Latin American Jewish Leaders Set to Address Challenges and Changes

More than 1,000 expected at Meeting of Latin American and Caribbean Jewish Community Leaders; Unemployment, Jewish continuity, diversity and fundraising will be among 'hot' topics at upcoming annual conference

New York---More than 1,000 Jewish Communal leaders from across Latin America will gather later this week to address the significant challenges and changes facing Jewish communities throughout the region. The 10th annual Meeting of Latin American and Caribbean Jewish Community Leaders has been organized by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and AMIA. It will take place from May 10-May 14 in Mar Del Plata, Argentina.

Conference planners have carefully planned plenary sessions to reflect the most pressing topics facing Latin American Jewry. They include unemployment, cultural diversity, education/institutions, youth engagement, civil service, preserving Jewish identity, understanding the modern donor, and the role of Israel.

Currently, there are more than 500,000 Jews in Latin America. The biggest issue they have faced in recent years is the spillover effect from Argentina's economic crisis of 2000-01. While the crisis has subsided and the economies of Latin America are slowly rebounding, there remain great challenges in assisting the tens of thousands of Jews who still face difficulties finding jobs and providing for themselves and their families. JDC-supported efforts such as the Ariel Job Center, Metiv and Baby Help have become mainstays in the Jewish communities' efforts to sustain Jewish life, provide Jewish education and care for the most needy. The Leatid leadership development initiative continues to train lay leaders and professionals in organization management and volunteer leadership.

Jews throughout Latin America are also engaged in the process of reaching out and establishing ties with the approximately 1,500 Jews in Cuba. JDC has established a small pharmacy in Havana, which is supplied through regular North American federation missions and JDC shipments. Currently 120 members of Havana's Jewish community attend Sunday school and many have trained for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs using JDC-supplied Jewish education materials written in Spanish.

"The Jews of Latin America have proven themselves to be incredibly resourceful and resilient," said JDC executive vice president Steve Schwager, who will attend the conference. "Without a doubt they have faced many recent challenges. The fact that Jewish life in this region continues to thrive is a reflection of the outstanding leadership that will be on display at this meeting."

Additionally, there are several workshops built into the schedule where participants will have the opportunity to discuss their thoughts on the presentations, exchange ideas and share best practices. New to the program, this year, is a presentation of the winners of a student and young adult art contest that challenged young artists to create a depiction of Jewish history that relates to defending Israel. Finalists will have to opportunity to display their work during the conference's opening and the overall winner will be able to present to the conference his or her depiction.