500 Jewish community leaders from France held their annual conference in the capitol of Israel this month. The group was led by the chief rabbi of French Jewry, Rabbi Joseph Hayim Sitruk, and, Jean Kahn, the president of the Consistoire Central des Isra?lites de France (the Central Council of Jewish Communities in France). The group was in Israel from January 16-23, with the express objective of showing solidarity with the homeland. While in Israel, the group met with President Moshe Katsav, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, ministers and Knesset members, and visited the northern border with Lebanon.
The Israeli Ministry of Tourism reports that the visit is the culmination of intensive work among the Jewish communities in France, under the supervision of Mr. Ruby Harlee. In October, the Tourism Ministry sent Mr. Aharon Domb as its representative to the Jewish leadership conference in Paris, where he invited the assembled leaders to come to Israel. The Consistoire answered the call.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, over the last year, France became the second major source of tourism in Israel (after the United States). In 2002, over 105,000 tourists came to Israel from France, 90% of them Jewish. During the coming year, two more groups representing French Jewry are due to arrive in the country for an organized visit - the Jewish Business Owners Association and representatives of Jewish charitable organizations. These official visits by French Jewish leadership are meant to be the spark for increased private French tourism, as well.
The Israeli Ministry of Tourism reports that the visit is the culmination of intensive work among the Jewish communities in France, under the supervision of Mr. Ruby Harlee. In October, the Tourism Ministry sent Mr. Aharon Domb as its representative to the Jewish leadership conference in Paris, where he invited the assembled leaders to come to Israel. The Consistoire answered the call.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, over the last year, France became the second major source of tourism in Israel (after the United States). In 2002, over 105,000 tourists came to Israel from France, 90% of them Jewish. During the coming year, two more groups representing French Jewry are due to arrive in the country for an organized visit - the Jewish Business Owners Association and representatives of Jewish charitable organizations. These official visits by French Jewish leadership are meant to be the spark for increased private French tourism, as well.