orange, Monroe and Miami Dade counties. A proponent of multicultural markets to improve business relations with corporations and governments to increase their development, Mr. Mayorga is also responsible for transforming strategic objectives from the MCC into profitable initiatives for its members inside emerging countries.
DOUG MAYORGA
dinner
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 Â Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center Aventura, FL Â 6pm reception 7pm program & dinner For reservations and more information call 516 342 5751
Mr. Mayorga has successfully launched marketing programs and has sold the concept of multicultural marketing to senior management in all types of industries. A prolific speaker and author, Mr. Mayorga has received numerous awards for his business, civic and humanitarian activities, including the Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition (2006), the American Red Cross Citizen Volunteer Award (2004) and the Business Journal Minority Business Leader Award (1995). This dinner will help expand awareness of Bnai Zion in the greater Miami area.
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our projects in israel
at the
Bnai Zion Medical Center
Paving the Way to the Future with Technology Training doctors in laparoscopic techniques that help patients
The department of surgery recently launched a laparoscopic simulation center to train and evaluate residents who want to learn this new technique in surgery. In the last two decades the laparoscopic technique has acquired a more prominent role in surgery and the days in which it was used only in gall bladder surgeries have passed. Patients can benefit from the many advantages of this technique: the trauma of surgery is decreased, there is less pain and the digestive system returns to normal faster with less adhesion in the stomach area and fewer post-surgical complications. Today, almost all surgical procedures performed in the stomach area can be done laparoscopically. However, the learning and practice of this method is complex and the surgeon must deal with some challenges, such as understanding the three-dimensional area while looking at a screen that broadcasts a two-dimensional picture and using long devices to perform gentle actions with no ability to feel the tissue being operated on. FLS (Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery) is a course designed in the U.S. by the American Association of Surgeons to assimilate the basic principles of surgical laparoscopic techniques, composed of a didactic part that can be learned independently and a practical part, tested via a laparoscopic simulator that was developed at McGill University. Bnai Zion’s laparoscopic simulation center is based on the FLS simulator and is headed by Dr. Gidon Sroka, deputy director of the surgery department, who recently returned from a two-year fellowship at McGill University, where he conducted research proving that doctors who practiced the simulator demonstrated better performance in the operating room than colleagues who trained without a simulator. It is envisioned that this center can become a regional center for other departments in northern Israel to make use of and it is likely the FLS course will soon become part of the basic training program for surgeons in Israel (as in Australia, different countries in Asia, and recently in the U.S.). Best of all, the laparoscopic simulator allows the hospital to significantly improve the quality of treatment while keeping patients’ safety its highest priority, and its low cost and high efficiency make it very attractive.
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A Unique Promotion Helps Prevent Infections Taking heed of regulations to ensure the health of patients Infections acquired in hospitals are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among patients. In Israel, about 2,000 patients succumb to these infections every year and a major portion of these infections are transmitted by medical teams. Because of a sharp increase in bacteria’s resistance to antibiotics it is important to refresh regulations to staff. A unique 3-phase project to increase awareness of the regulations among medical, paramedical and management staff has been introduced in the hospital, with the goal of preventing nosocomial infections (infections resulting from treatment in a hospital). Imparting knowledge, conducting tests and a competition at the end of the summer are part of this creative and necessary project.
A Maryland Welcome for Dr. Rofe At the home of Debora Fajer-Smith in Edgewater, Maryland, friends and family had the opportunity to hear Dr. Amnon Rofe share the urgency of constructing the new fortified underground emergency department at the Bnai Zion Medical Center. Debora is the sister of Dr. Simone Fajer, the chief vascular surgeon at the Medical Center, and her department is in vital need of advanced equipment to be prepared for emergency situations. The people gathered made generous contributions, and future events are being planned for the fall.
