The largest single contingent of people ever to journey to Israel at a single time–some 4000 American Jews–will participate in “This Year in Jerusalem,” the 1977 United Jewish Appeal Annual National Conference, Oct. 24-31. Announcing the scope of the unprecedented “Jewish happening,” UJA general chairman Frank R. Lautenberg indicated the participants would represent 130 American Jewish communities from every state.
The multi-dimensional conference program will emphasize the interaction of American Jews with the people of Israel, and will provide participants with first-hand knowledge about the humanitarian programs supported by their communities in Israel, through UJA. The conference will launch the 1977 general campaign at the earliest date in the organization’s history.
“This historic response of solidarity,” Lautenberg declared, “is a demonstration to the people of Israel and to the world that the Jewish people are united…in spirit, in responsibility and in commitment.”
In a cabled response to the UJA announcement, Israeli Premier Yitzhak Rabin stated. “The people of Israel draw strength from many sources, not the least of which is the great American Jewish community.” He emphasized that “This Year in Jerusalem,” in addition to past support, will demonstrate that “the concerns of Israel’s people are the concerns of all Jewish people.”
WILL VISIT AUSCHWITZ SITE
Participants will depart from New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago, Eighteen aircraft, will transport them to their destination. Participants will also come in from three UJA national advance groups visiting Geneva, Warsaw, Cracow Bucharest, Teheran, Shiraz and Isfahan, among others. Some 500 UJA representatives are scheduled to visit the site of the Auschwitz concentration camp, the largest number of Jews to be there since it was liberated at the end of World War II.
Because there is no hall in Israel large enough to accommodate the total UJA group, many conference week programs will be held out-of-doors. Individual community groups will fan out into some 100 development towns and settlements throughout the country, for face-to-face encounters with the realities of life in Israel today. Special seminars and lectures at seven of Israel’s top universities are also scheduled.
“This Year in Jerusalem” is designed by UJA as a solidarity action realizing the age-old prayer–“Next Year in Jerusalem”–from the Passover “Haggadah.” According to Lautenberg “For centuries Jerusalem has been a dream, a promise, the symbol of man’s quest for peace. To be in Jerusalem this year will be an affirmation and a challenge. By converting prayer into reality we will truly become one with the people of Israel.”
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