The 2008 General Assembly (GA) of the United Jewish Communities/Federations of North America celebrates Israel's 60th anniversary, with the theme “One People, One Destiny.” It will take place Nov. 16-19 in Jerusalem and across the Jewish State, and is expected to draw thousands of Jews from around the world.
 
This year’s GA is at the center of several major Israel events on the Jewish communal calendar during this 60th anniversary year. For the first time, UJC is offering a single online registration setup enabling participants to join multiple events. Click here to register for the GA, the International Lion of Judah Conference immediately before the GA on Nov. 12-16 in Tel-Aviv, and to join more than 55 federation missions to Israel. Click here for event Frequently Asked Questions.

On the registration page, participants can also sign up for the Jewish Agency for Israel’s assembly immediately before the GA on Nov. 14-16 in Jerusalem. You can also learn about the World Council of Jewish Communal Service conference Nov. 19-20 immediately following the GA. UJC will be adding a registration component for this event to our registration page shortly.

The 2008 GA -- the third to be held in Israel -- will mark Israel's 60th anniversary with a series of high-profile meetings and events in Jerusalem, inspirational visits to the North and South to see how UJC/Federation-supported work supports the Jewish state, and to Israel's cosmopolitan hub, Tel Aviv. Co-chairing the 2008 GA will be North American Chairs Mark and Jane Wilf of New Jersey and Israel Chair Shari Arison.

The Jerusalem events will include appearances by most of Israel's political leaders and dignitaries from across Israeli society. Among the political leaders expected to appear are Israel's Prime Minister; Defense Minister; Foreign Minister, the Knesset opposition leader, and President Shimon Peres.

This GA in Israel, like previous Israel-based GA's including one in 2003 at the height of the second intifada, demonstrates the unshakable bonds between North American Jewry and Israel.

The 2008 GA will be based at the Jerusalem International Convention Center, known as Binyanei Ha’umah. Beginning Sunday, Nov. 16, the GA will place particular emphasis on the Next Generation with a first-time “Next-Gen GA” that gathers approximately 700 participants under age 45 to discuss their role and how they will emerge as the next generation of Jewish leadership.

In the evening, Prime Minister’s Council and Star of David Society Donors will attend a dinner reception with the Israeli Prime Minister, followed by a gala GA opening celebrating the Diaspora-Israel relationship and featuring a speech by the Prime Minister.

On Monday, Nov. 17, Israel's Foreign Minister will reflect on the U.S. partnership with Israel over more than 60 years.  A federation system representative will also detail the history of UJC/Federation support for the Jewish State.

After a series of workshops and forums throughout the day, Israel's Defense Minister will outline Israel's security challenges.

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the GA will allow participants to immerse themselves in the work of UJC/Federation in Israel, with trips to the Galilee and the Negev Desert to see projects of some of UJC/Federation's main overseas partner agencies: the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC); the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), and the Ethiopian National Project (ENP).

That evening, GA participants will head to Tel Aviv, celebrating the centennial of the "White City" of historic Art Deco and Bauhaus buildings, at the restored historic Sarona Park.

Finally, the GA will conclude Wednesday, Nov. 19, with speeches by Israel's Knesset opposition leader and President Shimon Peres, with both scheduled to share their visions for our communal future, followed by a special musical performance by Israeli youth.
UJC will continue to update the federation system with GA news.