On Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, philanthropists in Southern New England partook in a once-in-a-lifetime experience hearing a candid, “off the record” conversation with Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister of Israel from 2006-2009.
The youngest member of the Israeli Knesset when first elected in 1973, Olmert led Israel through the Second Lebanon War and approved the game-changer strike on Syria’s nuclear plant the following year in 2007, among other noteworthy actions.
The former Prime Minister traveled to New England to speak exclusively with Jewish National Fund-USA’s partners (donors) in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and West Hartford, Connecticut. The Consul General of Israel to New England, Ambassador Meron Reuben, also attended and spoke at the events.
Olmert, who authored the book “Searching for Peace,” spoke about his tenure as Israel’s Prime Minister and how, as the former mayor of Jerusalem, he overcame decades of internal challenges and waves of terror attacks to bring huge improvements in the city’s infrastructure, education, and welfare. Additionally, he discussed what’s taking place in Iran and the incredible support Israel received from Presidents Biden and Obama, as well as peacemaking, politics, where he sees Israel in the next 50 years, his thoughts about the future of the Middle East, and how he witnessed first-hand how Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF) impacts the land and people of Israel by stepping in where the government cannot.
“Amazingly, if this were only four years ago, this event could never have happened because our Board has only been in existence for three-and-a-half years,” said David Peskin, president of JNF’s Southern New England board of directors. “What began with two friends who were ready to commit to bringing the incredible JNF story to this area of the country has expanded into a strong group of 12 leaders from two states who are devoted to the visionary work this organization does in Israel. I never expected to host such a high-profile leader here in Southern New England, but when JNF says that our region is a high priority—they mean it! This was an incredible and meaningful honor for us.”
Click here to view photos from the event.
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