A Night to Remember: The 2025 Jaffa Institute Gala

Updated: Jul 16

Our 43rd Anniversary Gala, held at the Avenue in Airport City, Israel, was a resounding success! Surpassing all our previous Gala Dinners, over 1,100 supporters joined us for an evening of celebration and inspiration.

Our MC, Adva Dadon, made moving award presentations to Yael Eckstein (Woman of the Year), the Cramer Raskin Family Foundation (Intergenerational Giving Award), S. Horowitz & Co. (Volunteer Partnership Award), and Isracard (Social Partnership Award).

Learn here more about our honorees - click > to expand

Yael Eckstein, President of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Women of the Year

Yael Eckstein, President of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, was named 'Woman of the Year' and received the award in honor of The Fellowship's longstanding partnership with the Jaffa Institute, which works to assist severely disadvantaged children and their families living in Israel's most impoverished neighborhoods. For decades, the Fellowship has supported food donations to Holocaust survivors, the elderly, and families in need.

Dr. David Portowicz, Founder and President of the Jaffa Institute, presented Ms. Eckstein with the award, alongside Chaim Hurvitz, Chairman of the Board of the Jaffa Institute. Dr. Portowicz spoke of the late Rabbi Eckstein, who founded The Fellowship more than 40 years ago, as a "beloved and unforgettable personal friend…who was, and remains, one of the people who managed to leave a mark on the state and people of Israel." [1]

Shelly Raskin, representing the Cramer Raskin Family Foundation, Intergenerational Giving Award

Ms. Shelly Raskin, representing the Cramer Raskin Family Foundation, accepted the Intergenerational Giving Award, celebrating foundation's dedication to community improvement. Deep gratitude is hereby extended to The Cramer Raskin Family Foundation for their great work for Israeli society in general and for the activities of the Jaffa Institute in particular.

We cherish and thank you for your care, attention and concern, for your giving and your partnership, in particular for the establishment of the Rolling Robotics Mobile laboratory dedicated to the memory of Major in the Reserves Constantine (Costa) Sushko z"l, hero of Israel.

S. Horowitz & Co., Volunteer Partnership Award

The law firm of S. Horowitz & Co. is a symbol of the values of

giving, volunteering and social involvement.

This is amply demonstrated in the decade that that the firm has been a partner in consulting, guidance, legal support and volunteering in the Jaffa Institute's programs.

We are proud of this cooperation and the warm relationship we have built together.

Isracard, Social Partnership Award

Isracard was awarded the Social Partnership Award, a testament to their unwavering commitment to community welfare. Isracard, an emblem of corporate responsibility, stands as a role model, exemplifying the values of giving and social involvement. As Israel's leading credit card group, their presence extends beyond financial services, deeply impacting upon the nation's social fabric. Since their listing on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 2019 (TASE: ISCD), Isracard has solidified its position as a significant contributor to the Israeli community, demonstrating that corporate success and social dedication can coexist in harmony.

For two decades, Isracard's employees have dedicated their time and energy to volunteering in the Institute's programs, with a particular focus on the "Accompanying the Elderly" initiative. Their contribution in preventing fraud being perpetrated towards the elderly has been especially notable, providing crucial support to a vulnerable community. This long-standing commitment underscores Isracard's deep-rooted belief in fostering a caring and supportive society, showcasing their dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of those they serve.

We also introduced the sixth member to join the family of STEM Mobiles laboratories. The Rolling Robotics laboratory will be used by the STEM team to educate and enrich the Institute's children and project participants from all over the country in advanced robotics studies The laboratory was donated in memory of the hero of Israel, Major in the Reserves Constantine (Costa) Sushko z"l, hero of Israel, who gave his life definding his nation in the Gaza War.

We were also blessed with a powerful message of hope from First Lady Michal Herzog, who shared with those present about the long-standing relationship she has with the Jaffa Institute. You can view her message in Hebrew below: