IAJF has become a beacon of leadership and philanthropic giving.  Not only has IAJF provided financial support to a broad range of charitable endeavors through the continually expanding and generous backing of our community, it has also promoted a love of, and dedication to, Israel.   

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2020

• 6th Annual YLD Trip to AIPAC Policy Conference (March 1st-3rd)

• Emergency Response to COVID-19 in the local area, providing emergency funds, masks, food deliveries, and medication to community members in need and to area healthcare workers, service providers, and local businesses (March-July)

• Series of Virtual Events for the community, including panel of medical experts and panel of real estate experts discussing the impact of Corona (March-June)

 

2019

• YLD Trip to AIPAC Policy Conference (March 24th-26th)

• Inauguration of the Yosef and Farang Shahery Lobby at Tel Aviv University’s Check Point Building, a state-of-the-art research and study facility (March 27th)

• Launch of Tikvah Program, expansion of IAJF Local Emergency Assistance Fund, in partnership with UJA-Federation of NY and Commonpoint Queens, to provide community members with a broad array of resources and services

• First YLD Challah Bake, and first YLD Sukkah Party (Fall)

• IAJF 18th Annual Gala with keynote speaker Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2017-19) (November 19th)

• To date, IAJF has raised close to $58 million and supported 200 organizations   

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2018

• Celebration of Israel’s 70th and IAJF’s 17th Anniversaries

• YLD Trip to AIPAC Policy Conference (March 4th-6th)

• IAJF presented with Presidential Award of Distinction by Bar-Ilan University for outstanding contributions to the advancement of the university and its Iranian Jewish students (May 6th)

• YLD Sunset Rooftop Party at the Bentley Hotel (August 26th)

• IAJF 17th Annual Gala with keynote speaker Titi Ayenew, 2013 Miss Israel, and performances by comedian MODI and Master Magician Tomer Duday (November 14th)

• Raised a record-breaking $5.5 million

 

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2017

• YLD Trip to AIPAC Policy Conference (March 26th-28th)

• Co-sponsorship of 5th float at Celebrate Israel Parade in NYC (June 4th)

• YLD Happy Hour and Art Exhibition at Delilah NYC (June 13th)

• Emergency Response to Hurricane Harvey in Houston and Hurricane Irma in Miami, providing emergency funds to affected communities (August-September)

• IAJF 16th Annual Gala with keynote speaker Governor Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas, and performance of Master Mentalist Lior Suchard (November 15th)
   

2016

• IAJF-sponsored major construction projects completed include Olympic-size hydrotherapy pool for disabled veterans at Beit Halochem Tel Aviv, Lobby for medical clinic at ALEH Negev, 101 residential units for elderly at Amigour Sheltered Housing in Kfar Saba  

• Dedication of Cyrus Cylinder limited-edition Gold Stamp to Israel Museum in Jerusalem (February 15th)

• YLD 1st Shabbat Dinner in New York City (February 26th)

• YLD trip to AIPAC Policy Conference co-sponsored by IAJF & Mashadi Youth Committee (March 19th – 22nd)

• YLD 4th Annual Gala at Edison Ballroom (April 14th)

• Co-sponsorship of Understanding BDS Program to empower college students (August 8th)

• Top Charity Rankings: 4-star from Charity Navigator and the prestigious GuideStar Exchange Gold Logo

• IAJF 15th Annual Gala with keynote speaker, Ambassador Ron Dermer, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States (November 15th)

• Emergency Response during the Fire Crisis in Israel: IAJF transferred immediate funds to reconstruct destroyed kindergartens in Haifa and support critical humanitarian services, forest keepers, and the brave firefighters (November) 
   

2015

• Beneath the Helmet: From High School to the Home Front, a private screening sponsored by IAJF and SHAI at Squire Theater in Great Neck (January 7th)

• 1st YLD trip to AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC (March 1st – 3rd)

• YLD 3rd Annual Gala at NYPL (March 26th)

• IAJF-UN Private Event celebrating the King Cyrus Declaration of Human Rights and introducing an Israeli Stamp commemorating the Cyrus Cylinder (August 10th)

• IAJF 14th Annual Gala, honoring IAJF Vice President Yosef Shahery, with keynote speaker Ambassador Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations (November 4th) 

• YLD Gala After Party at the Hudson Hotel

 

2014

• YLD 2nd Annual Gala at NYPL: Profits dedicated to BIU Scholarship for students of Iranian decent (March 27th)

• Emergency Campaign during Operation Protective Edge, in which IDF engaged for 50 days in combat operation inside Gaza Strip.  Collected funds were immediately distributed to help victims of terror and first responders. IAJF’s donations also facilitated care packages to soldiers in Gaza, shelters for the elderly, and transport of residents from Southern Israel to safer areas.

• IAJF 13th Annual Gala with keynote speaker Ambassador Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., and special guest speaker Bret Stephens, Foreign Affairs columnist (November 6th)

• YLD Rooftop Gala After Party at the Empire Hotel

• Bereaved Family Tribute Event in Israel sponsored by IAJF and One Family (December 31st)

• Raised a record-breaking amount of over $4 million in one year
   

2013

• Co-Sponsorship of “Tune for Peace” Concert at the United Nations General Assembly Hall, featuring Israeli Diva, Rita (March 5th)

• IAJF’s 1st float at Celebrate Israel Parade in NYC, marching with SHAI and community members (June 2nd) 

• Formation of IAJF Young Leadership Division (YLD)

• Co-sponsorship of Cyrus Cylinder Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and YLD rooftop cocktails and exhibit (June 20th – August 4th)

• YLD 1st Annual Gala at the New York Public Library (NYPL) (June 20th)

