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FM Steinitz, Comedian Howie Mandel Highlight Israel Bonds Dinner

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Keynote Speaker, Israeli Finance Minister Steinitz at Israel Bonds dinner
Keynote Speaker, Israeli Finance Minister Steinitz at Israel Bonds dinner
A palpable electricity filled the air on Sunday evening, January 27, as over 750 people gathered in Boca Raton, Florida for the annual Israel Bonds Prime Minister’s Club Dinner. Serving as Master of Ceremonies at the glittering gala event was celebrated comedian Howie Mandel who regaled the audience with his inimitable wit and humor.

Among those being honored for his ceaseless devotion to the cause of Israel Bonds was the venerated Rabbi Haskel Lookstein of Manhattan’s Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun. This year’s special award, aptly called the “Israel65 Award” commends the exemplary leadership and dedication of 19 distinguished individuals who have tirelessly devoted themselves to the survival of the Jewish State through their constant efforts in ensuring the success of Israel Bonds.

Recognizing Israel’s 65th anniversary, the award symbolizes the historic partnership between Israel and Israel Bonds, which Israeli President Shimon Peres has declared to be “as resilient and as fruitful as the land of Israel itself.”

Rabbi Lookstein was recognized for dedication to Israel, leadership in the Jewish community, and long-time support for the Israel Bonds programs.

Delivering the evening’s sanguine keynote address was Israeli Finance Minister, Dr. Yuval Steinitz who declared, “Israel bonds are an expression of friendship and commitment that is so important to the Israeli people.” He added that, “The impressive amount raised again demonstrates the resilience of the Israeli economy and the strength of the North American Jewish community’s connection to the State of Israel.”

MK Steinitz, a former philosophy professor, took the opportunity to heap praise on the leaders of two rival political parties – Yesh Atid’s Yair Lapid and Bayit Yehudi’s Naftali Bennett – for their economic credentials, as speculation swirled regarding who Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu would ally with in the next government.

“The results of the elections in Israel are reasonable from an economic perspective,” Steinitz said. “It seems that Lapid and Bennett support rational economic policy, setting economic growth atop their priorities and not calling for imposing excessive taxes.”

Amongst the celebrated personalities             in attendance was Rick Scott, the Governor of Florida, who also addressed the attendees and spoke of the glorious legacy of Israel Bonds. The honorable Fred S. Zeidman, national chairman of Israel Bonds, Robert Issenman, a board member of Israel Bonds in Canada, Richard L. Hirsch, the chairman of the board of Israel Bonds and Susan Weikers Balaban, national board member of Israel Bonds also delivered remarks.

Commenting on the 2012 record sales that exceeded $816 million, Howie Mandel praised Israel Bonds as “one of the most successful organizations.” He added that an investment in bonds represents “freedom, technology and the future.”

Izzy Tapoohi, the president and chief executive officer of Israel Bonds opened the evening by announcing that the 2012 U.S. sales totaled over $816 million, and that 2012 worldwide sales had exceeded $1.2 billion.

As the company which underwrites Israeli debt securities, Israel Bonds broke records at the dinner when it raised $230 million in one night; almost 30 percent of its total annual intake of $800m.

The evening culminated with the recipients of the auspicious Israel65 Award being called to the podium by Yuval Steinitz, Howie Mandel, Izzy Tapoohi and Richard Hirsch, the chairman of the board of Israel Bonds.

Among the litany of esteemed honorees were those who represented a variety of geographical regions in the United States and Canada.

They were: Mary and Paul Adler of Rockland County, New York.

Pamela and Bernard Barbash of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Rose and Edward Berman of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Andrew S. Borans of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Sharon and Richard Browdy of Jacksonville, Florida.

Susanne Czuker of Los Angeles, California.

Carol and Jimmy Filler of Birmingham, Alabama.

Helene and Mark Hankin of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Micki and Steven Hirsch of Boston, Massachusetts.

Barbara and Dr. Andrew Hutter of Metropolitan, New Jersey.

Lise and Robert Issenman of Montreal, Canada.

Sandra and the Honorable Billy Joel of Miami, Florida.

Nancy and Alfred Katzin of Broward County, Florida.

Rabbi Haskel Lookstein of New York City.

Melinda Lowell Paltrow and Dr. Irving Paltrowitz of Bergen County, New Jersey.

Aliki and Peter Rzepka of Cleveland, Ohio.

Stephanie and Ambassador Ned Siegel of Boca Raton, Florida.

Rosalind and Marvin H. Weiner of Baltimore, Maryland.

Gabi Weisfeld of Toronto, Canada.

Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds ranks among Israel’s most valued economic and strategic resources, with a record of proven success spanning more than six decades. Praised for consistency and dependability, the Bonds organization has helped build every sector of Israel’s economy. Worldwide sales since the first bonds were issued in 1951 are nearly $35 billion.

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