The president welcomed the delegates to Jerusalem, and said: “For me, this event today is an important opportunity to have an honest and open conversation. We have disputes. But disputes do not necessarily lead to division. In Hebrew, the word ‘איחוי’ or ‘להתאחות’ means healing from a wound or pain means, in fact, to become a family again, to become sisters and brothers again. This is the wisdom of our ancient language. Within this word lies the truth and the faith that it is always possible to regain the deep feeling of family, even if we feel distant from each other. We are here to discuss today’s challenges because we are all committed to ensure a thriving Jewish tomorrow. For our children in Israel, in North America and around the world.” 

Following the president’s remarks, a panel discussion about the issues facing the relationship between Israel and world Jewry, was moderated by Dr Nachman Shai, MK, chair of the Knesset lobby for strengthening the Jewish People and the Knesset lobby for US-Israel relations. The panelists were Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation of New York, Shira Ruderman, Executive Director of the Ruderman Family Foundation and Erika Rudin-Luria, incoming President of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. 

President and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, thanked the president for hosting the event, for the important dialog and for his deep commitment and frequent remarks about strengthening the relations between world Jewry and Israel and strengthening the Jewish people. “We were privileged to be able to present the president with the issues that are on the agenda of world Jewry today, and we are honored to have the support of the country’s first citizen who will address the opening of our conference tomorrow. We appreciate the warm hospitality we received at the President’s Residence and the opportunity to present the broad spectrum of activity of Jewish life in the United States and Canada, the wide range of people that make up our communities and the strong relationship with this country. Tomorrow, the GA opens under the theme of ‘we need to talk’. We are convinced that by having the conversation, speaking out and listening carefully to each other, we can create a new connection between our communities – those of world Jewry and of the State of Israel – and prove again that we are one people and that the bonds between us are unbreakable.” 

The President quipped after listening to today's panel, he planned to change his speech for tomorrow night to be given at The JFNA General Assembly to be held in Tel Aviv. 

Included in photo essay among the JFNA leaders at Beit Hanasi are Marylanders William Daroff, Gary Berman, and Lori Palanik, incoming president Mark Wilf of New Jersey and veteran supporters Dr. and Mrs Heschel Raskas.