THE LOUNGE
1-4. FIDF
Last Monday, FIDF (Friends of the IDF in the United States and Panama) held its annual Gala Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown. Over 1,200 philanthropists and key and influential business leaders from all over the US and Israel gathered for the “Night of Heroes” event, which raised a record of more than $35 million to support the well-being of IDF soldiers as well as educational programs.
The keynote speaker was outgoing Israeli Air Force (IAF) chief Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, who spoke about Israel’s current security challenges and the IAF’s most recent technological acquisitions, including the F35 fighter jets, the most advanced warplane in the region.
During the evening, a special ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War was led by legendary IAF test pilot Danny Shapira, now 92, whose personal story is interwoven with the story of the establishment of the State of Israel.
Among the honored guests were Israel’s United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon and his wife Tali; Consul-General of Israel in New York Dani Dayan; Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson; Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir, director-general of FIDF and his wife Gila, who donated $16,000 to serve as scholarships for soldiers; FIDF National Chairman Arthur Stark and his wife Sylvia; ; FIDF National President Peter Weintraub and his wife Ellen; and Fox Business Network anchor Liz Claman, who hosted the evening.
5. Michal Forer
Artist Michal Forer hosted an evening for the Young Friends of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art at her studio where she presented her work, accompanied by witty descriptions.
Among the art lovers who attended the event: her husband David Forer; their children and their spouses: Tal and Hadas Forer, Tal and Nili Rabinovich Forer, Ron and Odelia Forer; Jason and Elital Arison, chairman of the Young People’s Association; Pepi Landau; Orly Bloom and Sergei Ben-David.
6. WeWork
The WeWork Creator Awards ceremony took place last Thursday at Pavilion 2 at the Tel Aviv Exhibition Grounds.
The event included a VIP cocktail hour, a series of inspirational performances by creative entrepreneurs and business pioneers, including Shai Agassi, Aviv Geffen and WeWork co-founder and CEO Adam Neumann, who shared experiences from their private lives and careers.
About $1.5 million was awarded to Israeli artists. Winners will continue on to the world finals, which will take place in January in New York. Finalists will receive additional funding, as well as world recognition.