UJA Westchester, Young Israel of Scarsdale, and Westchester Jewish Council invite you to join us as we welcome Ambassador Asaf Zamir, the new Israeli consul general in New York. In his first official visit to Westchester, Ambassador Zamir will give a special update on the latest from Israel and the work of the consulate in New York.
You’ll also hear about UJA's work in Israel and our humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine.
In October 2021, Ambassador Asaf Zamir began his tenure as consul general of Israel in New York, representing the State of Israel to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Delaware.
Ambassador Zamir spent his formative years living with his family in Florida before returning to Israel to finish his schooling. He served in the Israel Defense Forces as part of the Central Control Unit in the Israeli Air Force and received a law degree at Tel Aviv University.
In 2008, Ambassador Zamir was elected deputy mayor of the Tel Aviv City Council as part of the Rov Halr party he co-founded. Subsequently, he was re-elected to the Tel Aviv City Council in 2013, where he retained his position as deputy mayor and assumed all responsibility for the city's education system.
Throughout his municipal career, Ambassador Zamir focused on affordable housing, public transportation, education equality, civil rights for minorities and the refugee community, and served as an advocate on behalf of the LGBTQ community in Tel Aviv/Yafo. He also chaired the board of the Yehoshua Rabinovich Foundation for the Arts, where he actively supported literature, music, dance, experimental theater, and cinema.
In 2011, the Ambassador established the Mitpakdim Movement, aimed at motivating youth to enroll as party members to all political parties in Israel and promoted public awareness toward the importance of political activity among Israeli citizens.
In the April 2019 elections, Ambassador Zamir entered national Israeli politics as part of the Blue and White party led Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid. In May 2020, with the formation of the national unity government, he was appointed minister of Tourism. Later that year, he resigned and called for new elections, and played a key role in the effort that eventually led to the formation of the most diverse government in Israeli history. This new government, led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, appointed Ambassador Zamir as Israel’s Consul General in New York.
Ambassador Zamir is married to Israeli actress Maya Wertheimer.
UJA Westchester Regional Chair
Tara Slone-Goldstein
Westchester Jewish Council President
William H. Schrag
Young Israel of Scarsdale:
Rabbi Jonathan Morgenstern
Associate Rabbi Nuriel Klinger
Ari Weinberger and Stu Zisholtz, Co-Presidents
Young Israel of Scarsdale UJA Campaign Chairs:
Caron and Steve Gelles, Jessica and Jonathan Katz, Arlene and Michael Kleinberg, Lisi and Michael Mandel, Michelle and Michael Nachmani, Debbie and Bill Schrag, Penina and Thomas Weinberger
Young Israel of Scarsdale UJA Event committee (in formation)
Sharon and Harold Aspis, Sara and Dan Berger, Sara and Elisha Blechner, Caroline Lobel Bryk and Jordan Bryk, Carole Daman, Marilyn and Robert Damast, Robin and Jonathan Eiseman, Linda and Allen Essner, Hinda and Eugene Farber, Linda and Mark Fischler, Sharon and David Fogel, Adina and Steve Fredman, Susan and Harvey Glick, Caren and Dr. Hillel Hammerman, Marla and Avri Horowitz, Aliza and Rabbi Nuriel Klinger, Ariella and Philip Knoll, Penny and Israel Kornstein, Vida and Dr. Oscar Lebwohl, Gloria and Mark Levenfus, Michelle and David Levine, Georgette and Rabbi Joshua Lookstein, Helga Luden, Lynn and Eli Moore, Jordana and Rabbi Jonathan Morgenstern, Janet and Warren Newcorn, Beverly and Michael Rosenbaum, Erin and Ari Rudensky, Robin Samot, Elisa and Gary Sastow, Margo and Jack Schwartz, Ruthie and David Schwartz, Rena Seplowitz and Dr. Steven Keller, Arlene and Steve Smith, Pearl and Tom Sullivan, Elizabeth and Joshua Trump, Barbara and Dr. Jerry Weinberg, Nancy and Ari Weinberger, Jessica Aspis Wender and Brian Wender, Lauren and Gavin Westerman, Dr. Harriet and Allen Wieder, Judy and Elon Zapinsky
UJA policy requires that all event attendees be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Please bring proof to the event. This event will be held in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, including current, local, state, and CDC guidelines, to protect the health and welfare of our staff and guests.