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Shimon Peres, Bar Refaeli, Gal Gadot, Alan Dershowitz and Others Honored at ‘Times of Israel’ Glittering Gala

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Former Israeli President Shimon Peres, 91, shares the stage at the Waldorf Astoria with Times of Israel editor David Horovitz at the gala on Sunday evening, February 15. (Photo Credit: Peter Halmagyi)
Miri Mesika, the Israeli singer of the year regales the overflow crowd of attendees at the Times of Israel gala with a selection of her most popular songs. (Photo Credit: Peter Halmagyi)
Dr. Danny Gold, the father of the “Iron Dome” anti-missile system addresses the Times of Israel gala at the Waldorf. The Iron Dome has helped Israel thwart thousands of rocket attacks from both Hamas in the south and Hezbollah in the north. (Photo Credit: Peter Halmagyi)
Harvard law professor and staunch advocate for Israel Alan Dershowitz was honored with an award at the Times of Israel gala. He called on pro-Israel college professors to have the temerity to speak out on campus despite the fact that the BDS movement and anti-Israel student groups dominate the university landscape.
(From left to right) Times of Israel editor David Horovitz, Mistress of Ceremonies, Noa Tishby, the Honorable Shimon Peres and multi-talented actress Gal Gadot at the Times of Israel gala event. (Photo Credit: Peter Halmagyi)
(From left to right) – The evening’s MC Noa Tishby and Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli enjoy the festivities at the Times of Israel gala event. (Photo Credit: Peter Halmagyi)
Over 1200 supporters of Israel gathered at the legendary Waldorf Astoria hotel in midtown Manhattan on Sunday, Feb 15 for the Times of Israel glittering gala event. (Photo Credit: Peter Halmagyi)

A palpable electricity filled the air as a veritable bevy of Israeli luminaries and throngs of American supporters of Israel crowded the ballroom of the storied Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan on Sunday evening, Feb 15 to pay tribute to the story of Israel at the first annual Times of Israel Gala.

The Times of Israel, a news website founded in 2012, aimed to celebrate the best of Israel by honoring diplomats who have steered Israel through diplomatic storms; pioneers who have advanced the nation through technological innovation; Israeli international films stars, entertainers, athletes, humanitarians and many more.

Former Israeli President Shimon Peres, actress and model Gal Gadot, Professor Alan Dershowitz, Father of the Iron Dome Dr. Danny Gold and Israel’s singer of the year Miri Mesika, among others, were honored for their work in politics, science, business, technology and film to bolster and advocate on behalf of Israel before the sold-out crowd of more than 1200 that packed the Waldorf’s ballroom.

They were joined by supermodel Bar Refaeli, founder of Waze Uri Levine, consul general of Israel in New York Ido Aharoni, Israel’s permanent representative to the UN Ron Prosor, former IDF chief of staff Dan Halutz, Israeli ambassador of goodwill Tal Brody, owner of the New England Patriots Robert Kraft and founding editor of the Times of Israel David Horovitz.

In his remarks introducing the Honorable Shimon Peres, World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said of the iconic statesman:  “No one man alive has worked harder for the Jewish State of Israel than Shimon Peres.  The fact that Israel has not just survived over the past 67 years, but thrived, is due, in no small part, to Shimon Peres. Whether it was finding weapons to defend the State in the 1950s or creating diplomatic alliances that were crucial to Israel’s standing in the world or coming up with some of the most innovative technologies… Shimon Peres has never stopped working.”

In accepting the Lifetime Leadership Award, Hon. Shimon Peres praised the Times of Israel for bringing together “a group of Israelis that represent the future.” He said, “These men and women represent the promise of Israel from all facets of life: science, movies, technology, athletics and music.”

“Israel must remain a land of hope, not a land of fear,” Peres said. “We have enough strength and enough experience to continue it… Let us continue to construct, to hope and to seek peace.”

Asked by David Horovitz if he still trusts President Obama to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Peres said, “I don’t think any single country can stop Iran from having bombs. President Obama, who I have the highest respect for, said that we have to put all the options on the table. I suggest that we shouldn’t start with the shooting option, but with the option of sanctions.”

He further predicted that “Iran too will change” over the next decade. “You cannot have the ayatollah as eternal government,” Peres stated. “In 10-15 years Iran will be out of water and also out of ayatollahs in my judgment.”

