Washington - AJC

Currently I am attending one of the sessions during the Annual Meeting of the American Jewish Committee. I was invited here in my position as presidium Member of the European Union of Jewish Students.

I have to state that the relation between the AJC and the EUJS and especially with the Executive Director David Harris is excellent. Not only does te AJC provide the EUJS with financial support but also with several fellowships for students and the possibility for young Jewish leaders from all over the world to come together on an event like the annual meeting.

In the original program of the annual meeting all three presidential candidates would be attending to speech. Unfortunately this was changed and only a representative was sent. On the other hand Condoleezza Rice, Ayaan Hirsi Ali as well as the Prime Minister of France (Francois Fillon) attended this year’s 102nd annual meeting. Not only were their speeches amazing, but also did the words they used clearly emphasize the outstanding relationship that AJC personally has with these important persons. During Thursday’s lunch we were even surprised by a special video message from Mr. President Bush himself. He addressed the 60th anniversary of Israel as well as the support that Israel can count on from the United States. The fact that a special video message was made again shows the good standing relation between the AJC and important decision makers.

Several topics were addressed during the annual meeting. One of them, yet another highlight, was the very touching speech by two female Darfur refugees about their personal story. Without having any family left (because they were all murdered, several of them in front of their eyes) they now dedicated their lives to informing the rest of the world of the inhuman situation that continues in Darfur.

Although the situation in Darfur is extremely bad, I don’t think a comparison can be made between the holocaust and the genocide in Darfur. We (Jews) on the other hand, as experienced people, can and should help prevent the slaughtering and killing of those innocent people. We can persuade others of how wrong it is. Therefore the EUJS has launched a campaign called ‘Shared Memories, Collective Action’. A seminar on this topic will take place in Amsterdam from 21-25th May. Both Holocaust survivers as well as Darfur survivors will be speaking.

Make sure to be there. Not only is an amazing experience that you will never forget but you will also return home with new knowledge and a lot of new friendships. Further I would advise everybody that is in the position to attend a congress like the annual meeting of the AJC strongly to do so. The reasons stated above should be enough motivation, but otherwise, it’s just a week of great fun and partying!

http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=849241&ct=1106829