On May 23, the Israeli-American Council announced the appointment of Naty Saidoff, a business leader and longstanding philanthropist, to serve as its new chairman. Saidoff’s two-year term will begin by the end of the year.

Saidoff is a co-founder of the IAC and has served on the IAC’s board of directors since its founding. He is also the chair and the principal underwriter of the IAC’s Celebrate Israel Festival, the largest Jewish festival in the U.S.

“I’m honored to join our CEO, Shoham Nicolet, at the helm of the fastest-growing Jewish organization in America at this pivotal time,” Saidoff said. “The IAC has nurtured a vibrant coast-to-coast community and a dynamic national platform of programs. It is uniquely equipped to bring solutions to the table that make a transformative impact on the Jewish community in America and the state of Israel at this complex moment in Jewish history.”

Saidoff is the founder and principal owner of Capital Foresight, a closely-held debt acquisition and commercial real estate holding company. Saidoff recently acquired a controlling interest in Shikun & Binui, an international holding and investment company, and the largest construction and infrastructure company in Israel.

Saidoff and his wife, Debbie, are key supporters of numerous American Jewish organizations. They are the largest donors to StandWithUs and are members of its founding circle and executive board. Saidoff is the first Israeli-born member of the American Jewish Committee’s National Board of Governors. Debbie and Naty are also on the board of the Shalom Hartman Institute.

Naty holds a B.S. in economics from UCLA, where he was a Phi Beta Kappa candidate.

“Naty Saidoff is a visionary in philanthropy and business. The IAC couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on board as our next chairman,” Nicolet said. “Naty is a role model for me personally and for our entire community for his commitment to giving, activism and service to the community and his social entrepreneurship. His leadership will be especially invaluable as we work to expand our partnerships within the American Jewish community to build stronger local Jewish communities, secure a vibrant Jewish future for our children and strengthen the state of Israel.”

For information, visit israeliamerican.org.