Veteran Israeli Diplomat Headlines West Hartford Event

Community members in Southern New England recently united at Beth El Temple in West Hartford for Jewish National Fund-USA’s “An Evening for Israel” event in West Hartford, honoring the resilience of the Israeli people and highlighting bold and visionary plans to rebuild all that Israel’s enemies have torn down.

Co-chaired by David Peskin, Eric Berg, Sharon Efron, and Dr. Robin Santiago, the event’s keynote speaker was veteran Israeli diplomat and Senior Vice President of Jewish Broadcasting Service, Shahar Azani. With over 15 years in Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a pivotal leadership role at StandWithUs, Shahar empowered community members to be loud and proud Zionists and discussed his experience fighting antisemitic rhetoric in the media and on college campuses.

“On October 7, on that bloody Saturday morning, Israel, Israelis, and the world were changed forever,” said Azani. “The ferocious, cruel attack against innocent men, women, children, babies, and whole families will never leave our hearts…This is an age of accountability where we look evil in the eye and call it by its name. We are obligated to stand up to darkness and defeat it in the name of the light.”

Local lay leaders also discussed how individuals can support the Jewish Homeland in the short and long term through Jewish National Fund-USA’s Israel Resilience Campaign (jnf.org/supportisrael), which has raised $60 million since October 7, 2023, supporting the evacuation and relocation of tens of thousands of residents in Israel’s South while providing thousands more with housing, food, clothing, and other critical supplies and services.

The campaign includes the “Build Together” plan, a bold, strategic initiative to rebuild the Israel Envelope communities – cleaning up the region, designing and constructing new homes, and helping small businesses reopen, all while supporting immediate and long-term security needs, as well as physical and mental health requirements so displaced families can return home.

“Since October 7, one thing has become crystal clear to me: the symbiotic relationship between Israel and Jews in the diaspora is more critical than ever,” said Jewish National Fund-USA’s Southern New England President David Peskin. “You have heard much about how Israel needs us now, but we also need Israel. We must ensure our Jewish homeland is strong, secure, and prosperous, no matter the cost. We need to say to the world that we refuse to apologize for our existence, and we will not be annihilated.”

For more information about Jewish National Fund-USA or to learn about upcoming events in West Hartford, visit jnf.org or contact Karen Rabinovici, Associate Director, Southern New England at krabinovici@jnf.org or 617.423.0999 x819.