Prioritizing with a Poignant Picture
Special guests discuss the needs of the hospital On May 26, several important Israeli visitors from the Bnai Zion Medical Center held a briefing at the Bnai Zion House with Alan Schwartz, president of the New York region, Avri Fuchs, a NY region board member, and Boris Kiderman, a national vice president of the organization. Discussing the priority of the hospital – the construction of a new protected emergency department – were Dr. Amnon Rofe, hospital CEO, Dr. Mickey Kafka, director of emergency services, and Liora Kalish, chairperson of the friends association of the BZMC. Speaking about emergency preparedness, Dr. Rofe emphasized the need for funds for the new unit, explaining that rockets during the Second Lebanon War fell just meters from the hospital, Hezbollah to the north has many more targeted at Israel’s northern populations, and it is just a matter of time until the next attack. He added that the Israeli government cannot provide funds for this venture, so funding must come from private sources. Dr. Kafka mentioned that the Medical Center is considered the “hospital of choice” by the northern population. Liora said that funds are not only being sought from the American community; fundraising is ongoing in Israel and in other countries, and this outreach has begun to show some success.
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ISRAEL IN MICROCOSM AT OUR PROJECTS
What the Numbers Reveal about Each Institution Learn about the objectives of our projects, the populations they serve and what it will take to help them reach their goals via this descriptive overview with facts and figures about each one. See how their work reaches beyond race, religion, culture and economic divide to benefit a crosssection of Israeli society. This is Israel at its best: helping those in need with compassion, dedication and positive spirit.
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our projects in israel
The Bnai Zion Medical Center
Protected Hospitalization Facilities: The Need is Now
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he Bnai Zion Medical Center is a leading hospital in Israel. Many times Haifa’s citizens have ranked its emergency room as their first choice in the event they need its services. This excellent feedback is translated into daily hard work, attentive care and motivation to help those who need us. In this busy department are 5 physicians and 32 nurses who work in shifts round-theclock 365 days a year. 5,350 patients are treated in this unit every month and there are more than 64,000 visits made to the ER annually. These numbers apply to standard emergency treatment, but our ER has stood out in providing exceptional treatment and preparedness to treat those injured in terror attacks, and its work as the home front hospital during the Second Lebanon War of 2006 was outstanding. But in spite of these capabilities, our ER remains unprotected from rocket attack and would be unprotected in any nuclear, biological and/or chemical attack to which our staff and patients would be exposed. Our history has shown that the rockets of our enemies are aimed at our citizens and that our hospitals are particular targets as well. The final rocket of the 2006 war exploded a few feet from the hospital. This clearly demonstrated how vulnerable our location is to enemy rockets and underscored the need to build a new, protected facility - the hospital’s number one priority. Our protected emergency department fortified against nuclear, biological, and chemical attack will contain a 1,000 square meter (approximately 10,800 square feet) state-of-the-art facility with 30 beds, 2 trauma rooms and 6 professional clinics. It will also include a protected hospitalization department for ongoing care, with 90 beds offering a complete range of services, treatment rooms, doctors’ offices, a pharmacy, storage for supplies and other features. Both these facilities will be connected and together will provide comprehensive medical care at all times and under all conditions. It is critical that both projects be completed in the coming months, at the cost of $8 million. Funding for furnishings and these medical items is additionally sought: 45 stretchers for treatment
stations, 15 monitors for basic vital signs, 5 ECG machines, 3 monitors for trauma room, 40 wall units for oxygen and suction,15 arm support for monitors, an incubator for IV fluids, and 2 mobile surgical beds. The Medical Center has launched a $10 million worldwide fundraising campaign to finance this essential new unit – and we hope you can help.
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our projects in israel
Ahava Village for Children & Youth
Focused Attention: Creating a Better Future for Children
A
hava started educational and therapeutic work with Jewish children over 80 years ago in Berlin. Since then it has helped thousands of children and youth in Israel. For the last 30 years Ahava has been home to about 250 children and youth at risk, most of whom stay in Ahava all their childhood for 8-12 years until they join the Israel Defense Forces or civil service. Ahava has six main projects and each one provides a response for different needs. The emergency center is set up for 15 children taken out of their home in an urgent situation. It serves as a therapeutic diagnostic center for 3 months, when the children are in a very fragile psychological state. The center has 15 counselors, a psychologist, 2 teachers, a coordinator, a “house mother� and some psychotherapists. There are 15 home care units, each with a married couple, one or two shinshinim (volunteers for a year), an assistant, social worker and other volunteers. 13 children and youth ages 6-18 reside in each home care unit. Two of the home care units comprise the daily therapeutic center in which 30 children are seen from 7am to 7pm. The staff of one home care unit works only with adolescent girls and the staff of 6 units work only with boys (as boys comprise 70% of the resident population in Ahava while only 30% are girls) and the rest work with boys and girls together. 110 of the children go to an on-campus special-education school for grades 1-9. 90 of the children - mostly the youth - go to 25 schools outside Ahava, attending the best institution to maximize their capabilities At Ahava Village for Children & Youth, and give them the keenest kids get the nurturing they need opportunities for their future. The main therapeutic center has 10 social workers, 8 psychotherapists, 2 psychologists and a psychiatrist and for leisure activities there over 10 educational projects, 6 sport group activities, and many other group activities in music and in the arts. The 18-Plus Project helps 24 young people ages 18-25 who do not have a family to return to. These young adults live in 4 apartments in Kiryt Bialik and in Kiryat Motzkin, and among the 3 staff involved in this project is a social worker who provides emotional and other support.
