OFFICERS and
DIRECTORS
- CHAIRPERSON:
Ambassador (Ret.) Asher Naim +
- HONORARY CHAIRPERSON:
Hon. Rudy Boschwitz (US Senator 1978-1991)
- FOUNDING PRESIDENT:
Sidney Haifetz
- PRESIDENT:
Rabbi Richard Yellin +
- VICE-PRESIDENT/COMMUNICATION:
Daniel Krassenstein +
- VICE-PRESIDENT/TREASURER:
J.D. Krassenstein
+
- VICE-PRESIDENT/SECRETARY:
Marlene Herzog
+
- VICE-PRESIDENT:
Dr. Anthony Campo +
- VICE-PRESIDENT:
Robert Cohan +
- VICE-PRESIDENT:
Edwin Sherman +
- Harry Adwar
+
- Stanton Cherry
+
- Rabbi Aaron Gaber
+
- Sol Gordesky
+
+ Directors
ADVISORS
- Rabbi David Ackerman
- Rabbi Marc Angel
- Michal Avara
- Dr. David Blecker
- Lawrence J. Bunis
- Sidney Cohen
- Rabbi Stanley Davids
- Dr. Edna Erez
- Barton Ferst
- Ruthe Forkush
- Miriam Friedman
- Rabbi Gordon Geller
- Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch
- Harris Hollin
- Dr. Ephraim Isaac
- William B. Konar
- Mort Reich
- Rabbi David Saperstein
- Sidney Schwartz
- Lois Steiner
- Rabbi David Straus
- Elli Streit
- Joe Trobman
- Betty Zinman
PROFILES OF
OUR BOARD & ADVISORS
Ambassador Asher Naim
 Ambassador
Asher Naim immigrated to Israel from Tripoli, Libya, fought in the War
of Independence, and is a Master of Jurisprudence from the Hebrew
University, Jerusalem. He is a veteran of Israel’s Diplomatic Service
and left his mark everywhere he served. In Tokyo, Japan
(1956-60) he was Cultural and Press Attaché. He taught Hebrew at Tokyo
University and tutored Prince Mikasa, brother of the Emperor.
In Kenya and Uganda (1961-64) he laid the foundation for Israel’s
diplomatic relations with nascent Africa and created a basis of
friendship with the leaders of these countries (Milton Obote and Jomo
Kenyatta), which served Israel well in the Entebbe Raid. In
Washington, D.C. (1968-73) he was assistant to Ambassador Yitzhak Rabin
as Councilor of Information and Culture. He organized the nationwide
celebration of Israel’s 25th anniversary. As Consul General
of Israel in Philadelphia (1976-81) he was responsible for N.J., Del.,
Pa., Ohio, Ky., and West Va. He developed important relations with the
Jewish communities, African and Hispanic Americans, Christian
organizations and academia.
In 1984, he was sent again to
Washington, D.C. to coordinate the activities of Israel’s ten Consul
Generals and to work closely with all national Jewish organizations. He
was responsible for Israel’s HASBARA throughout the USA vis-á-vis the
media, campuses, and later coordinated the nationwide celebration of
Ben-Gurion’s Centennial. As Ambassador to Finland (1988-90)
he negotiated successfully the passage of Russian Jews from Leningrad
and the Baltic States by being able to use Helsinki as a transit for
“Aliya” to Israel.
Asher Naim was the Ambassador of
Israel to Ethiopia (1990-91) at the time of Operation Solomon. He was
instrumental in the negotiating process with President Mengistu and
later with the winning rebels, headed by Meles Zenawi. Largely due to
Ambassador Naim’s efforts, during a 24 hour period 14,200 Ethiopian Jews
were airlifted and flown to Israel.
Asher Naim was appointed
Ambassador to the UN (1991) in charge of the Third Committee to annul
the infamous UN Resolution equating Zionism with racism.
In 1992, Mr. Naim was appointed
the first Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, and in three years he
succeeded in bringing Korea and Israel closer economically and
politically and initiated cooperation in defense-related industries.
Trade between Israel and Korea during his service (1992-95) jumped 250%
and reached $700,000,000.
After retiring from the Foreign
Service in September, 1995, with the rank of Ambassador, Mr. Naim
continues his activity on behalf of the Ethiopian community, its
absorption and integration in Israel society, mainly through academic
scholarships. He is Chairman of the Israel-Korea Friendship
Association, which works for closer relations between the two countries
in the field of education and promotion of economic ties.
Ambassador Naim is a Fellow at the Truman Institute for Peace at the
Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
He has co-authored two books on
Jewish education and a book on Jerusalem. His most recent book,
Saving the Lost Tribe:
The Rescue and Redemption of
the Ethiopian Jews,
(Random House, 2003)
reveals the inside story of Operation Solomon. Ambassador Naim and his wife, Hilda, have three children and reside in Jerusalem.
Copies of this book can be ordered directly from SFEJ -
Please inquire via email to
mherzog@sfej.org
 
Hon. Rudy Boschwitz - Honorary
Chairperson - U.S. Senator 1978-1991, President
Bush's representative to Ethiopia during Operation Solomon.
Rabbi Peter E. Kasdan - President -
Rabbi (Emeritus), Temple Emanu-El of West Essex,
Livingston, NJ. Rabbinic Advisor to Canavan Foundation.
Board Member - AZRA/World Union of North America.
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch - Advisor -
Executive Director - AZRA/World Union of North America.
Rabbi David Saperstein - Advisor -
Director - Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (UAHC).
Stanley Davids - Advisor -
President -
AZRA/World Union of North America.
Dr. Ephraim Isaac - Advisor -
Professor and Director - Institute of Semitic Studies -
Princeton University.
Marlene Herzog - Vice-President &
Secretary - University and Secondary School
Educator. Tireless volunteer for SFEJ.
Dr. Victor Levadi - Vice-President &
Treasurer - Business consultant and computer
expert.
Daniel Krassenstein - Vice-President &
Communications - Partner - BAS, Inc., Member Israel
Association for Ethiopian Jews, Athletic fund raiser, Mandarin & Spanish
speaker.
Dr. Anthony Campo - Vice-President -
Founder - Two Brothers in Christ, Inc.
Edwin Sherman - Vice-President -
Business Executive.
Rabbi David Straus - Advisor -
Mainline Reform Temple - Wynnewood, PA
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