Bartal Dazzles at Israel Bonds Event
One powerful lively “grandmother” carries 25-plus years of world-shaping experiences working alongside two Israeli prime ministers and now as director of Peres Center for Peace and Innovation near Jaffa.
After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.

Having spent decades rubbing elbows with politicians, world leaders, and stars, Yona Bartal spoke at the home of Jodi and Shon Mekyten on Jan. 21 to support Israel Bonds. In conjunction with her book, “Inside the Room Where it Happens,” Bartal, along with husband, David, is on a multi-stop tour from Pittsburg, Cleveland, Miami, and Tampa, culminating in London. Some of her appearances are for the Shimon Peres Circle for Peace and Innovation, which she directs and started after Peres’ death.

Bartal relayed experiences about her role in the Israeli government in both the Peres and Rabin administrations where she visited Queen Elizabeth, socialized with Vladmir Putin, and befriended rock stars like Madonna, both Bushes, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump (by text only). She recognized Trump for his role in getting the hostage release rolling. She did host Ivanka and Jared Kushner in Israel.
The petite Bartal showed slides as she spoke about being part of some of the most significant events that shaped modern Israel. She “dished” some secrets but wouldn’t reveal all. She was on duty when Rabin was shot. She was on hand with Queen Noor while President Hussein (Jordan) signed the peace treaty. She has fond memories of Peres’ meeting with Queen Elizabeth II where he was only granted 20 minutes and ended up taking 45. Bartal was in charge of bringing dignitary gifts — in this case she took from an Israeli museum a letter that King George (Elizabeth’s father) had written. She laughed and said, “The Queen’s gift to us was a photo of herself.”
The audience gasped when she talked about her times with Putin where “he wanted to be sure that he was given credit ‘for defeating the Nazis.’” Also, she had his favorite song played which delighted him as he loudly sang along; but afterwards made every photographer delete it. She said, “It was scary as his bodyguards made sure one by one it was removed from all equipment.”
Other noteworthy experiences were being with the Clintons at their home in Chappaque and headquarters in Harlem; and then there’s meeting Oprah.

Obama visited Israel before he became president. He said, “In the event that I become president, what could I do for Israel?” Peres replied, “Be great for America, and that’s enough.” He later gave Peres the Medal of Freedom.
Bartal has also met Oprah, President Xi, Mark Zuckerberg, Jerry Seinfeld (“who really stands up for Israel”), the Pope, Bono and Sharon Stone. She laughed, “Today, stars have more followers and are more influential than politicians. And Peres “Facebooked Zuckerberg, ‘Be my friend for peace.’”
Bartal fielded a question from Beth Friedman about counteracting college student unrest. Bartal replied, “Live with it because you do not have a real plan to deal with it like Qatar who is investing millions [to effect opinion].”
Local Israel Bonds registered representative Jackie Miron closed by recounting her recent trip to Israel where she met Bartal and was fascinated by the visit to the Peres facility, touting a plethora of innovations in science and technology from WAYZ to irrigation and medical advances which have contributed to world betterment.

Miron spoke of the safety and benefits of buying Israel bonds and that the money would be used now especially for rebuilding homes in the north. She said, “Israeli soldiers are amazing. Even the injured ones want to go back and fight.” When visiting the post-Oct. 7 sites, she noted that it was mostly Israelis themselves, not tourists. She closed with, “Bonds are a loan with great rates from a 2-5-year maturity. They have never missed a payment. Buy for IRA’s, grandchildren, or donate … and that way is a double mitzvah.”
Bartal was born in Vilna, Lithuania, and immigrated to Israel with her parents when she was 3. She revealed that her real name was Tatiana, but an Israeli teacher made up “Yona” to sound more Israeli. The book, a fascinating read, is available on Amazon.
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