The event was a “powerful evening celebrating Zionist luminaries who are shaping the discourse and security surrounding Israel,” the writer Irit Tratt told JNS.

By Rikki Zagelbaum

Morton Klein, national president of the Zionist Organization of America, speaks at the ZOA Superstar Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan, Nov. 17, 2024. Credit: ZOA.

(November 19, 2024 / JNS) The Zionist Organization of America’s annual gala features prominent pro-Israel, Israeli and American speakers who “inspire Jews to do what they can to support Israel and learn information they don’t normally get from the media,” Morton Klein, national president of the more than 125-year-old nonprofit, told JNS.

Speaking before and after this year’s ZOA Superstar Gala, held at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan on Nov. 17, Klein told JNS that there were two unique aspects of this year’s event.

As it often does, the event on Sunday sold out. Many participants expressed “deep concern of Jew-hatred on campuses and around the world,” Klein told JNS. “We had more students who wanted to come because of campus Jew-hatred and Israel bashing.”

Speeches at the event also focused on how important it is “to not permit a Palestinian state, as it will be a terrorist state,” as well as “deep concern of U.S. and U.N. and world pressure to end the war before the mission of destruction of Hamas and Hezbollah is fulfilled,” Klein said.

Many speakers said that “the calls for a ceasefire with Hamas and Hezbollah” are “detrimental to Israel’s security and future,” he added.

“Appeasement of Palestinian Arabs and land concessions won’t resolve the issue,” Klein told JNS. “This is a religious war, and we oppose one-sided concessions or ceasefires until groups like Hezbollah and Hamas are dismantled.”

Irit Tratt, a writer who campaigned for President-elect Donald Trump and who introduced Klein at the gala, told JNS that it was “a powerful evening celebrating Zionist luminaries, who are shaping the discourse and security surrounding Israel and acknowledging those who, through their advocacy, are leaving an indelible imprint on the Jewish American experience.”

Tratt, who has attended the annual event for the past three years, told JNS that this year’s program “struck a more optimistic and delighted tone, with the knowledge Israel and Jewish Americans—particularly students impacted by the rise in antisemitic incidents on campus—will soon have President Donald Trump back in the White House.”

News anchor Rita Cosby emceed the event, which drew nearly 700 people and honored David Friedman, former U.S. ambassador to Israel, and Gilad Erdan, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations and now president of global Magen David Adom.

Garry Schottenstein accepts the Brandeis Award

Gary Schottenstein and his family

The event also recognized the philanthropist Gary L. Schottenstein, chairman and CEO of an eponymous real estate firm, and Israeli Brig. Gen. (Res.) Amir Avivi and Harvard University student activist Shabbos (“Alexander”) Kestenbaum.

Israeli Brig. Gen. (res) Amir Avivi gives the Dr. Irving Kessler Memorial Lecture

Schottenstein, who received ZOA’s Justice Louis D. Brandeis Award, told attendees that “when one receives an honor such as this, I believe it should not be viewed as a culmination of achievements but as an opportunity to continue striving to make the world a better place.”

“It must be clear: ‘Let my people go’ and ‘Never again’ are indisputable and non-negotiable credos that define us as a people,” he added. “Jews should take the offensive against countries, institutions, colleges and groups that display antisemitism or fail to support Israel. We must use the power we’ve earned in finance, media, politics and society to make an impactful difference.”

Newsmax Founder & CEO Christopher Ruddy presented the Justice Louis D. Brandeis Award to Garry Schottenstein 

Garry Schottenstein accepts the Brandeis Award

Erdan, who received the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Defender of Israel Award, told the audience that the United Nations was “meant to be a body for peace” but “has become a tool in the terrorist arsenal, attempting to restrain Israel and falsely label us as human rights abusers.”

“It has been hijacked by regimes that plot genocide,” he said. “The UN has betrayed its mission, and worse still, it is funded by you—the United States. Almost $20 billion a year goes to this institution that weaponizes lies against Israel.”

“It’s time to defund the United Nations,” he added. “I am hopeful that the next U.S. administration will follow President Trump’s example and cut funding to U.N. agencies that breed terrorism.”

