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April 29, 2005/Nisan 20 5765, Volume 57, No. 35
AIPAC names local director
BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN
Special to Jewish News
Irit Mizrahi became the new Arizona director for the American Israel Political Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on April 18, replacing Evan Bernstein, who left the position to become executive director of the Daron and Ron Barness Family Foundation.
The 28-year-old, who also serves as Nevada director for AIPAC, said she is "thrilled at the opportunity" of working with Arizona's "growing Jewish community," and seeks to increase outreach to the state's congressional delegation, as well as increase fund-raising efforts.
"I'm hoping to make people aware of the strength of the Arizona delegation, how pro-Israel they are and to increase the community's knowledge on the pro-Israel political process," she said.
Mizrahi, whose responsibilities include overseeing both the Arizona and Nevada offices, will divide her time between the Valley and Las Vegas until she can select a new Nevada director for AIPAC. She will also hire an assistant in the Arizona office.
Mizrahi who has been with AIPAC since May 2002, oversaw communities in northern California and Nevada, becoming the latter state's director in August 2003.
Elliot Brandt, AIPAC's western states director, said Mizrahi was tapped because she has "proven that she can be in any circumstance and thrive" throughout her time with the organization.
"If someone can go from being in a community as liberal and progressive as Berkeley to a community like Las Vegas and do well in both (cities), I'm excited to see what she will do in Phoenix."
Bernstein said he is looking forward to working with Mizrahi in his new role with the Barness foundation.
"I think that the community is only going to benefit greatly from her professionalism," Bernstein said.
Benjamin Leatherman is a freelance writer based in Tempe.
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