Jewish Federation of Winnipeg Presents special meetings with and presentations by:
~Gabi Ashkenazi – Mr. Ashkenazi is the Former Chief of the General Staff of the IDF - Israel Defense Forces, retiring in 2011, after an illustrious military career that spanned nearly 40 years and Former CEO of Israel’s Ministry of Defense. Mr. Ashkenazi brings to his position a lifetime of outstanding achievements in the military and security sphere.
In recognition for his outstanding service to the IDF, Mr. Ashkenazi was awarded the US Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, on behalf of the President of the United States, for “exceptional contribution in his role as Chief of Staff of the IDF and the enhancement of US - Israel bilateral relations”.
During his impressive army career, Mr. Ashkenazi earned a B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of Haifa; and is a graduate of the Harvard Business Management Program for senior executives.
In June 2011, Mr. Ashkenazi joined the Brookings Institute in Washington, DC as a distinguished military fellow.
Mr. Ashkenazi also serves, as the Chairman of the Rashi philanthropic Foundation. Rashi Foundation under Mr. Ashkenazi’s leadership became a leader in advancing in nurturing the talents of youth in Israel’s periphery in order expand the pool of candidates to serve in the IDF’s elite technological units, particularly in the Intelligence Corps, and eventually to lead the high-tech industry in Israel.