Excerpts from AJC's Weekly Update
Berlin Jewish Kindergarten Attack
Deidre Berger, director of AJC's Berlin Office, visited a Jewish kindergarten after the school was vandalized in one of the most serious anti-Semitic incidents in Germany recently. The attack occurred while the building was unoccupied last weekend. A smoke bomb was hurled into the building, and swastikas and other Nazi symbols were painted on the walls and gate of the facility. Berger expressed solidarity with the kindergarten staff and parents of the children who attend the school, run by Chabad. AJC is the only major American Jewish organization with a permanent office in Berlin.
A Call for Further UN Measures on Iran
AJC urged UN Security Council members to support further measures regarding Iran's nuclear program. "In view of Iran's intransigence, and the compelling threat it poses to international peace and security, we respectfully call upon your government, as a member of the Security Council, to support further measures regarding Iran in the Council," wrote AJC in letters to each Security Council member.
Urging Action on Hezbollah Rearmament
AJC expressed deep concern over Hezbollah's violations of UN Resolution 1701. "These violations pose a serious threat to peace and security along the Israeli-Lebanese border and within Lebanon itself," wrote AJC President E. Robert Goodkind and Executive Director David A. Harris in a letter to UN Security Council members. "We call upon the Security Council to take the necessary measures to uphold its resolutions regarding Lebanon. Last summer's hostilities along the Israeli-Lebanese border should serve as a warning against the dangers involved in acquiescing to Hezbollah's violations."
Two Weeks to Sign Up for AJC/Brandeis Institute
The deadline is March 15 to apply for the second annual AJC/Brandeis Summer Institute, an intensive seminar on modern Israel. The program will take place from August 2 to 5 at the Cranwell Resort in Lenox, MA, in the popular Berkshire Hills. Ilan Troen, chair of Israel Studies at Brandeis University, and Steven Bayme, director of AJC's Koppelman Institute for American Jewish-Israeli Relations, will lead the seminar. Please contact Steve at baymes@ajc.org or 212-891-6711 for more information.
Israel Emergency Fund Aids Kiryat Bialik
Rabbi Mauricio Balter of the "Hakrayot" Masorti Congregation in Kiryat Bialik, a northern Israeli city, presented AJC with a plaque for its efforts during and after the summer war with Hezbollah to help sustain the community. These efforts were made possible through AJC's Israel Emergency Assistance Fund, established in July 2006 during the war against Hezbollah. The fund raised more than $2.4 million, which was distributed to institutions providing direct assistance to victims of the daily rocket and missile attacks from Lebanon.
Take Action Now: Champion Hate Crimes Legislation
Urge members of Congress to support the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007. This important legislation will provide assistance to law enforcement agencies dealing with hate crimes and amend federal law to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of violent, bias-motivated crimes. Go to AJC's Advocacy Center to take action on this and other important issues.
Argentine President Reaches Out to Venezuelan Jews
AJC commended Argentinean President Nestor Kirschner for taking time during his recent visit to Venezuela to meet with members of the embattled Jewish community in Caracas. "Your profound devotion to protecting the inalienable human rights of every individual, wherever they reside, in addition to preserving diversity as a basic condition of every democratic society, lead you once again to be a strong voice and play a constructive role, this time in Venezuelan issues," wrote AJC in a letter to Kirschner.
Campus Societies Visit AJC Headquarters
Members of the AJC campus societies at Cornell and Colgate universities spent a day with AJC in New York for a series of briefings on international affairs. In addition to meeting with several AJC staff experts, the students were briefed by Polish Consul General Krzysztof Kasprzyk, and Zev Nagel, speechwriter for Israel's Ambassador to the UN and a former Legacy Fellow who worked in the office of the executive director at AJC. The students toured the UN, explored AJC's advocacy work on behalf of Israel, the role of NGOs in international and domestic politics, and how AJC empowers students to make a difference on campus. Meanwhile, David Harris visited Princeton University for a Shabbat dinner with members of the local AJC campus society. Discussion focused on the challenges of and inspiration for Jewish communal work.
EU Official Explores Immigration Integration in Europe
AJC's Office of Government and International Affairs (OGIA) hosted a breakfast discussion, Challenges to the Integration of Immigrants: A European Perspective , with Jonathan Faull, the director-general for Freedom, Justice and Security at the European Commission, headquartered in Brussels. Among the more than 60 people in attendance were diplomats, State Department officials, and representatives of major think tanks. The discussion, moderated by OGIA Director Jason Isaacson, focused on the impact of terrorism and radical Islam on the integration of Muslims in European societies.
Meeting with Slovak Foreign Minister
A group of AJC leaders, including Rabbi Andrew Baker, AJC's director of international Jewish affairs, met with Jan Kubis, Slovak foreign minister, and other Slovak officials in New York. The discussions focused on Israeli-Slovak ties, the troubling comments of the Archbishop of Bratislava who recently offered positive comments on the Nazi-era Tiso Government, and the Iranian nuclear threat.
Chicago Chapter Leaders Meet Czech Officials
Chicago Chapter President Richard J. Rice met Václav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic, at a reception at the Czech Consulate. AJC was the only Jewish organization in attendance. Additionally, John Thomason, Chicago Chapter associate director, and immediate past president David W. Inlander met with Czech Consul General Marek Skolil at an art exhibition at the Consulate for Czech-born artist Mila Judge Furstova.
Ari M. Gordon Assistant Director Department of Interreligious Affairs American Jewish Committee 165 E56th St. New York, NY 10022 (212) 891-6768 (212) 751-4000 x266 www.ajc.org www.engagingamerica.org