Thousands of Jewish Leaders to gather in Israel for 75th Independence Day

The event in Tel Aviv is being held by Keren Hayesod, Jewish Federations of North America, The Jewish Agency for Israel and the World Zionist Organization 

 

Thousands of Jewish leaders from 20 countries will arrive in Israel later this week for special events and celebrations in honor of Israel’s 75th birthday. The delegations will gather at the Tel Aviv International Convention Center April 23rd for the keynote event organized by Jewish Federations of North America, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Hayesod, and the World Zionist Organization, that will feature addresses by President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

 
The event will kick off the annual General Assembly of Jewish Federations of North America, and will be held during the convening of the annual Board of Governors meetings of Keren Hayesod and The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Zionist Congress of the World Zionist Organization.

 
“Israel is a source of meaning for our Jewish communities in North America and it is a tremendous privilege to be in Israel with 3,000 leaders from across the Federation system to celebrate this milestone with our Israeli brothers and sisters,” said Jewish Federations of North America Board Chair Julie Platt. “Our being here in such large numbers and during this momentous occasion is a testament to the deep care we feel for Israel’s well-being and the unbreakable bonds between our two communities. Along with the celebrations, we will also listen, learn and engage in dialogue with Israeli decision-makers from the opposition and coalition as we continue to express our concerns on issues of importance to North American Jewry and their implications on our communities.”

 
"I am thrilled to be celebrating the miracle of Israel along with so many representatives of our wonderful Jewish communities around the world,” Chairman of The Jewish Agency Board of Governors Mark Wilf said. “Us coming together in Israel to strengthen our shared bond is a testimony to the essential role the State of Israel plays in fostering the unity of the Jewish people. May the State of Israel continue to blossom and serve as the guiding light for our people."

 
Chairman of the World Board of Trustees of Keren Hayesod Steven Lowy AM, said, “The historic gathering of the national institutions to celebrate 75 years of Israel's independence is another testimony to the unshakeable bond between the people of Israel and the Jewish people and its allies worldwide. In these divided times, this event is an opportunity for us at Keren Hayesod, together with our partners, to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening Israel and its people while safeguarding the identity and future of the Jewish people all around the world.”


Chairman of the World Zionist Organization Yaakov Hagoel said, "We are proud to be hosting the thousands of Jews who have come to Israel despite security tensions in Israel as a gesture of Zionist unity and solidarity on the occasion of the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the State of Israel and the 125th anniversary of the first Zionist Congress in Basel. The situation in Israel requires us to remember that we are family and it doesn't matter where each of us come from in the world. Herzl's entrepreneurial vision did not only include the establishment of a Jewish State in the Land of Israel, but also the establishment of an economic and social entrepreneurial society committed to creating a better world. The thousands of Jews who have come to Israel will return to their countries of origin with the goal of marketing the State of Israel as a Jewish State based on Herzl's democratic and social vision."