| APRIL 2, 2009 |
| AJC pays tribute to
Fred Zeidman
National Institute of Human Relations Award
dinner co-chairs
Ambassador
Arthur Schechter Ambassador
Ned L. Siegel
and Roger Sofer
_______
for information please call
713 439 1202
________
|
Mideast Briefing:
Who Won?
Who Lost?
Where Do We Go from Here?
The outcome of the Eighteenth Knesset elections is extremely confusing, not only to Americans-for whom proportional parliamentary representation is something of a mystery-but even for Israelis, now struggling to make sense of a new and highly fragmented political landscape.READ ERAN LERMAN BRIEFING
AJC Radio Message:
Electrifying Visionary
"Shai Agassi's vision is a world dominated by electric vehicles. He's passionate and persuasive. And he's making real progress," says David Harris in his national radio commentary. LISTEN
|
|
Past President's Council
meetings
May 14
Thursday, Feb. 19 at
special board briefing on
"The Middle East peace process in the shadow of an Iranian nuclear threat"
with
Dr. Oded Eran,
former Israeli ambassador to Jordan and to the European Union
Crucial Issues Series
in collaboration with
World Affairs Council Houston:
Wed.,
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
|
|
|
|
|
AJC Rebukes Spanish Paper for Anti-Semitic Column
AJC rebuked Spanish newspaper El Mundo for publishing an openly anti-Semitic column, and expressed concern over the increasing level of anti-Semitism in Spain.
Last week, El Mundo published a piece by columnist Antonio Gala, titled "Chosen People," which blamed Jews' "greed" and "scorn for other peoples" for the persecution of Jews throughout history. Referring to Israel, Gala wrote: "Without putting a stop to avarice and false accounts, the Jewish people will succumb once more. ... Wouldn't this people do right to ask itself why it always goes through the same thing? Or is it maybe the rest of the world that is mistaken?"
Spanish law prohibits anti-Jewish hate speech and the justification of the Holocaust.
AJC Welcomes Pope's Remarks at Meeting with Jewish Leaders
AJC welcomed Pope Benedict XVI's clear and unambiguous denunication of Holocaust denial during a major meeting with American Jewish leaders at the Vatican this week.
The meeting, convened by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, followed the controversy over statements denying the Holocaust by Richard Williamson, a conservative Bishop who was excommunicated by the late Pope John Paul II.
"The Pope's condemnation of Holocaust denial and deniers was absolutely unequivocal," said Rabbi David Rosen, AJC's International Director of Interreligious Affairs, who attended the meeting. "Pope Benedict made it clear that there is no place for Holocaust deniers in the Catholic Church."
Creationists Besiege State Bd of Ed with Calls to Change Science Education in Texas Public Schools
Last month the State Board of Education narrowly voted against a curriculum requirement that students learn "weaknesses" of evolution promoted by creationists. Creationist pressure groups have responded with fury in the press. They have attacked the religious faith of board members who support giving Texas children a sound science education. Chapter President Tracy Stein testified against a curriculum change.
Take Action!
The State Board of Education will meet on March 25-27 to take a final vote on the proposed science curriculum standards. It's important that you take the following actions to ensure that board members vote for standards that put sound science ahead of ideology in our kids' public schools:
1. Tell your State Board of Education member that you oppose efforts to water down instruction on evolution in public school science classes.
You can find the name of your board member by click hereclicking here. It's best to write your board member in your own words and send your e-mail to: sboeteks@tea.state.tx.us.
2. Submit your comments about the proposed standards to the Texas Education Agency. You can read the standards by click hereclicking here. Then scroll down to Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 112, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science, Subchapter A, Elementary, Subchapter B, Middle School, and Subchapter C, High School. Send your comments to TEA to this e-mail address: rules@tea.state.tx.us.
Chapter's award dinner honoring Zeidman brings supporters from sides of the political aisle.
 AJC will honor Fred Zeidman with its National Institute of Human Relations Award on Thursday, April 2 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The dinner is co-chaired by Ambassador Arthur Schechter, Ambassador Ned L. Siegel and Roger Sofer. Besides the tribute committee, the following officials will serve as hononary co-chairs of the evening: Josh Bolten; Hon. Rudy Boschwitz; Hon. Ellen Cohen; Hon. Al Green; Hon. Gene Green; Hon. Scott Hochberg; Hon. Joseph Lieberman; Sue and Lester Smith; and Hon. Sylvester Turner.
|
|
Behind the Scenes
AJC is actively engaged in the domestic and international scene as an advocacy organization.
The Domestic Affairs Commission met to discuss issues and energy advocacy efforts. Participants included Max Blankfeld, Martin Siegel and Richard Shaw.
The Chapter extends its symapthies to German Consul General Rainer Munzel upon the death of his mother.
Barbara Shepard will be one of AJC's representatives to the Houston Police Advisory Commission, which is comprised of members of the City's faith, ethnic and community groups.
Randy Czarlinsky met separately with Michael Berry, general manager of all news radio station KTRH740, and Roger Hudson, news director, to discuss AJC, issues and news focus.
Best regards,
|
|
|
|