ZOA National Board Chair Rubin Margules presents the Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson Defender of Israel Award to Amb. Gilad Erdan

Gilad Erdan, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, accepts the Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson Defender of Israel Award

‘Showing support’

Shoshana Fisher, a junior at Yeshiva University and co-president of the Yeshiva University Political Action Club, told JNS that protesters outside the event, and some who heckled Erdan during his speech, “highlight the importance of this organization.” (The former Israeli ambassador asked the crowd to ignore the interruptions, as he proceeded with his speech. The protesters were removed.)

“Their strong anti-Israel presence is a reminder of the necessity for an equally strong pro-Israel response,” Fisher told JNS.

Agam Halperin, a Yeshiva University junior studying marketing and finance, told JNS that she was born in Israel and raised stateside. “I’ve witnessed firsthand the antisemitism that occurs across the world,” she said.

“I think it’s very important to advocate for Jewish and Israeli rights,” she said. “I support everything ZOA stands for and am here to show that support and connect with incredible people.”

Professor Alan Dershowitz 

Steven Sass, Rita Cosby, Amb. David Friedman, Prof. Alan Dershowitz and Morton Klein presenting the Steven Sass Award for Outstanding Diplomacy to Amb. David Friedman

David Friedman, former U.S. ambassador to Israel, accepts the Steven Sass Award for Outstanding Diplomacy

Daniela Cassell, a junior at Pace University in New York, attended the gala as part of Students Supporting Israel, where she is president of the school’s chapter. She attended the gala at the invitation of the SSI founder Ilan Sinelnikov.

“We’re here to represent New York and the Zionist community on campus,” Cassell told JNS. “It’s crucial to combat antisemitism and anti-Zionism on campus. The work ZOA does helps make us feel safer and more united as a community.”

ZOA sold student tickets at a reduced fee, and some donors funded student attendees, many of whom were attending their first ZOA event.

Introducing Kestenbaum, who won the Myron Zimmerman Award for Outstanding Student Activism, Jonathan Ginsburg, managing director of ZOA’s campus department, said that ZOA’s more than 40 campus fellows “have led the way through community mobilization and educational programs about Israel’s just and defensive war against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran’s global terror network.”

Rita Cosby, Mort Klein, Myron Zimmerman and the ZOA Campus Department present the Zimmerman Student Activism Award to Shabbos Kestenbaum

Harvard University alum Shabbos (“Alexander”) Kestenbaum accepts the Zimmerman Award

Steve Feldman, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia chapter of ZOA, told JNS at the event that Jewish students who may fear for their future should “have hope” but prepare “to work hard for it.”

“Learn from reputable pro-Israel sources, develop informed policies and share them with your peers, family and even in the halls of government,” Feldman said. “Use social media, educate younger and older generations and spread the truth wherever you can.”

“It’s a two-way street,” he added. “We must encourage and support young people as they take the lead. Together we can prevail, just as we always have.”

‘You have to be a voice’

Allison Zur, ZOA’s young leadership director and Florida lead, told JNS that young Jewish students should “never be quiet and never be scared when people are terrorizing you, because then it will just get worse.”

ZOA is “unapologetic,” she said. “We stand up when no one else will.”

She added, “You have to be a voice, and ZOA is here to protect you and stand with you.” She also encouraged students to join the nonprofit.

“We’re here to help you, and we are a resource for you. Stand up. Don’t be quiet. That’s the best way to ensure a better future,” she said. “Other people feel the same way, and when you stand up, you’ll find others standing with you.”

Kami Salman, an opera singer and a representative for Masa Israel’s career and college programs for North America, told JNS that she attended the gala “to support the ZOA and be a loud and proud Jew.”

“It’s important for Jewish people to come together during these times and recognize, now more than ever, the need for Israel to stay as Israel. Nobody’s going to scare us out of having our homeland,” she said. “We’re Jewish, we’re proud, and it’s so important for us to be together at this time.”

Musical performance by the Y Studs

The Zionist Organization of America Superstar Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan, Nov. 17, 2024. Credit: ZOA.

In his closing remarks, Klein told attendees that “we Jews did not come to Israel as colonialists. We came back home, and yet the world still denies our rights to our holy land.”

“We need to respond by being strong, proud and powerful Jews,” he told the audience. “Build more Jewish institutions. Celebrate Jewish holidays. Teach your children to be proud Jews, and never stop fighting back.”

This article was originally published in JNS and can be viewed here.