“I never ever believed that one day there would be a KKL-JNF forest in my name. This is an incredible honor and I am thrilled.”
- Oudi Recanati, Israeli businessman and philanthropist
Family and friends of prominent Israeli businessman and philanthropist Oudi Recanati gathered at the Sculpture Trail in the
Tzora Forest near Eshtaol on Monday, August 12, 2019, for a surprise in honor of his 70th birthday.
It truly was a surprise to everyone there. The anticipation turned to joy as the guests arrived at the site in the Tzora Forest where they were welcomed by KKL-JNF’s Israel Fundraising Department Director
Michael Ben Abu Staci Light Recanati, Oudi’s wife, told Ben Abu that her husband had no idea what to expect. “As we drove along the long winding road through the forest, following the signposts and the KKL-JNF flags directing us to the event, our excitement grew. He was overjoyed when we arrived here and he saw friends and family.”
Amongst the guests were three generations of family members, old friends, business associates and veterans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club. Oudi Recanati is a scion of one of the most well-known families of the Israeli business world. Among the many positions he has held have been Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of IDB Holdings, Chairman of Discount Investment Corporation Ltd. and Board Member of the family-owned OSG shipping company - and this is only a partial list.
The person who initiated the surprise honor was Asher Karsis, who has been Recanati’s close aide for over 20 years. Karsis said that in the past, he had arranged his boss’s 60th birthday party together with his children Shai and Shira, and now, too, for his 70th birthday.
“I spent a long time mulling over this event because I wanted to do something that was in the spirit of this wonderful, modest person, who has spent much of his life donating money to public causes and to the needy. My deliberations ended when I zeroed in on the idea of a donation in his name that would benefit the public. Within a short time, I was put in touch with KKL-JNF’s Michael Ben Abu, and, together over the course of a few months, we had a lot of fun driving through the
forests of Israel looking for the right location to create a picnic spot. When we arrived here in this olive grove it was clear that we had found the right place.”
Michael Ben Abu told the guests that he was overjoyed to welcome them to the Tzora Forest.
“This forest, also known as the ‘President’s Forest’, was planted in the 1950s soon after the establishment of the State and it spreads over 12,000 dunams [about 3000 acres]. There are also many old-growth trees in the forest, like the olive trees you see around us. Speaking of olives also reminds me of Greece, from where the Recanati family immigrated to Israel. I also have a connection to Greece because in the 1980’s I was an emissary for the World Union of Jewish Students in the northern city of Thessaloniki. I will now wish you a happy birthday in Greek:
“Να ζήσεις Ούτι και χρόνια πολλά.
Μεγάλος να γίνεις
με άσπρα μαλλιά.
[“Long live Oudi and many happy returns.
May you grow up to be old
and have white hair on your head”.]
Michael then called on Oudi Recanati to unveil a plaque set in stone, which read:
Olive Tree Recreation Area
in honor of
Oudi Recanati
Zionist Philanthropist Entrepreneur
on the occasion of his 70th birthday
in the State of Israel’s 70th year of independence
Ben Abu also presented Oudi with a framed KKL-JNF certificate bearing the same words as those on the plaque.
Oudi Recanati then came up to the microphone. He said that he was too overcome with emotion to speak, but he wanted to thank each and every person present for coming at such short notice.
“Staci and I are blessed that you have all remained so close to us all these years. I never ever believed that one day there would be a KKL-JNF forest in my name. This is an incredible honor and I am thrilled. Whenever we want to run from the pressures of the country’s center, Staci and I will come here to this gorgeous spot under the trees to enjoy the beauty and the quiet.”
Next to speak was Oudi’s son, Shai Recanati. “This will be short,” Shai said, “My father does not like public speaking and it seems I that inherited this trait from him. I am truly excited to see you all here. We have been speaking of trees and roots and I think that our roots are the most important things we have. The people sitting here are part of my father’s roots and who played a part in shaping who he is and what he passed on to me.” Shai ended with a message of love for his father from his sister Shira Recanati, who was abroad and was unable to attend the event due to the short notice. Both children contributed to the gift of the forest.
Party guests then approached the podium one after the other, to congratulate Oudi and bless him.
President and Founder of the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya (IDC), Professor Uriel Reichman, said that the entire success of the Zionist enterprise and the phenomenal creation of the Jewish State was the result of the actions of just a few people. “One of those people, and perhaps the most prominently active in my eyes, is Oudi Recanati. It’s rare to meet such a person. Oudi is a realist with a big heart who loves to give to others. He is not afraid of facing Zionist challenges such as the creation of the flourishing Rafael Recanati International School at the IDC, named in honor of his late father to promote education and aliyah [immigration].”
Itzik Wolf, a childhood friend of Oudi Recanti, said, “It is true that Oudi is a most modest and humble person. We never hear him talking about business, banking and philanthropy, although we know from other sources that he does that with much success. However, if you ever do want to hear him boast, get him talking about his army service as an officer in the artillery, and especially about the battles on the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War. That gets him going.”
Another childhood friend at the forest dedication ceremony was Elchanan Harel, who has known Oudi for over 50 years. He announced that he wanted to bless two women whom he knows have had a great influence on Oudi’s life. “They are both are present at this event. The first is Dina, Oudi’s mother, who molded his character. Oudi has the immense privilege of having his mother at his 70th birthday celebration. That is not something that anyone can take for granted. The second woman I want to bless is Staci, Oudi’s wife. Staci has brought him a lot of warmth and comfort over the past few years. I wish them all many more years to come.”
Adit Romano, co-founder of the Freedom Farm Sanctuary, was next to speak. She explained: “The Freedom Farm Sanctuary is a new Israeli enterprise with a mission to create a change of consciousness in the way humans view the earth, animals, and, just as importantly – themselves. We at the farm are acquainted with Oudi and Staci for a far shorter period than anyone here, but I think we know things about this wonderful couple that nobody else knows. One has to spend time with people as they take care of sick animals hands-on for hours on end to know who they really are. I must also tell you that when a young calf needed to be rescued from the north, Oudi offered to transfer her to the farm in his car. I warned him that there would be a big mess and he said ‘no matter— cars can be cleaned’. We met Oudi after he heard about our project and offered to help us. He later agreed to become chairperson of our board. Thank you Oudi, thank you Staci. I wish you both many more birthdays together.”
The last well-wishers at the microphone spoke on behalf of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club, of which Oudi Recanati is a co-owner. Amongst the guests at the ceremony were several of Israel’s legendary basketball players, such as Mickey Berkowitz, Moti Aroesti and Aulcie Perry. Long-time chairperson of the club, Shimon Mizrachi, said that he does not have the words to describe the amazing character of Oudi Recanati. He said, simply, ‘I had never met someone like you before.”
Israeli basketball icon Mickey Berkowitz said that he has known Oudi for over 45 years and that Oudi had played a big part in the success of his own career and in the success of the club. “Oudi is all heart and giving. He was my mentor. I would consult with him. He always said ‘continue playing, don’t leave now’. I always felt that Oudi had a basketball player hiding inside him waiting for the right moment to reveal himself. We all wish him a happy birthday and much health and happiness.”