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Nearly
300 community members gathered Thursday
evening at
Glen Oaks Club for the Birthright Israel
Foundation Long Island Gala, which
honored Jon Held, one of the founding
supporters of Birthright Israel on Long
Island and one of the region's most
respected business and community
leaders.
Held was recognized for his longstanding
commitment to Birthright Israel and his
leadership in helping build support for
the organization throughout the Long
Island community.
"Birthright Israel's mission is to build
a generation of proud, confident, and
resilient Jewish young adults, and every
investment we make in a Jewish young
adult sends ripples far beyond the trip
itself. For more than 20 years, Jon has
been a cornerstone of that work on Long
Island, inspiring others to invest
alongside him. The young adults who
travel to Israel because of this
community come home more grounded, more
confident, more connected. Long Island
feels that. The Jewish world feels that.
That is what Jon helped build. That is a
legacy worth celebrating," said Elias
Saratovsky, President and CEO of
Birthright Israel Foundation.
The event, co-chaired by Steven Cooper
and Scott Jaffee, raised over $2 million
in total, including a record-breaking
night that saw nearly $1 million raised
and matched on the spot, enough to send
more than 400 Jewish young adults to
Israel. The vision and efforts behind
the gala were led by Rachel Podell,
Birthright Israel Foundation Long Island
Cabinet Chair, and Amy Jaffee, Past
Cabinet Chair, both of whom addressed
attendees during the evening.
Featured speaker Michelle Rojas-Tal, a
leader in the global Israeli and Jewish
community and a Birthright Israel
alumna, addressed attendees and spoke
about the enduring impact of the program
on Jewish young adults worldwide.
"We don't have the luxury of standing on
the sidelines. Every young Jew who
boards a Birthright plane comes home
more resilient, proud, and connected to
their Jewish identity. That is worth
fighting for, and worth celebrating.
When I see demand for these trips at
record highs, I know our investment is
working. The urgency to raise funds has
never been greater. Long Island is ready
to fulfill its responsibility to the
next generation. I hope every other
Jewish community in the U.S. is, too,"
said Held.
"The Long Island community chose to show
up. Tonight, nearly 300 people came
together and invested over $2 million to
send hundreds more Jewish young adults
to Israel, where right now, our
participants are virtually the only
visitors in the country. When Israelis
see them on the streets, at the Kotel,
they know the Jewish world hasn't
forgotten them. That is what this
community made possible tonight. That is
what this moment demands, and they
delivered," said Saratovsky.
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About Birthright Israel Foundation:
Since its founding, Birthright Israel
has provided immersive educational
experiences in Israel to nearly one
million Jewish young adults worldwide.
Birthright Israel Foundation raises
philanthropic support to enable Jewish
young adults to experience Birthright
Israel, a transformative educational
journey that strengthens Jewish
identity, builds community, and fosters
lifelong connection to Israel. Through
the Generations Campaign, Birthright
Israel Foundation aims to sustain and
expand this impact for generations to
come. |