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This month, ten 18-year-old graduates of Ahava - 8 boys and 2 girls - will embark on the next chapter of their lives, most of them after about a decade at Ahava. Twenty other children will go home after doing hard work at Ahava and being reassured that their home is a safe place for them. This year 3 couples that worked at Ahava for the last 6 years are leaving, as the time has come for them to move on with their families. Summer is a pleasant time, with 3 weeks of vacation and a long summer camp. And hopefully, at the beginning of next year, children coming to the emergency shelter will have suitable new surroundings next to the Ahava campus.
The Quittman Center
An International Group Finds Common Ground
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he Quittman Center, one of the residential centers on the main Jerusalem campus of Israel Elwyn, is home to 30 men who receive round the clock support in their daily functioning, ranging from partial to complete. The residents of the Quittman Center are divided among the Center's three apartments according to their functioning level and need for behavioral support, with some of them displaying challenging behavior. Their ages range from 32-67, according to the following breakdown:
Age
Number of residents
30-40
7
40-50
10
50-60
9
60-67
4
Like for most people, the residents' day follows a routine: they get up in the morning, eat breakfast and get ready for work, returning home in the afternoon. During the afternoon, they participate in a range of activities at the Quittman Center to enrich their lives. Since computers have become such an important part of daily life for many people, Israel Elwyn plans to establish a project that will allow the residents to enjoy this facility as well. The residents will be able to use adapted computers for a variety of purposes: communication with family and friends, free time with the assistance of one of the Center's support providers, and personal expression, among others.
All are Jewish, with 40% coming from religiously observant homes. 90% are Sabras (born in Israel), while the other 10% come from Russia, the USA and Iran. The parents of the Sabras were born throughout the Jewish Diaspora: 26% in Europe, 17% in the Middle East, 17% in North Africa, 10% in Iran, 7% in Russia, over 3% each in Bukhara (Uzbekistan), Ethiopia, Cochin (India), North America, and a few individuals elsewhere. The socio-economic level of the residents' families is judged as being one quarter from a lower level and almost 50% from the middle class. There is no data on the remaining quarter of the residents. Eleven dedicated men, ranging in age from 20-60, work with the residents and provide the support they need. The breakdown in their ages is:
Age
Number of support providers
20-30
1
30-40
7
40-50
2
50-60
1
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our projects in israel
The David Yellin Academic College of Education Bridging Cultures through Innovative Teaching
T
he David Yellin Academic College of Education was founded in Jerusalem in 1913 as a Jewish teachers seminary. It was a pioneering effort to offer teacher training courses in Hebrew that could train teachers to teach in Hebrew. Since then the college has been responsible for training thousands of teachers and decision makers in the field of education in Israel. The college has about 4,500 students who make up a demographic microcosm of Israeli society. Jews religious and secular, Arab Muslims, Christians, and new immigrants all meet at the College to develop the next generation of Israeli educators. The college has an administrative staff of about 85 people and 460 teachers, also from diverse backgrounds. The college programs are very varied. The college offers B.Ed. studies, teaching certification, three M.Ed. programs, diploma courses, and a pre-academic program. Due to the variety of curricula, the student population is also very diverse in terms of age; at David Yellin students study together from the age of 18 to much older.