The event also marked the third anniversary of the creation of the Times of Israel, an online Israeli news site that prides itself on reporting nonpartisan and independent accounts of the news in Israel.

“I spend a lot of time reporting on the challenges of Israel,” said Horovitz. “I thought we needed to spend some time reminding ourselves why Israel is worth fighting for…. This evening was about taking a rare pause to appreciate Israel.”

Other honorees echoed Horovitz’s call to celebrate, recognize and honor the nation of Israel. Gal Gadot who will be starring in the upcoming film “Batman v. Superman” said, “Thank you everyone for taking the time to celebrate the wonderful state of Israel.”

The event also honored the memory of fallen soldier Max Steinberg, Naftali Fraenkel, Gil-ad Shaar, Eyal Yifrach and Zidan Saif.

Max Steinberg, a lone soldier who joined the IDF because of his deep and abiding love for Israel died in battle in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge last July at age 24.

His parents; Stuart and Evelyn Steinberg, along with his siblings Paige and Jake announced that they are establishing the Max Steinberg Memorial Scholarship in partnership with the American Associates of Ben Gurion University of the Negev. AABGU Vice President Jessica Sillins said, “I am deeply touched by Max’s story – his determination to join one of Israel’s elite army units, and his love for Israel is an inspiration to us all. Equally moving is the commitment by his parents and siblings to create a living legacy in his name at Ben-Gurion University.”  A portion of the gala’s profits will be donated to AABGU for this fund.

The Steinberg endowment will provide scholarships to Golani and other combat reservists at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in perpetuity, with first preference going to lone soldiers. The Steinbergs will be part of the decision process to ensure that the receiving students mirror Max’s values and vision.

“We are delighted to know that Max’s legacy will be connected to a university and scholarship program that grants opportunity and promise to the soldiers that have put their lives in harm’s way for the people of Israel,” says Max’s father, Stuart Steinberg. “We know that Max cared deeply for his fellow soldiers and that he would be whole-heartedly supportive of a program that allows soldiers to pursue their passions and create a great future.”

Rimal Saif, the widow of murdered Druze policeman Zidan Saif was also accorded recognition at the dinner. Zidan was fatally shot by the East Jerusalem terrorists when he rushed to respond to the Har Nof synagogue attack last November. With palpable emotion, his widow delivered a tearful speech in his honor, in Hebrew, as the audience hung on her every word. The Times of Israel reported that in her final paragraph, Rimal pledged a “blood covenant” between the Druze and Jewish communities. Also on stage a little later was Akiva Pollack, the first MDA medic at the scene of the attack, whom Saif protected at fatal cost.

A tribute was also paid by the One Family Fund’s Marc Belzberg to the families of the three Israeli teenagers murdered by Hamas terrorists in the West Bank last June.

All benefits of the gala will be donated to Israeli charities whose good works are positively impacting Israel and its people, including I.D.F. Widows & Orphans Org., Jewish National Fund, American Friends of Magen David Adom, Rambam, One Family and American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Sponsors of the event included the Jewish Voice, the New York Jewish Week, North Jersey Jewish Standard, Yediot USA, Jewish Link of New Jersey, Mid-Atlantic Media, JLTV, J Media Global, World Jewish Congress, The Israel Project, Tel Aviv University, the Jewish Ledger, Long Island Jewish World, The Druze Veterans Association, Thank Israeli Soldiers, El Al Airlines, Strength to Strength, Soroka Medical Center, American Friends of Meir Panim, The Falic Family Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, Passion Roses, Fuel for Truth, America-Israel Friendship League, United Hatzalah of Israel, American Sephardi Federation, ORT America, Chattanooga, The Zionist Spring, Amika:, Teev Events, Israel Bonds, Stratasys, Maya Michelle Shapiro and 1000 Skies Public Relations.

At the conclusion of the evening, the guests departed with a nifty looking canvas gift bag loaded with books, perfume and other momentos of the Israel experience and of the special evening. Among the items in the bag was the latest issue of The Jewish Voice. The ever expanding newspaper was one of the proud sponsors of the evening’s festivities.

While waiting on line to get his coat at the end of the evening, one of the dinner guests who identified himself as Josh Bydermann of Passaic, New Jersey said, “I’ve been reading the Jewish Voice all evening and I must say that if one really wants to be ahead of the curve on the news, this is the paper for you.”

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