Special Events

American Friends of the Open University of Israel collects tax-deductible donations through a variety of fundraising efforts, including receptions and galas, small-scale parlor meetings, community events, virtual salons, and podcasts.  Many high-level Israeli and American officials and academic and civic leaders have spoken and participated at the American Friends of the Open University of Israel events, including:

  • Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations and to the United States Amb. Gilad Erdan
  • Israeli Consul General in New York Amb. Asaf Zamir
  • Israeli Ambassador to Mexico Amb. Zvi Tal
  • Former Israeli Ambassador the the OECD Amb. Eli Lev
  • Former President of the Supreme Court of Israel the Hon. Dorit Beinisch
  • Former Commander of the Israeli Air Force Maj. Gen. Eitan Ben Eliyahu
  • Former Israeli Minister and Member of Knesset the Hon. Ayoob Kara
  • Former Canadian Justice Minister the Hon. Irwin Cotler
  • Former United States Ambassador to Israel Amb. Martin Indyk
  • Former United States Senator Joseph Lieberman
  • Renowned Jewish Leader the Hon. Malcolm Hoenlein
  • Israeli-American Philanthropist and Community Leader Adam Milstein
  • Former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau
  • Member of the Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman
  • Renowned Immunologist Prof. Ruth Arnon
  • Behavioral Economist and Author Prof. Dan Ariely
  • Former President of New York University Prof. John Sexton
  • Former Chancellor of the New York Board of Regents Merryl Tisch
  • Law Prof. Alan Dershowitz
  • Former New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly
  • Former Dutch politician and activist Ayaan Hirsh Ali
  • Executive Director of the Israel National Cyber Directorate Aviram Atzaba

2015 GALA

Image 1 of 22

2016 GALA

Image 1 of 21

2017 Gala

Image 24 of 28

2018 FASHION EVENT

Image 1 of 20

GALLERY: JULY 2017 FASHION EVENT / SAGAPONACK

Image 1 of 27

2022 New York

Image 1 of 14