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2010
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Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch Addresses AIFL Leadership
New York, NY… April 22, 2010: Former New York Mayor Ed Koch spoke at special America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL) event hosted by longtime AIFL supporters James and Merryl Tisch.
Yesterday evening’s event, which drew notable Jewish and non-Jewish leaders from the New York area, focused on ... (for the full article)
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AIFL Joins Israel’s 62nd Independence Day Celebration
New York, NY… April 16, 2010: The America - Israel Friendship League is pleased to announce that it is joining Dor Chadash and over 100 organizations in celebration of Israel’s 62nd Independence Day.
The annual event, which promises to be the largest Yom Ha'Zikaron / Yom Ha'Atzmaut gatheri... (for the full article)
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AIFL Marks Israel’s 62nd Independence Day
New York, NY… April 19, 2010: The America - Israel Friendship League (AIFL), a non-sectarian, not-for-profit organization committed to strengthening ties between the peoples of Israel and the United States, is marking Israel’s 62nd Independence Day.
On the occasion of Israel's 62nd birthda... (for the full article)
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Israel Has Right To Defend Herself; Flotilla Had No Peaceful Intentions
New York, NY… June 2, 2010: Members and supporters of the America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL) express their steadfast support of Israel as the Jewish state is confronted with a wave of unfounded accusations and attacks resulting from the unfortunate flotilla incident earlier this week. As a mem... (for the full article)
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AIFL Hosts Israeli Youth Basketball Team
New York, NY …March 21, 2010: The America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL) hosted a reception for Rishon Le-Zion’s Gymnasia Realit Kamari High School basketball team following their charity game at Madison Square Garden.
The special charity event at the Garden was organized by the New York K... (for the full article)
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AIFL Sends Harvard Law Students on Israel Seminar
New York, NY… March 19, 2010: A delegation of Harvard Law students is visiting Israel this week as part of a ten-day America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL) educational mission to Israel.
This is the second year AIFL is cooperating with the Harvard Law Jewish Students’ Association and ... (for the full article)
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AIFL Sends Delegation of Culinary Experts to Israel
New York, NY… March 12, 2010: A delegation of leading American culinary experts will be visiting Israel next week on a weeklong seminar organized by the America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL), in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The delegation includes reporters, c... (for the full article)
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Billauer Joins AIFL’s Senior Staff
New York, NY … March 10, 2010: The America-Israel Friendship League is pleased to announce the addition of Guy Billauer to its senior staff.
Mr. Billauer comes to AIFL from the American Jewish Committee’s Washington, DC, office where for over a decade h... (for the full article)
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Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch Addresses AIFL Leadership
New York, NY… April 22, 2010: Former New York Mayor Ed Koch spoke at special America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL) event hosted by longtime AIFL supporters James and Merryl Tisch.
Yesterday evening’s event, which drew notable Jewish and non-Jewish leaders from the New York area, focused on the recent tensions in the relationship between Washington and Jerusalem. Mayor Koch, a longstanding supporter and advocate for strong U.S.-Israel relations, expressed his apprehension and disappointment with the Administration’s new posture vis-à-vis Israel and the Middle East. He urged Americans all political creeds to voice their concern about what he considered an unprecedented change of course in U.S.-Israel relations.
Mayor Koch praised AIFL for sending a strong and timely letter to President Obama last week. He urged the League to publish the letter in the New York Times and in other national media outlets, for which the AIFL has initiated a special fundraising campaign among members and supporters.
AIFL’s mission is to strengthen the ties between the people of the United States and Israel; bridging distances to reveal the beauty, the humanity, and the modern democratic values that define both nations.
AIFL sends leadership delegations of lawmakers, educators, community activists, and journalist to Israel; sponsors unique high school exchange programs; and promotes cultural ties between Israelis and Americans.
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For further information on this program, please contact AIFL at 212-213-8630 / info@aifl.org
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AIFL Joins Israel’s 62nd Independence Day Celebration
New York, NY… April 16, 2010: The America - Israel Friendship League is pleased to announce that it is joining Dor Chadash and over 100 organizations in celebration of Israel’s 62nd Independence Day.
