ZOA People “It is the responsibility of the world to support Israel,” says Isaac Abraham, a New York City real estate entrepreneur and member of ZOA’s national board. Given the Jewish people’s history and what the world has done to ������ ���������� ���������������������� ������ ������������������ ������ ������ ���������� ���������������� ���������� ������ there so much pushback?” he asks, rhetorically. One can rightly say that Isaac Abraham is pushing back against that “pushback.” For the New-York-City-bred and based son of an Argentinian mother and Afghani father, with family that has lived throughout the Middle East, it was natural to be a Zionist, Isaac says, although he notes that it was not until an incident in college that a spark was ignited. Isaac was spending a study year abroad at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan, when a Palestinian Arab suicide bombing occurred two blocks from the campus. While he had always been pro-Israel, he says, “my perspective changed,” and he became an activist. Then he attended a talk by ZOA National President Morton Klein. “I met Morton Klein at a Passover event in upstate New York,” he recalls. “I’ve never connected with anyone who speaks about Israel the way he connected with Mort. Mort’s lecture was on a par with my logic. It was the first time I heard the truth.” After their meeting, Isaac began helping ZOA with the organization’s real estate matters, pro bono. Three years ago, he says, “Mort asked me to join the board,” and Isaac accepted. “It’s a pleasure to help Israel and ZOA.” Isaac, 31, is a co-founder of Witnick Real Estate Partners, a boutique private-equity company started three years ago. The firm acquires, develops, and manages mixed-use and multi-family buildings, concentrating on North Brooklyn and Manhattan. “We make improvements enhancing the quality of life for tenants,” he says. As for his work with ZOA, Isaac tries to spread the word about our organization among his peers and others with whom he interacts. He tells them that ZOA “sends the right message” about Israel, the Middle East, and the Arab war against Israel. “It’s not sugar-coated. ZOA gets right down to business.” The organization’s leadership, he says, is “taking the right steps. It makes me excited to be a part of ZOA.” Isaac’s view of the ZOA’s work may differ from the views of others. “I don’t consider it simply a pro-Zionist agenda; I regard it as spreading the truth,” he says. And that truth is most sorely needed, he says, at America’s universities and colleges. The University of California (UC) statewide system, in particular, “is very tainted.” (The ZOA, especially through our Center for Law and Justice, has aggressively pursued problems at UC campuses.) 15 PROFILE: ISAAC ABRAHAM Generally, notes Isaac, the attitude on America’s campuses is, “whatever Israel does is wrong.” That must change, he says, and ZOA is doing it. However, he says, “more funds are needed to deploy ZOA’s message on campuses.” Isaac completed his undergraduate studies at Queens College CUNY and obtained his MBA degree from the University of Rochester. While there, he and another student co-founded a chapter of JAMBA (Jewish Association of MBAs). He earned another master’s degree, in real estate, at Columbia University. Ironically, Columbia, based in the heart of New York City, has for years been one of the most anti-Israel campuses. Isaac is optimistic that this will change. “There are some young people going against the norm,” he says. “We hope the tide will turn.” Isaac recognizes that “people need to be informed about what’s going on,” which ZOA is doing as part of its mission. But, he says, “we need better education, more social media.” While education and social media have played a role in his own growth as a pro-Israel advocate and young leader, “a big factor is the stories that I heard growing up,” he says. Isaac’s family from Iran, Lebanon, and elsewhere in the Middle East helped shape his outlook from an early age. “I’ve gotten a holistic perspective,” he says. On his mother’s side, many relatives were murdered in the Holocaust. “That also impacted my experience.” “Being a Zionist is part of my fiber,” Isaac states proudly. “My parents never needed to force me to love Israel and care about Israel. Being involved with ZOA helps me fulfill that passion.”
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