AJC: Global Jewish Advocacy for Israel
Honey Kessler Amado & Naty Saidoff
Israel Affairs Los Angeles Office Co-Chairs
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Columnist Jeff Jacoby: "The 'Peace Process' and Other Myths of the Middle East"
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Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby spoke to the AJC Los Angeles President's Council on the topic of "The 'Peace Process' and Other Myths of the Middle East”. He argued that there are too many myths about the 'so-called' peace process in the Middle East, including the belief that the Arab world has come to terms with Israel's existence. He believes that unless and until the Palestinians, including Hamas and Fatah, give up the goal of destroying the State of Israel, there will not be a 'peace process' because you do not make peace with your enemies, you only make peace with someone who has agreed to stop being your enemy. He argued that until that day comes, Israel will not find a partner in peace.
AJC thanks AJC Board Member Cookie Shapiro who graciously sponsored the speaker, and to the event host Bryan Ezralow, the President's Council Chair.
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Chief Political Correspondent of Jerusalem Post Updates President's Council
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In a speech to AJC members, guests, and members of the Brentwood Country Club, the Chief Political Correspondent of the Jerusalem Post Gil Hoffman spoke candidly about the evolving relationship between Israel and President Barack Obama's Administration. He pointed out disjunctures between Israelis and the President - including the issue of settlements, but also areas where the US Administration has come closer to the Israeli position, particularly on how to deal with the Iranian nuclear program and bringing peace to the Middle East. He also mentioned lighter moments, recounting a story when an Israeli asked him to pass on a note in hebrew to President Obama; when Hoffman commented that the President does not speak Hebrew, the Israeli answered "B'seder, give it to Rahm" - referring to President Obama's Jewish Chief of Staff. Hoffman concluded with the need for American Jews to reconnect with Israel through innovative and new ways such as sports, art, culture, and even politics. Supporting Israel is all about 'EASY' - Education, Advocacy, Solidarity, and Your money!
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President's Council Hosts Israeli Humanitarian Organization IsraAID's Founder
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On September 24th Bryan Azralow, the new chair of the President’s Council, hosted breakfast and a presentation at Hillcrest Country Club by Shachar Zahavi, Founder and Chairperson of IsraAID: The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid. IsraAID shares in AJC’s mission to strengthen the basic principles of democracy and pluralism around the world through humanitarian assistance to people in need during times of international crisis. Attendees were impressed with Israelis’ acts of global tikkun olam but encouraged Mr. Zahavi to do more by better publicizing these humanitarian efforts in order to improve Israel’s global image. Mr. Zahavi also spoke that evening to the ACCESS/Young Leaders group at the Mandrake bar where attendees heard him speak about IsraAID's interventions in Darfur and Rwanda.
Interested in more fascinating speakers in an intimate environment? Contact Karen Stone for information about AJC's Presidents Council.
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l to r: AJC LA President Fredrick S. Levin, Regional Director Seth Brysk, and IsraAID Founder Shachar Zahavi
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For more picture from the event, click here.
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Unidos (United) for Israel
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On Wednesday, January 14, 2009 American Jewish Committee and its Latino partners, Latin University of Theology, Zion Multimedia and Hispanic Ministerial Alliance hosted a prayer vigil for Israel at Llamada Final Ministries in Downey, California. Over 1,200 attendees watched a live security briefing in Spanish from Israel by renown scholar Moshe Shaier who provide a balanced understanding of the war in Gaza. In addition, Silvio Nunez from the Israeli Consulate delivered greetings to the impassioned audience who were led in song by Cantor Ron Li-Paz chanting, “Am Yisrael Chai”.
Shofar blowers support Israel
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Live video briefing with Dr. Eran Lerman
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On Thursday, February 5, 2009 AJC hosted a live video briefing from Jerusalem featuring Dr. Eran Lerman, Director of AJC's Israel/Middle East office. The breakfast meeting, generously underwritten by Dr. Marlene Bane, was attended by over 40 people, including consular representatives from 10 foreign countries.
Dr. Lerman provided his analysis of the recent war in Gaza and possible peace resolutions. He discussed Israel’s military intelligence and shared his views regarding Iran’s efforts to obtain nuclear power. Dr. Lerman also offered his remarks on the then-upcoming elections to the Knesset, and discussed possible scenarios in terms of national unity government make-up and ramifications for the peace process. To read Dr. Lerman’s most recent Israel briefing, click here.
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Honey Kessler-Amado, Co-chair of Israel Affairs Committee welcomes the guests. 
Dr. Eran Lerman addresses the AJC audience
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Israeli Commentator Yossi Klein Halevi visits Los Angeles
Distinguished Israeli analyst Yossi Klein Halevi visited AJC Los Angeles on March 31, 2009. Klein Halevi, a senior fellow at the Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies of the Shalem Center in Jerusalem addressed the Israel Affairs Committee and Intergroup Partners about the new Israeli government and the situation in the Middle East. Afterwards, Klein Halevi, a contributing editor and Israel correspondent for The New Republic addressed National Leadership Council members at the home of Bonnie Corwin Fuller.
Klein Halevi authored an Op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, "Bibi and Barack Can Unite on Iran-new government is an 'obstacle' only to unrealistic goals." Halevi commentates on the new Israeli government's foreign policy proclaiming, "Instead of continuing to pursue the unattainable, the American-Israeli approach should focus on creating a civil society in the West Bank that is an essential precondition for the ventual creation of a Palestinian State. READ ENTIRE OP-ED.
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| AJC Chapter President Fredrick Levin, Naty Saidoff, Yossi Klein Halevi, Debbie Saidoff and AJC's Regional Director Seth Brysk |
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Sderot: A City Under Attack
Learn more about Sderot, the Israeli city suffering under daily rocket attack from nearby Gaza, in this new AJC video.
Watch other AJC Videos. |
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American Jewish Committee hosted a special concert "Live For Sderot" on Tuesday, February 26 in Beverly Hills. The concert included a performance by Ninet Tayeb (winner of Israel's "American Idol") with greetings from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Israel's Consul General Jacob Dayan. Proceeds from ticket sales went to help the children of Sderot affected by the constant bombings.
To learn more, please watch this 2 minute clip:
Israel at 60
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AJC has two new publications on the 1947 UN Partition Plan vote. Read the introduction to A Dream Restored. Read Israel at 60.
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Israel at 60: A Dream Restored
Watch the film on Israel at 60. David Harris, Ambassador Dan Gillerman and Amos Oz join in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the momentous UN vote to create the State of Israel. |
Israel @ 60 Email Taglines
AJC Los Angeles has been using these 'taglines' in its email messages as the signature for the celebration of Israel's 60th Anniversary. It is a collection of useful facts about Israel that you won't normally see in the media. Enjoy!
April 2008
Did you know? Israel @ 60
Israel, Nissan-Renault & Project Better Place are building the world’s first mass-produced fleet of electric cars.
Feb- March 2008
Did you know? Israel @ 60
Can you hear us now? – Cell phone technology was developed in Israel
Beginning of February 2008
Did you know? Israel @ 60
Over 50% of U.S. polished diamond imports come from Israel.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
January 2008
Did you know? Israel @ 60
Israel was the only country to enter the 21st century with a net gain of trees.
Celebrate Tu B’Shevat January 22 - plant a tree in honor of Israel at 60.
December 2007
Did you know? Israel at 60
Israel's "High Culture" - Israel has more museums per capita than any other country.
November 2007
Did you know? Israel at 60
Happy Thanksgiving! Israel has the highest per capita consumption of turkey in the world at 28.8 pounds.
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