IDE President Boaz Moldawsky speaking at opening.
(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — The Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) opened the special sales event “STAND WITH ISRAEL” yesterday at the New York Diamond Dealers Club. The event is being held from November 27 – 30, 2023, on the trading floor of the DDC, with the participation of 25 leading diamond companies from Israel.
The event was opened by Israel Diamond Exchange President Boaz Moldawsky and DDC NY President Elliot Krischer with the attendance of diamond leaders including Eli Izhakoff, Honorary President of the WFDB. The Consul-General of Israel in New York Aviv Ezra, the President of Israel Bonds Danny Naveh, the Israeli Consul for Consular Affairs Avner Saban, Israel’s Economic Attaché Anat Katz, and IDE member Adi Alexander, whose son Idan Alexander is a soldier held hostage by the Hamas in Gaza were also in attendance. The event opened with a minute’s silence in memory of those murdered on October 7, and a prayer for the release of all the hostages.
IDE President Boaz Moldawsky said at the opening, “A few weeks ago I brought up the idea of the special sales event in New York with Elliott Krischer, President of the Diamond Dealers Club of New York. Elliot immediately agreed and turned the dream into a reality and an impressive show of support for the State of Israel. This is not an easy time for Israelis to leave the country, especially for those whose relatives are serving in the army. Therefore, I am full of pride and appreciation for all the Israeli companies participating in the event.”
Due to the war with Gaza, the Israeli economy has slowed considerably, and the diamond exchange has seen a significant decrease in activity. IDE hopes that the special sales event will boost the Israel diamond industry and will enable Israeli and New York diamantaires to deepen their connections.
Honoring a Legacy: How Smith & Son Jewelers Exceeded Every Goal With Wilkerson
When Andrew Smith decided to close the Springfield, Massachusetts location of Smith & Son Jewelers, the decision came down to family. His father was retiring after 72 years in the business, and Andrew wanted to spend more time with his children and soon-to-arrive grandchildren.
For this fourth-generation jeweler whose great-grandfather founded the company in 1918, closing the 107-year-old Springfield location required the right partner. Smith chose Wilkerson, and the experience exceeded expectations from start to finish.
"Everything they told me was 100% true," Smith says. "The ease and use of all their tools was wonderful."
The consultants' knowledge and expertise proved invaluable. Smith and his father set their own financial goal, but Wilkerson proposed three more ambitious targets. "We thought we would never make it," Smith explains. "We were dead wrong. We hit our first goal, second goal and third goal. It was amazing."
Smith's recommendation is emphatic: "I would never be able to do what they did by myself."
