(l. to r.) Deputy Consul General of Germany Soenke Lorenz, Honorary Consul General of Turkey Mona Diamond, Guest Speaker Karsten Voigt, Sandra Cuttler, Judy Marx and Consul General of Germany Lotz Gorgens following Mr. Voigts presentation on "Jewish Life in Germany" at an AJC Breakfast Briefing.

AJC is a global leader in “Building Bridges of Understanding.”  In Atlanta, we hosted Diplomatic briefings to educate our members, advocated to our Consuls General on issues ranging from the genocide in Darfur to the global threat of Iran, as well as educated the Consular Corps about the Jewish community locally and world wide.  We also engaged new international communities in Atlanta, with the incorporation of the Africa Institute into our yearly programming schedule.  And this year, we will be celebrating, together with the entire Atlanta Jewish community, Israel's 60th anniversary.

If you would like to be involved with any of our Israel & Internationals Affairs programs, please contact Dov Wilker, wilkerd@ajc.org.

We are engaging our community -

• Consular Corps Outreach
  The Atlanta Chapter has a long history with Atlanta's Consular Corps and International Community.  Each year, members of the chapter, meet with Consuls General who are stationed in Atlanta to discuss Shared Values and issues of Mutual Understanding.  We share our concerns for the development of Iran as a nuclear threat, the safety and security of the State of Israel and of the Jewish Community in their countries.  Each year, Atlanta's Consular Corps has been a co-sponsor of our Pre-Thanksgiving Luncheon and have participated in many of programs. 
  
  This year, we have already met with the Consuls General of Nigeria, Mexico, Israel, Germany, France and Australia and have many more meetings in the works.

(L. to r.) Sandra Cuttler, Beth Paradies, Judy Marx, Consul General Philippe Ardanaz, Debbie Neese, Sheri Labovitz & Claire Collobert.	Sandra Cuttler, Sheri Labovtiz, Dr. Francois Touazi and Marty Fleischmann
(L. to r.) Marc Schwarz, Marty Fleischmann, Judy Marx, Consul General Remedios Gomez Arnau, Deputy Consul Marisela Quijano, Greg Kirsch and Dov Wilker.	(L. to R.) Josh Simon, Greg Averbuch, Ray Ann Kremer, Consul General Brian Oak, Judith Costello, Marty Fleischmann & Belinda Morris.
(L. to r.) Marty Fleischmann, Marc Schwarz,  Kent Alexander, Consul General Manuel Dobles, Consul Rodolfo Rodriguez Cambronero, Ray Ann Kremer and Judy Marx.	(L. to R.) Marty Fleischmann, Judy Marx, Sara Ghitis, Consul Julio Alvarez, Sandra Cuttler, Marc Schwartz.
(L. to r.) Wendy Bearman, Judy Marx, Deputy Consul General of Guatemala Katherine, Sari Earl, Ray Ann Kremer and Rebecca Zimmerman with the Misloach Manot for Purim.

• Africa Institute
  

  Founded in 2006, the Africa Institute is committed to raising awareness within the political consciousness, social activism and American Jewish communities of the challenges facing Africa today.  Seeking to establish relationships with African Diasporas in the U.S., the Africa Institute conducts advocacy and facilitates cooperation and development assistance from the U.S., Israel and Africa.
  
  In its inagural year the national leadership of the Africa Institute met with presidents, foreign ministers and ambassadors of twenty African nations.  In Atlanta, we hosted four significant events; a luncheon for His Excellency Perezi Kamunanwire Ugandan Ambassador to the United States, a briefing with former Israeli Consul to Kenya Oren Rozenblat, co-sponsored a film with the Southern Center for International Studies and GoodWorks International about Rwanda, and has actively advocated to end the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.

Judy Marx presents Consul General of Nigeria Chudi Okafor, AJC's 2006 Jewish Yearbook.	Consul M. N. Cobham, Africa Institute Co-Chair Rena Kahn, Consul General Chudi Okafor and Chapter Director Judy Marx.
Dr. David Batstone and Rena Kahn discuss the Africa Institute and Global Slavery.	Lois Frank reacts to Dr. David Batstone discuss the horifying conditions of those being held against their will as part of the Global Slave Trade.

• Israel @ 60
  As part of the Atlanta communities celebration of the State of Israel's 60th anniversary, the Atlanta Chapter has specific meetings and programs focused on educating the community.
  
  Recently, we met with the Consul General of France, Mr. Philippe Ardanaz, to thank France for their vote on November 29, 1947, in favor of the establishment of the State of Israel. 
  
  We have also been working closely with members of the Indian community to celebrate "India & Israel @ 60" and educate the Atlanta community of the shared values in both communities. 

	Consul General Philipe Ardanaz and Chapter President Sheri Labovitz, hold the "Israel @ 60" award, presented to those countries who voted for the establishment of the State of Israel in 1947.
	Sandra Cuttler, Consul General of Australia Amanda Hodges, Dr. Elaine Levin and Judy Marx with the "Israel @ 60" Presentation".
	Ray Ann Kremer and Consul General of Canada, Brian Oak hold the "Israel @ 60" award, presented to those countries who voted for the establishment of the State of Israel in 1947.
	Marc Schwartz and Consul General of Costa Rica, Manuel Dobles hold the "Israel @ 60" award, presented to those countries who voted for the establishment of the State of Israel in 1947.
	Sara Ghitis and Deputy Consul General of Peru, Julio Alvarez hold the "Israel @ 60" award, presented to those countries who voted for the establishment of the State of Israel in 1947.

Links

American-Israel Chamber of Commerce - Southeast Israel Consulate General - Atlanta, GA

Upcoming Events:

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Sandra Cuttler with the Foreign Minister of Romania, Adrian Cioroianu, at AJC's UN Diplomatic Marathon, Sept. 2007	Sandra Cuttler with President Valdas Adamkus (l.) of the Republic of Lithuania and Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekūnas
Sandra Cuttler with the President Jan Kubis of Slovakia at AJC's UN Diplomatic Marathon, Sept. 2007.
Sandra Cuttler with the Karsten Voigt, Coordinator of German-North American Council for the German Foreign Ministry discuss the upcoming US elections.