October 25, 1999
15 Cheshvan, 5760
JerusalemThe Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) will begin its deliberations tonight in Jerusalem.
The strategy for implementing JAFI’s shared vision and mission for the coming decade will be presented to the Board of Governors.
The Jewish Agency for Israel will focus on four major areas of activity in the coming years - immigration to Israel, rescue and absorption; Jewish peoplehood, unity and tolerance; the role of Israel in enhancing Jewish identity; and strengthening the State of Israel as the state for all Jews. The strategic plan to put this mission into operation will be presented to the JAFI Board of Governors as it convenes today, 25 October 1999, in Jerusalem.
The strategic plan is the product of three years of efforts within JAFI aimed at adapting JAFI activity to the changing realities and needs of the Jewish people. It seeks to direct JAFI towards meeting the urgent needs of the Jewish people, repositioning it as the central agency of the entire Jewish people with Israel as its central focus, and building a more flexible, efficient and innovative organization.
According to the program, JAFI will continue its historic commitment to immigration to Israel, the rescue of Jews in distress, and to the initial successful absorption and integration of new immigrants into Israel society.
The plan calls for JAFI to promote Jewish unity and tolerance. JAFI will serve as the connecting bridge between Israel and the world Jewish communities and among these communities themselves. It will also develop new programs for promoting unity, mutual respect, tolerance and democracy and will cultivate Jewish identity in Israel and around the world.
For this purpose, JAFI plans to strengthen the system of educational emissaries around the world, further develop programs for bringing Jewish youth to Israel and strengthen the training of educational leaders in the communities.
Furthermore, JAFI, with the assistance of world Jewry, will work towards strengthening the State of Israel for all Jews by supporting vulnerable populations in Israel and supporting Israel’s national projects.
The Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel, numbering 121 members, will convene in Jerusalem between October 25-28. Scheduled to address the gathering are Minister of Finance Avraham Shochat, Minister Michael Melchior, Absorption Minister Yuli Tamir and Minister of the Interior Natan Sharansky. Additional speakers will be MK Eli Goldschmidt, MK Naomi Blumenthal, MK Yuri Stern, MK Zippi Livni, MK Eliezer Cohen and MK Zahava Galon who will report on their visit to JAFI projects in the FSU.
For further information contact:
Michael Jankelowitz
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media, JAFI
Tel: 972-2-6202780
Fax: 972-2-6202708
Mobile: 972-51-601706