Leaders Meet in Mexico City to Discuss Jewish-Latino Relations

Mexico City played host to the North American Jewish Congress General Meeting, March
5-27, attended by Rabbi Marc Schneier and Foundation Director, Basya Laye. Formal sessions on anti-Semitism, the fate of small Jewish communities in Latin America and the importance of interfaith programs were attended by leaders of the World Jewish Congress' (WJC) American Section, the Canadian Jewish Congress and the Comunidad Judía Central de Mexico. On March 26, Rabbi Schneier participated in a panel discussion with Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico City, to discuss the important relationship between the Jewish and Catholic communities in North and Latin America. Cardinal Carrera stressed the importance of forgiveness, understanding and reconciliation and Rabbi Schneier reiterated his view that while Jewish-Catholic relations are much improved since the Nostra Aetate and the Second Vatican Council of 1965, there needs to be a strengthening of the voices of moderation to combat religious fundamentalism and extremism. The need to continue to build trust between the two communities is paramount and both men reaffirmed their dedication to building that trust.

Other leaders presenting at the meeting included, Mexico City Mayor, His Excellency Marcelo Ebrard, the President of Mexico's Jewish Central Committee, Benjamin Speckman, the Chair of the North American Jewish Congress, Evelyn Sommer, Stephen Herbits, Secretary General of the WJC, Israeli Ambassador to Mexico, Yosef Levine, and Dr. Gregg Rickman, U.S. Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism.

The three day meeting also included visits to several Jewish community centers, day schools, synagogue facilities and museums and meetings with local Jewish business and community leaders. The Foundation is partnering with the WJC American Section to expand our Jewish-Latino initiatives in 2007. This effort will include facilitating dialogue between Jewish and Latino leaders in the United States, in several key cities, including Miami, Los Angeles, and New York to discuss the similar interests and needs of the two communities and also to build networks of support with stronger relationships at the leadership level.

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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