For nearly a decade, Binny’s Beverage Depot has been the site of one of Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds’ premier annual events for young professionals not only in Chicago, but nationwide.
Nearly 200 people came together on Thursday, June 22, at Binny’s in the Lincoln Park neighborhood for Israel Bonds’ Summer Bash. The event is well-known for its unique setting — the 1900s public works building that Binny’s CEO Michael Binstein transformed into a high-end loft bar. Attendees also enjoy kosher barbecue from Milt’s.
Yet the most notable aspect of the event is that every person in the room has purchased an Israel bond. In fact, being an Israel Bonds investor is the requirement for admission at the Summer Bash, which is precisely how the event cultivates new leadership for the organization and its mission. The event typically brings at least 100 new investors to Israel Bonds.
“When you talk about Israel Bonds to someone who really has not been involved, their first reaction is, ‘Oh, my grandparents gave me that for my bat mitzvah.’ This event gets young professionals excited about investing in an Israel bond for themselves,” says Teri Herbstman Appel, 37, a primary organizer for the event since its inception in 2014, and Chicago New Leadership chair and former National New Leadership co-chair for Israel Bonds.
David Rosenberg, 38, another member of the event’s Host Committee, echoes that “many people are involved in Israel Bonds even if they don’t know it” — referencing those who have received an Israel bond as a gift when they were a minor.
“It’s a very direct way of supporting the State of Israel — in fact, it’s the most direct way of supporting the State of Israel that I know,” says Rosenberg. “It’s not even that you’re giving your money to a charitable cause. You’re actually getting a return on your investment. That makes this the biggest no-brainer for supporting Israel.”
Keeping it in the family
Herbstman Appel first got involved in Israel Bonds 20 years ago, through the Ambassador’s Ball event. Her roots with Israel Bonds go even deeper, as her parents were board members of the organization. Today, the decorations in her sukkah include Israel Bonds certificates from the 1970s and ’80s from both her family as well as the family of her husband, Zach Appel.
“It’s very beautiful that both of our families have been invested for decades and both understand the importance of investing in the Jewish homeland,” she says.
Zach Appel, 38, notes that the couple invests in Israel Bonds for their four children on a quarterly basis in order to set a positive example for them in regard to supporting Israel. Then, when they visit Israel, the parents can show their children the tangible impact of the investments on every aspect of the country’s development.
A modest investment with a substantial return
Since 1951, Israel Bonds has generated $48 billion worldwide, across all Bonds entities, in financial support for the building and development of Israel’s economy. Simultaneously, the Binny’s event demonstrates that each investment in an Israel bond, regardless of the dollar figure, can have a substantial return.
For just a $36 investment — the minimum amount for an Israel bond — attendees of the Binny’s event may enjoy a vibrant social event in an upscale venue, with abundant professional networking opportunities, and all they can eat and drink.
“People will ask me, ‘Zach, what’s the catch?’” he says.
Indeed, there is no catch. Buying an Israel bond investment is the admission “fee.” The power of the investment can get even stronger for those who take advantage of the “double mitzvah” program, which enables investors to donate Israel bonds to other organizations.
“Give your charitable contribution as an Israel bond and the State of Israel can benefit, and so will the chosen organization when the bond comes due. By giving this great ‘double mitzvah’ bond, or investing in an Israel bond, you get to come to the Binny’s event and have the best night with your friends,” Teri Herbstman Appel explains.
Uniting the pro-Israel community
The Binny’s event, which typically draws between 150 and 250 people each summer, went on hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 but has now returned in full force. Last year, 35 lay leaders from around North America traveled to Chicago for an Israel Bonds investing boot camp followed by the Summer Bash, underscoring the event’s national appeal.
For Aliza Fagen, National New Leadership co-chair of Israel Bonds, this year marked the third time she has traveled from Montreal to attend the Summer Bash in Chicago.
“In addition to all the amazing people I get to meet and see at the event thanks to Israel Bonds’ fantastic network, the Binny’s Summer Bash is a fun and casual event featuring delicious food, great drinks, and even better people — all coming together in support of their shared love for Israel,” Fagen says.
She adds, “This is an ideal way to come together, especially as Israel continues to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year. The event’s format enables people to connect, network, and build friendships. Some of my best friends are in Chicago, and those friendships have been fostered by the Binny’s event.”
David Rosenberg has served on the event’s Host Committee for five years and counting.
“It’s a great opportunity for supporters of Israel to come together with like-minded individuals,” he says.
Adam Grossman, Israel Bonds’ Assistant Director, Midwest Region, similarly shares that the event “puts a spotlight on the Jewish and pro-Israel young professional community in Chicago.”
“Everyone in that room is invested in an Israel bond, meaning that the community stands together at this program,” he says. “That is a tremendous source of pride for us.”