Long Islanders Celebrate Israel’s Past in Honor of its 75th Birthday
GARDEN CITY, N.Y., March 14, 2023 — A pioneer of Jewish independence. The founder of the State of Israel. David Ben-Gurion was all these things and more, but for Alon Ben-Gurion, he was, above all, saba (grandfather). On March 1, 2023, the grandson of the Israeli icon addressed more than 125 philanthropists in his keynote speech at Jewish National Fund-USA’s Water, Wine, and Whiskey event at the Garden City Hotel on Long Island.
Event Chairs Peter and Dorette Forman
Celebrating 75 years of Israel’s independence by enjoying a tasting of various Israeli wines and whiskeys, attendees, including both Jewish National Fund-USA Long Island Board Members and newcomers, learned how the organization is bringing David Ben-Gurion’s vision to life through the organization’s Blueprint Negev and Go North initiatives, which aim to bring 500,000 people to Israel’s south and 300,000 to Israel’s north, respectively. The event also highlighted several of the organization’s bold and visionary initiatives in these regions, from rehabilitative hospitals to efforts to boost tourism and small businesses.
Jewish National Fund-USA’s work on water rehabilitation was front and center, thanks to special guest speaker Talia Tzour Avner, Jewish National Fund-USA’s Chief of Staff in Israel. Following Alon’s speech, Talia spoke about how the organization works with Israel’s Water Authority, municipalities, and farmers by developing new and additional sources of water and agricultural technology, making the desert bloom like it never has before.
Long Island Past President Mark Engel, JoAnn Engel, and Alon Ben-Gurion
“I am constantly impressed with the quality and focus of Jewish National Fund-USA’s investments in Israel,” said event Co-Chair Peter Forman. “I see us as a vehicle for extending Israel’s strength into both the Galil and the Negev. This investment is for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as a strong Israel is in their interests.”
For more information visit jnf.org or contact Ashley Emrani, Tri-State Director, Long Island and New York at aemrani@jnf.org or 212.879.9305 x501.
Lynn Levine; JNF-USA Long Island Women For Israel Chair, Elyse Ingber; Donna Frank; JNF-USA Long Island Board President, Lynette Buzen; Kay Smith; Dorette Forman; Stephanie Abada; JoAnn Engel; and JNF-USA Tri-State Director of New York and Long Island, Ashley Emrani
Long Island philanthropists listening to Alon Ben-Gurion
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Milton
561-447-9733 x875
jmilton@jnf.org
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.