Mayberg Foundation's Todd Sukol Deepens Partnerships and Forges New Relationships at IAC National Summit
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Last week, the Israeli-American Council (IAC) – a Mayberg Foundation partner – hosted its annual National Summit, the largest pro-Israel gathering in the U.S. Mayberg Foundation Executive Director Todd Sukol joined a dynamic assembly of thought leaders, innovators, funders, and potential Mayberg Foundation grantees, as well as several of our current partners, all gathered to build an engaged and united Israeli-American community.
The speaker roster featured a “who’s who” of Jewish and Israeli political analysts, elected officials, journalists, influencers, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs, including Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog, U.S. Special Envoy for Peace Mission Steve Witkoff, philanthropists Miriam Adelson and Shira Ruderman, and musical artists Noa Kirel and Idan Raichel. Their presence created a vibrant backdrop for forging new partnerships and deepening existing relationships.
“The event felt like a much-needed sea of communal solidarity; in the midst of challenging times, it was a rare space where collaboration and shared purpose rose above all else,” Todd reflected. He described the IAC Summit as the premier Jewish networking conference, and this year it lived up to that reputation: current Foundation partners were strengthened and new connections emerged, all buoyed by the conference’s contagious spirit of connection and love for Israel. For Todd, deepening these bonds and forging new partnerships emerged as one of the most valuable outcomes of the gathering.
A particularly meaningful moment unfolded when Todd encountered actor and Jewish advocate Jonah Platt. Jonah’s video, promoting thoughtful language in describing Jew-hatred, sparked an intensive debate among Mayberg Foundation trustees and staff, facilitated by IAC CEO Elan Carr. Jonah was deeply appreciative of the seriousness with which the Foundation engaged his proposal, even requesting a recording of the discussion.
For Todd, a major highlight of the summit was reconnecting with so many Mayberg Foundation partners and friends, including Arnee and Walt Winshall, founders of Hebrew at the Center; Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of the American Friends of Lubavitch, his wife Nechama, and their son, Menachem; Jay Feldman, executive director at Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) Foundation; Dr. Maya Talmon, chief development officer of Bishvil Hamachar—a recipient of the Mayberg Foundation emergency Israel allocation following October 7th; Maya Azoulay, VP resource development of Leket Israel; and Menachem Bombach, founder and head of the Netzach Haredi Educational Network and the Hasidic Midrasha in Beitar Illit, who will present at the Mayberg Foundation’s Israel Committee Summit next week.
As the Mayberg Foundation looks ahead to its upcoming Israel Committee Summit—where trustees, rising trustees, and an expanded Israel-based professional team will gather for their first multi-day retreat to begin formulating the foundation’s philanthropic strategy in Israel—there’s a palpable sense of momentum. This moment marks more than a strategic evolution; it’s a testament to the Foundation’s enduring commitment to Jewish wisdom, partnership, and purpose. The unity and inspiration felt at the IAC Summit will fuel not only the work to come in Israel, but also the Foundation’s ongoing mission to strengthen Jewish life and values across generations and continents.