Panel discussion FEATURES TWO ISRAEL ANALYSTS
On Tuesday, January 12 we held a panel discussion on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict at the Bnai Zion House, with author Alan Katz and advisor to the Israeli Consul General in New York, Hila Elroy.
This program was part of our ongoing SPEAKER SERIES, and was designed to provide informative and educational commentary about Israel and the Middle East.
We will be hosting future panel discussions on a variety of topics. Please check our Regional Events page for more information.
we have a new short video about bnai zion reaching out to the younger generation - please click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxI-0yqbBcw
NEW YORKERS COME OUT FOR OUR ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL BENEFIT AND OUR ISRAEL CAFE
Bnai Zion hosted two events to celebrate Israel in New York: Our benefit at the 24th Annual Israel Film Festival at which the film Bruriah was shown, and our Israel Cafe held in our ballroom, which featured the live Israeli band The Shuk.
Everyone enjoyed the film and the opportunity to hear the director answer questions from the audience, and the festive atmosphere with Israeli appetizers and great music at the Israel Cafe attracted a lively, stylish crowd.
Our agenda for 2010 includes social, educational, informational and fundraising events.
SOUTHEAST REGION FOCUSES ON THE YOUNGER GENERATION
Benefit Held to Attract Newcomers
The Southeast Region held an autumn benefit for Bnai Zion that targeted the younger population. See footage from this event here
DAVID BAKER GETS ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME IN NEW YORK
 David Baker, the Senior Foreign Press Coordinator in the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel, returned to New York for a round of speaking engagements, including our SPEAKER SERIES event at the Bnai Zion House on October 28.
Providing an update on the current situation and insight into media issues surrounding coverage of Israel, David impressed his audiences as he clarified positions, addressed misconceptions and answered questions posed by attendees.
We were fortunate to have such a dynamic guest speaker open new doors for us in New Jersey, Long Island and other areas - and we look forward to having David return for future speaking engagements.
September Sunset party attracts big crowd to bnai zion terrace
 The weather was gorgeous for our 9/9/09 sunset cocktail party held on our magnificent terrace and the crowd that came out for it enjoyed our special setting tremendously.
 Justin Brannan, NY Campaign Director, was the MC of the evening, and he introduced NY City Council member Dan Garodnick, who welcomed everyone. One of our participants, John Cudahy, drew the raffle prizes, which included a 32-inch flat-screen TV, tickets to the Jets and Mets, a $1,000 gift certificate from Bare Essentials and a lavish gift basket of OPI products.
With a talented DJ spinning the latest in lounge and dance music, hors d'oeuvres and a vast selection of Israeli wines for tasting courtesy of Gotham Wines, we had all the necessary elements for a very fun and lively evening in the city.
Reaching out to the younger generation is a priority at Bnai Zion and the turn-out at this part attested to the fact that we are making progress in this important area.
Our next NY 'fun-raiser' is our Singles Israel Cafe on December 10.
 Dinner Held to Honor Dr. Phillipa G. Woodriffe on August 27
On August 27 Bnai Zion held a dinner at the Freehold Jewish Center in New Jersey in honor of Dr. Phillipa G. Woodriffe, a general surgeon in private practice and the president of the medical staff at Riverview Medical Center.
Almost one hundred people from the local community attended, to show their support of this very popular and esteemed physician, and to raise funds for Ahava Village for Children & Youth.
We were also able to establish recognition of our organization in this region, and hope to host future fundraising events in the area.
GORGEOUS WEATHER SET THE SCENE FOR OUR BARBEQUE JULY 15
After many days of rain, the weather was kind to Bnai Zion and allowed guests to enjoy a delicious barbeque on our terrace on a pretty summer evening July 15. DJ Joro Boro was spinning the best in Israeli music as people mingled and tasted the specialties of the chef that included shish kabob, grilled vegetable skewers, veggie burgers, colorful salads and more.
The event brought newcomers to Bnai Zion and was attended by members of the New York Board. It was a lovely gathering that we hope will generate more interest in the organization and more people attending our future events.
Check our Regional Events page for more details.
Click here for Photo Gallery
 Asaf Selinger, Information Officer at the ISRAELI CONSULATE IN NY, gets rave reviews at presentation on june 18
Asaf Selinger, an information officer at the Consulate of Israel in New York, whose journalism background includes working at Ma'ariv in Israel, was the guest speaker as part of the ongoing Bnai Zion Speaker Series on Wednesday evening, June 18.
After an excellent, insightful presentation on current events, including the recent elections held in Iran and an update on Israel, Asaf took questions from the audience. After he concluded his talk, attendees lingered to pose more questions to Asaf, and an informal give-and-take on subjects related to the Mideast and the security of Israel ensued. Asaf, who generously stayed on, provided thoughtful feedback that enthused the group to discuss further.
We would like to welcome Asaf back to Bnai Zion for a future speaking engagement in late autumn. More information to follow. Click here for photo gallery
 BNAI ZION packed THE house for our prelude to summer cocktail party on june 3
Although unfortunately the weather did not cooperate to allow us to hold our Prelude to Summer Cocktail Party
on our magnificant terrace,we still had a packed ballroom on Wednesday evening, June 3. Lilach Koch, the Israeli jazz vocalist, sang American standards and guests enjoyed delectable sushi samplings from Darna Restaurant.
Gotham Wines provided a very fine selection of Israeli varieties for tastings, and the energetic, young crowd had a great time.
