(Courtesy of NCYI) The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) will honor a number of prominent supporters of the State of Israel, World War II veterans from Young Israel synagogues, and active Young Israel members who have made significant contributions to their respective communities at their upcoming gala. The NCYI Gala will be held on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The event will begin at 5 p.m. with a buffet dinner and VIP reception, followed by the program at 6:30 p.m.

The keynote speaker is Hon. Kevin McCarthy, the House Republican Leader. Rep. McCarthy, who was first elected to Congress in 2006 and represents California’s 23rd district, has been at the forefront of the effort to combat anti-Semitism and has been an outspoken critic of Rep. Ilhan Omar for her anti-Semitic remarks. Governor Mike Huckabee, a strong supporter of Israel, will also address the crowd. Pete Hegseth, a prominent journalist and friend of the NCYI, will serve as the master of ceremonies. NYS Assemblyman David Weprin, a member of the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, will also be in attendance.

Among the Guests of Honor is Tommy Hicks, Jr., who will be the recipient of the Guardian of Israel Award. Hicks, who is a partner in the investment firm Hicks Holdings, LLC, is co-chair of the Republican National Committee.

For the past 107 years, the National Council of Young Israel has ably served the broader Jewish community. With more than 25,000 member families and approximately 135 branch synagogues throughout the United States, Canada and Israel, the National Council of Young Israel is a multi-faceted organization that embraces Jewish communal needs and often takes a leading role in tackling the important issues that face the Jewish community in North America and Israel. The NCYI provides religious, educational, Zionistic, social, and communal programming for all its member synagogues and their affiliated families.

The following individuals will be recognized by the National Council of Young Israel at its Gala Dinner:

Master of Ceremonies:

Pete Hegseth

Host, Fox and Friends

Guest Speakers:

Hon. Kevin McCarthy

House Republican Leader

Gov. Mike Huckabee

Former Governor of Arkansas

Guardian of Israel Award:

Tommy Hicks, Jr.

Co-chair, Republican National Committee

Moses H. Hoenig Award:

Rabbi Zvi and Aviva Gluck

Co-Founder of Amudim

Bonei Yerushalayim Award:

Lori Moskowitz Hirsch

Shofar Award:

David and Michelle Katz

Young Israel of Memphis

Young Visionary Award:

Eve Stieglitz

President, Young Jewish Conservatives of NY

Dor L’Dor Rabbinic Leadership Award:

Rabbi Yoel and Peri Schonfeld

Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills

Rabbi Nachi and Michelle Klein

Young Israel of Northridge

Chovevei Zion Award:

Dr. Alan and Deborah Berger

Dr. Marc and Judy Berger

Igor Fruman

Co-Founder, Global Energy Producers

Lev and Svetlana Parnas

CEO and Co-Founder, Global Energy Producers

Friend of Zion Award:

Charles Gucciardo, Esq.

Founder, Gucciardo Law Firm

Dan K. Eberhart

CEO of Canary LLC

Honoring NCYI WWII Veterans:

Stanley Feltman

Louis Goldstein

Paul Kaye

Edmund Rosenblum

The dinner chairman is Rabbi Yechezkel Moskowitz and the dinner co-chairman is NCYI First Vice President Dr. Joseph Frager. The journal chairman is Jonathan Burkan and the journal and dinner coordinators are Judah and Carol Rhine of the Young Israel of West Hempstead.

For information and reservations, email [email protected] or visit www.youngisrael.org/ncyi-dinner.