The Las Vegas community came together on March 23 for an annual breakfast, with proceeds to benefit the building of Halutza, which was founded in 2005 by the families evacuated from Gush Katif. These families are Israel’s 21st century pioneers. JNF helps these communities by building synagogues, schools, housing, parks, roads, and infrastructure that is needed.
Gil Hoffman, Chief Political Correspondent and Analyst for The Jerusalem Post served as the keynote speaker for this event. Gil is well connected to Israeli and Palestinian leaders. He has interviewed every major figure across the Israeli political spectrum. He has been interviewed by top media around the globe and is a regular analyst on CNN, Al-Jazeera and other news outlets. He elaborated on the political skills of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussing his attempts to strengthen the Palestinian economy in hopes that future economic success will lead to a lasting peace with Israel. Unfortunately, the Palestinians had no interest in the proposed economic plan. Gil elaborated on the fact that Judea and Samaria were always inhabited by Jews and therefore the Jewish areas should not be considered “settlements”. The origin of Israel’s PR problems stem from the misinformation of the global media.
Event Chair Tammy Ofek served as Master of Ceremonies. She welcomed the guests and thanked Beth Asaf, Board Member of Temple Sinai for making it possible for JNF to hold our annual event on their premises. Tammy also acknowledged Larry Monkarsh for supplying the much needed coffee urns, and Judy Berkovitz, JNF Community Director and JNF Events Manager, Mira West for their tireless effort to make this year’s breakfast a success.
During the breakfast, JNF Las Vegas President Bob Dubin presented certificates of thanks for raising funds on behalf of Operation Carmel Renewal to the following organizations: Temple Beth Sholom, The Judy and Ronald Mack School of Religious Studies, Solomon Schechter Day School, Temple Sinai Religious School, Adelson Educational Campus, Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, Congregation Ner Tamid, Midbar Kodesh Temple. Accepting these awards were Rabbi Felipe Goodman, Rabbi Adam Watstein, Leonard Stone, Beth Asaf.
Judy Berkovitz concluded the event by thanking the Board of Directors, in particular Bob Dubin, Tammy Ofek, Larry Monkarsh, Bobby Feldman, Helen Feldman, Dr. Garet Gordon, Lara Stone and Adi Mor for their help and support to make this event a success. |
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