In memoriam of an exemplary wife, mother, physician and devout supporter of the Bonds organization, Israel Bonds Women’s Division of Tampa Bay paid tribute to the life of Dr. Leslie Weiss z”l at a gathering dedicated to her honor as a remarkable woman who advocated for strengthening the Jewish homeland.  Dr. Weiss, along with her husband Dr. Mitchell Weiss z”l, and their two children Hannah z"l and Ari z”l tragically perished in Costa Rica on New Year’s Eve 2017, and in remembrance Israel Bonds Women’s Division of Tampa Bay will continue their memory in an annual event. Dr. Weiss’ family and friends were in attendance from New York, Pennsylvania and Florida to recognize her unwavering passion for Israel bonds and all exemplifications associated with Jewish heritage. 


Over a hundred guests celebrated the life of Leslie Weiss over dinner at Nova 535 
in St. Petersburg 

More than one hundred guests celebrated the life of Dr. Weiss and her family over dinner in St. Petersburg at Nova 535, in which two of her close friends, Louisa Benjamin and Debbie Berner, chaired the event. Monica DiGiovanni, registered representative of Israel Bonds North, West and Central Florida, addressed the crowd by recalling when Dr. Weiss visited the Israel Bonds Tampa office last November to purchase the family’s annual High Holiday bonds – the final piece in the Weiss’ portfolio goal of $100,000.  Ms. DiGiovanni noted how Dr. Weiss beamed with pride at achieving this milestone which the two had been discussing for the past six years. Dr. Weiss’ sister, Marci Hackel from Pennsylvania joined by her mother, Sandy Levin shared the must-tell story of the phone call Leslie made to her when she left the Israel Bonds office that very day. 


Event co-chairs Louisa Benjamin and Debbie Berner lead the Hamotzi


Dr. Weiss' sister Marci Hackel, joined by her mother, Sandy Levin, shared a must-tell story 
of Leslie's unwavering enthusiasm for Israel Bonds 


Vice chair of Israel Bonds Rabbinic Advisory Council Rabbi Danielle Upbin led
the anthems

Israel Bonds Women’s Division Director Michelle Klahr followed with an informative presentation on the strategic initiatives and mission of the Bonds enterprise from a historical and current perspective of empowering and challenging women to be educated and independent investors.

Sergeant Benjamin Anthony (Res.), founder of ‘Our Soldiers Speak,' a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization providing briefings and analysis on the realities and challenges faced by the IDF, served as the keynote speaker for the evening, sharing his personal experiences emphasizing the existence of the State of Israel as the homeland for the Jewish people while advocating for continued investment in Israel bonds. 

Those in attendance were proud to learn that over $1 million in Israel bonds investments had been reached that evening by 110 individual purchasers. Worldwide sales of Israel bonds have surpassed $41 billion since the first bonds were issued in 1951, and US sales have exceeded $1 billion for the past five consecutive years.

(Photos: Keith Norstein)