|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
(11/11/05)
PRIME MINISTER PAUL MARTIN TO ADDRESS THOUSANDS AT WORLD’S LARGEST ANNUAL GATHERING OF JEWISH LEADERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin will be addressing nearly 4,000 Jewish leaders and others from around the world who will convene for the United Jewish Communities (UJC) 2005 General Assembly (GA), to be held November 13 to 15, 2005 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC).
The GA, hosted this year by UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, is the UJC’s premier event and the world’s largest annual gathering of Jewish leadership, drawing influential delegates and speakers from Jewish federations, communities and organizations across North America, in Israel and internationally. Participants will come from the realms of government, religion, business and the professions, the arts, academia, philanthropy and community service.
“This General Assembly will underscore the importance of cooperation and coming together as Jewish leaders to create and expand initiatives and programs that will ensure a strong Jewish future domestically and around the world,” said 2005 General Assembly Chairman Joe Kanfer. Noting that this year’s event specifically recognizes the potential of North American Jews as visionaries and innovators, he added that the Toronto GA gathering “will acknowledge our collective accomplishments, confront our challenges and help define our goals for the future.”
Programming will provide attendees with the tools needed to foster leadership and strengthen Jewish community, and include explorations of major issues and challenges confronting the Jewish world, including Jewish poverty, Israel and the disengagement, social justice, Jewish education and Jewish community building at home and around the world. More than 200 speakers will present during the event.
Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin will welcome attendees at the Opening Plenary on Nov. 13 at 8:00 p.m., when he will discuss the importance of the close relationship that exists between Canada and Israel, and the sizeable contributions the Canadian Jewish community has made to all aspects of life in Canada. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, appearing by video from Israel on Nov. 14 at 8:00 p.m., will underscore the continuing and unbreakable ties between North American Jewry, the Jewish federation network, and the State of Israel.
Prime Ministers Martin and Sharon will join other major speakers such as Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler; economist and Comedy Central political commentator Ben Stein; Robert Putnam, author of the bestselling book “Bowling Alone; and actress Valerie Harper, now starring in the travelling Broadway production of “Golda’s Balcony.”
Another outstanding and unique feature of this year’s GA will be the Global Jewish Marketplace, which will be open to the public from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, at no charge. The event – which includes entertainment and food – will feature many Judaica vendors and their wares, from Israel and across North America.
“We are delighted to be welcoming this large group of Jewish leaders to the MTCC,” said Barry Smith, the Centre’s CEO. “Through networking, training and strategically planned major sessions, forums and workshops, General Assembly participants will return to their communities equipped to be effective, passionate and visionary Jewish leaders and community builders. We are pleased to be a part of this and to be supporting their important work in communities around the world.”
Smith added that the MTCC anticipates this major convention will produce significant revenue for Toronto’s hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, with an overall economic impact of close to $10 million in direct spending.
Howard English, Vice-President of Marketing & Communications for UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, said that UJA Federation of Greater Toronto is very proud to have been chosen to host this year’s UJC General Assembly. “It’s a testament to the vibrancy, strength and growth of Toronto’s Jewish community and the quality of life in Toronto itself. Toronto is a role model for the world.”
English added that the GA represents an excellent opportunity to discuss urgent issues. “We live in an era of both insecurity and challenge, not only for the Jewish community but for all nations of the world. The GA provides attendees with the chance to network with other leaders and to form the ties that make the work we each do in our community come to life.”
About United Jewish Communities and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
United Jewish Communities is the umbrella organization for 155 Jewish community federations across North America, including UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.
For more information about United Jewish Communities and the General Assembly, please visit www.ujc.org.
For more information about UJA Federation of Greater Toronto please visit www.jewishtoronto.com.
For Further Information Please Contact:
Christine Chiu
MTCC Marketing Manager
(416) 585-8106
cchiu@mtccc.com
H. Glenn Rosenkrantz
UJC Media Relations
(212) 284-6572 OR (646) 245-8975
glenn.rosenkrantz@ujc.org
|
| |
|
|
|
|