• IAJF 12th Annual Gala with keynote speaker, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (November 7th)

• YLD Rooftop Gala After Party at the Empire Hotel 

 

2012

• IAJF 11th Annual Gala with keynote speaker Professor Alan Dershowitz and performance of Experimentalist Gerard Senehi (November 28th)

• Surpassed $20 Million milestone in total distributed funds to 100 organizations

 

2011

• Celebration of 10th Anniversary Gala at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City: 1,000 guests joined together for a concert by Israeli Diva, Rita. Special remarks delivered by Ambassador Ron Prosor, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations (October 27th)

 

2010

• Sponsorship of Israel Air Force widows and orphans retreat during Passover (March 24th)

• Co-sponsorship of 30 Years After “10-10-10 Civic Action Conference” for young professionals (October 10th)

• IAJF 9th Annual Gala with keynote speaker, Ambassador Meron Reuben, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (November 9th) 

 

2009

• Support of 55 organizations in Israel reflecting a wide range of needs and services 

• Co-sponsorship of the first Da Vinci Surgical Robot at Rambam Hospital for minimally invasive surgeries 

• Support of victims of terror through OneFamily during Operation Cast Lead, a three-week IDF mission aimed at ending Hamas rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip

• IAJF Solidarity Mission to Israel (September 3rd – 7th)

• IAJF 8th Annual Gala with keynote speaker Michael Oren, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States (November 10th) 
   

2008

• Creation of IAJF Local Emergency Assistance Program, headed by Yosef Shahery, providing immediate financial help locally to community members in need

• A Series of Firsts: 1st allocation outside of Israel, 1st to medical research – Jewish HapMap Research Project, a pioneering study to pinpoint genetic risk factors for Jews undertaken by Einstein and NYU medical schools 

• IAJF 7th Annual Gala, Celebrating Israel’s 60th Anniversary with keynote speaker, Ambassador Gabriela Shalev, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (November 19th) 

 

2007

• The Lila and Elias Kalimian Home for Lone Soldiers Ground Breaking Ceremony for a four-story building with 50 apartments for immigrant soldiers in Ramat Gan (July 2nd)

• IAJF Board Solidarity Tour to Israel a year after the war (September 5th – 10th) 

• City of Nahariya named a public park for IAJF in recognition of support during second Lebanon War

• IAJF 6th Annual Gala with keynote speaker Daniel Ayalon, Israel’s former Ambassador to the United States (November 6th) 
   

2006

• Launch of immigration project to provide humanitarian and financial assistance to Iranian Jews wishing to emigrate to US or Israel

• Solidarity Reception during second Lebanon War (August 1st)

• Emergency Campaign for Israel: Over $2.5 million raised in only 2 weeks to support IDF soldiers in Lebanon and citizens affected by the 4,000 rockets that landed in northern Israel 

• IAJF Solidarity Tour to Northern Israel (September 8th – 12th)

• IAJF 5th Annual Gala with keynote speaker Lt. Gen. (Res.) Shaul Mofaz, Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transportation (November 15th)

• Creation of IAJF Local Emergency Assistance Program, headed by Yosef Shahery, providing immediate financial help locally to community members in need

• A Series of Firsts: 1st allocation outside of Israel, 1st to medical research – Jewish HapMap Research Project, a pioneering study to pinpoint genetic risk factors for Jews undertaken by Einstein and NYU medical schools 

• IAJF 7th Annual Gala, Celebrating Israel’s 60th Anniversary with keynote speaker, Ambassador Gabriela Shalev, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (November 19th) 

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2005

• IAJF moved to its new office and current location at 770 Middle Neck Road

• Community solidarity evening honoring the Israel Air Force at Mashadi Jewish Center of Great Neck with Maj. Gen. Eitan Ben Eliahu, former IAF Commander (April 11th) 

• IAJF 4th Annual Gala with keynote speaker Dr. Ra’anan Gissin, Senior Advisor to Israel’s Prime Minister (November 16th)

• Passed the $5 million mark in donations

 

2004

• IAJF 1st Passover Mission to Israel (April 4th – 14th)

• Community presentation by Michael Kleiner, former member of the Knesset and a Chairman of the Herut Party in Israel, at North Shore Sephardic Synagogue (May 19th) 

• White House Meeting with delegation of IAJF NY and IAJF LA (August 4th) 

• IAJF 3rd Annual Gala with keynote speaker Israeli Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz (November 16th) 

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2003

• Memorial for the Columbia astronauts including first Israeli astronaut Col. Ilan Ramon z”l at Beth Hadassah Synagogue, bringing together all synagogues in Great Neck (February 12th)

• Community hosting of members of Israel Scouts musical ensemble (August 25th – 28th)

• IAJF 2nd Annual Gala with keynote speaker Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (August 27th)

 

2002

• IAJF 1st Annual Gala at Temple Israel of Great Neck:  600 community members joined in an evening of solidarity with Israel, along with keynote speaker Ambassador Dore Gold, Senior Advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon z”l, and the survivors of the Sbarro Pizzeria bombing in Jerusalem (June 18th )

• First distribution of $2 million in donations to 19 organizations, setting a tone for the years to come.

 

2001

• IAJF was founded, with the efforts of a few concerned members of the Iranian Jewish community in New York, to establish unity among Iranian Jews and act as a conduit between the community and other groups in matters affecting their lives and Israel

• 36 community leaders joined IAJF’s efforts and formed the Board of Trustees 

• Second Intifada - Israel at war against terrorism: IAJF placed the events in the Middle East as the top priority on its agenda, raised funds to support the soldiers, people, and State of Israel