New Israel Fund is the leading organization committed to equality and democracy for all Israelis. www.nif.org

1. May 16, 2012 Contact: Orli Beinorli@nif.org415.543.5055 X14
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INFLUENTIAL LEADERS OF ISRAEL’S PROGRESSIVE SOCIAL CHANGE
MOVEMENT TO MEET IN SAN FRANCISCO
New Israel Fund’s (NIF) four day International Board Meeting in San Francisco is the rare
occasion to meet activists from Israel who are changing the social landscape and the face of
Israel. Former Deputy Speaker of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and leading human rights
activist, Dr. Naomi Chazan will be honored as the outgoing president of NIF at the 18 th annual
Guardian of Democracy Dinneron Monday, June 25. NIF’s incoming Chairman is Marin resident
Rabbi Brian Lurie,a distinguished Jewish communal leader locally, nationally and internationally,
who has worked extensively in Israel and America to strengthen the ties between Israel and
diaspora Jewry.
Accredited media are welcome to arrange interviews with NIF CEO Daniel Sokatch, outgoing
president Dr. Naomi Chazan, incoming Chairman Rabbi Brian Lurie, and other visiting Israeli
social activists.
WHAT: New Israel Fund’sInternational Board Meeting returns to founding city
WHEN: Sunday, June 24, 2012 – Wednesday, June 27, 2012.
WHERE: Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street, San Francisco
Rabbi Lurie and Dr. Chazan will be joined by Adv. Talia Sasson,who is responsible for former
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s startling reversal on settlement policy, andDaniel Levy,the public
intellectual responsible for the Geneva Accords. Meron Hacohen, a leader of the progressive
religious-Zionist community, Mizrachi-rights leader YifatBiton, and NabiliaEspianoly, the winner
of international awards for her work on Arab-Israeli civil rights and women’s issues, are also NIF
board members who will attend. These established leaders will attend the International Board
Meeting and the Guardian of Democracy Dinner with young activists who work on-the-ground
to combat racism and hate, promote religious pluralism, tolerance and women’s equality in
Orthodox Judaism, secure justice for Israel’s Arab citizens and mobilize for economic equality
and opportunity for all of Israel’s citizens. These outstanding leaders and many others who
work tirelessly for a democratic, peaceful, and just Israel will be together in San Francisco, when
NIF’s International Board Meeting returns to its birthplace and celebrates with NIF’s Bay Area
supporters at the 18th annual Guardian of Democracy Dinner.
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New Israel Fund is the leading organization committed to equality and democracy for all Israelis.
www.nif.org
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