SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND, October 13, 2022 — On Sunday, September 18, 2022, philanthropists in Southern New England partook in a once-in-a-lifetime experience hearing a candid, “off the record” conversation with Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister of Israel from 2006-2009.
Jewish National Fund-USA Southern New England Board Members: Dan Goodman, Ros Barron, David Peskin, Sharon Efron, David Sloviter
The youngest member of the Israeli Knesset when first elected in 1973, Olmert led Israel through the Second Lebanon War and approved the game-changer strike on Syria’s nuclear plant the following year in 2007, among other noteworthy actions.
The former Prime Minister traveled to New England to speak exclusively with Jewish National Fund-USA’s partners (donors) in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and West Hartford, Connecticut. The Consul General of Israel to New England, Ambassador Meron Reuben, also attended and spoke at the events.
Bottom row: David Peskin, PM Olmert, Debbie Peskin, Sharon Cohen, Sara Hefez
Second row: Wendy Webber, Anne Weiss, Ros Barron
Upper row: Gary Rappaport, Eric Berg, Israel Consul General to New England Meron Ruben, Dar Nadler
Olmert, who authored the book Searching for Peace, spoke about his tenure as Israel’s Prime Minister and how as the former Mayor of Jerusalem, he overcame decades of internal challenges and waves of terror attacks to bring huge improvements in the city’s infrastructure, education, and welfare. Additionally, he discussed what’s taking place in Iran and the incredible support Israel received from Presidents Biden and Obama, as well as peacemaking, politics, where he sees Israel in the next 50 years, his thoughts about the future of the Middle East, and how he witnessed first-hand how Jewish National Fund-USA impacts the land and people of Israel by stepping in where the government cannot.
Prime Minister Olmert speaks to Jewish National Fund-USA partners (donors) at a private event in West Hartford, Connecticut
“Amazingly, if this were only four years ago, this event could never have happened; because our Board has only been in existence for three and a half years,” said David Peskin, President of Jewish National Fund USA’s Southern New England Board of Directors. “What began with two friends who were ready to commit to bringing the incredible Jewish National Fund-USA story to this area of the country has expanded into a strong group of 12 leaders from two states who are devoted to the visionary work this organization does in Israel. I never expected to host such a high-profile leader here in Southern New England, but when Jewish National Fund-USA says that our region is a high priority – they mean it! This was an incredible and meaningful honor for us.”
For more information, contact Dar Nadler, JNF-USA Israel Emissary, New England & Capital District, at 617-423-0999 x816 or dnadler@jnf.org.
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About Jewish National Fund-USA
JNF-USA is the leading philanthropic organization for Israel that supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south. Through its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade, JNF-USA is developing new communities in the Galilee and Negev, connecting the next generation to Israel, and creating infrastructure and programs that support ecology, individuals with special needs, and heritage site preservation.