Appointment lauded of Elan Carr as envoy to combat anti-Semitism
The Israeli-American Council (IAC) on Monday commended U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo’s appointment of Elan Carr — a renowned prosecutor, Iraq War veteran, and Israel-American and Jewish community leader — as the new Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, an ambassador-rank position that reports directly to the Secretary of State.
In the post, Carr will take the lead on advancing U.S. foreign policy on combating anti-Semitism worldwide. The special envoy works to actively promote the State Department’s working definition of anti-Semitism, which includes manifestations of anti-Semitism towards Israel in the form of demonization, delegitimization, and double standard.
“The recent horrific synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh compels us to recognize that anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish problem, it is a problem that threatens the core values of American society: democracy, free speech, and freedom of religion.,” said IAC Chairman of the Board Adam Milstein. “Elan Carr brings a depth of experience and insights as a prosecutor, military officer, and devoted leader in the Israeli-American and Jewish communities. We believe there is nobody more qualified to combat anti-Semitism head-on across the globe.”
Carr is a criminal gang prosecutor at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, a JAG Corps officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, and the former President of the international Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi. In 2014, Carr ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. House of Representatives seat in California’s 33rd congressional district. — From Israeli-American Council
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AJ Congress congratulates El Salvador’s president-elect
American Jewish Congress President Jack Rosen issued the following statement:
“The American Jewish Congress congratulates Nayib Bukele for his victory in El Salvador’s Presidential Election. In 2018, we had the pleasure of having then-Mayor Bukele in our annual International Mayors Conference in Israel. These are challenging times for El Salvador, and we wish President-Elect Bukele success in addressing the many pressing issues the country faces.
“Like many world leaders, President-Elect Bukele began his distinguished political career in municipal politics, first as Mayor of Nuevo Cuscatlán and later as Mayor of San Salvador, El Salvador’s capital and most populous city. We are glad to see Mr. Bukele has risen to Head of State, as did other Conference alumni that eventually became leaders in their respective countries, including Mauricio Macri, the current President of Argentina, Matteo Renzi, the former Prime Minister of Italy, and William Lai, the former Premier of Taiwan.
“The American Jewish Congress looks forward to closer cooperation with President-Elect Bukele and the Republic of El Salvador, and we hope he will further the relationship between El Salvador and Israel.” — From American Jewish Congress
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Nina Abkarian named director of AJC’s Project Interchange
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) has appointed Nisha Abkarian as director of Project Interchange, the global Jewish advocacy organization’s signature educational program introducing Israel to leaders from the U.S. and other countries around the world.
“I am honored to serve as director of this transformative organization,” said Abkarian, who first came to Project Interchange in 2006 and has served as deputy director since 2012. “At a time when challenges to Israel and the Jewish people have never been greater, Project Interchange plays a unique role in expanding ties among global leaders, Jewish communities and Israel.”
The pioneering Project Interchange has, for more than 36 years, brought leaders to Israel for weeklong educational seminars introducing them to Israel. Through Project Interchange, more than 6,000 leaders from 110 countries and all 50 U.S. states have gained in-depth insights into Israel via direct engagement with Israeli leaders. These collective experiences build understanding and common ground. Meetings with Palestinian leaders provide additional insight into life in the Palestinian Authority and the complexities of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
Abkarian joined Project Interchange 13 years ago to launch its now pivotal international delegation program. As Deputy Director, Nisha led and directed implementation of several strategic and institutional capacity-building initiatives, expanded Project Interchange to dozens of countries, engaged in donor outreach, developed programs for thousands of participants, added alumni engagement and measurement and evaluation programs, and supervised the Project Interchange professional team. — From American Jewish Committee
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JAFI Chairman Isaac Herzog welcomes 83 Ethiopian immigrants to Israel
After years of waiting, the dream of Aliyah has come true for 83 Ethiopian immigrants (Olim) who landed at Ben Gurion Airport Monday, February 4. This is the first group of immigrants to come from Ethiopia following the Israeli government’s decision last October to bring 1,000 members of the Falashmura community who already have first degree relatives living in Israel.
Upon the flight’s arrival, a reception was held at Ben Gurion Airport in the presence of Chairman of The Jewish Agency for Israel, Isaac Herzog, who welcomed the new immigrants. At the end of the absorption process on site, the new Olim then had a joyful reunion with their close family members who were on hand to reunite with them as they begin their new lives in Israel together.
“The Operation Yehudith campaign to bring Ethiopian Jews to Israel is a very moving moment, and all of Israel welcomes you. I call upon the Israeli government to do everything in its power to bring the rest of the Ethiopian Jews waiting to come to Israel and who are praying to Jerusalem everyday,” said The Jewish Agency for Israel Chairman, Isaac Herzog. “The Jewish Agency will absorb, assist and accompany you for the next two years in everything that is needed in order to be able to successfully integrate into Israeli society, to build your home, your future, and the future of your family here in Israel.”
In November 2015, the Israeli government passed a decision to allow family reunification for the remaining 9,000 Falashmura community members waiting for Aliyah to Israel. By the end of 2017, about 1,300 had been approved and immigrated, and approximately 8,000 remained in Ethiopia. In October 2018, the government decided to bring another 1,000 members of the community who already had close relatives living in Israel.
After the festivities at the airport, the new Olim traveled to absorption centers across the country operated by The Jewish Agency, with the assistance of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. New Olim can reside for up to two years in dedicated absorption centers, where educational programs help both children and adults learn Hebrew and start acclimating to life in Israel.
Since the early 1950s, The Jewish Agency has assisted more than 90,000 Ethiopians with their immigration to Israel. The IDF and Mossad began bringing Ethiopian Jews to safety in Israel, and The Jewish Agency welcomed and absorbed the refugees, housing them in youth villages and special sites established for this purpose. The two most famous airlifts from Ethiopia to Israel were Operation Moses in 1984-1985, aiding the arrival of 6,364 Olim, and Operation Solomon in 1991, bringing 14,000 immigrants.
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Preceding items culled from news releases. Please send yours to editor@sdjewishworld.com