Laniado Dinner 2008
Professor Avishay Braverman MK, renowned Israeli economist, politician and former President of Ben Gurion University, was the guest of honour at Laniado UK's gala dinner at Banqueting House, Whitehall, sponsored by the Khalili family.
Addressing the multi-faith audience of over 400 supporters, including young leaders in finance, banking, property and media, Professor Braverman said: "Seeing young people in the room here tonight is refreshing, it gives me hope. Both Israel and the rest of the world need new energies, new ideas from the next generation. You are the best and the brightest."
Offering insight and analysis of what MK Braverman regards as the wide-reaching changes needed in Israel's economic and political systems as she gears up to meet the challenges of the next 60 years, he said: "We have the best people and the worst political system in the western world. Our bureaucracy is unbelievable, our structures weak and unworkable. We need to simplify the system and align it to that of Britain or America. If we do that then the energy of the young people will not only flow to Tel Aviv or abroad, but throughout Israel."
Professor Braverman ended by saying: "We need to re-establish our contact with the Diaspora and extend our ties; we have to support one another. You are the future; the future is our working together. The task is enormous, but it can be done."
Laniado UK is the only communal cause to have successfully garnered the support of the next-generation of philanthropists. The charity has empowered its young supporters, encouraged their involvement and enlisted their active participation in shaping its future. The evening gave a voice to Laniado's young leaders who used the platform to share their vision and invited their guests to join them on the journey ahead.
In his welcoming words, dinner co-chair, Robert Suss laid down his challenge to his audience, when he said: "Laniado UK would like to entrust itself to you, the next generation of philanthopists and be steered by your inspiration, knowledge, skills, talent and motivation. Your generosity will make a lasting positive change in a region and assist in educating a generation of people that true peace, compassion and understanding can extend beyond the walls of Laniado hospital."
Co-chair, Laurent Zmiro went on to say: "Laniado hospital is a place of life, hope, peace, humanity. But more importantly, it is a place of principles. It's a place we wish our world will resemble one day, and that's why we are here tonight. We follow the mantra of Sir Ronald Cohen, founder of APACS who said ‘start young, think big and stick with it'. That's been our aim all along - trying to encourage young people like ourselves to think about what else there is out there for us to do with our time and money."
Representing the Khalili family, Dan Khalili said: "We here at Laniado are able to help others and prove that Jew, Muslim and Christian cannot only work side by side, but save lives together too."
The highlight of the evening came when Benjamin Khalili and Cristel Carrisi shared the stage and gave an impassioned speech, inspired by their recent experience of volunteering at Laniado. Cristel Carrisi explained: "I saw how Muslims, Jews and Christians came together as one family, one people, just as we are here tonight. It was deeply touching for a Muslim nurse to explain to me, a Christian, about a Jewish tradition on Shabbat. Our prayers may be different, we may not understand each others languages, the structure of our religion my not be the same, but we all have one G-d and we share the same heartbeat."
Benjamin Khalili went on to say: "My time at Laniado left me with a lasting gift, a gift I want to share with you tonight. Volunteering at the hospital removed my doubt; the last speck of doubt that peace is not Utopia. I am now fearless in my endevours towards achieving ethnic and religious harmony because I have seen it exist, with my own eyes."
In the closing remarks of the evening, Israel's Ambassador to the UK, Ron Prosor, paid tribute to the contribution of the young supporters in the room, saying: "Israel is a democracy under fire. With all its problems is a unique nation, with a wonderful youth who are dedicating the best years of their lives to defending the State of Israel, so that we all can dream about tomorrow. Inspired by the enthusiasm, drive and determination of the likes of the Laniado start-up team, together, we can unite and achieve beyond our wildest dreams."
The dinner raised over £500,000 for the new Emergency & Trauma Centre at the Netanya-based hospital.
