Houston offered a warm Bayou City welcome to Adi Farjon Israel, the new Consul General of Israel to the Southwest United States, during a private Rosh Hashanah reception bringing together civic, business and community leaders.

Call it apples, honey and diplomacy — Houston style.

The gathering gave Farjon Israel an opportunity to begin building relationships across a region that includes Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico.

 Adi Farjon Isreal & Frank Marchetti

Among Houston-area leaders welcoming her were Reggie Gray, Gigi Lee, Chris Hollins, Karen Lowe, Sandija Bayot, Takeshi Koyama serves as the Consul-General of Japan, David Simon, Rachel Schneider Jolene Jones, Linda Toyota, Lynden Rose and Traci Pelter, Market President and Publisher of the Houston Business Journal.

Farjon Israel arrives with considerable international experience. Before Houston, she led Israel’s Foreign Ministry Central Europe Departmentand previously served as Israel’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva. Earlier assignments included diplomatic posts in Berlin and Santo Domingo.

 Linda Toyota & Adi Farjon Isreal

Her background also includes extensive work in civil society, communications and women’s leadership.

Upon beginning her Houston assignment, Farjon Israel described serving as consul general as “a profound honor” and emphasized diplomacy’s ability to create bridges between communities, cultures and ideas.

That philosophy fits Houston well.

As one of America’s most internationally connected cities, Houston sits at the crossroads of energy, medicine, technology, education, trade and culture — offering fertile ground for stronger relationships between Israel and the Southwest.

The timing also carried special meaning. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, traditionally represents reflection, renewal and hope.

For Farjon Israel, the symbolism could hardly be more fitting:

A new year. A new city. New relationships.

And, hopefully, a sweet beginning.

Shanah Tovah, Consul General Farjon Israel — and welcome to Houston.

 

Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest
https://embassies.gov.il/houston/en

Official Biography — Adi Farjon Israel
https://embassies.gov.il/houston/en/the-consulate/the-consul