GOVERNING BOARD WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS NEW YORK, 1O JUNE 2007 REGIONAL REPORTS Latin American Jewish Congress
LATIN AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS NOVEMBER 2006 JUNE 2007 GENERAL ACTIVITIES November 2006 Meeting with the UN Secretary General Led by Jack Terpins, LAJC leaders met with Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General in Montevideo. The discussion with Annan focused on the Latin American communities current situation, and their contribution towards the UN Millennium goals. Other topics discussed included the investigation of the bombing of the Argentine Jewish community center (AMIA), and the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. One of the members of the Young Professionals Diplomatic Corps also took part in the meeting, and his attendance was praised by Annan since it involves introducing new generations to leadership positions. Ibero-American Presidents Summit In Uruguay, a member of the Young Professionals Diplomatic Corps represented the LAJC at the Latin American Presidents summit, which brings together the rulers of Latin America, Spain and Portugal. The LAJC took part in the meeting for the first time, with the purpose of furthering the links between Latin America and Spain, a goal that the Jewish communities have pursued for several years. December 2006 Meeting with Michelle Bachelet The 100 th anniversary of the Chilean Community provided an opportunity to meet with the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet. LAJC leaders attended the Gala dinner, thus demonstrating the ties which exist between the Latin American communities. The meeting with Bachelet was strategic, because of Chile s role in the regions politics. At the meeting the President addressed the Jewish community very warmly and promised that an Anti Discrimination Bill will soon be passed in Chile. January 2007 Latin American Religious Leaders Rabbi Marcelo Polakoff represented the LAJC at the regional meeting of the World Conference of Religions for Peace, chaired by Cardinal Julio Terrazas, in Bolivia. LATIN AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS REPORT PAGE 1 OF 4
This meeting was the continuation of the work the LAJC has been carrying out with Religions for Peace since the plenary held in Japan in 2006. Meeting with the Central America and Caribbean communities In Costa Rica the LAJC had an opportunity to meet with the leaders of Central American and Caribbean communities. The occasion was a meeting of the UJCL - Latin American and Caribbean Congregations Union. As a result of the work done by the LAJC towards establishing the political agenda for the region, for the first time an interreligious meeting was held, and a commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust was organized, attended by national authorities, representatives of other faiths and the United Nations. Shai Franklin participated in this meeting, which permitted to advances in the cooperation initiatives between the LAJC and the WJC American Section. February 2007 Meeting with President Lula The President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, attended Rabbi Henri Sobel s synagogue for the ceremony in remembrance of Holocaust victims. Lula addressed the audience, and committed the Brazilian administration to education about the Holocaust and the fight against anti Semitism. Previously, LAJC leaders had held a meeting with President Lula to discuss topics related to the regional agenda. Participation in the Global Forum against Anti Semitism Terpins and Tenenbaum represented the LAJC at the Global Forum against Anti Semitism convened in Jerusalem by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Terpins co-chaired the Latin American Committee, and together with Tenenbaum discussed with Minister Tzipi Livni the importance of her visit to Latin American countries. LAJC Meeting with CAIV and President Nestor Kirchner The LAJC organized a meeting between the Argentine President, Nestor Kirchner, and Venezuelan community leaders. Meeting with Evangelical Churches The LAJC held its first meeting with the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI in Spanish). The meeting furthered the inter-religious work being done by the LAJC. March 2007 The LAJC and the Venezuelan Community To mark the 40th anniversary of CAIV - Community of Venezuela - the LAJC held a special session to share the solidarity message of Jewish communities from all over the world. LATIN AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS REPORT PAGE 2 OF 4
For the occasion, over 70 foreign Jewish leaders travelled to Caracas, as well as Argentine Senator Cristina Kirchner, who had been invited by the LAJC, and the envoy of the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ana Salomon. OAS Human Rights Committee Members of the Young Professionals Diplomatic Corps took part in the Meeting of the OAS Human Rights Committee in Washington. Integrating America LAJC representatives took part in the WJC American Section meeting. Besides planning joint actions, the global vision of the Jewish community in America was reinforced. April 2007 Kirchner and Bachelet remember the Holocaust The presidents of Argentina and Chile, Nestor Kirchner and Michelle Bachelet, took part in the activities to remember Yom Hashoa in their respective countries. In both cases the leaders condemned the denial of the Holocaust. May 2007 Meeting with the Pope Jack Terpins and Rabbi Henri Sobel met with Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Brazil. The opportunity served to enhance relations between Jews and Catholics. Conference with Latin American Bishops The General Conference of Latin American Bishops was held in Brazil. Pope Benedict XVI opened the Conference that convened over 200 bishops. The LAJC was the only Jewish observer at the event, represented by Claudio Epelman who had an opportunity to meet with Pope Benedict XVI and discuss relations between Jews and Catholics and address the Conference urging it to expand the cooperation between both religions in Latin America. New Generations in Brazil In Sao Paulo, the LAJC launched the New Generations Brazilian chapter. Brazil is thus joining Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador and Panama in the project June 2007 Representation at OAS Young Professionals Diplomatic Corps members of Argentina, Venezuela, Panama and the U.S. represented the WJC LAJC at the last OAS General Assembly held in Panama. LATIN AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS REPORT PAGE 3 OF 4
Recognition of LAJC Leadership CICLA, Latin Americans Israeli Organization, presented an award to Jack Terpins for his community leadership, while in May the Embassy of Israel in Argentina presented an award to Manuel Tenenabum for his lifetime achievements. Report prepared by Manuel Tenenbaum, LAJC Executive Director 01 June 2007 LATIN AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS REPORT PAGE 4 OF 4