Israel Bonds Event Features Consulate Update

Neither cancelled flights nor the chill of winter deterred the Monday, Nov. 10, Israel Bonds lunch featuring Israeli combat soldier/artist Albert Levi’s moving story, “From the Battlefield to the Studio.”

Levi, who was scheduled to make a live appearance, was delayed in a New York airport for 14 hours waiting to hop to Atlanta, whose airport was also a hot spot for cancelled flights. Israel Bonds’ Registered Representative Jacqueline Miron said, “He was then trying to rent a car, but couldn’t get his luggage and supplies out of checked baggage in time.”

Nonetheless, his talk was on time and on point by Zoom for the luncheon at the home of Delilah Cohen. The program kicked off with an in-person update from Eitan Weiss, Israel’s Consul General to the Southeast.

Miron welcomed the group emphasizing this particularly crucial time in Israel’s needs.

“Now is the time to be committed … think about Bonds for Chanukah gifts or donate to your favorite cause. We compare favorably to fixed income investments.”

Counsel General Weiss began by stating that Israel Bonds is the only community organization outside of Israel that he can support. Then posed, “What will be the next phase of the Gaza War? They must never pose a threat to Israel because they pose a threat to the entire world … their ideology … who knows what they are promoting, all out of laziness.”

He noted the significant recent resignation of the CEO of BBC News who purposefully ran false reports.

Up next was audience questions: What about the new Syrian president’s visit to the White House? Weiss replied, “It was a shock that Syria toppled. The new man has an Islamic mentality. Who knows? I’ll be optimistic. If they can keep out Iran and co-exist with Israel, I’m fine with it.”

Does he think Netanyahu will hold onto power?

‘No matter who’s elected, Israelis (Jews) will kvetch and complain. I have faith in Israelis voting the right way.”

Getting more resolute about public image, Weiss said, “Our enemies don’t have our same values. They lie, steal, and cheat, feeling that the end justifies the means. They know what makes Americans tick … supporting the underdog, not checking facts. Call the media ‘Pollywood,’ whose mission is making money, promoting their own narratives.”

Weiss declined to comment on the recent New York mayoral election.

Levi via Zoom started by saying, “I owe Atlanta an in-person event.”

In segmented chronological parts of his life, Levi revealed his younger life of recklessness, coming from a big household with a Moroccan father and Russian mother, he observed a friend donning his IDF uniform, and clung to the inspiration to enlist, where he vigorously trained. He also found some old paintings and discovered that his own art could influence generations.

After Oct. 7 happened, “I felt I had to drop everything and go. Everywhere was not safe … in a military tent, I found myself crafting art in my mind. War was not like what you see on TV with constant action. It was complicated inside Gaza,” he said.

Recently, Levi donated a piece to an Arizona charity which went for $30,000. He described his art as progressing through color, freedom, optimism, movement, balance, and using animals.

Prior to the program, Weiss’ wife, Dena, whose hometown is a kibbutz in central Israel, shared with the AJT her fondness for Atlanta, “This is our fourth move, and we found the city to be beautiful and the people most warm.”

Cohen concluded, “Hosting an Israel Bonds event is important in showing our support for Israel and its continued economic strength, especially in times like these. If we don’t take responsibility for ourselves, who will? This is our moment to stand together!”