DIPLOMATIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Dr. Marian Stolz-Loike, Chair; Guy Reiss, Vice-Chair

The Diplomatic Outreach program builds long-term relationships with diplomats in the New York area.  By building relationships with consuls general and UN ambassadors, chapter leaders can better understand diplomats’ perspectives and positions on important international issues and create a framework for dialogue about critical Jewish concerns, including Israel and anti-Semitism.

Along with small, private meetings between diplomats and Chapter lay leaders, the New York Chapter organizes two annual events, the Diplomatic Seder and the Diplomatic Tour of Jewish New York.  Both engage a broad range of the diplomatic community and provide them with better understanding of the New York Jewish community, Judaism's traditions and values, and Jews around the world.

Diplomatic Seder

The American Jewish Committee has long been engaged in a cooperative effort to deepen mutual understanding between American Jews and the diplomatic community.  Our Seder allows us to share an important element of Jewish ritual and culture with consuls general and UN ambassadors and to convey Judaism’s deep-rooted commitment to freedom and justice.

On April 6, 2006 over fifty diplomats joined AJC leaders at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun for the New York Chapter's Annual Diplomatic Seder.

Click here for additional photos from the event.

Diplomatic Tour of Jewish New York 

At the annual Diplomatic Tour of Jewish New York, consuls general and UN ambassadors

tour neighborhoods, visit institutions, and hear from leaders that are significant

Dan Rather, Mimi Alperin and Barry Alperin at the Diplomatic Tour, November 2006

to New York’s Jewish community. For many diplomats, the tour is their first exposure to Jews, Judaism, and American Jewish life and culture.  Our theme and itinerary vary each year, and have included tours of Brighton Beach, the Center for Jewish History, and the Upper West Side.

On November 2, 2006, the New York Chapter conducted  its seventeenth annual tour of Jewish New York, 1906-2006: Jewish Values and the American Struggle for Human Rights and Justice.  Dan Rather, former CBS news anchor, moderated a program on AJC's groundbreaking use of media to fight prejudice, further civil rights, and promote America's democratic values.  Diplomats toured the permanent collection at the Jewish Museum and visited the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where they learned about the synagogue service and viewed ancient manuscripts from around the world.