BY MOSHE HILL COMMUNITY CORNER SEPTEMBER 25 2024
At the TWA Hotel at the JFK International Airport on Thursday, September 19, a remarkable evening of unity, gratitude, and purpose was put together by One Israel Fund. The organization that has spent the past 30 years championing Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria held a night of appreciation for its dedicated donors and showed them a new path forward. The occasion allowed for a vision of peace and prosperity to be outlined when Ambassador David Friedman laid out his alternative to the traditional “two-state solution” as described in his new book, One Jewish State.
Among the community leadership that attended, Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County Executive, made a special appearance, signaling the strong ties between local American leadership and the efforts to support Jewish communities in Israel. Blakeman’s unwavering support of the pro-Israel and Jewish community was highlighted by his recent signing of the “Mask Transparency Act,” introduced by former IDF soldier turned Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip, which banned masks for the purpose of hiding one’s identity from police. This has been a national issue for those who have been harassed and assaulted by anti-Israel protesters, and one that Nassau County has led the nation on.
Before the event began, I had the chance to speak with Scott Feltman, the Executive Vice President of the One Israel Fund, who reflected on the challenges and triumphs the organization faced over the past year. He acknowledged that, despite the hardships, the outpouring of support from donors has been overwhelming. The evening’s concept, Feltman explained, emerged as a way to express gratitude to the organization’s most cherished supporters, particularly as Ambassador David Friedman was launching his book, which aligns closely with the Fund’s mission. He emphasized the deep personal and professional relationship he and Vice President Elliot Robinson have built with Friedman over the years, noting that the ambassador and his wife, Tammy, have become integral to the One Israel Fund community.
Feltman also revealed exciting plans for the Fund’s upcoming 30th anniversary gala in December, where a major announcement will be made, and shared updates on long-term projects like the medical center in Binyamin, which, despite delays from Covid and war, is back on track. Additionally, he teased an upcoming trip to Israel with media figures Sid Rosenberg and Michael Rappaport, and the keynote speech by the Son of Hamas, Mosab Hassan Yousef, at the Gala dinner, signaling the organization’s continued commitment to impactful outreach.
I also spoke with Rachel Pill, President of the Women’s Division of the One Israel Fund, and received a glimpse into the powerful work her team has undertaken since its formation in response to the October 7 attacks. The division provides a bridge for women in America to connect with and support the women of Yehudah and Shomron, fostering solidarity and action. Pill highlighted their recent leadership mission to Israel, which focused on supporting at-risk youth through initiatives like the Einot Kedem farm in the Jordan Valley, where vulnerable children are educated and cared for. Last year, the division raised $40,000 to build a safe room and plant trees in the region. Looking ahead, they plan to select a new project during their upcoming mission in February, continuing their dedication to improving the quality of life in these communities. Through these efforts, they are not only providing tangible aid but also educating American women about the unique challenges faced by their counterparts in Israel.
Feltman opened the night by reflecting on the past year, marked by great challenges but met with even greater support from the American Jewish community. The event, carefully curated to honor the organization’s donors, also highlighted the organization’s progress and unwavering commitment to the people of Judea and Samaria, often referred to by their biblical names, Yehudah and Shomron.
In a heartfelt address, Feltman noted that October 7, 2023, a day forever etched in Jewish memory due to Hamas’ devastating attacks on Israel, catalyzed an unprecedented surge of support and solidarity. One Israel Fund quickly mobilized to address the immediate needs of the communities in Judea and Samaria, which many feared would become additional targets during the conflict. Feltman attributed the stability in these regions to the generous donations that enabled the Fund to bolster medical, security, and emergency preparedness efforts.
The evening’s speeches were imbued with gratitude, but they also conveyed a renewed sense of purpose. As Jackie Herman, President of the One Israel Fund, stated, “We are working for a new Israel to emerge, stronger and more secure than ever before.” This mission underpins the organization’s five pillars: recreational projects, education for poor and at-risk youth, community development, poverty relief, and civilian preventive security. These initiatives are designed to enhance the quality of life for the 500,000 Jews living in Judea and Samaria, often referred to as “settlers,” though the term inadequately conveys the deep historical and spiritual connection these communities have to the land.
