May 2012

Exciting Events are Coming Up!

A dinner in honor of Seth W. Pinsky, President of the

New York City Economic Development Corp., takes place on Thursday, September 6 when he will receive the

Bnai Zion Distinguished Humanitarian Award.

We have a full roster of other events taking place  nationwide. For more information about Bnai Zion educational, social and fundraising events, please check our Regional Events and National Events pages.

Over 300 Attend Dallas Brunch

Nearly 350 people came to the Westin Galleria on Sunday, May 6 for a brunch to benefit Ahava Village for Children & Youth in Israel. Seven active younger-generation members of the Dallas Jewish community were honored for their outstanding leadership and contributions to local philanthropic organizations. Yoav Apelboim, the executive director of Ahava, and Olga Wulf, a young participant of Ahava's 18+ program who were visiting from Israel, were keynote speakers at the brunch.

Photos coming soon!

Gen. (Ret.) Meir Dagan Discusses the Middle East at Cocktail Reception

On Monday evening, March 19, Gen. (Ret.) Meir Dagan, the immediate past director of the Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, was the guest speaker at a cocktail reception that took place in New York's landmark Harmonie Club. Discussing the challenges Israel faces, Gen. Dagan gave an overview that included an in-depth analysis of the dynamics of the threat from Iran and other countries, and welcomed questions from the audience.

A benefit for the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa, the evening raised funds for the new protected emergency department envisioned for the hospital, its main priority.

Making a Difference at Ahava Village:  Announcing a New Video

We have just completed a new video about Ahava Village for Children & Youth, Help, Healing & Hope - and you can see it here.

An Exciting Announcement from

Our President

We are delighted to inform you that thanks to the generosity of a donor who has established a perpetual endowment with Bnai Zion, we are now able to send a minimum of 90% of all designated gifts made to our organization to our projects in Israel. This ratio will enable us to send the majority of contributions to help Israel’s less fortunate who need it most.

This percentage puts Bnai Zion ahead of most other charitable organizations in terms of targeting dollars received. It will allow us to forge ahead with fortifying the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa, a prominent urban hospital serving Israel’s northern communities; with providing enhanced services and facilities for children at risk at Ahava Village for Children & Youth in Kiryat Bialik; with increasing cultural resources in Ma’aleh Adumim, a vibrant city near Jerusalem serving as part of the security belt for Israel’s capital; with helping to expand the curriculum for teachers-in-training at the David Yellin Academic College of Education in Jerusalem; and to increase options available to mentally and physically challenged adults in the Quittman Center at Israel Elwyn

in Jerusalem.

When you make a gift to Bnai Zion, you will have peace of mind knowing that your intended recipients will benefit.

Our work makes a positive difference in medical, social, educational and cultural arenas for a cross-section of the Israeli population and we’re very grateful for your help.

Sincerely,

David H. Eisenberg

National President

Annual Dallas Gala Raises Funds

This sparkling event held on November 9 was a tremendous success, raising considerable funds for the Bnai Zion Medical Center and attracting over 300 attendees.

Philadelphia Welcomes An Israeli Dance Company

Vertigo, the renowned sensational Israeli modern dance company, performed to a sold-out crowd at Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy on Sunday, October 23. The school

co-sponsored the event with Bnai Zion. The Consul General

of Philadelphia, the hon. Daniel Kutner, and his wife,

Dr. Shirley Kutner both attended. This performance raised awareness of Bnai Zion in Philadelphia and attracted an active group within the local Jewish community.

Sangria Splash Draws Crowd

On the gorgeous evening of August 17 we hosted our Sangria Splash party on the lovely Bnai Zion terrace to

benefit Ahava Village for Children & Youth.

Geared to future leaders ages 20s and 30s, the event was co-chaired by Yaara Bank-Plotkin and Tami Frankel, both of whom had active roles planning and promoting the gathering.

Bnai Zion Group Participates in Celebrate Israel Parade

The annual Celebrate Israel parade, held on Sunday,

June 5 in New York, attracted huge crowds of Israel supporters that lined Fifth Avenue to see the all the

participating groups. Bnai Zion returned to the parade

with many organization loyalists who walked up Fifth Avenue with enthusiasm and energy.

An Exclusive Reception Marks the Debut of the Mid-Atlantic Region

On 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, Dan Kutner, and his wife, Dr. Shirley Kutner, who welcomed nearly forty guests.  The evening was dedicated to promote Bnai Zion in Philadelphia helping to familiarize the local community with the organization and to develop strong support, as well as a local board.

The Mid-Atlantic region is planning a lecture as well as an autumn fundraiser at which a distinguished community leader will be honored. More information can be found on our Regional Events page.

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE CEO OF THE BNAI ZION MEDICAL CENTER

March 23, 2011

Dear Friend,

Today we witnessed the devastation by terrorism perpetrated in our capital, Jerusalem, in which countless people have been injured by a bomb loaded with dangerous shrapnel designed to cause maximum casualties. Whether this is an act to focus the world's attention away from the protests taking place in various Arab countries where masses clamor for change is immaterial; what matters is that this act occurred here in Israel and put so many lives at risk.

As the lessons from the tragic events in Japan are showing us all, we must be prepared for any eventuality in Israel - and use these lessons from the current situation to inspire us not only to fortify and protect our state, but find new ways to increase our capacity for the ideal emergency response.

One significant way we can do this is to construct a new underground protected emergency department in our hospital. To protect against nuclear, biological and chemical attack, the new emergency facility must be completed in the coming months at a cost of $8 million.

Hezbollah is gaining strength in Lebanon and it is only a matter of time before the next attack – as evidenced by what occurred in Jerusalem today.

We know you stand with Israel and that you are touched at times of crisis in Israel. Won't you please help us further the goals of the Medical Center by giving generously to this campaign? While we cannot, sadly, prevent every terrorist attack by those bent on our destruction, we can forge ahead with thoughtful preparation that will ensure the vitality of Israel for years to come. We very much appreciate whatever you can do and look forward to peaceful days ahead.

Most sincerely,
Amnon Rofe, MD
Chief Executive Officer

Please click here to contribute.

ISRAELI MEDIA CONSUL SPEAKS AT

BNAI ZION

On Thursday evening, March 10 the multi-lingual Media Consul from the Consulate of Israel in New York, Joel Lion, presented an update on Israel and assessment of the developments taking place in the Mideast with a focus on Morroco, Libya, Egypt and Bahrain and changes taking place in those countries.

We are pleased to offer a variety of social, fundraising and educational events. Please check our Regional Events page for more details.

Announcing our Brand New Video About Ahava Village

Click here to watch our latest video about Ahava Village

for Children & Youth, and learn how a new emergency shelter will make a considerable difference at the Village:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPGXeeSbGPk