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Scene Last Night: Aipac New England, Jewish Values Gala, AFL Gala, Sen. Kirk at Norpac

Over 1,000 people were in attendance for AIPAC’s New England Leadership Dinner at the Seaport World Trade Center. Politicians in attendance included Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Congressman Eliot Engel (NY16), Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster (NH02) ,  Gary Lambert (Republican Congressional Candidate for NH02), Frank Guinta (former Manchester, NH Mayor and current candidate for NH01), Marilinda Garcia (Candidate for NH02 and State Representative for NH’s 8th district), and Josh Zakim (Boston City Councilor). Sen Warren spoke in support of the U.S. Israel relationship – “we have shared interests in a secure and peaceful Middle East.” Sen. Markey called for energy independence and spoke out against Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson shared the story of his personal connection to the State of Israel.

NJ Governor Chris Christie delivered the keynote speech before a crowd of 700 at the Champions of Jewish Values International Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City… Christie spoke vaguely about “friends at risk around the world,” but did not mention Israel in his 18-minute address. Other notable attendees included Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, who sat at the table with Christie… Nobel Prize-winning Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, actor Sean Penn, Jacob Ostreicher, Financier Michael Steinhardt, Professor Alan Dershowitz, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) was honored at the gala, but did not attend.

American Friends of Likud held their third annual AFL Gala & Awards dinner last night at Park Avenue Synagogue. Honorees included Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Deputy Minister Ofir Akunis with a special introduction from Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

NORPAC hosted Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) for a dinner fundraiser last evening at the home of Yehuda Blinder in Englewood, New Jersey. Other hosts included Jack Halpern, Scott & Eric Herschmann, Ben Klein, and Mark Sultan.

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