After months of planning and waiting for the day to arrive, our Annual Leadership Conference has come and gone! The conference brought together our global leadership, participants of the Julia Koschitzky z”l Kesher Seminar, the Women’s Division from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and recipients of this year’s Yakir Award and Avi-hai Award.

Throughout the conference, participants had the opportunity to meet their counterparts from around the world for in-depth conversations, meetings, and visits to see selected Keren Hayesod-supported projects. Additionally, we held our Campaign President’s Forum, providing a platform for our Presidents to discuss important topics and strategically plan for the future.

When participants were not visiting projects or taking part in meetings, they were greeting a plane of new immigrants who arrived from Ethiopia as part of Operation Rock of Israel, thanks to the support of Pastor Larry and Pastor Tiz Huch, and the New Beginnings Church and Larry Huch Ministries, the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption; and they were visiting an Absorption Center where they listened to a panel discussion with new immigrants from Ukraine and Russia, including a discussion with Bruce Leboff – Member of the KH’s World Board of Trustees and Chair of the Aliyah Committee, JAFI.

At the conclusion of each day, a special event was held in which awards and certificates of appreciation were given to distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions and commitment to Keren Hayesod and the people of Israel.

The first night’s gala was hosted by Israel’s Speaker of the Knesset, MK Mickey Levy, and his wife, Nurit Levy at the Knesset. It was the first time in Keren Hayesod’s history that the John Henry Patterson “Guardian of Zion” award was presented. This year’s recipient was Pastor Larry Huch.

Yaakov Hagoel, the outgoing Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Chairman of the World Zionist Organization gave welcoming remarks and received a certificate of appreciation in recognition of his leadership.

Participants of the conference and Keren Hayesod’s missions, as well as members of the Koschitzky family, were hosted by the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, and the first lady, Michal Herzog at the official residence for a special tribute ceremony in honor of Julia Koschitzky z”l.

Following the intimate and meaningful event at the President’s residence, participants attended the Avi-hai Award dinner in which David Velik – Keren Hayesod’s Chairman of the World Young Leadership Executive and Chairman of the Young Leadership Division in New South Wales, Australia, and Marcela Zitune – Keren Hayesod’s Chairman of the Young Leadership Division in Sao Paulo, Brazil were presented this year’s Avi-hai Award for Exemplary Young Leadership.

Maj. Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog, the incoming Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel gave remarks during the Avi-hai Award event, his first address to Keren Hayesod’s leadership.

Beth Kieffer Leonard, the outgoing Chair of the Jewish Agency’s Budget and Finance Committee received a moment of recognition in honor of her contributions to both Keren Hayesod and the Jewish Agency.

The conference concluded with the Yakir Keren Hayesod Award gala in which individuals from around the world were presented with this very prestigious award. The evening featured special remarks from MK Ayelet Shaked, Israel’s Minister of the Interior, and Natan Sharansky, Former Chairman of the Executive for the Jewish Agency, and Human Rights Activist.

We look forward to seeing everyone in Israel next year for Israel’s 75 anniversary.