VP Biden to speak at Jewish federations’ annual parlay

Vice President Joe Biden will speak at the annual General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America, the organization announced Tuesday.

The conference, which annually gathers several thousand officials and lay leaders of the Jewish federation system will be held in New Orleans between Nov. 7-9.

“We are proud to be hosting Vice President Biden at the GA,” said GA North American Chairs Steve and Judy Silverman, who are leading the event along with International Chair Eitan Wertheimer. 

This year’s GA, which is themes “The Big Embrace in the Big Easy” takes place five years after the federation system raised nearly $30 million to help the Jewish and general communities of the Gulf Coast rebuild from Hurricane Katrina’s devastation.

The GA will also feature notable voices from the arts, business, politics and philanthropy, as well as leaders of Federations and their partner organizations including the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Jewish Agency. Israel’s Leader of the Opposition, MK Tzipi Livni, and Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, will be among the top Israeli political figures at the GA.

For details on the GA and to register, visit jewishfederations.org.

Here is the leadership briefing from the JFNA with the announcement:

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VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN TO ADDRESS 2010 GA

Oct. 5, 2010

The Jewish Federations of North America is honored to announce that Vice President Joe Biden will headline the 2010 General Assembly in New Orleans, which runs Nov. 7-9.

Vice President Biden will be among the VIPs from around the world who are set to appear at the premier annual Jewish communal gathering in North America.

“We are proud to be hosting Vice President Biden at the GA,” said GA North American Chairs Steve and Judy Silverman, who are leading the event along with International Chair Eitan Wertheimer. 

This year’s GA, with the theme “The Big Embrace in the Big Easy,” will offer a range of events highlighting the global impact of Jewish Federations and celebrating New Orleans. The GA takes place five years after Jewish Federations marshaled nearly $30 million to help the Jewish and general communities of the Gulf Coast rebuild from Hurricane Katrina’s devastation.

In addition to Vice President Biden, the GA will feature notable voices from the arts, business, politics and philanthropy, as well as leaders of Federations and their partner organizations including the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Jewish Agency. Israel’s Leader of the Opposition, MK Tzipi Livni, and Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, will be among the top Israeli political figures at the GA.

GA forums and breakout sessions will feature such notable voices as Jeffrey Solomon of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, who will discuss “disruptive philanthropy,” and Prof. Jack Wertheimer, who will explore what’s next for the Jewish community.

The GA will also feature a Global Day of Jewish Learning; a Jewish Futures conference; and a first-ever special day of Jewish service that will allow thousands of participants to join dozens of hands-on volunteer projects around New Orleans.

Other major speakers include screenwriter and TV producer David Simon, who created “Homicide: Life on the Streets,” the highly acclaimed HBO series “The Wire,” and “Treme,” which is set in New Orleans. 

The Second Annual Jewish Community Hero Awards, which honors members of our community who deserve recognition for their good works to improve the world around them, will also culminate at the GA with the unveiling of the 2010 Jewish Community Hero of the Year. For the first time this year, the GA will also recognize a Jewish Federation-focused Hero.

This year the GA will overlap with the biennial International Lion of Judah Conference, which convenes the world’s leading women philanthropists. The International Lion of Judah Conference, from Nov. 8-10, will also include a first-ever day of Jewish service focused on literacy.