YALE CLUB OF ISRAEL

On Sunday, May 22, the Yale Club of Israel launched J-Branch, held a General Meeting formalizing club business, and paid tribute to outgoing club President, Aaron Levin.

The Jerusalem Branch of the Yale Club of Israel was officially established, with Nurit Altura SOM '03 as J-Branch Coordinator. Nurit explained that the J-Branch will allow club members in the Jerusalem area to enjoy activities and events that are well suited to those residing in the area.  Nurit noted that the first activity will be a book club.  The Barnard Club has invited the J-branch members to join their book group held in various member homes in the Jerusalem area.  Anyone interested should contact Nurit. (naltura@yahoo.com)

Since the Yale Club of Israel is registered as a non-profit organization (" amuta"), the Club Officers, Audit Committee and the Executive Committee members must be approved by those attending the General Meeting. Those attending approved the following:

Aaron Levin - steps down as President and remains Chairman of the Club's Executive Committee

Carice Witte - instated as President

Orrin Persky - reinstated as Treasurer

Rebecca Kopans - confirmed as Secretary

Barry Swimmer Geltman - confirmed as member of the Audit Committee

David Kavon - reinstated as member of the Audit Committee

Ashok Chandrasekhar - confirmed as AYA representative

Once the business was completed, the tribute to Aaron Levin for 20 years of service as President of the Yale Club of Israel began with a heartfelt speech by Alexander Rechter '69 ASC Chairman.  Alex praised Aaron for his unique outlook and caring manner, commenting that Aaron enriched not only Alex's Club experience, but his personal life as a friend over the years.  Alex then presented Aaron with a plaque from the membership which reads

Jonathan Friedland '70 then spoke of Aaron's efforts in building and maintaining the Club over the years and read a letter of congratulations from Yale President Richard Levin and AYA Executive Director, Jeff Brenzel. (attached).  Miriam Hartman '80  read a letter sent by Rabbi Jim Ponet (attached).

Orrin Persky '70 praised Aaron for his gentle and soft spoken manner, noting that in 20 years of running the club Aaron never had a moment's conflict with anyone on any subject.  Always steadfast and committed, Aaron could be counted on to come through whether it was to accompany the Whiffs on their tour of  Israel, or to ensure that visiting undergrads had a chance to meet with alumni.  Orrin then presented Aaron with a LaHart Yale watch inscribed with

Aaron Levin

Aaron then thanked everyone, ensuring us in his inimitably modest way that it was always a team effort.  Aaron gave us a brief history of how the Club came to be and some of the key people involved such as Naomi Marder and Alisa Odenheimer and others of the l980s classes. He pointed out that alums of these classes are once again taking over the management duties of the club.  Aaron spoke of his intention of writing up the club's history for the Yale annals.  As he was young in the tough pre-war days at Yale he felt that his Bright College Years with Pleasures Rife were these 20 years in the Yale Club of Israel and he is deeply grateful to all those who made them possible.

Carice closed with a few remarks.

The evening ended with refreshments and plenty of time for people to have a chance to talk and get to know each other.

Thanks again to Nurit for hosting the evening and to all those who assisted.

Those attending included:

Ari Zalkinder CC '80,  Aaron Levin '43,  Carl Posy TR '66, PhD '82,  Stuart Schoffman M.Phil . '72 & Roberta Fahn-Schoffman, Miriam Hartman SM '80,  Orrin Persky SY '70,  Jonathan Friedland TD '70,   Nurit Altura  MBA '03,  Rebecca Kopans ES '86,

Brandy Rosenblum SM '82,  Tamar Rubin CC '06,  Carice Witte BK '83,  Lila YGS '58 and Bill Cohen YLS '59,  Jonathan Weisberg SOM '93, Ashok Chandrasekhar PC '85,  David Mirchin ES '79 and Leslie Mirchin,  Michael M.A. '81 & Meira Partem,   Matthew JE '85 & Hannah Rosenblum, Daniel Tsadik Ph.D. '02,  Alisa Odenheimer PC '82,  Ozer & Deborah Herzog BK '98, Alexander Rechter BK '69 & Iva Faltis, Mark Fenig MPH ( E.P.H.) '03, Don Edelstein TR '57.