Israel Bonds officially launched its 2017 sales effort at the gala International Prime Minister’s Club Weekend, held February 9-12 in Miami Beach, Florida. The weekend had numerous highlights, including:
- 'Latin Night' under the stars featuring the Miami Symphony Orchestra
- An exciting New Leadership ‘Blue and White Party’ at Villa Casa Casuarina, the former Versace Mansion
- A fond farewell to outgoing Finance Ministry Accountant General Michal Abadi and former President & CEO Izzy Tapoohi
The weekend culminated with a gala dinner paying tribute to 13 honorees from the U.S., Canada and Mexico, which was emceed by
Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander and attended by over 600 people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered video greetings, observing, “Israel bonds are both a financial instrument and a fraternal instrument, a bond of brotherhood and sisterhood with the Jewish state, for Jews and non-Jews alike.” He added that investors in Israel bonds are “(Israel’s) ambassadors.” (Watch the
PM Netanyahu video)
Israel Bonds President & CEO Israel Maimon shared a statement from Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon which read, “Since its founding, Israel Bonds has been a cornerstone of Israel’s economy. Crossing the $40 billion mark (in worldwide sales) exemplifies the organization’s dedication to Israel, and the way in which its message of economic support has resonated on a global scale.”
Emcee Jason Alexander shares his experiences growing up Jewish
and his feelings for Israel (Photo: Shahar Azran)
Israeli dignitaries participating in the International Prime Minister’s Club Weekend included UN Ambassador Danny Danon; Consul General of Israel in New York Ambassador Dani Dayan; Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Sam Grundwerg; and Consul General of Israel in Florida Lior Haiat. The Finance Ministry was represented by Director General Shai Babad; Deputy Accountant General Yali Rothenberg; and former accountant general Michal Abadi.
Symphony under the stars at 'Latin Night' (Photo: Shahar Azran)
Honorees recognized at the dinner were:
- · Sharon Azrieli, Montreal
- · Jeffrey Beck and Jarrod Beck, Dallas
- · Bonnie and Chuck Berk, Atlanta
- · Israel Feldman, Mexico City
- · Monique and Alex Halberstein, Miami
- · Sharon and David Halpern, Livingston, NJ
- · Sarah and Elie Hirschfeld, New York
- · Suellen and Larry Kadis, Cleveland
- · Melanie and Rene Moreno, Washington, DC and Curaçao
- · Barry Shrage, Boston
- · Dr. Tobi Richman Steinhardt and Rabbi David Steinhardt, Boca Raton
- · Diana Sager and Dr. Steven Warren, Tampa Bay
- · Enid and Kalman Wenig, Chicago
Two additional honorees, Alan Kantrowitz and Richard Ziman, both of Los Angeles, were unable to attend.
The scene at the New Leadership 'Blue and White Party, held at V
illa Casa
Casuarina, the former Versace Mansion (Photo: David Heischrek/
DHPA.com)
Sales announced that evening – encompassing individuals who had invested in Israel bonds, invested that night or indicated an intention to invest- totaled $260 million.
From left: Bonds President & CEO Israel Maimon; former President & CEO
Izzy Tapoohi; outgoing Finance Ministry Account General Michal Abadi;
Chairman of the Board Richard Hirsch; Vice President for Sales Stuart
Garawitz (Photo: Shahar Azran)