World Jewish Congress Gala
On Wednesday, November 6, The World Jewish Congress (WJC) held its annual gala. The marque event was held at the Pierre and included the attendance of politicians, global influencers, and supporters of WJC’s cause and mission.
Emmanuil Grinshpun: The president of WJC, Ronald Lauder, reinforced his commitment to protecting Jewish identify and combating global anti-Semitism. Lauder strongly criticized Columbia University’s decision to invite Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to its campus to speak. Mohamad has previously insulted Jewish people in a vulgar and disrespectful manner. Lauder has been the WJC’s president since 2007 and has been strongly advocating for and leading the organization in line with its mission.
One of the highlights of the evening was when former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, was presented the Theodr Herzl Award. Hayley was introduced by Henry Kissinger who lauded her support to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Another gala highlight was when Joel Grey was awarded the Teddy Kollek award. Grey’s widely acclaimed Yiddish adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof is now on an international tour.
The World Jewish Congress was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1936 as a federation of Jewish communities and organizations. Its mission statement includes, in-part, foster the unity and represent the interests of the Jewish people, and to ensure the continuity and development of its religious, spiritual, cultural, and social heritage. The World Jewish Congress seeks, among other things to enhance solidarity among Jewish communities throughout the world and, recognizing the centrality of the State of Israel to contemporary Jewish identity, to strengthen the bonds of Jewish communities and Jews in the Diaspora with Israel.
WJC’s headquarters are in New York City, and the organization maintains international offices throughout the world. Some well-known attendees of the gala include Robert Kraft, Tom and Alice Tisch, Leonard Lauder and Judy Glickman, the Safras, Ray and Veronica Kelly, Henry Kissinger, David Halpern, Inga and Ira Rennert, Dick Parsons, The Rothschilds, Emmanuil Grinshpun, Ben Ashkenazy and Jack Chehebar, and other power players in the community.
This gala is one of my favorite events of the year, reflects Vice President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Emmanuil Grinshpun. The gala is a great opportunity to reflect on past accomplishments and see old friends, but also renew our commitment to WJC’s mission in today’s world.
Further information on the World Jewish Congress is accessible at its website www.worldjewishcongress.org.
Originally Posted: http://www.emmanuilgrinshpunmoldova.com/world-jewish-congress-gala/