The college offers unique programs reflecting its entire student population: • A program for 25 mothers, some married, some single parents, aged 30 and over, from low socio-economic backgrounds, who approached the college as a group to join this program and study education; • Training for 22 Ethiopian professionals to become parent and family facilitators in the Ethiopian community, to help them guide Ethiopian immigrant parents and families to integrate into Israeli society; help families resume functioning as a meaningful unit; offer security for their children and teach them right from wrong; and provide a healthy, stable foundation; • Enrichment for 30 Ethiopian immigrant student and pre-academic classes where they receive personal enrichment and mentoring to meet their needs and cultural enrichment programs including activities such as tours, lectures, celebrations of festivals, and personal counseling; • The Challenge Center, which offers support, empowerment, and various other services to 280 students a year. The Center services students with learning disabilities, students with ADHD, Ethiopian
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students, students with physical disabilities, students with access difficulties, and students with sensory or other handicaps; • The Malmach Track for teachers of children with severe disabilities, which trains teachers of children with very special educational needs, such as students with severe and complex functional problems, severe and moderate mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, and a combination of disabilities. There are 25 students in this program today. • An integrated course entitled Social Change in Disability , an entrepreneurial model dealing with relations between society and people with disabilities. 22 college students together with social activists with disabilities study concepts that advance the
understanding of social processes - especially those arising during encounters between people with disabilities and society - and learn important tools for social project development and project supervision . • A multi-cultural dialogue for ten outstanding students (of Jewish-Israeli, Palestinian, and other international backgrounds) to promote communication between Jews and Palestinians in Israel. The framework for this dialogue is a joint study seminar exploring conflict and questions of multi-culturalism and multi-nationalism, put together by outstanding teachers in Israel and in other countries. These unique, essential programs - which are only a few of the programs offered by the College - all require financial resources.
Ma’aleh Adumim A Cultural Oasis for Many
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he Bnai Zion Library of Peace is a popular source of a wide variety of books for reading, research, enrichment and entertainment. The library is also a lively location for cultural, social and educational gatherings. The library has added a considerable number of new activities and features in the past year. Six new computers have been added to the children and youth section, making the library and its services more accessible to Ethiopian immigrants. About 1,000 new subscribers have joined the library, and 5,000 new books and journals in Hebrew, Russian, English, French and Spanish have been added to its collection. The library’s many activities include story hour for ages 2-5 and 4-7, conducted by professional story tellers, who combine stories, background The library and conservatory add décor and movement flavor to this important community in their presentations; plasticine modeling workshops, based on these stories; performances for adults: ladino culture through stories about Jerusalem, stories by Shai Agnon, a book fair and street shows, and cooperation with the departments of music and dance at local schools. The library is a cornerstone of the city, providing enrichment and opportunities with its attractive array of offerings. The George W. Schaeffer Conservatory, located in the center of Ma’aleh Adumim (adjacent to the municipal library and cultural center) is intended to serve as a cultural anchor for city residents. Construction continues according to plans approved by the city council and the building is scheduled for completion by November 2011.
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The Radomer Society Holds its Annual Memorial Service Bnai Zion once again hosted the Radomer Society on Yom Hashoah. With second- and third-generation survivors in attendance, a moving service was presented to remember those who perished in the Holocaust. It was also a sad occasion as the president of the Radomer Society, Sam Feldman, passed away this year. Mr. Feldman followed Henry Hanover as president and for many years was instrumental in all the responsibilities of the society.
SEEKING CORPORATE SPONSORS Bnai Zion seeks corporate sponsors for our organization and various events. Help promote your business while supporting our work. With sponsorship you will receive: Recognition of your company at local events Entry to selected events Journal ad for selected event Other promotion of your company All components depend on level of sponsorship For more information, please access Corporate Sponsorship on our website or call 212 725 1211, ext. 6234.
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The Cemetery Committee of Bnai Zion Chapters invites you, your family and friends to participate in our 25th ANNUAL HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SERVICE Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 12noon at the New Montefiore Cemetery Pinelawn, New York • Section 5 Block 10 Including a memorial service recognizing the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and a special service in memory of Eugen Landa, the coordinator of this annual event for the past 24 years
Coming in the
september Voice • Coverage of Boston dinner in honor of Dr. Peter Rosen & Dr. Richard E. Wolfe • Preview of Dallas Gala honorees • Co-existence at our projects • Photos from the Celebrate Israel Parade in New York • Updates from our regions and a whole lot more!
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P e ri o di c a l s
the magazine of the bnai zion foundation
Bnai Zion Foundation 136 East 39th Street New York, NY 10016
Over a hundred years of making a difference
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