The Breakers Palm Beach Hosts American Friends of the Israel Museum’s Gala

Reporting and photos: Lieba Nesis

American Friends of the Israel Museum (AFIM) held its annual gala at the Breakers Palm Beach on March 7th 2024 with cocktails beginning at 7 PM.

Since its inception in 1972 AFIM has raised over $435 million for the Museum’s exhibitions, art acquisitions, educational and outreach programs, curator training and more.  AFIM also helps raise awareness of the Museum through gallery visits, studio tours, concerts and other events.

 

The Israel Museum established in 1965 is the crown jewel of Israel.  Located on a hill in the Givat Ram neighborhood of Jerusalem its collections contain some of the most unique objects in the world including the interior of a 1736 Zedek ve Shalom synagogue from Suriname, necklaces worn by Jewish brides in Yemen, a mosaic Islamic prayer book from 17th century Persia and a nail attesting to the practice of crucifixion in Jesus’s time.  Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek spearheaded the establishment of the Museum which houses one of the premier collections of archaeological treasures of which over 500,000 are currently on display.  However, because only 10-12% of the Museum’s operating budget comes from state and municipal sources the institution must raise 88% of its yearly operating budget which is why AFIM’s support is so pivotal.

The evening in Palm Beach sold out weeks in advance with 150 guests paying $1,500 per ticket to join illustrious chairs Liz and Matthew Feuer and Robbi and Bruce Toll along with Florida co-chairs Cheryl and Michael Minikes, Barbara and Richard Rothschild, and Joan and Alan Safir.  There were plenty of Israel philanthropists in the crowd including Jane and Mark Wilf and David Hochberg.  Hochberg who just returned from a six-month Asia trip continues to be a stalwart supporter of Israel contributing to JNF, AIPAC and dozens of other organizations. The evening held in one of the most elegant hotels in the world with a superb vegetarian meal of Bronzino and rice was sublime.

Since October 7th Jewish organizations have shifted gears to adapt to the emergency situation with AFIM setting up art classes and workshops in the Museum for displaced young Israeli children who utilize the sessions to escape from the realities of the war-many of whom have lost loved ones.  President of AFIM Jill Bernstein described how a 14-year-old girl said her weekly arts and crafts classes from the Museum gave her a moment of calm that she anticipated all week.  She also read a letter from an IDF soldier who had been on reserve duty for three weeks requesting to visit the Museum during his time off since “it made his heart happy.”

In fact as part of basic IDF training soldiers are required to visit the Israel Museum so they understand what they are fighting for.  Moreover, active soldiers are given free admission.  AFIM canceled its October 24th New York dinner due to October 7th along with the Museum shutting down for three weeks.  When the Israel Museum reopened in November it was only for 3-4 days per week and an advanced reservation was required along with the accompaniment of a curator to ensure that one could run to a bomb shelter within 90 seconds.

 

On December 25th the Museum went back to its regular routine.  However, its Shrine of the Book section which contains the precious Dead Sea Scrolls is still in storage due to its fragility and will not be returned to the Museum until the Israeli government gives its permission.  The evening concluded at the usual Palm Beach hour of 10 PM as a smattering of guests lingered on the dance floor savoring the delectable ice cream dessert and fraternizing with old friends.