23/09/2008 | 15:47
Shari Arison will serve as Israeli Chair of the largest annual event of the Jewish communities of North America, alongside Mark and Jane Wilf from the USA
The largest Jewish event of Israel's 60th anniversary year, the GA - General Assembly of the United Jewish Communities of North America – will take place in Israel, November 16-19.
The Prime Minister will open the events and President Shimon Peres will speak at the closing event. The Foreign Minister, Defense Minister and Opposition Leaderwill also be keynote plenary session speakers.
4,000 Jewish leaders, activists and donors from North America will attend the GA. Immediately preceding it, the Lions of Judah Conference of the UJC Women's Division will host 1,000 influential women philanthropists from around the world.
For the first time ever, the GA will be preceded by a Next Gen GA, which will bring together some 700 young donors and activists from Israel, the USA and around the Jewish world for a day of site visits and discussions. Over the course of the sessions, the Next Generation will prepare a declaration of commitment to the Jewish People and the State of Israel, which will be presented at the closing plenary session, in the presence of the President.
The events will focus on Israel's achievements over the past 60 years, the longstanding partnership between Israel and North American Jewry and the future challenges facing the Jewish People.
"The connection between the US and Israel is very important," said the Israeli chair of the GA, Shari Arison , "we as Jews have a role to play in the future of our world. We must be an example, an example of love, of kindness, of mutual respect and understanding. We as Jews have a role to play, but let us not forget our purpose.
It is not about us, it is about humanity. Our strength is in our togetherness, together we will overcome all challenges ahead, if we act based on our role. All Jews are connected and that connection must resonate to connect all of mankind because we are all one."
Some 80 buses will take the participants on site visits around the country, showing them the activities that their donations support through UJC's partners in Israel – JAFI, JDC and ENP.
Other prominent events include a solidarity march through the alleyways of Jerusalem and a festive happening in Tel Aviv's Sarona Park in honor of the "white city"'s centennial.
Nachman Shai, Senior Vice President and Director General of UJC Israel said: "GA 2008 will bring thousands of Jews to Israel to celebrate the historic partnership over more than 60 years between Israel and the North American Jewish Communities. In one way or another, this partnership has affected the life of every Israeli, and this gathering in Israel will strengthen that bond and give it momentum for the future.
