At their annual meeting, the Confederation’s board of directors voted to install entrepreneur David Yaari to serve as president and chairman of the board of the Confederation.  This transition of leadership is reflective of the board’s desire to expand the activities of the organization and help increase the influence of the Confederation in the Zionist world.

Yaari is the founding Director-General of the Arizona-Israel Trade and Investment Office with an extensive record of community engagement and leadership.   Named among the “Forward 50” of the 50 most influential Jews in America, Yaari has filled many senior roles in the business and philanthropic fields including currently serving as a director of the Israel Nature and Heritage Foundation, of the Society for International Development, and now a director of KKL - Keren Kayemet Leyisrael.

He is the proud father of Ori, Emily, and Adam and is married to Sivan Yaari, founder and CEO of Innovation Africa.   “I am thankful to the Confederation Board for entrusting me to advance the cause of General Zionism and to expand ways for the Jewish world to connect with Israel,” said Yaari.  “And I hope the Confederation can be such a bridge to engage the next generation and revitalize the Zionist movement.”

The board also voted to add two new directors: Sarri Singer, Founder and CEO of Strength to Strength, a not for profit that assists terror victims worldwide, and Ran Fuchs, a senior board member in the Israeli-American Council and Head of Capital Markets at IDB Capital.

As an additional step toward expanding the influence of the Confederation on the international Zionist movement, former Knesset member Dov Lipman was appointed to serve as the organization’s Secretary-General.  Lipman, the author of eight books about Judaism and Israel, has spent the last 8 years strengthening the connection between Israel and diaspora Jewry and teaching university students about Zionism and Israel.

Jesse Sultanik, who served as the past Chairman of the Confederation will continue as an officer along with Marlene Post, past president of World Hadassah.  It should be noted that Kalman Sultanik, Jesse’s grandfather, led the Confederation for nearly 60 years.

In a letter sent to the Chairman of the Zionist Executive Yaakov Hagoel, Yaari pledged to work with all the committees, leaders and departments in the national institutions to engage new constituencies and advance the Zionist movement.

Lipman commented, “I have long believed that Israel must serve as the great unifier of Jews worldwide and that an active Zionist movement is necessary to strengthen diaspora Jewry.  David is most welcome choice to take this organization forward.”

About the World Confederation of General Zionists:

The Confederation of General Zionists is a faction in the World Zionist Congress that focuses on pure Zionism and strengthening the connection between Israel and diaspora Jewry.  The Confederation does not represent any Israeli political party or religious stream and focuses on education, youth movements, next generation and future Zionist leadership and strengthening Zionist federations worldwide.

Picture of David Yaari (Courtesy: The Confederation of General Zionists).