Over 300 Unite in Solidarity with the People of Israel at Historic Oheka Castle
HUNTINGTON, N.Y., May 13, 2024 — Recently, over 300 Long Islanders united in solidarity with the people of Israel at the historic Oheka Castle in Huntington for Jewish National Fund-USA’s annual Water & Wine Gala. The upscale, elegant event honored local philanthropists and highlighted how the organization is supporting Israel’s resilience efforts in the wake of the October 7 terrorist attacks.
Event Chairs Ronnit & Michael Kessler, Keynote Speaker Michal Uziyahu, and JNF-USA Long Island President Rosemarie Klipper (photo credit: Michael Jurick)
Co-chaired by Ronnit & Michael Kessler, the gala honored a multigenerational family of local philanthropists: Phyllis & the late Alvin Katz, Alison Katz Wolfson & Lawrence Wolfson, and Isabel & Lily Wolfson for their dedication to the land and people of Israel. The family have been longtime partners (donors) of Jewish National Fund-USA and immensely supportive of Hashomer Hachadash, a Jewish National Fund-USA-supported organization in Israel that is devoted to supporting local farmers. Thanks to partners like the Katz’s and the Wolfson’s, Hashomer Hachadash has coordinated over 300,000 volunteers to work on Israeli farms post-October 7, doing everything from harvesting fruit and weeding vines to packaging vegetables in order to prevent a food shortage.
“During Covid, Hashomer saved over 35% of Israel’s citrus crops and has been instrumental in saving even more of the country’s essential produce since October 7,” said Alison Katz Wolfson. “No one could have foreseen these events – but thankfully Hashomer and Jewish National Fund-USA were there to help ensure Israel’s food security. We will always need a strong and thriving Israel, and both organizations are vitally important, on so many fronts, to this end.”
Oheka Castle Owner Gary Melius and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (photo credit: Michael Jurick)
The event’s keynote speaker was Jewish National Fund-USA Chief Development Officer in Israel Michal Uziyahu, whose life was turned upside down on October 7 when her country and her community came under attack. Uziyahu spoke about how, despite the loss and tragedy, she is helping oversee Jewish National Fund-USA’s efforts to rebuild the destroyed region to be stronger than ever.
Uziyahu was joined by Jewish National Fund-USA CEO Russell F. Robinson, who discussed the organization’s resilience efforts, including its Israel Resilience Campaign, which has raised $60 million since the “Black Shabbat,” and is supporting the evacuation and relocation of tens of thousands of residents in Israel’s south while providing thousands more with housing, food, clothing, and other supplies. The campaign includes the Build Together plan, a bold, strategic initiative to rebuild the Israel Envelope communities – cleaning up the region, designing and constructing new homes, and helping small businesses reopen, all while supporting immediate and long-term security needs, as well as physical and mental health requirements so displaced families can return home.
Water & Wine Honoree Alison Wolfson (photo credit: Michael Jurick)
“We will rebuild, repaint, and replant,” said Robinson. “We will provide new furniture. We will place benches on front lawns, redo the roads, rebuild parks, and repaint shelters and buildings. Vision and imagination will be the architects as we rebuild these communities to a new level of glory.”
Attendees also stood in memoriam of the October 7 victims and prayed for the safe return of the remaining hostages, including Long Island native Omer Neutra. A rendition of the American and Israeli National Anthems by Cantorial Soloist Talya Smilowitz drove home the somber tone, as did the mention of Iran’s recent onslaught of missile attacks against Israel.
Jewish National Fund-USA CEO Russell F. Robinson addresses the audience (photo credit: Michael Jurick)
However, showcasing the light in the darkness, local lay leaders highlighted how community members can aid Israel in this trying time, including participating in Jewish National Fund-USA’s Volunteer in Israel missions, where attendees get hands-on experience bringing relief efforts to Israeli soldiers, farms, and citizens.
“We are already bringing people back to their homes in Israel’s south,” said Jewish National Fund-USA Long Island President Rosemarie Klipper. “Thousands of volunteers on Jewish National Fund-USA missions have worked to clean, repair, prepare meals, and provide childcare as communities reestablish themselves.”
Jill Simon, Alison Devlin, Alison Wolfson, Isabel Wolfson, Darby Moezinia, Barbara Moezinia (photo credit: Michael Jurick)
Use of the iconic Castle, featured in multiple well-known films and television shows, was donated by owner Gary Melius in an incredible show of solidarity with the Jewish People and the people of Israel. In recognition of his extreme generosity, Melius was presented with a special plaque stating trees had been planted in Israel in his honor.
For more information about Jewish National Fund-USA or to learn about upcoming events on Long Island, visit jnf.org or contact Ashley Emrani at aemrani@jnf.orgor 212-879-9305 x501.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Milton
About Jewish National Fund-USA
Jewish National Fund-USA builds a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel through bold initiatives and Zionist education. As a leading philanthropic movement, the organization supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south as it develops new communities in the Negev and Galilee, connects the next generation to Israel, and creates infrastructure and programs that support ecology, people with disabilities, and heritage site preservation, all while running a fully accredited study abroad experience through its Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Learn more at jnf.org.