AUSTIN – The IAC’s multi-generational approach is their forte; the author endorses 21-year-old sports journalist and online influencer Emily Austin for a “Youthful Pinnacle of Pride in Zionism” Award. (Photo: Supplied)
In advance of Israel’s 75th Anniversary, the Israeli American Council (IAC) held its 8th Annual National Summit at the Fairmont Hotel in Austin, Texas, from January 19 through the 21st. (https://www.iac360.org/iacsummit/)
Texas? Well, unbeknownst to most, one hundred and seventy-five thousand Jews call Texas home. From Michael Dell’s computers to Ray Benson’s 8-time Grammy Award-winning swing band, “Asleep at the Wheel”, Jews have been and continue to be a driving force in the State. Jews were here before Texas was here. They explored with the conquistadores, and several Sephardics stuck around. Jao de la Porta was with Jean Laffite in Galveston by 1816. Republic of Texas empresario Henri Castro established the town of Castroville near San Antonio in 1844. Jacob De Cordova laid out the town of Waco in 1848 and later wrote, “The Texas Immigrant and Traveler’s Guidebook”.
There were four Jews who fought and died at The Alamo, and Dr. Albert M. Levy was an honored and revered member of the Texas Army Medical Corps. Then there was 17-year-old Texas Jewish cowboy, Jacob Wilbusky. He was the first of “Roosevelt’s Rough Riders” to fall as the cavalry stormed San Juan Hill in Cuba in 1898.
In my cozy South Texas town of Victoria, where my daughters became Bat Mitzvot, and my mother is buried, Abraham Levy arrived from France in 1848. A dry goods salesman by trade, he established a wholesale grocery and ultimately amassed 25,000 acres of land in six Texas counties. He soon established the largest state-chartered bank in Texas; its name was changed to Victoria Bank and Trust Company. Abraham’s son Leo completed his law degree at the University of Virginia, was elected president of B’nai B’rith, and gave the commencement address at the University of Texas in 1899. His last public act was drafting the “Kishinev Petition,” which President Roosevelt cabled to the Russian foreign minister, protesting a violent pogrom that murdered dozens of Jews and injured hundreds more.
For more information, check out: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/jews
So, Shalom, Y’all, and welcome to the other Lone Star State.
The three-day IAC Summit overflowed with Israeli and American thought leaders, public figures, entrepreneurs, influencers, and decision-makers. They exchanged ideas, encouraged activism, and offered solutions while they informed, educated, and entertained an enthusiastic sold-out crowd of nearly three thousand. Also on hand throughout the conference were dozens of non-profits providing information, T-shirts, and chocolates to the masses.
The grand kick-off was the “Open Plenary: Celebrating 75”. This Hollywood-quality multi-media production featured the impressive Israeli Defense Force Ensemble and several guest speakers.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s video address was both reassuring and poignant. The “unbreakable bond” between the United States and Israel goes beyond particular parties or particular moments,” said Herzog. He acknowledged that after the recent election, “questions were raised by many of our friends…”
The President stood resolute and commanding when stating that Israel stands for “democracy, liberty, and equality.” He unequivocally confirmed that the differing voices among the branches of the Israeli government simply reflect “the greatness of our democracy” and added that the “rule of law” and “freedom of speech” are “pillars of our Jewish and democratic state.”
Following a full day of panels to choose from, the pre-Shabbat “Plenary in White” began. Governor Greg Abbott took to the stage, declaring, “The enduring bond between the people of Texas and Israel is unlike any other, whose beginnings share triumphant stories forged by the blessings of freedom and burdens of vigilance. Through God’s strength, both Texans and Israelis overcame great challenges. Texas will always stand with Israel.”
Before welcoming in Shabbat, the Israeli social music initiative Koolulam, under the direction of Ben Yaffet, organized us into a 2000-voice harmonizing acapella choir singing and dancing to Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me”.
For Shabbat, the Austin Convention Center served as a temporary home for Synagogues to suit every Jew. There were simultaneous orthodox and “un-orthodox” services, and a truly spirited, every seat taken, standing-room-only Kabbalat Shabbat with a talented duo on guitar, violin, and djambe drum (yes, a duo. The guitar player doubled on djambe). A shabbat dinner buffet followed by motzi, mingle, and expand our mishpachim.
Participating in the summit included former head of Mossad, Ehud “Udi” Levi, the newly appointed Israeli minister of diaspora affairs, Amichai Chikli, the Ambassador of Israel to Canada, and Consul Generals from Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Boston, and Houston, and so many more who deserve our respect and attention.
Equally eager to participate in the conference was Austin’s ever-so-foolish-looking Jew-hating, BDS-supporting Palestine Solidarity Committee. For weeks, they had been conspiring to “Shut down the IAC” with posters, protests, and pitiful propaganda. Needless to so, they failed. While those of us tempted to tangle with the meandering meatheads were kept at bay, Yoseph Haddad, donning an Israeli flag, strolled up to them for a Kodak moment.
