Young Professionals Visit Hill to Promote Hispanic-Jewish Relations

The first participants of the Hispanic/Israel Young Professionals Program (HIYPP), a select group of 10 young men and women, met with several members of the U.S. Congress on February 28, 2006. The visit to the nation's capital by the participants of the new leadership program was facilitated by the Washington, DC, office of The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, a member of the Jewish Hispanic Leadership Committee. Bronx Borough President, Adolfo Carrion, Jr., spearheaded the creation of the Jewish Hispanic Leadership Committee.

Currently under way, the Hispanic/Israel Young Professionals Program, a leadership training and community building initiative, brings together Jewish and Hispanic young professionals for a seven-month program to learn about each other and to improve relations between the two communities. This program is co-convened by the American-Israel Friendship League, a non-sectarian, nonpartisan organization.  The participants, ages 22-39, were selected competitively based on applications and interviews.

“I believe that it is critical that we are developing young leaders who can see across the divide between different ethnicities and cultures,” says Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “These young men and women will do a terrific job in setting the example of what can be achieved in promoting understanding between Hispanic Americans, Jewish Americans and Israelis.”

“These young men and women are the future leaders of our country. Their work to promote understanding and common ground between Hispanic Americans and Jewish Americans is vitally important. I’m proud to have the opportunity to meet with them and share the experience,” says Congressman Anthony Weiner.

During the seven-month program, the group will gather once a month for a three-hour session to explore Israeli, Jewish and Hispanic culture, and to learn how to promote mutual understanding between their communities. The program will culminate in a group project in the Bronx to advance relations between the Hispanic Community and the supporters of Israel.

“The results of our recent national poll show that young people are leading the country in bridging the cultural divide. The participants in this program are shining examples,” according to Rabbi Marc Schneier, President of The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. The Foundation’s Washington, DC, office works to strengthen relations between the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Conference, the Jewish Congressional Delegation and the Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Copyright © 2007 The Foundation For Ethnic Understanding
The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding was founded in 1989 by Rabbi Marc Schneier and the late Joseph Papp.
We are committed to the belief that direct, face-to-face, dialogue between leaders of ethnic communities is
the most effective path toward the reduction of bigotry and the promotion of reconciliation and understanding.

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