Please see the photo gallery for this event.
A Big crowd turns out to hear israeli consul general at special
BZ program
The Bnai Zion auditorium was packed on Wednesday evening, February 11, with guests eager to hear from the Consul General of Israel in NY, Asaf Shariv. He gave a riveting analysis of the Israeli elections held on February 10, as well as in-depth insight into the Israeli political system, and he discussed other subjects related to strategic issues. Consul General Shariv also answered questions from the audience.
Bnai Zion was fortunate to have the Consul General as a guest speaker.
 See Photo Gallery
NEWS FROM THE BNAI ZION MEDICAL CENTER
Prof. Garzuzi will lecture on cataracts and glaucoma among children.
An Israeli sailor was seriously wounded after being attacked by three watch-dogs in Zanzibar. He was saved thanks to the rabies vaccine he took in the hospital's Travel Medicine Clinic prior to his trip to Africa. When he returned to Israel he received two more injections of the vaccine to increase his level of immunity.
Prof. Potesman, head of the Travel Medicine Clinic, said that rabies is not rare in third world countries and generally in 100% of the cases - in which a person who is not vaccinated against rabies is bitten by a sick dog - it ends in death.
A unique echocardiogram - the only one of its kind in northern Israel - is being utilized to provide 3D imaging of the heart in real time and not in an invasive way.
For the first time the heart can be seen exactly as it is.
This analysis is critical for every patient with a valve or a structural problem, for for these patients, no other exam would be suitable.
The new equipment assists in detecting disturbances of the blood flow to the heart, and also allows presenting the heart virtually and looking at it from every angle in real time with various cuts. The equipment offers the best and most efficient treatment.
It has just been determined that snake's poison may assist stroke patients who can get treatment at the hospital within 6 hours of the event. The Neurology Department has confirmed that the poison of a snake assists in dissolving blood clots in the brain. This is based on data obtained during participation in international research testing the influence of materials - including snake's poison - on dissolving blood clots. The treatment is given to patients who arrive 3-6 hours from the occurrence of the stroke; they are treated by medication called TPA, whose effectiveness has been proven in medical research.
Recently two laparoscopic surgeries were performed using a new and advanced technique called 'single port' - one cut.
This new technique allows maximum results through only one cut, and leaves no scars. Previously, laparoscopic surgery required four cuts in the abdomen, while this new method, discovered last year, needs only a single cut through the navel.
Dr. Matter learned the technique in France and brought it to the Medical Center, which has special technology and equipment to allow the surgeon to work in a dynamic and flexible way while using different angles, in comparison to the single-angle equipment previously used.
Bnai Zion Endeavor Group Young Professionals held Party in NY
Young New Yorkers came out to support the Bnai Zion Medical Center’s Emergency Preparedness Campaign at the nightclub Branch on Sunday evening, December 28. Proceeds from the raffle and auction also benefited this campaign.
With an open bar, sumptuous Middle Eastern-Persian food provided by Colbeh Restaurant, a guest hypnotist and a talented DJ spinning the latest dance music, the event was a sparkling success for Bnai Zion and introduced many newcomers to our organization.
See Photo gallery!
5 Great Reasons to Contribute to Bnai Zion Now
#5: An outright gift to Bnai Zion will give you a Charitable Tax Deduction for the 2009 calendar year. Even though you may have had Capital Losses, those losses are limited to $3,000 per year and you cannot take the full tax benefit during the current tax year.
#4: Establishing a Planned Gift with Bnai Zion will give you a guaranteed income for life and reduce your stress related to the stock market.
#3: For donors who are age 70-1/2 or older, a direct rollover to Bnai Zion from your IRA account will meet your minimum mandatory distribution without having to declare it as additional income.
#2: With the fluctuation of the exchange rate between the dollar and the shekel, your contributions are more important than ever, as the dollar does not go as far as it used to in Israel.
AND - the # 1 reason to contribute to Bnai Zion now:
The satisfaction of knowing you helped make a difference in so many people's lives will help give you back that warm fuzzy feeling that the stock market has taken away.
 See another VIDEO PRESENTATION: Bnai Zion Medical Center on the frontlines during the 2006 war with
Hezbollah
Bnai Zion Brings over Half a Million  Dollars to OUR Projects in Israel During Our 100TH ANNIVERSARY Mission!
During our 100th Anniversary Mission to Israel from June 23 to July 3 we were able to give over a half a million dollars to our various projects. Thanks to the generosity of donors both past and present, we were able to provide substantial funds during each tour of our current projects, acquaint mission participants with our life-transforming work and give them first-hand knowledge of each establishment.
There is no better way to commemorate our centennial than to enable our projects to further their vital work and we know they will benefit from these additional funds.
National Awards Dinner Held at Roosevelt Hotel on Sunday, May 18
A large group turned out for our Centennial Celebration Dinner at the Roosevelt Hotel in NY.
The three honorees are shown below, left to right: June Walker, Hadassah Past President and Chairperson of the Conference of Presidents; Jack Grunspan, Bnai Zion Executive Vice-President, and the actress Tovah Feldshuh, recipient of the Ohav Shalom Award.
A new video highlighting Bnai Zion’s hundred years of accomplishments debuted at the dinner (and will soon be available on this website! Please check back soon.)
George W. Schaeffer, BZ National President,
presenting the Ohav Shalom award to Tovah Feldshuh.
|
)
