Group of US Jewish leaders to visit France, Israel

The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, an umbrella group representing over 50 American Jewish groups, will soon be arriving in Jerusalem on its 39th annual leadership mission to Israel, the organization announced last Thursday.

More than a hundred leaders of the American Jewish community will be participating in the mission, which is being led by Mort Zuckerman, a former chairman of the Conference of Presidents.

“We will hear from a wide array of government officials, led by Prime Minister [Binyamin] Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres; experts; analysts; and leaders from various segments of Israeli society, to assist the conference in better understanding the context and implications of the issues as we face the challenges ahead,” said Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents.

Prior to arriving in Israel, the mission is set to begin with a delegation to Paris led by Ronald Lauder, another former head of the Conference of Presidents. Participants are slated to meet with senior French officials, including the president, prime minister, foreign minister and other leaders.

A visit to Toulouse, where four Jews were murdered by an Islamic extremist Mohamed Merah last year, is also on the agenda.

“The packed schedule will offer our leaders the opportunity to explore in depth the internal and external issues and challenges facing France and the French Jewish community.

The attendance, which far exceeds our expectations, reflects the interest and commitment of the American Jewish community to our counterparts in France, especially after the horrendous event in Toulouse and the increasing anti-Semitism apparent in France and other European countries,” said Hoenlein and Conference of Presidents chairman Richard Stone.