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Past ACCESS events

 

AJC ACCESS Mesmerized by 1st Ethiopian Woman to Attain a Doctorate in Israel

At the ACCESS event on October 22, Dr. Yarden Fanta-Vegenshtein described in detail her arduous journey from Ethiopia to Israel; a journey that she and her family did on foot when she was 11 years old. Dr. Yarden highlighted the struggles that her and members of her family dealt with in Israel in terms of acculturation in society. Speaking to a small crowd of teary-eyed listeners, Dr. Yarden delivered her powerful story and was warmly received.

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Dr. Yarden Fanta-Vegenshtein and ACCESS Los Angeles Chair Adam Weiss

 

 

ACCESS Meets Shachar from IsraAID: Humanitarians without Borders

 

On the evening of September 24th more than 70 young Jewish professionals gathered at Mandrake, a bar at the gallery row in Culver City, to enjoy drinks, nosh, and, most importantly, meet Shachar Zahavi, founder and director of IsraAID. Shachar shared with the group how we became involved in the humanitarian relief work and how he established this umbrella organization of the cutting-edge Israeli humanitarian aid institutions, which pull their resources and reach the most distant corners of the world, where no Israeli presence had previously been seen. Read about IsraAID at http://www.israaid.org.iland watch this YouTube clip

ACCESS/German Consulate General event at LACMA


l to r: Adam Weiss, Chair of ACCESS/LA, Deputy Consul General Deitmar Bock, Gosia Szymanska,

 

 

 

 

On April 4th 2009 ACCESS and the Consulate General of Germany organized an evening at LACMA to view the exhibition Art of Two Germanys/Cold War Cultures. More than 30 participants included diplomats and interns working at the German Consulate General, interns and guests of Villa Aurora, the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles, and ACCESS members. We were honored to have LACMA's Curatorial Assistant Dorothea Schoene as our docent, who eloquently and engagingly walked us through the Cold War period in the life and art of the society from West and East Germany. 

Since ACCESS' beginnings in Los Angeles our group has been building on the relationship that has existed between AJC and the German Consulate General. ACCESS members have traveled to Berlin in 2006 and have since then engaged with the Consulate on many occasions.

We thank Deputy Consul General Dietmar Bock and Vice Consul Carolin Schwarz for their help and involvement in planning of this event.

Related link: http://bit.ly/Mjn1Z

'ACCESS in the Media'
Informs Young Leaders

Held at the lovely Beverly Hills home of Judi and Roy Kaufman, 'ACCESS in the Media' was an opportunity to ask the burning questions about the media from journalists and editors representing radio, newspaper, and blogs. Our expert panel included LA Times columnist Joel Stein, LAObserved and Truthdigg blogger Bill Boyarsky, Editor of the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles Rob Eshman, Senior Producer of 'Airtalk with Larry Mantle' on KPCC's 89.3FM Linda Othenin-Girard, and GMMB PR Partner Steve Caplan.

ACCESS Program with Ayaan Hirsi Ali

A crowd of over 200 people listened intently to the fascinating story of writer and critic of radical Islam Ayaan Hirsi Ali at a special program organized by AJC's ACCESS at the new CAA headquarters in Century City. Daniel Inlender, Chair of the ACCESS program thanked the generous sponsors of the event, including Marcia Burnam, Debbie and Naty Saidoff, and Holly and Ron Toplitzky.

Hirsi Ali is a Somali born feminist and former Dutch Parliamentarian who burst onto international headlines following an Islamist's murder of her colleague, Theo van Gogh, with whom she made the movie "Submission", which criticized Islam's treatment of women.

Hirsi Ali answered a series of questions posed by moderator Rabbi Gary Greenebaum, AJC's National Director of Interreligious Affairs, concerning her life story, which she writes about in her new book "Infidel". She also spoke about her lifelong fight for women's equality and religious reform in Islam.

