Chairman of the American Friends of Beit Hatfutsot Sam Bloch shared the evening with his wife, Lilly (to his immediate left) and daughter Gloria Golan, Director of the American Friends of Beit Hatfutsot, (standing.) Photo: Maxine Dovere.

Friends and supporters of Beit Hatfutsot – The Museum of the Jewish People – celebrated “a Vision for the Future” at a warm and welcoming Gala in New York City, December 1st. Over 500 gathered to recognize the young leadership of three vibrant segments of the world Jewish community, “Saluting a New Generation,” pay tribute to the historic organizational contributions of B’nai Zion, and honor the contribution and work of Alfred H. Moses.

Introduced as a visionary, the “third Moses,” Alfred H. Moses accepted the Yakir Beit Hatfutsot Award with praise for the work of the Museum and a call for involvement in its future. Adviser to presidents, former Ambassador to Romania, Chief Operating Officer of Promontory Financial Group and Chairman of the International Council of Beit Hatfutsot, he spoke of his decision to make being Jewish an integral part of his life. He expanded on a theme discussed in a New York Times article, opining that participating in Judaism “is increasingly a matter of choice,” and that “the essence of our Covenant gives us tools to deal with the disparate and often confusing aspects of modern life,” Moses credited the teachings of the Torah and Talmud as his inspiration “to work to make peoples’ lives better,”

Since its founding in 1978, the Museum has been a leading resource for the worldwide Jewish community. It is completing a “cutting edge” facility in Tel Aviv integrating technology and content, enabling each visitor to personally engage in the 4000 year history of the Jewish people. On this Gala evening, Beit Hatfutsot recognized the important involvement of diverse young Jewish leadership, honoring Dor Chadash, a group for Israeli-Americans, 30 Years After, which promotes the involvement of Iranian American Jews in Jewish political, civic and cultural Jewish life and RAJE: the Russian American Jewish Experience.

The long term support of the B’nai Zion organization was recognized in a tribute lauding that organization’s historic and continuing support of the Museum.

CEO Armoni (far left) joined the leadership of (from left to right) Dor Chadash, 30 Years Later, and RAJE as Cheryl Fishbein praised their work. Photo: Maxine Dovere.

Alfred H. Moses, Chairman of the International Council, Beit Hatfutsot, raised a clarion call for active involvement in the Jewish community. Photo: Maxine Dovere.

Cheryl Fishbein, Presdient of American Friends of Beit Hatfutsot, joined Museum CEO Avinoam Armoni to recognize the young leadership representatives of Dor Chadash, 30 Years Later, and RAJE. Photo: Maxine Dovere.