May 16, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Orli Bein orli@nif.org 415.543.5055 X14

INFLUENTIAL LEADERS OF ISRAELS PROGRESSIVE SOCIAL CHANGE MOVEMENT TO MEET IN SAN FRANCISCO
New Israel Funds (NIF) four day International Board Meeting in San Francisco is the rare occasion to meet activists from Israel who are changing the social landscape and the face of Israel. Former Deputy Speaker of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and leading human rights activist, Dr. Naomi Chazan will be honored as the outgoing president of NIF at the 18 th annual Guardian of Democracy Dinner on Monday, June 25. NIFs incoming Chairman is Marin resident Rabbi Brian Lurie, a distinguished Jewish communal leader locally, nationally and internationally, who has worked extensively in Israel and America to strengthen the ties between Israel and diaspora Jewry. Accredited media are welcome to arrange interviews with NIF CEO Daniel Sokatch, outgoing president Dr. Naomi Chazan, incoming Chairman Rabbi Brian Lurie, and other visiting Israeli social activists. WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: New Israel Funds International Board Meeting returns to founding city Sunday, June 24, 2012 Wednesday, June 27, 2012. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street, San Francisco

Rabbi Lurie and Dr. Chazan will be joined by Adv. Talia Sasson, who is responsible for former Prime Minister Ariel Sharons startling reversal on settlement policy, and Daniel Levy, the public intellectual responsible for the Geneva Accords. Meron Hacohen, a leader of the progressive religious-Zionist community, Mizrachi-rights leader Yifat Biton, and Nabilia Espianoly, the winner of international awards for her work on Arab-Israeli civil rights and womens issues, are also NIF board members who will attend. These established leaders will attend the International Board Meeting and the Guardian of Democracy Dinner with young activists who work on-the-ground to combat racism and hate, promote religious pluralism, tolerance and womens equality in Orthodox Judaism, secure justice for Israels Arab citizens and mobilize for economic equality and opportunity for all of Israels citizens. These outstanding leaders and many others who work tirelessly for a democratic, peaceful, and just Israel will be together in San Francisco, when NIFs International Board Meeting returns to its birthplace and celebrates with NIFs Bay Area supporters at the 18th annual Guardian of Democracy Dinner. ******** New Israel Fund is the leading organization committed to equality and democracy for all Israelis. www.nif.org ####### 1