In 2007, a group of concerned Jewish leaders from the United States and Europe established ELNET to strengthen relations between Europe and Israel and foster pro-active communities in Europe to advocate for closer bilateral ties.

Over the last decade, Friends of ELNET (FELNET) has been working closely with ELNET offices in Europe and Israel to support this mission. As a fundraising arm of the network, FELNET provides financial support to the affiliates, fostering pro-active communities in key European countries.

Given the importance of transatlantic relations, FELNET serves as a unique bridge between the US, Europe and Israel. As such, FELNET organizes educational activities which facilitate deeper understanding of Europe-Israel relations among key US-based donors and stakeholders.

Friends of ELNET is a nonprofit organization that is tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) and is a publicly supported charity described under Internal Revenue Code Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) and 509(a)(1).

Friends of ELNET (FELNET)

New York
Tel: +1 917 722 1255
E-mail: lrosenblum@felnetus.org

You can support ELNET’s work by donating online to Friends of ELNET. 

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David Siegel

President, Friends of ELNET (FELNET)
David Siegel is former Israeli diplomat involved in foreign policy formulation at the highest levels, including as Consul General to the Southwest United States. He served as the Chief of Staff to Israel’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Director of the Foreign Ministry’s International Organizations Department and Chief of Staff to three of Israel’s Ambassadors to the United States. He holds an MA in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and a BA in political science from the University of Vermont.

Lee Rosenblum

National Executive Director, Friends of ELNET (FELNET)
Lee Rosenblum is a former Director of Development at the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science and former National Major Gifts Officer at the American Friends of Bar Ilan University. He also served as the Chief Philanthropic Officer of the Steinhardt Foundation.

Carole Mostow

Officer / Board Secretary, Friends of ELNET (FELNET)
Carole Mostow is the Director of the Hochberg Family Foundation and Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Next Realty. Previously, she was the VP of Accounting for a closely held corporation and served for many years as Associate Professionalism Counsel to the American Bar Association. She is active in the Chicago Jewish Community, including as a member of the Board of Directors for StandWithUs Midwest and as Secretary to the Friends of ELNET. She holds a JD and a BA from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign.

Siamak Kordestani

West Coast Director, Friends of ELNET (FELNET)
Siamak "Sia" Kordestani is the former Assistant Director of the American Jewish Committee's Los Angeles Regional Office, where he worked on international relations, legislative affairs, interethnic/interreligious ties, donor relations and leadership development. Previously, he was Senior Legislative Assistant to Congressman Brad Sherman in Washington, DC, advising him on foreign policy, trade, labor, immigration, and energy. He also worked for the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

Michelle Friedman

Midwest Regional Director, Friends of ELNET (FELNET)
Michelle Friedman has spent her career working in the Chicago philanthropic community. She has raised major gifts for a variety of organizations including the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, Rochelle Zell Jewish High School and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Michelle holds a BS in Psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Rebecca Model

National Operations Manager, Friends of ELNET (FELNET)
Rebecca Model worked as Program Coordinator for American Friends of Likud, as well as American Friends of Bar-Ilan University, arranging fundraising meetings and events with high-level dignitaries and academics. She is a former Senior PR professional, specializing in Jewish World Affairs and holds a BA degree in Politics, and Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies from Brandeis University.

Randi Halperin

Administrative Coordinator, Friends of ELNET (FELNET)
Randi Halperin has spent much of her professional career working within the Jewish-Israeli nonprofit arena. She previously worked for several organizations, including American Society for Yad Vashem and American Friends of Magen David Adom. In addition, she served as Production Manager for a boutique direct marketing firm. Randi received a BA degree in History and Judaic Studies from Binghamton University, State University of New York.