Arnon Perlman

Israel Bonds Executive Director - International Sales & Operations
(Europe & Latin America)

After eight remarkable years of service, the International Women’s Division bids a heartfelt farewell to our Chair, Laura Orzy, a leader whose impact will be felt long after her term comes to an end.

Laura’s tenure has been defined by both vision and heart. She didn’t just lead—she built. Over the years, she helped establish Women’s Divisions in each region, empowering women across borders to take ownership, collaborate, and make a meaningful impact. Under her guidance, the International Women’s Division blossomed into a vibrant, dedicated, and driven network of leaders, united in purpose and committed to both community and the State of Israel.

What truly set Laura apart was her ability to inspire. She believed in people, often before they believed in themselves, and she had a rare gift for turning challenges into opportunities for collaboration and progress.

Laura leaves behind a legacy of empowerment, unity, and excellence. While we will deeply miss her steady leadership and generous spirit, we are grateful for the foundation she has built and the countless lives she has influenced along the way.

Thank you, Laura, for eight years of dedication, inspiration, and service. You will be missed more than words can express, and your impact will continue to guide the International Women’s Division for years to come.

That sense of gratitude was felt deeply earlier this week, when professional staff and lay leaders from across our international community came together for a special farewell call in Laura’s honour. It was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on her leadership and the connections she helped build. Following the call, Laura shared a personal message with those in attendance:

Thank you so much for joining the farewell event yesterday. I was truly moved by each speaker. Your words to me were so honest and heartwarming. I didn’t know what to expect, and I was surprised—and deeply touched—by the personal messages, the many memories we’ve made, and the wonderful friendships that grew out of our work together. “Thank you” doesn’t quite cover it, but it’s a start.

Since yesterday, I haven’t stopped thinking about the event and everything that was said. And then I realized there was something else I wanted to add—something I’m sorry I didn’t say at the time. So here it is:

We’ve been very fortunate in two important ways.

First, the growth and strength of our division is truly remarkable. It began in 2018, soon after I made Aliyah to Israel. My first (and only) in-person event was in London, where I met Arnon, Zara, Joe, Orit, and several lay leaders. Soon after, I reached out to other lay leaders in Mexico, Germany, France, and Brazil, and together we began the Women’s Division in those cities. All of our interactions were by phone or video calls.

In 2020, we had our first delegation to Israel. It was small, but it was a great success, and there was strong interest in doing another one. Unfortunately, COVID broke out in Israel during that delegation, and we had to—very regretfully—ask some delegates to isolate or return home.

After COVID came the October 7 attack and other security concerns, and we’ve still never all met in person. And yet, our division has grown exponentially across our international cities without meeting face-to-face. That is truly remarkable.

Second, during the entire farewell call, we didn’t have a siren! When we finished, I felt so relieved that we’d made it through without interruptions. Of course, we had one a few hours later—but I was grateful for that peaceful moment together.

So, on that positive note, I want to thank you again for your warm and thoughtful messages during the call, for the personal notes, and for the phone calls. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to know you—and even more so to now count you as a good friend.

Wishing all a peaceful and happy Passover, Chag Sameach.

- Laura