Danielle V. Minson — Raising the Bar
On the Loss of Shimon Peres
The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and the Jewish Community Relations Council mourn the death of Shimon Peres, z“l, the last of Israel’s founding fathers and a true giant of the Jewish state.
A member of Israel’s founding generation, an eloquent spokesperson for his country and a strong advocate for Jewish peoplehood, Mr. Peres was both a pragmatist and unwaveringly optimistic that Israel would reach peace with its neighbors. He dedicated his life to that pursuit, having held nearly every cabinet position during his storied career, serving twice as prime minister and once as president.
He had an air of grace about him, never forgot his humble beginnings in Poland, and believed in dreaming big.
During his tenure as Prime Minister and later President of Israel, President Peres worked as an indefatigable voice for peace and reconciliation between the Israelis and the Arab world. He was an architect of the Oslo peace accords, and his pursuit of a peace deal with Palestinians, intercultural reconciliation, and economic integration earned him a well-deserved Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.
Mr. Peres was a regular, honored guest at many of JFNA’s General Assemblies, and met regularly with dozens—if not hundreds—of Federation missions across the decades, often warmly welcoming them to his home.
“Shimon Peres was North American Jewry’s greatest ally, advocate, and friend in Israel,” said Jerry Silverman, JFNA president and CEO. “It has been said that Shimon Peres will be remembered along with the great leaders of Israel who fought in the war of independence: David Ben-Gurion, Menachem Begin, and Yitzhak Rabin.”
As the last living member of Israel’s founding generation, Mr. Peres bequeaths a remarkable legacy to the Jewish people and serves as a model for current and future leaders both in Israel and around the globe. May we live up to his legacy and those who came before to ensure that Israel lives up to the vision of its founding fathers.
May the memory of Shimon Peres be a blessing, and may his children Dr. Tsvia Walden, Yoni Peres, and Nechemia Peres; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