Radical anti-Zionists rallied in Austin, proclaiming, “Spreading Israeli lies and propaganda, the IAC plays an active role in normalizing the apartheid and consistent human rights violations committed by the fascist regime against the Palestinian people.” Yoseph Haddad provided a visible response. (Photo: IAC)
A key topic energizing the conference was the rise in Anti-Semitism disguised as Antizionism. The take-home message: We must do more on our campuses and in the cyberspace arena to combat the pseudo-emotional pleas persuading the hearts and minds of the malleable masses to delegitimize the right of Israel’s existence.
For me personally, the IAC’s multigenerational approach is their forte, and witnessing several hundred high school and college students embrace Zionism was well worth the ticket price!
Watching our passionate next generation in awe over Noa Tishby, Miriam Adelson, Ex-WeWorks Adam Neumann, son of slain Israeli Wrestling coach Guri Weinberg, and America’s first Hassidic Court Judge Ruchie Frie filled me with a renewed sense of confidence in the future of the Diasporas’ support of Israel and everything Jewish. The innocent expressions on young faces when Israeli Arab Yoseph Haddad spoke of his foot being blown off while deployed in Lebanon (and later, reattached) required soul-searching by the IDF, and soul-searching from this keen cohort of Zionist Youth.
The IAC National Summit annually brings together thousands of Israeli-Americans, American Jews, and Israelis of all ages, as this photo montage shows. This month, for the first time, the summit hosted the Israeli Innovation Playground, connecting Israeli companies with the US market. (Photo montage: Gary S. Branfman)
My selection for the “Youthful Pinnacle of Pride in Zionism” Award goes to the delightful Emily Austin. This 21-year-old social media influencer and popular sports journalist from Long Island reveals, “I’m very scared of a second Holocaust.” Regarding Antisemitism in sports, Emily confirms that, “A lot of the anti-Israel stuff you see doesn’t come from a hateful place. It’s just that they don’t know any better and nobody else in the industry knows enough to tell them”. “I met Kyrie, he’s not antisemitic,” said Austin. “He’s just an idiot.”
Find Emily Austin on all social media platforms and support her. She gets more Antisemitic hate messages from idiots than kudos from Zionists. Let’s change that.
Those who know me are aware of my personal inability to suppress my Chutzpah Gene.
Upon hearing the Anti-Defamation League’s National Director Emeritus Abraham Foxman downplay Antisemitism, accuse “us” of whining too much, and claim that we have it good, because it was worse when he was young, it did not go over well. And trust me, the room was dominated by perplexed expressions and individuals dashing for the door.
So, I asked Mr. Foxman, “When did a century-old organization founded by German Jews to fight Antisemitism morph into a society more concerned with BLM, Syrian Refugees, and Palestinian teenagers than Jews?” To which the moderator unapologetically cut me off and said our time was up.
And then, we have the charming and charismatic Rudy Rochman.
“Witnessing several hundred high school and college students embrace Zionism was well worth the ticket price!” (Photo: IAC)
I do believe that Rudy’s heart is in the right place, as are his intentions. So, I asked Rudy, “In your personal experience of forging relationships with Palestinians living in Israel as well as those in Judea/Samaria, what percentage accept Israel and support the existence of a Jewish State?”
Honesty being the best policy, Mr. Rochman admitted that the percentage was “very small”. He should have stopped there. He lost me when he proceeded to blame the problem on “Brainwashing.”
Out of respect for Mr. Rochman, I uncharacteristically took my seat.
Are they brainwashed? Definitely! Should we give them a pass? A “get-out-of-jail card” free? When Jews are mutilated and murdered by “brainwashed” terrorists and teens on stabbing sprees?
Should we have sung Kumbaya with the brainwashed Christians of the Middle Ages? Hitler’s Nazis? Stalin’s death squads? How about today’s Black Hebrew Israelites shooting up a Jewish Deli and slashing rabbis? They’ve all been brainwashed.
Never Again means NEVER AGAIN!
Well-deserved tributes, honors, and sincere appreciation went out to the tireless Israeli American Council staff, volunteers, members and philanthropists who made this event in Texas possible. (Image: BRANFMEME)
Returning to the Joys of Judaism, the closing day was another truly amazing mix of invigorating panels, focus groups, a Shabbat luncheon, and afternoon breakout sessions, culminating in the Closing Plenary Session.
Before an electrifying performance by Israeli superstar Noa Kirel, well-deserved tributes, honors, and sincere appreciation went out to the tireless Israeli American Council staff, volunteers, members, and philanthropists who made this event in Texas possible.
Support the Israeli American Council. Only together can we guarantee that, as Hashem spoke to Moses through the burning bush, Israel remains “E-retz za-vat ha-lav oo–d’vash”, “The Land of Milk and Honey”.