Sold Out! was the message on our web site nearly two weeks prior to the Israeli Leadership Council's Second Annual Gala held on Wednesday, May 12th at The Beverly Hilton hotel. More than 780 Israeli-Americans and other supporters of both America and the Jewish state gathered together to celebrate Jerusalem Day, an Israeli national holiday marking the liberation of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War of 1967, and honor three remarkable individuals -- Ambassador John R. Bolton and Debbie & Naty Saidoff. The Gala was an immense success raising nearly $650,000 to further enable the organization's support of nearly a dozen different programs.
The Israeli Leadership Council has successfully organized, inspired, and activated Los Angeles' nearly 250,000 Israeli-Americans...the largest community of Israelis outside of Israel itself. The event's host -- highly accomplished Israeli actor and filmmaker Alon Aboutboul -- began the evening by praising the ILC for its "unprecedented progress in integrating approximately 250,000 Israeli-Americans living in Los Angeles into a strong, cohesive, Israeli-American community that is both active and proud."
Aboutboul then introduced well-known Israeli-American leader and philanthropist Beny Alagem. After acknowledging dignitaries in attendance -- including Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Jacob Dayan and Beverly Hills Mayor Jimmy Delshad -- Alagem presented former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton with the ILC's "2010 Special Leadership Award" for "his dedication to America and Israel." Alagem added, "Ambassador Bolton has contributed greatly to America and its relations around the world. Throughout this remarkable lifetime of contributions to the United Sates, Ambassador Bolton has been a strong voice advocating America's support of the State of Israel."
The evening's second honor -- the ILC's "2010 Israeli-American Leadership Award" -- was presented by ILC board member and organization co-founder Adam Milstein to Naty and Debbie Saidoff. Milstein applauded the couple, noting that their "activism has altered the face of American-Israel relations. Throughout their lives," he added, "Naty and Debbie Saidoff have been demonstrating exactly what the ILC has been striving to achieve. Their leadership has guided many vitally important initiatives, while their generosity has made success possible for many more."
The second annual ILC Gala Dinner concluded with a special performance of the Idan Raichel Project.