While most of us in MA spent our Succot holiday relaxing at home or vacationing with our families, Mayor Beni Kashriel spent his on a lightning-quick fundraising tour of three cities on the eastern seaboard of the USA: Marietta and Atlanta, Georgia, as well as New York City.

Located about 15 kilometers northwest of Atlanta, Marietta is the headquarters of Lockheed-Martin, the airplane manufacturer. Steve Tomlin, Marietta’s mayor, was keen to hear Kashriel’s briefing about our fair city in all its glory, both historical and modern day, as well as its geographic and political importance as the eastern gateway to Jerusalem. Gifts were exchanged and an invitation was proffered to Mayor Tomlin to visit Ma’ale Adumim, which he graciously accepted. A twin-city agreement between our two cities was also discussed, since education is a vital, top priority in both locations.

While in Marietta, Mayor Kashriel met also with a pro-Israel Christian leader, Pastor Brooks, who had started to raise money for the building of MA’s new, emergency “Moked” station even before Kashriel’s arrival. The pastor has promised to continue his efforts until the goal amount has been raised.

In New York City, Kashriel was the guest of honor at a fundraising dinner for Ma’ale Adumim projects, including the construction of a new fire and rescue station, a Magen David Adom building, and others. Among the attendees were American industrialists who were encouraged by Kashriel to build factory outlets in the Mishor Adumim Industrial area.