August 30, 2002

Mayor Olmert

Jerusalem Municipality
Office of the Mayor
1 Safra Square
Jerusalem 91007 Israel

Dear Mayor Olmert:

Thank you for participating in the “First Rally in Israel” by receiving us in Jerusalem’s municipal chambers. The strength of your words inspired us to deliver your message of solidarity and commitment to the people of Jerusalem and Israel.

Please extend my thanks to Mr. Moshe Batazemi for forwarding a photograph of the two of us. I have recently posted it on my website, www.jeffberkman.com.

During our time together, I invited you to visit Orange County, New York. We would be honored to have you. Very briefly, Orange County is the home for West Point Military Academy, Woodbury Commons factory outlet shopping village, and very significantly, the Gomez Mill House the oldest Jewish owned and built home in North America. My home community of Middletown is noteworthy for our downtown public library and Orange County Community College. I would be delighted to arrange an opportunity for you to address our community as well as introduce you to the County Executive, the Orange County Legislature, and other local officials including our county’s mayors.

I have included some brochures that accent many of the highlights of Orange County mentioned above.

I would personally like to thank you again for your leadership in maintaining a united Jerusalem, Israel’s sovereign capital city and our eternal spiritual center.
Sincerely,

Jeffrey Berkman
JDB:jmo