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Executive Director's Blog: Shame!
JERUSALEM POST ONLINE
Israel's policy should be scrutinized like any other state's, and the loss of any innocent life should be mourned. But some of Israel's fiercest critics go far beyond the limits of what might be termed rational debate. They have obscenely tried to turn the Holocaust on its head, portraying Israel as committing Nazi-like crimes-the ultimate libel against the Jewish state.
Read the blog
AJC Concludes Solidarity Mission to Israel
The group visited Ashkelon and Sderot, the targets of Hamas rockets and missiles, and met with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and senior defense officials, among others.
AJC Announces Humanitarian Grants in Southern Israel
The grants will provide medical equipment to Barzilai Hospital and the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, where AJC previously had helped build an emergency communications center. Read aid details.
AJC Radio Message: Israeli Life In Rocket Range of Gaza
David Harris delivers his national radio commentary from Israel, where he visited Ashkelon and other communities in southern Israel hit by Hamas rockets and missiles from Gaza. LISTEN
GAZA CRISIS RESOURCES |
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Analysts, politicos ponder energy future
The Chapter 's energy forum on Monday, January 12th, which was underwritten by Greenberg Traurig LLP, drew an audience representing a cross section of Houston --  energy corridor, community, ethnic and diplomatic leaders -- who assessed and discussed America's security and independence relating to energy. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Mayor Bill White appeared separately to discuss the need to reduce dependence. Shrub Kempner, a member of AJC's national energy task force and Chapter board  member, moderated a panel discussion with Anne Korin of the Washington, D.C. based Set America Free Coalition and former Shell CEO John Hofmeister who is now the CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy. Energy Task Force members Max Blankfeld, Leonard Goldstein, Shrub Kempner, David Ronn and Richard Sherry all participated in the forum, which included discussion of Ronn's 17 month old LEED certified Green home. Pictured above is John Hofmeister and Shrub Kempner. At left is Sen. Hutchison and Max Blankfeld.
Israel Consul General briefs Chapter board
As the conflict in Gaza nears the end of its third week, Israel Consul General Asher Yarden met with the Chapter board to discuss the situation.
UN Holocaust Victim Remembrance on Jan. 27
The Chapter and Mayor White will present a remembrance program that coincides with the United Nations on Tuesday, Jan. 27th. The program features: Fred Zeidman, Chairman, United States Holocaust Museum Council; and will recognize the late Col. José Arturo Castellanos, Consul General, El Salvador in Geneva, Switzerland, for his efforts in rescuing 25,000 European Jews. There will be performances by the choirs of The Emery/Weiner School and St. John's School. Chapter board members Jack Lascar, Iris Mushin, Dena Palermo and Helene Zadok are involved in the planning.
AJC Amicus Brief Challenges Cross Atop San Diego Mount Soledad
Efforts by the U.S. Congress to save the Mount Soledad Cross are in violation of the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. Read statement |
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Behind the Scenes
AJC is actively engaged in the domestic and international scene as an advocacy organization.
The Chapter's energy forum was covered by KUHF-AM, the local national public radio, on Monday. The Houston Chronicle and the Community News also covered the event. Diplomats from China, Great Britain, Germany and Italy attended the forum.
A Chapter delegation met with Egyptian Consul General His Excellency El Husseini Abdelwahab to discuss his country's views on how the conflict should end. David Barish, Jack Lascar, Chapter president Tracy Stein, Helene Zadok and Randy Czarlinsky participated in the 90 minute visit.
AJC Expert Appointed to Key OSCE Post on Anti-Semitism
Rabbi Andrew Baker, AJC's director of International Jewish Affairs, has been appointed Personal Representative for Combating Anti-Semitism of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
AJC met with members of President-elect Obama's transition team and submitted a series of policy recommendations on domestic and international issues. Read memo.
Best regards,
Randy Czarlinsky
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Past President's Council
meetings
Jan. 22 and May 14
Tuesday, January 27
at 11 am
UN Holocaust Victim Remembrance
with
Hon. Bill White, Mayor of Houston
Fred Zeidman, Chair, US Holocaust Memorial Council
the Houston diplomatic corps
Wed., January 28
at 7:30 am at AJC office
Mexican-American emerging leaders workshop
follow up breakfast
Wed., Feb. 4 at 11:15 am
Consular Corps Luncheon
featuring
Amb. Martin Indyk
Omni Houston Hotel
Monthly briefings with Israel Consul General to start again in December on the third Tuesday.
Crucial Issues Series
in collaboration with
World Affairs Council Houston:
 Tuesday, February 3 Ambassador Martin Indyk
Wednesday, March 4
Doug Farah
Registration 6 pm
Program 6:30 pm
at the
Omni Houston Hotel
Board Meetings
February 19 and April 23
Executive Committee
March 5
AJC ANNUAL MEETING
May 6-8, 2009
Washington, DC
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January 16, 2009
