 The most recent occasion occurred in recognition of Athens’ 90th birthday before AJC's National Board of Governors and invited guests from the political and diplomatic communities, in his hometown of Chicago in 2011.Partnering early on with his cherished friend, the late Maynard Wishner, a fellow Chicagoan and AJC national leader, Athens spearheaded a number of joint AJC and Greek-American delegations to Greece, Cyprus and Israel.The arid topography of Israel has spurred Israeli scientists to develop innovative farming methods and desalination technologies.