 AJC Executive Director David Harris Updates ACCESS

ACCESS Hosts AJC ED David Harris
on June 12th 2007

 David Harris spoke to an overflow crowd in Los Angeles of young professionals and AJC members at an event sponsored by the ACCESS Los Angeles program. He was impressed by the commitment, intelligence, and vibrancy of the ACCESS Los Angeles participants. Harris spoke about the tenuous situation Israel faces everyday with countries, organizations, and individuals questioning its very existence. He spoke about the important role AJC plays everyday to advocate on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people while also supporting ideals of human rights, freedom, and democracy for all peoples. The event was hosted at the beautiful new home of Paula and Bruce Bennett and was attended by close to 100 people.
ACCESS Program with Dan Gordon

On January 28th, Hollywood 'A List' screenwriter Dan Gordon told a group of over 40 members of AJC's ACCESS program about his journey to become an Israeli Defense Force Captain and Spokesman. The program was hosted at the wonderful home of ACCESS member Paul Soroudi, who traveled to Berlin with the ACCESS Mission in November. Dan told the story of his experiences as a Captain in the Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson Unit during the recent war between Israel and Hezbullah in the Summer of 2006. His first hand account of the war was the story not heard in the media - the calculated planning of Hezbullah to attack Israel, evidence gathered of Iran's munitions and financial support of Hezbullah, and the great lengths the Israelis went to minimize civilian casualties. Gordon described the personal triumphs of many Israelis who spent months in bomb shelters and the heroism of ordinary citizens to ensure some semblance of a normal life during the war.
Host Paul Soroudi with Chapter President Sherry Weinman.

Breakfast Forum with Ilka Schroeder, former European Union Parliament Representative of Germany

Guests of this International Relations Breakfast Forum had the opportunity to hear Ilka Schroeder, former EU Parliament Representative of Germany discuss the topic "Between hypocritical solidarity and open anti-Zionism...How Germany and the EU work against Israel". The program, held at the Four Seasons Hotel, also featured a presentation about the recent ACCESS mission to Berlin in October/November. Matt Louchheim and Adam Weiss talked about their impressions of Germany and the impact of Germany's approach to Anti-Semitism and their post-Holocaust, post-Communist past.

 

Speaker Ilka Schroeder talks about the European Union and its relations with Israel.

 

ACCESS members Adam Weiss (left) and Matt Louchheim (right) discuss their recent trip to Germany.

ACCESS Mission to Berlin

Los Angeles Participants: Leeor Alpern, Jonathan Brier, Daniel Inlender, Matt Louchheim, Paul Soroudi, Jennifer Rosner, Helen Springut, Jordan Toplitzky, David Weiner, Adam Weiss, Marjaneh Yafeh and Steve Addison, Director of International Relations and ACCESS Programs

AJC ACCESS members with program Director Steve Addison at the German Parliament on the ACCESS Trip to Germany 

 

ACCESS, AJC’s Young Professional’s Leadership Development Program, just returned from a one week trip to Berlin, Germany. Twenty five participants, including 12 from Los Angeles, engaged in a week of intensive learning, bridge building and exploration. The mission met with top level U.S. and Israeli Diplomats, including Shimon Stein, Israel’s Ambassador to Germany. Discussions were also had with various members of the Bundestag and also with attaches at the German Foreign Ministry’s Training Academy. The group explored the complex politics of German-Jewish relations today and also had a chance to learn about AJC’s important efforts to promote tolerance, multiculturalism and dialogue in Germany. Of course the trip would not have been complete without the opportunity to tour the richness of post-modern Berlin. The mission, the first international trip for ACCESS Los Angeles, provided a framework for independent exploration and experiences in a country that seeks reconciliation and a bright future. Funding for the mission was made possible by AJC and the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany through the Ministry of Economics.

Click here to read the Participant's Journal  
AJC ACCESS Holds Summer Event at Consul General of Germany's Private Residence

An extraordinary group of 70 impressive, sharp, intellectually curious young professional leaders came together for an afternoon of wine, strawberries, hors d'oeuvres, and interesting conversation. The private reception was held at Consul General Christian Stocks' beautiful home in Hancock Park on Sunday August 13 with special guest Deidre Berger, Managing Director of AJC's Berlin Office. Consul General Stocks spoke about the close relationship between Germany and Israel and the importance of that relationship. Berger spoke about the AJC's long relationship with the German government and the work of the AJC in Germany and in Europe. Many new faces were seen at this event as ACCESS continues to build networks and involve more young professionals.

ACCESS Event with Consul General Christian Stocks and Deidre Berger

A Conversation with Diplomats Event

In April 2006, ACCESS hosted their first program at the home of Barry and Nancy Sanders. Deputy Consuls General of France, Turkey, China and South Africa spoke to over 40 participants about their experiences in the Consular Corps and answered questions.

 

 

 
 
 
 

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