|
The Consular Corps Tour of Jewish Los Angeles is a unique educational experience that AJC offers to diplomats posted in Los Angeles. This signature event for the International Relations program introduces the Consular Corps to AJC, the Los Angeles Jewish community (both institutions and leaders), Judaism and Jewish values.
The Tour is designed to further the understanding of the diversity and complexity of the Jewish community, our beliefs, our contributions to the community at-large, and how Jewish institutions reflect our religion and values.
|
|
|
6th Annual Consular Corps Tour (May 2009)
|
|
On May 15, 2009, AJC/LA hosted its 6th Annual Consular Corps Tour of Jewish Los Angeles, which was attended about representatives of 14 consulates. This year’s program featured two main themes: Jewish organizations offering a helping hand to the community at large and an introduction to the Iranian-American Jewish community.
|
| This year’s program started at AJC’s LA Office and featured presentations from Jewish leaders and institutions such as: Rabbi Elliot Dorff of American Jewish University, as well as Wendy Marantz-Levine from Bet Tzedek and Nancy Volpert from Jewish Family Service. Our first site visit was at Beit T’Shuvah where consular guests were given the opportunity to meet the leadership and some of the residents of this inspirational facility. Marcie Goldstein, AJC Executive Committee Member, gave a presentation about City of Hope National Medical Center en route to our second site visit, the Nessah Synagogue. There the group listened to presentations from Chief Rabbi David Shofet, Dr. Saba Soomekh, and Jasmine Oberman, one of the founders of 30 Years After. |
|
| This year’s Consular Corps Tour concluded with a generously hosted exclusive Shabbat dinner for the diplomats and their spouses at a private home, where guests enjoyed traditional Iranian hospitality and indulged in Iranian cuisine and music. |
|
|
5th Annual Consular Corps Tour (June 2008)
|
| AJC's annual tour brought over 70 diplomats, Jewish community leaders, and their spouses together for an inspiring look at Jewish LA. Organized by Co-Chairs Jack Fine and Marc Kessler, as well as a host of AJC layleaders, this year's tour focused on 'Hollywood', AJC's priority issues for 2008, and understanding Jewish denominations. |
| The tour began with a presentation on AJC's role in Hollywood - diplomats learned that AJC's founders included Samuel Goldwyn and Louis B Mayer (of MGM) and the Warner Bros. AJC Chapter President Fredrick Levin spoke of AJC's current Hollywood projects to help spread the organization's message of tolerance and human rights, with the production 'Darfur Now' being the prime example. |
|
|
The tour then hopped on a bus to see the history of the Jewish community and Hollywood first hand through a unique panel of experts and a walking tour of the Sony Studio lot led by Dr. Steve Ross, USC Department of History Chair, Dr. David Kaufman, HUC Contemporary American Jewish Studies Professor, and the staff at Sony Studios. Diplomats heard the 'behind the scenes' presentation on Jews in Hollywood and a tour of the historic studio lot, formerly the MGM studios, which included a set tour of some upcoming films.
Next stop was a presentation of AJC's national priorities for 2008 through a look at the Jewish community's efforts to ensure America's energy security by 'going green' and its celebration of Israel@60. Ron Jacobsohn, President of the Hollywood Connection, gave a presentation on Israel and its booming film, tv, advertising, and music industries, while representatives from local synagogues and Jewish organizations talked about 'green' being a Jewish value.The tour's final stop was at the Sephardic Synagogue, where the group learned about the Sephardic religious tradition while eating a traditional lunch with the synagogue's Rabbi, Daniel Bouskila. The tour drew to a close with a presentation in the synagoguge's beautiful sanctuary with Rabbi Mark Diamond from the Southern California Board of Rabbis, who provided insight into the different religious and cultural denominations of Judaism.
|
|
|
|
4th Annual Consular Corps Tour (June 2007)
|
| Nearly 50 diplomats, lay leaders and staff enjoyed the 4th Annual Consular Corps Tour of Jewish Los Angeles. Locally posted diplomats were treated to an overview of the local Jewish community and important Jewish institutions, highlighted the basics of Judaism, as well as introduced our international partners to Jewish values, culture, and community history. The tour included stops at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (where diplomats marveled at the robots that transport its linens and garbage), the progressive neighborhood synagogue Congregation Kol Ami, lunch at Canter's Deli, awalking tour of Fairfax Avenue (with "nosh stops" for challah and rugulah at various bakeries), and Jewish Family Service's Senior Center and Kosher Kitchen. The program also included two historical segments on AJC's centennial, as well as on-bus segments titled "The Jewish Community and the Crisis in Darfur", "Music of a People" and "The Jewish Federation's Children's Literacy Program". |
|
|
|
|
|
3rd Annual Consular Corps Tour (May 2006)
|
|
More than 30 diplomats spent a day together getting a view of Jewish institutions, values, culture and religion in Los Angeles. Sites along the tour included Vista Del Mar Family Services, Hillel at UCLA and Sinai Temple for their young professionals 'Friday Night Live' Shabbat Service with guest speaker Elie Weisel and a performance by Theodore Bikel.
Participants in the 3rd Annual Consular Corps Tour.
|
|
|
|
