Israeli Mayors Establish Israel-Diaspora Relations Task Force

The Union of Israeli Mayors has decided to create an Israel-Diaspora relations task force, for the first time ever. Shmuel Ben-Tovim, Mayor of Kfar Shmaryahu, was named as Chairman. Among other 20 members of the task force are the mayors of Ra'anana, Arad, Migdal Ha'Emek, Naharia, Shoham, Kiryat Gat and Ariel.

Ben-Tovim is co founder and past Chairman of The Israeli Forum and has also served as Chairman of the (Amuta) - advisory board of the San Francisco Jewish Federation in Israel.

Guests of the new task force in its first meeting earlier this week in Tel Aviv were Jewish Agency Treasurer Shai Hermesh, and Director of Israel Region Ephraim Lapid. The task force will spread among its members know-how on successful models of cooperation between Jewish communities in Israel and worldwide, conduct training programs for municipal executives, and more.

For further information contact:
Michael Jankelowitz
Liaison to Foreign Press
The Jewish Agency for Israel
Cell: 050-7601706
Voicemail: 02-6202780
e-mail: michaelj@jafi.org