Adding Texas Hospitality to Mid-Winter Meeting
Adding Texas Hospitality to Mid-Winter Meeting
March 16, 2017
Jewish Herald-Voice – Americans for Ben-Gurion University’s national board was recently hosted by its Greater Texas Region for its annual mid-winter meeting, “Blooming With Innovation.” Ninety national board members and friends from across the country enjoyed Texas hospitality, in concert with Houston’s 2017 Gourmet Kosher Extravaganza.
The week kicked off with a Taste of Texas dinner at Genesis Steakhouse, hosted by the Greater Texas regional board. Guests donned Western attire, enjoyed kosher barbecue and margaritas and connected with old and new friends.
An Americans for Ben-Gurion University/BGU round-up at the Taste of Texas welcome dinner. Front row: Sarah Allen, Carol Saal, Ellen Marcus, Toni Young, Nurit Feige. Back row: Neal Myerberg, Julia Nelson, Mark Mendelson, Lloyd Goldman, and Dr. Hila Riemer
“Members of the board were overwhelmed with the Texas hospitality — their warmth and heartfelt donors — and their enriched leadership of all ages,” says Americans for Ben-Gurion University President Toni Young.
The 16th Gourmet Kosher Extravaganza, chaired by Dr. Riva Collins and Shira Yosher, was held the following evening. More than 400 guests enjoyed a five-course kosher meal prepared by a team of Houston’s finest chefs.
Chefs included Carmelo Mauro of Carmelo’s; Efisio Farris and Luigi Shimata of Arcodoro; Mark Cox of Mark’s Culinary Consulting; Steve Caruana of the Westin Galleria Hotel; Jason Goldstein of Genesis Steakhouse; Mark Holley of Holley’s Seafood; and Luis Roger of BCN Taste and Tradition.
Stephen Breslauer, master of ceremonies, with the Extravaganza’s team of chefs: Luis Roger, Mark Cox, Mark Holley, Steve Caruana, Carmelo Mauro, Luigi Shimata, and Jason Goldstein
The event featured a keynote speech by BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi, who highlighted the critical role the University is playing in the growing cyber security field. All funds raised at the dinner will support cyber security research at the University.
Fred Levine; BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi; Velva Levine
Stephen Breslauer, vice chair of BGU’s board of governors and the event’s master of ceremonies, announced that the Israeli government is matching dollar-for-dollar all money raised that evening for the University’s Cyber Security Research Initiative. An additional surprise was another match: Chef Mauro and his wife, Hilary, would match every dollar raised that evening as well.
“This means that each dollar from guests and Carmelo will be matched by the Israeli government, making your donation of $1,000 a $4,000 investment for BGU,” said Breslauer.
Stephen Breslauer thanks Carmelo Mauro for his generous match that will greatly benefit BGU cyber security research.
The evening concluded with a poignant presentation to Nurit Feige, wife of Dr. Michael Feige, of blessed memory, who was killed in a terrorist attack on the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv in May 2016.
Dr. Feige was head of the undergraduate Israel studies program and a member of the Ben-Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism. Following the presentation, it was announced that Americans for Ben-Gurion University raised the funds to establish The Michael Feige Chair in Israeli Society, to be occupied by a rising star at the Institute.
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