The annual event, which promises to be the largest Yom Ha'Zikaron / Yom Ha'Atzmaut gathering in the world outside of Israel, will feature live entertainment and dignitaries from Israel and the United States.
The Monday, April 19, event will take place at New York City’s Terminal 5, 610 W. 56th Street at 11th Avenue. Doors open at 6:30pm.
To purchase tickets, please visit www.dorchadashusa.org.
The America-Israel Friendship League’s (AIFL) mission is to strengthen the ties between the people of the United States and Israel; bridging distances to reveal the beauty, the humanity, and the modern democratic values that define both nations.
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For further information on this program, please contact AIFL at 212-213-8630 / info@aifl.org
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AIFL Marks Israel’s 62nd Independence Day
New York, NY… April 19, 2010: The America - Israel Friendship League (AIFL), a non-sectarian, not-for-profit organization committed to strengthening ties between the peoples of Israel and the United States, is marking Israel’s 62nd Independence Day.
On the occasion of Israel's 62nd birthday, AIFL also remembers those who fought for Israel’s survival and gave their lives for the Jewish state. AIFL members and supporters cherish the longstanding bonds between America and Israel and the special relationship between the people of these two great democracies.
7.5 million Israelis celebrate today their country’s vast accomplishments in education, science, culture, and technology in spite of mounting existential threats to the Jewish State’s security and well-being. Israel continues to reach out for peace in the hope that one day its neighbors in the Middle East will recognize her historic right to live in peace and security in the Land of Israel.
AIFL’s mission is to strengthen the ties between the people of the United States and Israel; bridging distances to reveal the beauty, the humanity, and the modern democratic values that define both nations. AIFL sends leadership delegations of lawmakers, educators, community activists, and journalist to Israel; sponsors unique high school exchange programs; and promotes cultural ties between Israelis and Americans.
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For further information on this program, please contact AIFL at 212-213-8630 / info@aif.org
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Israel Has Right To Defend Herself; Flotilla Had No Peaceful Intentions
New York, NY… June 2, 2010: Members and supporters of the America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL) express their steadfast support of Israel as the Jewish state is confronted with a wave of unfounded accusations and attacks resulting from the unfortunate flotilla incident earlier this week. As a member-state of the United Nations, Israel has an uncontroverted right under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter to defend herself against armed attacks on her sovereignty or her citizens.
Following Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and Hamas’ victory in the Gaza elections, Hamas took complete control, expelling Fatah and the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and Europe. For the past seven years, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Al-Qaeda-supported terror cells have launched rockets and missiles on Israel’s southern cities and towns. Over 6,000 attacks - many deadly - from Palestinian terrorists were reported since Hamas took hold of Gaza. This year alone, 150 rockets were launched into Israel.
Israeli forces had routinely intercepted dozens of vessels carrying sophisticated weaponry and bomb-making materials. Like all western democracies, Israel had to defend herself against persistent terror and continued Hamas calls for her destruction. To this end, Israel imposed a maritime blockade to prevent smuggling of deadly arms. This blockade is no different from other nations’ acts in conflict situations.
Despite this necessary blockade, Israel continues to be the largest humanitarian aid provider to Gaza. More than 1 million tons of humanitarian aid since Operation Cast Lead last January and continues to deliver 10-15,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza per week.
The Turkish group IHH, which organized the flotilla, is a radical anti-Western group that supports Hamas and Islamic Brotherhood. IHH had sought a confrontation with the Israeli army and did not heed any Israeli request to redirect the flotilla and deliver the supplies in an orderly, legal, and appropriate manner. The tragic events aboard the Mavi Marmara this week were the result of a deliberate provocation organized primarily by groups with ties to terrorist entities including Hamas.
Facts of the unfortunate confrontation aboard the Mavi Marmara will show that so-called activists planned to attack and inflict deadly injuries on Israeli soldiers who requested the flotilla organizers to redirect the boats to the Port of Ashdod. Israeli soldiers were armed with paint ball guns. They were ordered not to use pistols unless faced with a life-threatening situation. Confronted with knives, clubs, and other weapons, including live fire from guns stolen from an Israeli soldier, they responded in self-defense.
