Last June, I was invited to attend the Jerusalem Conference in New York at the New York Hilton Midtown in the hours following the Celebrate Israel Parade. The event was eye-opening and informative, as Ministers of the Knesset, Israeli elected officials, noted CEOs, and other personalities shared their views and mingled with the crowd. The expansive delegation of Israeli dignitaries that visited New York helped to strengthen the connection between Israeli and United States Jewry.
The program culminated in a VIP event hosted by Binyamin Regional Council, known as the ambassador for Jewish prosperity in Judea and Samaria. The group uses creative ways to win the hearts of U.S. leaders and decision-makers as it mobilizes support for Jewish communities. We enjoyed treasures from the Binyamin Hills fine wines and pioneering lands, and then launched a new champagne with Psagot Winery situated in the region.
This year’s event set for June 2 coincides with Jerusalem Day, and plans to reach deeper into the Orthodox audience with showcase panel discussions from prominent local voices that sing Israel’s praises and social media influencers of similar values, amongst other brewing additions. Jerusalem Conference ran for two decades from within the country’s capital with the participation of ministers, members of the Knesset, leaders of Jewish communities, and other opinionizers hoping to strengthening their relationship with Diaspora Jewry.
This past week, our co-publisher Yaakov Serle and I sat down for a pointed conversation with the two marketing gurus at the helm of the program shakeup. Inbal Ann Bouskila is a public relations specialist and social media influencer who has been tasked with making the program’s third consecutive return to Manhattan better than ever. Eliad Saada is the Distribution Manager, Social Media Department Manager, Logistics Manager, and Consumer Reporter at the Besheva newspaper. His insight into the ongoing war was fresh. Both share the Queens Jewish community’s united approach towards Torah values that stand at the forefront of matters pertaining to Eretz Yisrael.
This year’s program is set to attract guest appearances by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog Chairman/Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana, Mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Lion, amongst other influential mayors, personalities, business professionals, and educationalists. Dignitaries will provide remarks and responds to submitted queries. Popular public figures will offer viewpoints on the current crises faced by Israel and its impact on global Jewry events. Further details will be provided as they are finalized.
Jerusalem Conference in NYC is a project of Arutz Sheva/Israel National News and their Hebrew-based affiliate Besheva.
By Shabsie Saphirstein