Philanthropist Naty Saidoff Becomes New IAC Chairman

The Israeli-American Council (IAC) announced on May 23 that real estate investor and philanthropist Naty Saidoff will become the new IAC chairman.

Saidoff is a co-founder of the IAC and has served on the IAC Board of Directors since its inception. He recently chaired and was the principal underwriter for the Los Angeles Celebrate Israel Festival. He is set to start at the end of the year.

“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 in a statement. “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.”

In addition to his work with IAC, Saidoff and his wife, Debbie, are key supporters of StandWithUs and sit on the board of the Shalom Hartman Institute. He is the founder and principal owner of Capital Foresight, a commercial real estate holding company. The businessman recently acquired a controlling interest in Shikun & Binui, the largest construction and infrastructure company in Israel.

Current IAC chair Adam Milstein said in a statement, “Naty is a visionary and talented Jewish leader, philanthropist, and business trailblazer – and will add so much to the IAC’s work as Chairman.”

Saidoff is also an involved member of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and was the first Israeli-born member of their national board of governors. Every year the Saidoffs fund four VIP trips as part of the AJC’s Project Interchange Institute, for which Debbie serves as national chair. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was part of their recent delegation to Israel.

“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,” IAC Co-Founder and CEO Shoham Nicolet said in a statement. “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.”