U.S. leaders call for a strong Israel
The Fifth Annual IAC (Israeli-American Council) National Conference concluded Sunday with remarks from a high-profile lineup of speakers headlined by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-C.A.), wrapping up a four-day display of bipartisan support for the State of Israel over the course of the conference in South Florida.
Leader Pelosi called the establishment of the state of Israel “the greatest political accomplishment of the 20th century,” emphasizing that “the security of Israel is essential,” to any solution between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. She went on to say, “We have to make it really clear to the Palestinians that we expect them to be responsible negotiators and we haven’t seen a lot of that thus far.”
Pelosi was joined on stage by Schumer as part of a conversation moderated by Haim Saban, an Israeli-American entertainment industry pioneer and philanthropist, who is also a major supporter of the IAC.
“If you believe in the security of America, you have to support the security of Israel,” said Senator Schumer, calling for a bipartisan effort to educate Millennials and Gen Xers about Israel’s struggles to exist. “We have to show them that Israel’s existence is still precarious despite what it has done to build up its strength.”
Saban described the U.S.-Israel relationship as a “two-way street,” as Schumer noted, “no other country does more to protect America from terrorism than Israel.”
The top Democrats in both chambers of Congress spoke at the IAC Conference two days after the conference’s more than 3,000 attendees heard a keynote address from Vice President Mike Pence.
Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson – the major supporters and visionaries that drove the IAC’s rapid expansion across the country – echoed the sentiment that bipartisanship is critical for the IAC’s mission, as they announced a new $13 million gift to the organization.
“I think the important thing is that this organization is not favoring one side or the other,” said Sheldon Adelson, saying there is no room for “political positioning in the IAC.”
Sunday’s plenary session also featured Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, whose remarks at the Diplomat Beach Resort came just up the road from his native city of Miami Beach.
“We are blessed to have had seven decades of strong bipartisan support for Israel – and hearing from both the Vice President and two leading Democrats should give people confidence that bipartisan support of Israel is going to continue,” said Dermer. — From the Israeli-American Council
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Temple Beth Shalom renovates its sanctuary
The exterior and interior of the Holy Ark of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista have been renovated. Updated lighting has been placed in the synagogue’s entry foyer. New bathrooms have been installed that are handicapped accessible and provide a baby changing station. There is now LED energy efficient exterior lighting, and door bells and peep holes at the main entrance and handicap entrace have been installed for security purposes.
“At TBS we are continuously looking at ways to improve the facilities,” according to Temple member Ed Fishauf.
“Our next major project will be the social hall starting with the roof, electrical, and air conditioning. Soon after we would like to update the interior, kitchen and bathrooms.” — From Temple Beth Shalom
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Wax family recalls President George H. W. Bush
Charles Wax, chairman and chief executive officer of Waxie Sanitary Supply, on watching former President George H. W. Bush’s funeral on Wednesday, recalled that his parents, Morris and Jeanette Wax, once met and posed with the late President. He found this photograph from the company’s collection. George H. W. Bush is on the left.
— From Waxie Sanitary Supply
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Haredi Judge from U.S. visits United Hatzalah in Jerusalem
New York City Judge Ruchie Freier visited United Hatzalah’s Dispatch and Command Center in Jerusalem, telling volunteers “Every time I come I am completely amazed at what you do for the country in general and for women specifically. What I’ve learned today is amazing. I’ve seen what you have done and gotten to meet some of the women and I can just say Kol Hakavod (more honor to you). Kol Hakavod to the men who support these women and help us women thrive at what we do best.”
Freier, America’s first Haredi judge, spent Tuesday morning learning about how the organization has succeeded at integrating a full women’s unit comprised of women who come from religious communities in Israel, in both the Ultra-Orthodox communities and the Muslim communities
“Women providing care for women’s needs is something that existed from the time period of the Bible,” said Judge Freier. “We look back to when the Jews were in Egypt and it was the women who were rushing to deliver babies, it was Miriam and Yocheved who attended to these medical emergencies,” she said.
Judge Freier also brought examples from her own work while serving on a local ambulance in New York. “When I was serving on a non-Jewish ambulance and we had a birth or a women’s health emergency, the other servicemen would look to me and tell me to handle the situation as they understood that it brought more comfort to the patient. It is simply logical.”
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Preceding items culled from news releases and correspondence. Please send yours to editor@sdjewishworld.com