60
Society members from around the NY metropolitan
area, Mr. Tyrmand shared his conclusion
that despite Central and Eastern Europe’s
well-known history and the prevailing
popular perception, these regions are in fact
increasingly friendly environments for Jews.
Pre-Gala Reception
The NY Metro team also helps facilitate
ZOA National events that take place in New
York City. For ZOA Donor Society members
around the country, ZOA hosted our first annual
ZOA Pre-Gala Reception last November,
entitled Israel in an Evolving Middle East: An
Assessment of the Strategic Complex in the
Region. The elegant, well-attended event, held
at the New York Marriott Marquis the night
before the annual ZOA Gala, featured Benjamin
Krasna, the Deputy Head of Mission
of Israel to the United States of America. Mr.
Krasna shared his views about the current and
future dynamics between Israel and its neighbors,
the function of major world players in
the Middle East, and the role of Israel and the
Middle East in the broader global arena.
Other Exclusive Donor Society
Events
As part of our new ZOA Donor Society programming,
we also hosted several high-profile,
influential people in the pro-Israel arena: Jason
Greenblatt, Assistant to President Trump
and Special Representative for International
Negotiations, discussed the Arab-Israeli situation
and the administration’s plan for a resolution;
renowned author Jonathan Neumann
discussed his new book, To Heal the World?
How the Jewish Left Corrupts Judaism and
Endangers Israel; and Dr. Seth Frantzman,
Op-ed Editor at the Jerusalem Post, and Dr.
Jonathan Speyer, a Jerusalem Post columnist
and a Fellow at the Jerusalem Institute of Strategic
Studies, spoke to us about What’s Next
for Peace Possibilities? Iran & Russia in the
Middle East: Future Implications for Israel.
The first parlor meeting under our New York
Metro-West banner was graciously hosted by
Jason and Vera Kessler at their home in New
Rochelle, NY. Dan Pollak, director of ZOA’s
Government Relations department, spoke on
the topic of Fighting BDS in Washington,
D.C. and in Westchester County.
As guests enjoyed a heimische spread including
deli and sushi, Mr. Pollak shared in-depth
insights into the Taylor Force Act (which cuts
U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority until it
stops funding convicted terrorists and their
families), anti-BDS legislation, and issues
concerning U.S. relations with Iran. The event
drew a diverse crowd from the New Rochelle
and Scarsdale communities. Everyone left the
program with a better understanding of ZOA’s
significant impact in Washington, D.C. on issues
of critical concern to Israel and the Jewish
people. Many left the event asking for more
R Regional lD Directors Alay Al J Jay and d D Deborah b h Peretz,P
Deputy Head of Mission of Israel to the United
States of America Benjamin Krasna, Chairman
Mark Levenson, Esq. and Director of Outreach and
EngagementTalya Meserri at the ZOA National
Pre-Gala reception
ZOA hosted
our
first annual
ZOA
Pre-Gala
Reception
last November,
featuring
Benjamin
Krasna,
the Deputy
Head
of Mission
of Israel to
the United
States of
America.
Adela Cojab Moadeb (left) and Hendel Seif-Rosenfeld
(right) share their personal experiences with anti-Semitism
on their respective campuses at the NY Metro kickoff event.
NY Metro