Veteran Israeli Diplomat to Headline West Hartford Event

Community members in Southern New England will unite in solidarity with the people of Israel on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at 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 will be 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 will empower community members to be loud and proud Zionists and share his expertise in combatting 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 will also discuss 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.

“In the aftermath of October 7, there is no organization better positioned than Jewish National Fund-USA to provide urgently needed assistance to all affected areas of Israeli society,” said Jewish National Fund-USA’s Southern New England President David Peskin. “From helping restore tattered communities along the Gaza border to planning a renaissance in the Galilee, we are involved in all aspects of rebuilding Israel. Whether it's economic development, treating psychological and physical trauma, or supplying fire and rescue services, Jewish National Fund-USA has always been there and will continue to serve the land and people of Israel in essential and unique ways.”

For more information about the event or to register, visit jnf.org/remembering or contact Karen Rabinovici, Associate Director, Southern New England at krabinovici@jnf.org or 617.423.0999 x819.