THE LOUNGE
1. Microsoft Partner of the Year
Moti Elmaliach, CEO of Bezeq International, participated in the Microsoft conference last week in Toronto, Canada, where he received the Microsoft Partner of the Year Award from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
2. Herbert Samuel Hotel
Brothers Joe, Ralph and Avi Nakash celebrated the grand opening of their new Herbert Samuel Jerusalem Hotel, which belongs to the Orchid luxury hotel chain owned by the Nakash Group. The guest of honor at the celebration was Tourism Ministry Director-General Amir Halevi, who greeted guests from the podium, and boasted about the hotel’s incredible location in downtown Jerusalem. Welcominh yhe guests, including businessmen, hotelier, suppliers, media and family members were: Avi Homero, CEO of Nakash’s Jordache Enterprises, the group developing the hotel; Ran Balbus – vice president of Nakash Group and hotel chain; and Roger Attias, CEO of the hotel.
3. Shlomi Shabat in London
Last week at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel, a festive reception was held for singer Shlomi Shabat, who was in London to perform in a concert to raise funds for Variety, a charity for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children. Participating in the event were chairman of Variety Israel Uri Slonim and his wife, Tami; president of Variety Israel Udi Angel and his friend retired profes- sional tennis player Andy Ram, both of whom came straight from the Wimbledon men’s finals; and Variety Executive Director Riki Ariel. Seen enjoying them- selves during the festivities were head of Israel’s KKL/ JNF delegation to the UK Shai Bazak; Israel Ambassador to UK Mark Regev and his wife Vered; and Bank Leumi UK CEO Eli Katzav.
4. Bastille Day celebrations
Last Wednesday night, French Ambassador to Israel Patrick Maisonnave, hosted the annual Bastille Day celebrations in honor of France’s Independence Day. Among the many guests in the courtyard of Maionssave’s home, included: Minister Yuval Steinitz; Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai; Alfred Akirov; entrepreneur Yossi Vardi; former Israeli ambassador to France, Yossi Gal, ; and Yitzhak Manor, owner of Lubinsky Car Imports. The sad news of the bloody terrorist attack in Nice arrived late at night Thursday, and by Saturday night the French Embassy had organized a solidarity rally at Independence Square in Netanya for victims of the attack.
5. Garden Terrace
Last week, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Jerusalem presented its new approach to relaxation in Jerusalem at the official opening of its Garden Terrace, located on the hotel’s rooftop. Guy Klaiman, general manager of the hotel, welcomed guests and invited them to enjoy the cool, dry summer evenings in Jerusalem, the extraordinary view, and of course the delicious tapas and cocktails. Attending the evening were: Bezeq CEO Stella Handler; Adina and Rami Levy; and Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Moshe Lion.