From First Sale to Farewell
Florrie Raymond
Israel Bonds UK
The first time I heard of Israel Bonds in the UK was in the summer of 1986, when I saw an announcement in the Jewish Chronicle that Mr Martin Boston z”l had joined the Israel Bonds Board of Directors.
Soon after, I was sent by a recruitment agency to interview with the Shaliach/Managing Director, Mr Sam Bloom, and was subsequently employed as his secretary. However, within six to eight months, his tour of duty came to an end, and a new Shaliach/Managing Director, Mr Gideon Selinger, arrived. He involved me in events, client relations, sales, and much more.
I have far too many special memories and events to mention them all here, so I will share just two.
One special memory is my very first sale, a $5,000 IVRI bond. This took place at a fundraising event we held at St John’s Wood Synagogue during the First Gulf War.
The second is the largest sale I ever made. In August 1997, while the Shaliach/Managing Director, Mr Jack Gilenberg, was on holiday in Israel, I took a telephone call from a bank enquiring about investing $30 million in our Zero Coupon Bond—which they ultimately did.
Seventy-five years on since David Ben-Gurion launched this programme to build the reborn Jewish Nation, State of Israel Bonds can take immense pride in its remarkable achievements in supporting the development of the State of Israel into the strong and successful nation it is today.
After more than 38 years with the Bonds organisation, I am now preparing to step into retirement—a decision that feels as emotional as it is life-changing.
Throughout my career, I have always believed that the purpose of Israel Bonds goes far beyond raising vital funds for the development, maintenance, and strengthening of the State of Israel. At its core, it represents something deeper: preserving a strong and enduring connection between Israel and the Diaspora.
For me, this work has never been just a job. Working for Israel Bonds has meant working for Israel itself. It has been a profound privilege—one that I have carried in my heart every single day. This organisation has been my heart, my soul, and my family.
As I step away from this chapter, I do so with immense gratitude and pride, but also with a deep sense of loss. I will truly miss my Bonds family and the shared purpose that has meant so much to me for nearly four decades.
A Bridge Between People and a Nation
Die deutsche Version dieses Artikels finden Sie im Anschluss.
Michael Grauss
Managing Director, Israel Bonds, Germany
Working for Israel Bonds is deeply personal to me. It is not just a role, but a responsibility—connecting people across Europe with a meaningful way to support Israel’s growth and resilience. Every conversation I have, every partnership we build, carries a sense of purpose that goes far beyond finance. It is about trust, continuity, and shared values.
Having served as Managing Director in Germany for the past ten years, I have witnessed firsthand how strong and unwavering this commitment can be, even through periods of profound uncertainty—from the challenges of the pandemic to times of political and social crisis. Those experiences have only deepened my belief that Israel Bonds represents far more than an investment; it is a lasting expression of solidarity and confidence in Israel’s future.
Marking 75 years is profoundly significant. Few financial institutions can point to such a consistent record of impact, having helped support Israel through times of challenge and progress alike. This milestone is a testament to the trust placed in us by generations of investors who believe in something larger than themselves.
What makes Israel Bonds truly special is this unique blend of financial strength and emotional connection. It is not simply an investment vehicle—it is a bridge between people and a nation, between belief and action. Being part of that story is both humbling and inspiring every single day.
Eine Brücke zwischen Menschen und einer Nation
Für Israel Bonds zu arbeiten, ist für mich eine zutiefst persönliche Aufgabe. Es ist nicht nur eine berufliche Rolle, sondern eine Verantwortung – Menschen in ganz Europa mit einer bedeutungsvollen Möglichkeit zu verbinden, Israels Wachstum und Widerstandskraft zu unterstützen. Jedes Gespräch, das ich führe, jede Partnerschaft, die wir aufbauen, ist von einem Sinn getragen, der weit über finanzielle Aspekte hinausgeht. Es geht um Vertrauen, Kontinuität und gemeinsame Werte.
In meiner Funktion als Managing Director in Deutschland durfte ich in den vergangenen zehn Jahren aus erster Hand erleben, wie stark und unerschütterlich dieses Engagement selbst in Zeiten tiefgreifender Unsicherheit sein kann – von den Herausforderungen der Pandemie bis hin zu politischen und gesellschaftlichen Krisen. Diese Erfahrungen haben meine Überzeugung nur weiter vertieft, dass Israel Bonds weit mehr als eine Investition ist; es ist ein dauerhaftes Zeichen der Solidarität und des Vertrauens in Israels Zukunft.
Das 75-jährige Jubiläum zu begehen, hat eine besonders tiefe Bedeutung. Nur wenige Finanzinstitutionen können auf eine derart beständige Geschichte nachhaltiger Wirkung verweisen und darauf, Israel sowohl in Zeiten der Herausforderungen als auch des Fortschritts unterstützt zu haben. Dieser Meilenstein ist ein Zeugnis des Vertrauens, das Generationen von Investorinnen und Investoren in uns gesetzt haben – Menschen, die an etwas glauben, das größer ist als sie selbst.
Was Israel Bonds besonders macht, ist diese einzigartige Verbindung aus finanzieller Stärke und emotionaler Verbundenheit. Es ist nicht nur ein Anlageinstrument – es ist eine Brücke zwischen Menschen und einer Nation, zwischen Überzeugung und Handeln. Teil dieser Geschichte zu sein, ist jeden einzelnen Tag zugleich bewegend und inspirierend.
