International Socialite Tova Leidesdorf Honored As Woman of the Year" at Shaare Zedek Medical Centers Second Century Gala

More than 600 dignitaries, business leaders, and supporters recently gathered at Shaare Zedek Medical Centers Second Century Gala to congratulate and honor International Socialite Tova Leidesdorf as Woman of the Year". The event, which was held on Tuesday, November 18th, at the Grand Hotel Hyatt Hotel, New York, NY, raised in excess of $1 million for the Jerusalem Medical Center.

(PRWEB) December 12, 2003 --More than 600 dignitaries, business leaders, and supporters recently gathered at Shaare Zedek Medical Centers Second Century Gala to congratulate and honor International Socialite Tova Leidesdorf as Woman of the Year". The event, which was held on Tuesday, November 18th, at the Grand Hotel Hyatt Hotel, New York, NY, raised in excess of $1 million for the Jerusalem Medical Center.

Jack Bendheim, Co-Chairman of the International Board of Directors for Shaare Zedek, praised Ms. Leidesdorf for recent gifts, which he said will enable Shaare Zedek to help make a lifesaving difference to the people of Jerusalem."

In addition to the Woman of the Year" award, Congressman Tom Lantos was presented with the International Israel Humanitarian Award.

Ms. Leidesdorfs husband, the late Arthur D. Leidesdorf created the 92nd Street Y. He was chairman of one of the Big Eight accounting firms that bore his name. Today it is known as Ernst & Young.

The Leidesdorf family name is well-known in Manhattan where four streets are named after her late father-in-law, the legendary philanthropist Samuel D. Leidesdorf, who helped strengthen the birth of the State of Israel by personally guaranteeing $500 million to Chase Manhattan Bank to institute the creation of Israeli bonds. He also created the United Negro College Fund and built University Hospital in New York.

Ms. Leidesdorf supports the charitable works of United Jewish Appeal, Israel Bonds and other hospitals in Israel, including Bikur Cholim. She is also involved with United World Colleges with Prince Charles.

Ms. Leidesdorfs second husband, the late Erwin Herling, a Holocaust survivor, was an internationally renowned philanthropist and financier who supported Shaare Zedek, the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Emanuel Foundation.

Special guests at the gala included Moroccan-born Ambassador Mokhtar Lamani, Permanent Observer of the Organization of the Islamic Conference to the U.N.; Mohammed Rebec, right hand to Saudi Prince; Colonel Carrington; Richard Fields; and Elizabeth Nobrega, Prince Charles Trustee.

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani was represented by Eric Hatzimemos who recognized Ms. Leidesdorf for her generous gift to the Hospitals trauma center. Several years ago Giuliani named four streets between East 30th Street and East 34th Street in Manhattan, Samuel D. Leidesdorf Way" in recognition of her father-in-law and his familys great contribution to the city of New York. In a recent letter, Giuliani praised Ms. Leidesdorf on her dedication and commitment to her Bridge For Peace initiatives that best exemplifies her lifelong goal of doing everything in her power that she can to help achieve peace in Israel and around the world."

All proceeds generated from the Hospitals annual dinner go directly to the Trauma Center. This years Award Dinner raised a record-breaking $1.1 million.
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