Jewish and Israeli family bonds run deep.
Three generations of the Cohen family—father Jerry, son Steven and grandson Micah—were part of the March 12-14 celebration at Israel Bonds’ 2023 International Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The elder two were honorees for their past support, while Micah Cohen is the national director of new leadership at the Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds.
Jerry L. Cohen of New York City and Steven B. Cohen of Essex Fells, N.J., were among 11 honorees at the dinner, which also marks Israel’s 75th anniversary, hosted by Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog at the Israeli embassy in Washington.
Since its bonds debuted in 1951, the U.S.-based Israel Bonds has secured more than $48 billion in worldwide investments in Israel, “with the proceeds playing an instrumental role in Israel’s transformation into a groundbreaking global innovator in various industries,” per a release.
“It means a great deal to me, as my love of Zionism came from my parents and my father is also being honored tonight,” Steven Cohen said at the dinner. “My wife and I have transmitted this love of Zionism to our four children, who are here as well and are involved in several other Jewish causes. My son Micah actually works for Israel Bonds as well. To have three generations here is extremely meaningful.”
“Experiencing the moments my father and grandfather were honored by Israel Bonds for their years of hard work and dedication to the State of Israel strengthened my resolve to continue doing what I do, and allowed me to further realize how important investing in Israel’s future truly is,” Micah Cohen told JNS.
The younger Cohen finds it meaningful to continue his family’s legacy by investing in Israel Bonds. “This personal connection enables me to share my story with others, who have the same aspirations,” he said.
One of his main goals at Israel Bonds is to continue supporting Israel through investments and bringing on new clients as investors.
“As national director of new leadership, it’s imperative to engage and attract young investors, in particular, to continue this great tradition,” he said. “Many people identifying as millennials or Gen Z have only heard about Israel Bonds through receiving bonds as bar or bat mitzvah gifts.”
Those 20-, 30- and 40-somethings, he added, “lack understanding of the variety of ways you can invest in Israel bonds for your own portfolio, or even purchase and donate an Israel bond to Jewish charitable organizations through our double mitzvah program.”