Ambassador Ido Aharoni, former Israeli Consul General in New York (2010-2016) was honored for his distinguished service of almost three decades to Israel at the American Friends of Kidum’s festive 2018 New York Gala at the beautiful Jewish Museum on Tuesday, October 16, 2018.
More than 75 supporters and guests were on hand to support AFK, a newly formed non-profit which serves as the U.S. arm of the Society for Advancement of Education, Jerusalem (Kidum). SAE operates an expanding network of 15 schools and residences that provide students from disadvantaged communities throughout Israel with a quality high school education and an opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute to Israeli society.
Ambassador Aharoni was honored, as his citation reads in part, “in recognition of your unique ability to tell the complex story of Israel with openness, charm, wit and passion so that thousands of people across the United States have gained a richer picture, a better understanding and greater respect for the talent, vitality and spirit of Israel today.”
Ambassador Aharoni is currently a Global Distinguished Professor at NYU’s School of International Relations in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He is the founder of Emerson Rigby, an Israel-based full-service consultancy firm, and is a member of the International Advisory Council of APCO Worldwide. Ambassador Aharoni is married to Julie Goodman-Aharoni, whose grandfather, Louis Boyar, founded the SAE’s Mae Boyar High School and Residence in Jerusalem in 1964, naming it after his wife.
AFK also offered a Special Tribute to Eitan Moran, Executive Director of SAE at the Gala for a decade of outstanding leadership in which he and his managerial and academic teams have significantly broadened the range of SAE initiatives. Separate high schools have been opened for Haredi boys and girls, a new coed secondary school and residence for Israeli-Arab teenagers has met with widespread community support in central Israel, and both secular and religious pluralistic high schools are flourishing in Jerusalem. Read Eitan Moran’s remarks about his work at SAE here.
Guest were also treated to the premier of a new video in which students from four SAE schools — Sindiana – The Arab Youth Village Arab for Leadership, Hachmey Lev Yeshiva High School &
Residence, Re’ut High School and Mae Boyar High School & Residence told their own stories in their own words. The video demonstrates the SAE is providing a first-rate education to gifted students from all segments of Israeli society. It also illustrates that the academic and social support students receive at SAE schools is helping them seize new opportunities and strive to reach their full potential.
Musical entertainment at the Gala was provided by Yoav Eshed, an award-winning Israeli jazz guitarist and his trio, who have performed at venues and festivals in Europe, Israel and the U.S. The group played throughout the evening and, with guest singer Lau Noah, played popular Israeli hits during the formal program.
The evening included a Cocktail Reception with expanded passed Hors D’oeuvres and concluded with a Dessert Reception following the program. As a special treat, all attendees had the opportunity to take a private docent-guided after-hours tour of the recently opened and highly acclaimed Chagall, Lissitzky, Malevich: The Russian Avant-Garde in Vitebsk, 1918-1922 exhibition.
Ms. Roni Rubenstein, a member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency and former chair of the UJA-Federation of New York’s Commission on Jewish People, was a masterful Master of Ceremonies.
Here are a selection of photos from the AFK 2108 New York Gala. Enjoy!
