President Reuven Rivlin
President Reuven RivlinMark Neuman /GPO

President Reuven Rivlin departed on Saturday night for Los Angeles, where he will deliver on Monday night the keynote address at the annual General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), at the invitation of the organization’s leadership.

Rivlin’s address at the General Assembly, to be held in Los Angeles on November 12-14, will mark his first major speech outside Israel to the Jewish community in North America.

Before departing, Rivlin reiterated that Israel would never give up on Diaspora Jewry and said, “This year we have all experienced moments of disappointment and unmet expectations. Some spoke of separation, of a growing gap, of a crisis that cannot be prevented, but this is not our path.”

“We will never give up on our brothers and sisters, the Jews of the Diaspora, we will never turn our backs on our family living outside the State of Israel.

“It is important that we listen to and learn from each other, so that we can reach a better understanding not only of what binds and connects us, but also what is different between us.”

After his address, Rivlin is scheduled to meet with the family of one of the Israeli civilians being held in Gaza by Hamas, Avraham Mengistu.

During his visit to Los Angeles, President Rivlin will also meet with LA Mayor Erik Garcetti, as well as with heads of the Israeli American Council (IAC). In addition, Rivlin will participate in a round table with leaders of the Latino community in the city, and will also tour the Museum of Tolerance and the Ronald Reagan Museum.