What's Your Story?

In celebration of its 70^th anniversary, Israel Bonds proudly presents its ongoing oral history series. Over the coming months, What's Your Story? - featured on this site, as well as Israel Bonds social media platforms including Facebook, and Instagram - will highlight personal reflections on extraordinary moments in time, spanning seven memorable decades.

Susan Weikers – Remembering A Giant

I became involved with Israel Bonds in the United States in my 20s and, although I was recruited by New Leadership, I also became active with the Women’s Division. I was invited by Sam Rothberg, one of the founders of Israel Bonds, to participate in the Prime Minister’s Conference in Jerusalem. Sam was the ultimate leader. As he spoke the last evening in the Knesset’s Chagall Hall, emphasizing the importance of investing in Israel bonds, I was in awe of his dignity, presence and fierce belief that we were privileged to participate in this magnificent effort. I shared this with him years later, after becoming the first woman appointed national chair of our great organization in the United States. In the letter Sam wrote, he gave me a treasured compliment: “You are among the most involved, hardest working chairs in the history of Bonds. For you Bonds is not a sideline.” I am so proud to have been mentored by the best, and now, it’s my turn to mentor future leaders.