AIFL members - composed of non-Jewish and Jewish leaders - regret the loss of life and the injuries. However, we believe that those who organized and carried out this provocative and extremist flotilla bear the primary responsibility for the tragic events aboard the Mavi Marmara.
Predictably, demands have been made for condemnation of Israel by many elements of the international community which have always been the first to attack Israel. They have demanded action by the United Nations and others to punish and excoriate Israel. Experience has shown that Israel has very little chance of fair and balanced treatment from such groups and bodies who are mostly interested in self-serving propaganda.
Israel has longstanding democratic traditions and strong government oversight by an independent and well-respected judiciary. Jerusalem has already vowed to initiate an immediate, independent inquiry of the facts surrounding this unfortunate confrontation. We urge all responsible international actors to allow for this inquiry to take course and present its findings.
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AIFL’s mission is to strengthen the ties between the people of the United States and Israel; bridging distances to reveal the beauty, the humanity, and the modern democratic values that define both nations.
AIFL sends leadership delegations of lawmakers, educators, community activists, and journalist to Israel; sponsors unique high school exchange programs; and promotes cultural ties between Israelis and Americans.
For further information on this program, please contact AIFL at 212-213-8630 / info@aifl.org
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AIFL Hosts Israeli Youth Basketball Team
New York, NY …March 21, 2010: The America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL) hosted a reception for Rishon Le-Zion’s Gymnasia Realit Kamari High School basketball team following their charity game at Madison Square Garden.
The special charity event at the Garden was organized by the New York Knicks and former Knick legend John Starks to support Tamar Fund International, an organization committed to providing assistance to cancer patients and to oncology staff and volunteers who are doing days and nights for healing and saving lives. The AIFL reception also brought together AIFL Youth Ambassadors from Lehman High School in the Bronx.
Attending the AIFL reception were Executive Committee Chair Dr. Charlotte Frank, Chief Operating Officer William Behrer; Rishon Le-Zion Council Member Liel Even- Zohar, Rishon Le-Zion Foundation Director Ambassador Itzhak Oren, and Lehman High School Night School Principal Martin Smallhorn.
“The reception is part of our ongoing efforts to follow up on AIFL’s Citizenship through Sports Exchange program, which offers American and Israeli student-athletes a valuable means of applying their sports experience to active citizenship,' said AIFL Executive Committee Chair Dr. Frank. “By promoting good sportsmanship, developing communication and conflict resolution skills, we help students acquire the valuable tools to eliminate school violence.'
The America-Israel Friendship League’s (AIFL) mission is to strengthen the ties between the people of the United States and Israel; bridging distances to reveal the beauty, the humanity, and the modern democratic values that define both nations.
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For further information on this program, please contact William Behrer at 212-213-8630 / wbehrer@aif.org
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AIFL Sends Harvard Law Students on Israel Seminar
New York, NY… March 19, 2010: A delegation of Harvard Law students is visiting Israel this week as part of a ten-day America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL) educational mission to Israel.
This is the second year AIFL is cooperating with the Harvard Law Jewish Students’ Association and Professor Alan Dershowitz to send future lawyers on a seminar to Israel. The mission was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies and contributions from Mr. Robert Kraft and Mr. Seth Klarman.
The rich itinerary in Israel began with a political briefing from AIFL’s Senior Advisor, Ambassador Uri Bar-Ner, and AIFL Israel Director, Ruby Shamir. Other highlights include meetings with former Israeli Supreme Court President Professor Aaron Barak; senior Foreign Ministry legal adviser Daniel Taub; political commentator and writer Yossi Klein HaLevi; Jerusalem Post’s Khaled Abu Toameh; and with Supreme Court President, Dorit Beinisch. The group also visited sites in Tel Aviv, the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Nazareth, the Dead Sea and Masada, as well as Jerusalem’s Old City, the Knesset, and Yad Vashem.
