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From left to right: Mark Leibler AC, Outgoing Chairman , former chairman Harvey Wolfe; incoming Chairman, Johanna Arbib-Perugia, and former Chairmen, Julia Koschitzky; Mendel Kaplan and Daniel Liwerant.
As part of the 2009 Keren Hayesod – UIA Annual World Conference,prominent Israeli and World Jewish leaders came together last Thursday, June 18, in a grand gesture of appreciation for the distinguished leadership and service to the State of Israel of outgoing Chairman of Keren Hayesod – UIA's World Board of Trustees, Mark Leibler AC of Melbourne, Australia. Among the dignitaries attending the festive farewell dinner, which overlooked the Mediterranean at Tel Aviv port's "Marinero" Hangar 14, were Israeli Ambassador to Australia, Yuval Rotem as well as Australian Ambassador to Israel, James Larson.
Praising Mark Leibler in a pre-videoed message screened during the evening, Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, commended Mr. Leibler's far-reaching achievements, both in Israel through Keren Hayesod – UIA, as well as in Australian society at large, in his capacity as Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia. In a separate pre-videoed message, former Prime Minister, John Howard, saluted Mark Leibler for his efforts on behalf of the Jewish people both in Australia and the State of Israel
Left to right: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy, Dan Meridor, together with Mark Leibler AC and Keren Hayesod – UIA World Chairman, Ambassador Avi Pazner, photographed at the farewell dinner held at the Tel Aviv port.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy, Dan Meridor spoke warmly of Mark's leadership and his friendship on both personal and public levels, stating that "his devotion and leadership, not only in Australia, but on the world stage of the Jewish people is known". Meridor described the combination of "intelligence, knowledge, devotion, [and] caring" that Mark Leibler brought to all his endeavors". He added that he was happy to be able to thank Mark in person "from the Israeli Government, who [understands] the high value of people such as Mark".
Left to right: Minister of Welfare and Social Service, Isaac Herzog, congratulates Mark Leibler AC at the farewell dinner in his honor
Isaac Herzog, Minister of Welfare and Social Services, opened his remarks by saying that he felt privileged to have been a guest last year at a memorable Melbourne event in the presence of Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, marking Israel's 60th year. Turning to Mark Leibler, Minister Herzog said "Your leadership [there] was so apparent,… it was clear who connects and bonds this community so strongly to the State of Israel. Your contribution to the State of Israel over the past years has been enormous." He went on to praise Keren Hayesod – UIA both professionally as well as on a visionary level, describing it as "a unique organization which covers Jewish life wherever it may be outside of the US, and [which] has contributed enormously to the establishment of the State of Israel, and since [then, has] fostered, developed and enhanced the State of Israel in various fields and spheres."
Mark Leibler AC, was praised throughout the evening for the extraordinary levels of energy, vigor and passion for Israel that he brought to his term in Office. He was also credited for strengthening ties with the Jewish Agency to unprecedented levels and for aligning fundraising efforts of Keren Hayesod – UIA with the organization's mission as a National Institution. Several Speakers including Mendel Kaplan, Honorary President of Keren Hayesod – UIA, referred to the exceptional degree of communication and inter-organizational involvement that Mark Leibler facilitated at every level, during his term in Office.
From left to right: Mark Leibler AC with Amb. Dan Gillerman and Ze'ev Bielski MK, former Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel
Other honored guests who paid tribute to Mark Leibler's outstanding leadership during his four-year term in Office, included: Ambassador Dan Gillerman; Mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai; Ambassador Avi Pazner, World Chairman of Keren Hayesod - UIA; Director General Greg Masel; Chairman of the Jewish Agency Board of Governors, Richie Pearlstone; Treasurer of the Jewish Agency and the WZO, Haggai Merom, and incoming Chairman of the Keren Hayesod – UIA World Board of Trustees, Johanna Arbib-Perugia. [Johanna Arbib-Perugia full speech]
In a rousing speech, in which Mark Leibler talked of his vision for Israel and Keren Hayesod – UIA as a National Institution, he expressed his firm belief in Keren Hayesod's mission "to ensure continued aliyah, rescue and absorption of olim; to strengthen Israeli society by advancing disadvantaged youth and assisting weak communities; to inspire Jewish values and Zionism in the hearts of young Diaspora Jews – these are crucial to the future viability of Israel and the Jewish people."
Mark Leibler also spoke of Keren Hayesod – UIA's truly global and international character as a "defining and pivotal feature of Keren Hayesod – UIA", pointing out that "We, together with the Jewish Agency are indeed, the only Zionist forums in the world that bring together Jews from around the globe to discuss and direct assistance for Israel – with Israel. To me this is the essence of true partnership."
Mark Leibler expressed his pride as a committed Jew and a Zionist, "to be an Australian citizen and live in one of the few countries that boycotted Durban II, passed a unanimous parliamentary resolution in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary and was one of only two or three countries that did not join in the chorus of countries berating Israel for using 'disproportionate' force in response to the rocket attacks from Gaza." He went on to say "There is no question that our strong Jewish community has been a vital factor in Australia's continued support of Israel and the closeness and warmth of the bilateral relationship." [Mark Leibler AC full speech]
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