A Decade Within a Legacy
Eyla Benedykt
Brazil Representative, Israel Bonds
I have worked with Israel Bonds in Brazil since 2016, and this year holds special significance for me. As Israel Bonds celebrates 75 years of strengthening Israel and connecting supporters around the world, I am proud to celebrate 10 years of meaningful work with this extraordinary organization. For me, the most rewarding part of this work is being part of an organization that brings people, communities and generations together through their connection to Israel and our shared values. Working for a company that supports Israel has brought me even closer to our community and to the values that are so important to me and my family.
Over these years at Israel Bonds, we have experienced many moments of joy, celebration, and growth. However, since October 2023, Israel Bonds has shown me even more deeply the true meaning of unity, resilience, and solidarity during difficult times. Seeing how people around the world continue to stand with Israel through both good and challenging moments has been incredibly inspiring.
When David Ben-Gurion created Israel Bonds 75 years ago, his vision was not only to help build the economy of the young State of Israel, but also to create a lasting connection between Israel and Jewish communities around the world. He understood that supporting Israel was about much more than financial investment — it was about partnership, responsibility, and the shared dream of strengthening the future of the Jewish people.
Throughout my years at Israel Bonds, I have had the privilege of hearing many stories from Brazilians who have been involved with Israel Bonds for decades. Many of them speak with great emotion about the unique delegations and missions they have taken part in over the years, experiences that allowed them to connect personally with Israel, its people, and its development. These stories demonstrate how Israel Bonds has been a bridge between generations, communities, and Israel itself.
Celebrating the 75th anniversary of Israel Bonds is celebrating a remarkable legacy of commitment, resilience, and unity. It is an honor to be part of an organization that not only supports Israel’s future but also strengthens Jewish identity and connection around the world. For me personally, it is also about passing these values on to my daughters — teaching them the importance of our heritage, our community, our homeland and the responsibility we all share in safeguarding them for
future generations.
A People, A State, A Bond
Saul Kisel
Chief Financial Officer, International
Executive Director, Israel Bonds, Mexico
In 1951, Israel Bonds was created at a moment when the young State of Israel needed more than encouragement and admiration. It needed partners. People around the world who were deeply committed to Israel’s future to help build it.
Over the past 75 years, Israel Bonds has become a bridge between Israel and Jewish communities around the world, an enduring expression of commitment, responsibility, and shared destiny.
For the Jewish community of Mexico, the connection to Israel has always been profound and deeply rooted. Israel is woven into our identity, traditions, memories, and hopes for the future. Across generations, we’ve held onto a deep sense of Zionism and a simple truth: Israel’s strength is our strength.
The story of Israel Bonds grew alongside the State itself. What began as an essential mission to support Israel’s survival and growth evolved together with the country into something extraordinary. A nation once known for exporting Jaffa oranges is now recognized around the world as the “Start-Up Nation,” leading in technology, medicine, cybersecurity, agriculture, and innovation.
Israel’s success was never guaranteed. The country has faced wars, terrorism, isolation, and unimaginable loss. Yet through every challenge, Israel moves with courage and determination.
As we mark the 75th anniversary of Israel Bonds, we celebrate the bond between Israel and Jewish communities around the world, we celebrate the vision that made it possible, and we celebrate Israel’s past, present, and future.
Ten Years Inside a 75-Year Story
Jonathan T.
Executive Director, Israel Bonds, France
Celebrating 75 years isn’t just about marking time, it’s really about the people, the shared values, and everything that has quietly carried us forward over the years.
For me personally, this anniversary is especially meaningful, it marks my own ten-year journey with Israel Bonds. Ten years that have gone by faster than I expected, full of learning, growth, challenges and a real sense of belonging.
What makes this place unique isn’t just the mission, but the way people show up for it and for each other. There is a real culture of care here, from professional staff and leadership to lay leaders, partners, and clients. We are guided by strong values: long-term vision, continuity, integrity, teamwork, and loyalty. These aren’t abstract ideas, they show up in how things are done every day.
This anniversary feels like a moment to look back with gratitude, but also to take stock of how much more we can achieve. I am proud to be part of this story and genuinely excited to continue shaping its future together.
Israel Bonds 75 years later
Joe Ozer
Executive Director, Israel Bonds UK
75 years ago, Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion had a very difficult few years with the fledgling country. A war of independence and hardly much of a track record in fiscal borrowing meant that the new State of Israel was highly dependent on charitable donations to bridge the gap between tax revenues and borrowing abilities in the now post-World War global economy.
He started a program of lending to the Jewish diaspora and their allies called Israel Bonds. Knowing that he could not lead the country on handouts alone, did he envisage that 75 years later, one of his legacies will still be such a key part of the Israeli economy? Potentially… but what I’m sure of is that with the vision of our lay leaders and staff, Israel Bonds has remained a very relevant and important way of showing your support
for the State.
The past few years, from the pandemic till now, the world has seen some significant upheaval
(to say the least), and Israel Bonds and her clients answered the call for the people of Israel. This organisation from top to bottom worked to deliver for the people of Israel and, we have done it
(and keep doing it) with style, showing that we’re just as important on our 75th birthday as we
were on our 1st.
Photo by Blake Ezra