“This AIFL mission introduces America’s future top legal professionals to Israel’s vibrant society, democratic values, and impressive legal traditions. We are very proud of our continued cooperation with Professor Dershowitz and with Israel’s finest legal institutions on this program,' said AIFL Chairman and Harvard Law alumnus Kenneth J. Bialkin.
AIFL’s mission is to strengthen the ties between the people of the United States and Israel; bridging distances to reveal the beauty, the humanity, and the modern democratic values that define both nations.
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For more information, please contact Guy Billauer at 212-213-8630 or gbillauer@aifl.org
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AIFL Sends Delegation of Culinary Experts to Israel
New York, NY… March 12, 2010: A delegation of leading American culinary experts will be visiting Israel next week on a weeklong seminar organized by the America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL), in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The delegation includes reporters, chefs, and culinary critics from the most prestigious print and electronic media outlets, including Joan Nathan, author of ten cookbooks and a regular contributor to The New York Times; Mark Furstenberg, owner of three Washington, DC restaurants (G Street Food, Marvelous Market, and The BreadLine) and a 2005 and 2006 James Beard Foundation nominee as best chef in the Mid-Atlantic; Beverly Stephen, executive editor of Food Arts Magazine; Jennifer Reese, food writer for Slate, Doublex, Food & Wine, Saveur, Salon and Sunset, and former Entertainment Weekly book critic; Leah Koenig, a regular contributor for New York Times Magazine, Saveur, Hadassah Magazine, Gastronomica, My Jewish Learning, Every Day with Rachael Ray, and Culinate; Thomas Head, former Washingtonian Magazine executive wine and food editor and editor of the Southern Foodways Alliance newsletter; and Roger Sherman, Peabody and Emmy Awards recipient, Academy Award nominee, and founder/co-owner of Florentine Films, which produced the documentary film The American Brew (A&E), an American history told through beer.
The AIFL program includes meetings with top culinary figures, the most widely known Israeli chefs, as well as learning about the country in such areas as politics, economics, and scientific innovation. Among the highlights of the seven-day seminar are a roundtable with culinary writers from leading newspapers and journals as Haaretz, Yediot Acharonot, and Laisha; dinner at the King David Hotel with Dan Hotels’ Corporate Director of Food and Beverage Procurement; and visits to Yad Vashem, holy sites in Jerusalem, Massada and the Dead Sea.
The America-Israel Friendship League’s (AIFL) mission is to strengthen the ties between the people of the United States and Israel; bridging distances to reveal the beauty, the humanity, and the modern democratic values that define both nations.
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For more information, please contact Guy Billauer at 212-213-8630 or gbillauer@aifl.org
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Billauer Joins AIFL’s Senior Staff
New York, NY … March 10, 2010: The America-Israel Friendship League is pleased to announce the addition of Guy Billauer to its senior staff.
Mr. Billauer comes to AIFL from the American Jewish Committee’s Washington, DC, office where for over a decade he served in various national roles. A lawyer by training, Billauer played a pivotal role in enhancing relations between the United States, Israel and many Central and Eastern European nations, with particular emphasis on Polish-Israeli and Polish-American relations. While at AJC, he led domestic and international advocacy action focused on U.S.-Israel relations, Middle East Peace, international Jewish issues related to Holocaust restitution and education, and strategic threats as the Iranian nuclear weapons program and global anti-Semitism.
“As a native of Israel and a citizen of the United States, Mr. Billauer brings unique experiences and skills to the League. We know his expertise and proven leadership qualities will enhance the organization’s growth and development,' said Kenneth J. Bialkin, AIFL’s Chairman.
With extensive experience in leadership and board development, and communications and message strategy, Mr. Billauer will assume the role of Director of Development. He will work closely AIFL’s Chief Operating Officer, William Behrer, and Senior Advisor to the Chairman, Ambassador Uri Bar-Ner, to enhance the League’s national and global programs.
The America-Israel Friendship League’s (AIFL) mission is to strengthen the ties between the people of the United States and Israel; bridging distances to reveal the beauty, the humanity, and the modern democratic values that define both nations.
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