​During today’s kick-off of the California – Israel Water Summit, one message resonated clearly: California has a need, Israel has the technology. That technology and Israel’s success stories will be on full display on March 2, 2016 during the CA-Israel Water Summit at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The event is hosted by Jewish National Fund (JNF), the City of Beverly Hills, the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, and Netafim and co-chaired by Gina Raphael and David Nahai.

 

On the heels of the Beverly Hills and Israel Historic Partnership Agreement, Beverly Hills Mayor Dr. Julian Gold is proud that his city is hosting such a momentous and timely event. “When I began my term as Mayor, the City Council and I created an ambitious ten year, $60 million plan to dig new wells, investigate shallow water, and figure out how to get out of this drought that we’re in,” said Mayor Gold. “I look forward to participating in the Water Summit and thank you for a wonderful partnership. Let’s get going!”

 

Water is a topic that Consul General of Israel David Siegel is knowledgeable and passionate about. During the kick-off he spoke about JNF’s contributions to Israel’s water technologies and advancements. Consul General Siegel explained that in 1948, Israel had twice the rain it has today and just 10% of the population. Today, Israel’s water supply functions completely independent of rain. “Through highly innovative technology and practices, Israel is a global leader in the water arena,” said Siegel. “This Summit, so generously supported by Jewish National Fund, focuses  on a  common goal of ensuring water resources for generations to come. Israel has secured its water future and is now sharing its success story with California and the world.”

 

Representative Ed Royce, who is the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affair, notes that the United States has much to learn from Israel at this time on the issue of water and that the CA-Israel Water Summit is an opportunity to get in on the ground floor; to lay out vision on how to cooperate together. He stressed that in California, the immediacy is crucial, as the state is losing millions of acres per year because of the drought. Israel is a global player and will help immensely with this costly issue.

 

The Water Summit will take place from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM with sessions on California’s Water Markets, the California-Israel MOU, Israel’s Technologies and Successful Models Operating in the U.S., Financing Strategies for Water Companies, and other related topics.

 

Registration is required via jnf.org/watersummits by February 24. Attendees of this complimentary event will receive a copy of Seth M. Siegel’s book Let There Be Water and lunch will be provided.