RECENT EVENTS in WASHINGTON

Indian Embassy Hannukah Reception

On December 16, AJC Board members joined other leaders from the DC Jewish community at the Indian Embassy's Annual Hanukkah party, hosted by Ambassador Meera Shankar at her residence.  Nissim Reuben, AJC's Program Director of Indian-Jewish American Relations, who helped to coordinate the event, lit the Hanukkah candles with his wife, Lavina (pictured on the right), while Ambassador Shankar (left) looked on; Dov Zakheim, National Chair of AJC's International Relations Commission, and Andy Marks, President of AJC's Washington Regional Office, offered brief remarks on behalf of AJC.

Ambassadors' Forum Series: Luncheon with Colombian Ambassador Carolina Barco

On December 17, over 40 AJC members attended a luncheon forum at the residence of Colombian Ambassador to the US, Her Excellency Carolina Barco. The luncheon was part of the Ambassadors' Forum series of AJC's Washington Regional Office.

The Forum, now in its 20th year, is a centerpiece of AJC Washington's diplomatic outreach efforts. Through this series, we have provided a venue for countless interesting exchanges between Ambassadors and AJC leadership. Our luncheon last Thursday with Ambassador Barco was a continuation of AJC's strong relationship with the government of Colombia.

Barco touched on a number of issues of interest and concern to AJC, including US-Colombia bilateral relations; Israel-Colombia bilateral relations; the Iranian threat and international efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons; efforts at thwarting domestic terrorism, including extensive cooperation with the US and Israel; and the importance of combating anti-Semitism and extremism in the region.