One of the most moving speeches of the evening came from Rachely Vassal, who leads the One Israel Fund’s team in Israel. Vassal, with her deep experience managing foreign relations in Ma’ale Adumim, shared how the Fund’s decades of work prepared them for the tragic events of October 7. In the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attacks, there was palpable fear that Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria would face violence from neighboring Arab villages. While security remained the top priority, Vassal emphasized that the One Israel Fund also focused on the emotional and practical needs of the displaced, quickly setting up kindergartens, providing food and supplies, and offering emotional support. Despite bureaucratic delays, the Fund’s rapid response saved lives, and new initiatives like the creation of their aforementioned Women’s Division emerged from this crisis. “The tremendous support we received from the United States moved me every day,” Vassal remarked, underscoring how international solidarity continues to fuel their resilience against ongoing threats. Yet, she reminded the audience that while their enemy is relentless, the strength of their belief in the righteousness of their cause remains unwavering.
The highlight of the evening was the introduction of David Friedman’s latest work, One Jewish State. Friedman, a close friend and longtime supporter of the One Israel Fund, was lauded for his role in moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem and his pivotal involvement in the Abraham Accords, which reshaped Israel’s diplomatic relations with neighboring Arab states. However, on this night, the focus was on his vision for Israel’s future – a vision in stark contrast to the well-worn path of the “two-state solution,” which he vehemently argues has led to more harm than good. “If implemented,” Ambassador Friedman said, “The two-state solution will become the Final Solution.”
Ambassador Friedman’s book presents a comprehensive intellectual and moral argument for why the two-state solution has failed and why an alternative, One Jewish State, must be considered. He eloquently framed the current situation, invoking the horror of October 7 as a tragic but clarifying moment in Israel’s history. For Friedman, the attacks were a reminder that Israel cannot afford to repeat past mistakes, particularly the concessions made in Gaza that led to its takeover by Hamas. “Israel has made mistakes,” Friedman claimed when referring to the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. “We’re not here to criticize prior leaders [of Israel]. But we will not make those mistakes again.”
Drawing on historical and biblical context, Friedman described his advocacy for Jewish sovereignty over Judea and Samaria not as an act of colonization but as a fundamental right. He recounted a powerful exchange he had with a secular Israeli businessperson in Tel Aviv, where he invoked the spiritual and historical significance of places like Shiloh, the first spiritual capital of ancient Israel. Friedman passionately argued that Israel must hold onto these territories, not just as land, but as vital elements of the Jewish identity and heritage.
In One Jewish State, Friedman outlines five key dimensions – faith, national security, economics, human rights, and regional stability – that support Israel’s control over Judea and Samaria. He seeks to present this argument not only to the Israeli public but to the world, challenging the widely held belief that the two-state solution is the only path to peace. His ultimate goal, as he told the audience, is to have this alternative vision placed on the table for serious consideration.
As the evening drew to a close, Friedman was presented with a special gift: a piece of olive wood from Israel, engraved with a message of thanks for his continued advocacy on behalf of Judea and Samaria. The gift symbolized the deep-rooted connection between the land and its people, and the enduring commitment of the One Israel Fund to nurture and protect that bond.
In many ways, the evening was more than a book launch or a donor appreciation night. It was a moment of reflection on the trials that Israel has faced and a declaration of hope for its future. As the One Israel Fund prepares for its 30thanniversary gala this December – an event that promises more major announcements – it’s clear that this organization, along with its supporters, is poised to continue shaping the destiny of Israel’s heartland for generations to come.
Ambassador Friedman’s One Jewish State offers a bold, thought-provoking roadmap for Israel’s future – one that, in his view, must be centered on the undeniable truth that Judea and Samaria are integral parts of the Jewish state. Whether or not this vision will take hold remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Those in attendance left the evening with a renewed sense of purpose, galvanized by the knowledge that their support has not only sustained but strengthened Israel in its darkest hours.–»»
