Mideast Briefing: Implications of Gaza for Obama Foreign Policy
President Obama's inaugural speech included a warm call for reconciliation with the Muslim world, based on "mutual interest and mutual respect," but also a hard-edged message to terrorists and destructive regimes, "we will defeat you." Thus, an opportunity is being offered for the regional players to decide whether to present the U.S. with an open palm or a clenched fist. READ BRIEFING
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Past President's Council
meetings
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
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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AJC, Other Jewish Organizations
Protest Anti-Semitism to Turkish PM
Protestors besieging the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul have expressed their hatred of Jews. Billboards around Istanbul are full of anti-Jewish propaganda posters. The door of a Jewish-owned shop near Istanbul University was covered with a poster that said, "Do not buy from here, since this shop is owned by a Jew." Read Letter
Anti-Semitism erupts on the heels of Gaza Conflict
AJC's Ben Cohen analyzes the eruption and location of the hatred and venom against Jews on different parts of the globe.
LISTEN State Bd of Ed rejects creationist efforts
Chapter president Tracy Stein provided written testimony at the previous Texas State Board of Education meeting in the Fall of 2008 against efforts to undermine science education. Last night the State Board of Education voted 8-7 to reject efforts by creationists to reinsert into draft curriculum standards sweeping language -- "strengths and weaknesses" -- used to undermine sound science education. This was a prelimary vote. If this vote stands, a key weapon creationists have used to attack evolution will be swept from the standards. Despite the vote, creationists on the board managed to place other changes that would complicate important parts of the standards.
AJC Co-Sponsors Jewish Community Inaugural Reception
Some 800 community activists, members of Congress, diplomats, and Obama aides gathered at the Capital Hilton for an evening marking the presidential transition. Speakers included Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel; Obama senior adviser David Axelrod; Senator Frank Lautenberg; actress Debra Winger; and Israeli Ambassador Sallai Meridor. AJC's participation in the communal event was made possible through the generous contributions of Amb. Alfred Moses of Washington; Joe and Mark Goodman of Boston; and Jack Levin of Chicago.
AJC Radio Message: Savor Historic Obama Inauguration
AJC Executive Director David A. Harris delivers, in his national radio commentary, celebrates this historic week, in which the words of the late Martin Luther King, Jr., came true with the inauguration of President Barack Obama. LISTEN
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Behind the Scenes
AJC is actively engaged in the domestic and international scene as an advocacy organization.
The Chapter's past presidents met for their quarterly discussion on issues and AJC. Participating in the discussion were David Barish, Kenny Friedman, Noel Graubart, Rene Karpas, Ann Kaufman, David Mincberg, Carol Nelkin, Ben Samuels, Amb. Arthur Schechter, and current President Tracy Stein.
Randy Czarlinsky
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January 23, 2009
