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THE JEWISH PEOPLE POLICY PLANNING INSTITUTE Prof. Yehezkel Dror Founding President and Avinoam Bar-Yosef Establishing Director
 Left to right: Director-General of the United Jewish Communities office in Israel, Nachman Shai; Jewish Agency Treasurer, Chaim Chesler; Chairman of the Jewish Agency executive, Sallai Meridor; Washington Institute for Near East Policy fellow, Dennis B. Ross; Prof. Yehezkel Dror; and Avinoam Bar Yosef at the inaugural ceremony of the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute A Policy Planning Institute for the Jewish people was inaugurated in a ceremony hosted by Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor and Treasurer Chaim Chesler. The inauguration was the result of the Jewish Agency Board of Governors' decision to establish, in conjunction with other partners, an action oriented Policy Planning Institute for the Jewish people, that will operate in a professional and independent manner in order to improve long-range strategic thinking in this area. The decision was taken as a result of discussions of a team of Jewish planners from Israel and worldwide, among them Mr. Stephen Hoffmann - CEO of United Jewish Communities, Prof. Art Naparstek, Mr Harley Frankel, and Dr. Max Singer from the U.S., Dr. Salomon Wald from France, Prof. Uriel Rosenthal from Holland, and Brigadier General Amos Gilboa, Dr. Yossi Vardi, lawyer Yitzhak Molho, Ambassador Oded Eran, Mr. Ariel Weiss and Dr. Sami Friedman of Israel. Ambassador Dennis Ross, former Special Middle East Coordinator at the US Department of State, will head the Board of Directors which will serve as a professional guiding committee. Prof. Yehezkel Dror of the Hebrew University will serve as president of the Institute and Mr. Avinoam Bar-Yosef was nominated Establishing Director. The aim of the Institute is to examine the challenges, the threats and the needs pertaining to the safety, continuity and prosperity of the Jewish people. The Institute which will be established in Jerusalem, will operate worldwide and will rely on the best planners and thinkers in the Jewish world. At the inauguration Ambassador Ross said: "It is necessary for the Jewish people to develop thinking that will help anticipate and respond to future developments. The purpose of the Institute is to develop innovative thinking, assess future problems, and offer possible methods of action. The Institute will make recommendations to various governments including the government of Israel and Jewish organizations." In response to a question, Ross said: My activity on behalf of the Jewish people does not contradict my past or present activities in promoting peace in the Middle East. The will to be a proud Jew does not conflict with my political activities," he said. Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor and Treasurer Chaim Chesler, who also signed the official registration documents, noted that the Institute will function as a Jewish Agency subsidiary organization, that will own 50% of its shares. The balance of the shares will be offered to other partners. The Institute will be independent and will be measured by quality of its work. Mr. Nachman Shai, Director-General of the United Jewish Communities office in Israel, offered greetings on behalf of the UJC.
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