usiness

A Queen In Exile

B'NAI B'R1711

Egypt hasn't seen the last of Dvora Ganani,

whose unlikely career as an Israeli businesswoman
on the banks of the Nile ended
in an international incident.

LILA & STEVE ZORN
Regional Co-Chairpersons

CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ACTION

(a new program concept)

* * *

Invites the entire community to participate in a
Special "Name Reading Ceremony"

In conjunction with the Holocaust Memorial Center

"

UNT 0

EVERY PERSON
THERE IS
A NAmE"

REMEMBERING TILE SIX MILLION'

SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 1998
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
6600 WEST MAPLE ROAD - WEST BLOOMFIELD
* *

ENNIFER FRIEDLIN

alist is back in Jerusalem, trying to cope
with the unexpected loss of her business
as she maps out her next career move.
er opponents accused her of
The flamboyant woman, who cur-
working as a Mossad agent;
rently fills her time by writing a gossip
her supporters called her
column for the local weekly, Kol Hair,
"Queen of the Nile." Some
made headlines when she was held for
people thought she was nuts when she
24 hours. Although the incident could
announced in 1993 that she was mov-
be interpreted as an example of the
ing . to Egypt, becoming the first Israeli
Egyptians' hatred of Israelis, Ganani —
Aismessperson to permanently
whose own life story is filled
relocate across the border; others A boy offers a with enough intrigue, suspense
lauded her bravery and adven-
tourist guide to and romance to keep the
turousness.
Egypt near the rumor mills spinning — main-
No matter what people said
tains that the incident is the
Sphinx at
or thought, the platinum
work of one of her former
Giza.
blonde, jewelry-clad Dvora
employees who wanted to steal
Ganani — who would stand
her assets.
out in any crowd, particularly a con-
According to Ganani, the employee
,servative Islamic one — never wavered concocted a story about her conducting
'7about the decision to throw in her
dirty business dealings and filed a com-
civil servant's towel at the age of 48
plaint with the police. As a result of the
and start life over as the Israeli grande
tense political climate, the Egyptian
dame of the Egyptian business world.
authorities were ready to act against her.
During her 4 1/2 years in Cairo,
The saga began when Ganani flew
Ganani had the last laugh as she was
back to Egypt after her monthly two-
unhampered by criticism or allegations day visit to Jerusalem. At the time, her
that she was a spy, and succeeded in
Cairo-based consulting business was
bringing millions of dollars in new
thriving. Ganani, a former public-rela-
i3usiness to the Third World country.
tions adviser to a handful of Israeli min-
But then, on July 15, her fortunes
isters and figureheads, had succeeded in
changed. Egyptian authorities detained
convincing several multinationals to
Ganani at Cairo International Airport
start operating in Egypt and maneu-
and subsequently banished her without
vered her way into the country's elite
reason from her adopted home. Now,
political and business circles.
the gutsy spokeswoman-turncd-industri-
After a weekend spent in Jerusalem
with
her son and daughter, Ganani
Jennifer Friedlin is a writer for
headed
back to Egypt. As the plane
Jerusalem Post Foreign Service.

Special to The Jewish News

For information on how you can participate in
the reading of the names - or -
how you can participate in other programs that focus
on serving the welfare of the local community
contact
B'nai B'rith at 248-855-8580

TRADITION! TRADITION!

Call Alicia R Nelson

for an appointment

(248) 557-0109

Stand out above the crowd,
have your financial future
planned by a professional

Call Phase Four today to schedule a one hour complimentary
consultation with Joel Levi, CFP and Trish Wellman, CFP.

PHASE FOUR

(248) 559-6980

'"CFP and Certified Financial Planner are certification marks of the International Board of Standards and PlaCliCt'S for Certified Financial Planners, Inc. (IBCFP).
Securities offered through Vestax Securities Corporation, Member NASD & SIPC. 1931 Georgetown Road, Hudson, Ohio 44236. (330) 650-1660

4/10

1998

147