THE LOUNGE
1. Disabled veterans
Last week at Beit Halochem in Tel-Aviv, the friends of the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization (ZDVO) held their annual fundraiser at which they launched a new program called Starting Point, which helps rehabilitate young IDF soldiers. CEO of ZDVO, reserve general Haim Ronen, thanked the many guests for their hard work and dedication. Also attending were Chairman of ZDVO, reserve major general Eliezer Shkedi, Adi and Dr. Tzipi Strauss, who are chaperoning a group of IDF disabled veterans on a trip to the Far East, Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman, and Chemi Peres.
2. Je t’aime, Ronit Elkabetz
Design Museum Holon recently launched an exhibition called “Je t’aime, Ronit Elkabetz,” which displays the magnificent collection of clothes left behind by actress and director Ronit Elkabetz, who passed away a year-and-a-half ago. The exhibition was curated by museum director Danny Weiss, art director Shlomi Elkabetz, and architect Avner Yashar. Attending were French Ambassador to Israel Helene Le Gal; chairman of the Board of Governors of the Museum, Moshe (Peter) Peterburg; chairwoman of the Friends of the Museum, Regin Ganzi; Ambassador of India in Israel, Pavan Kapoor; Ron Arad; and Ronit Elkabetz’s brothers, Yehiel and Shlomi.
3. America-Israel Friendship League
The America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL) presented former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat with Partner for Democracy Awards. The awards were given last week at the organization’s annual gala event in recognition of their public service and their deep commitment to improving the friendship between the United States and Israel. Both Bloomberg and Barkat moved on to public activity after retiring from successful careers in business, and the award committee noted that they both engage in entrepreneurial thinking that is outside of the box, which has helped them achieve such great heights.
4. Gerard Guez
The fund of billionaire Gerard Guez, the fashion tycoon, held a fundraiser in honor of Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Los Angeles. Prof. Jonathan Halevy, director-general of the hospital welcomed guests to the event, which took place at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The Gypsy Kings, French singer Patrick Bruel and the legendary singer Enrico Macias all performed at the event, which continued late into the night. Attending were Jackie Guez, Turkish businesswoman Ozlem Unel, New York real estate mogul Rotem Rosen, the Azaria fashion tycoon family and Avi and Shaul Shemesh.
5. WeizmannVibe
Over 200 young managers who will be the business leaders of the next generation participated in the latest event organized by WeizmannVibe, the club of the Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science for young adults.
Sponsored by Swiss Bank Pictet, the evening took place at Zappa Herzliya, and included a discussion with Weizmann’s future scientists, as well as a performance by Achinoam Nini and Gil Dor.
The event was hosted by Amir Shaltiel, chairman of WeizmannVibe and chairman of the Eldar Group, alongside Yael Goren-Wegman, the executive director of the Association of Friends of the Weizmann Institute. Attending were Prof. Israel Bar-Yosef, vice president of the Weizmann Institute; Shimshon Harel, chairman of Weizmann and CEO of America Israel Investments; Albert Fried, CEO of Bank Pictet in Israel; and Dr. Aviv Gal.