As published in the Atlanta Jewish Times 12-26-2008

We thank the Atlanta Jewish Times for its coverage of the Atlanta responses to the tragedies in Mumbai. Missing from the story was any reference to the on-going dialogue between the Indian and Jewish communities in Atlanta and around the world.

There is a strong relationship between the Indian and Jewish Communities in the U.S., as well as between India, the U.S. and Israel. For the past few years the Indo-Jewish Coalition, part of American Jewish Committee’s Atlanta Chapter, has met to discuss our mutual interests and enhance our relationship locally.  

Most recently, we came together, at Synagogues, Hindu Mandirs (Temples) and community centers to remember and honor those that were massacred in the recent attacks in Mumbai. 

We now have an exciting opportunity to come together again and strengthen the relationship between our communities. Please join us, on Wednesday, January 21 at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, as we further our discussion around the issue of the international diamond trade and how it affects the Jewish, Indian and African-American communities. 

We look forward to continuing and growing this relationship to the rest of the community.

Sincerely,

Ani Agnihotri, Rick May, Vir Nanda and Karen Wildau
Co-Chairs, Indo-Jewish Coalition