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United Jewish Communities GA organizer Nachman Shai (Lior Mizrachi) GA special report / UJC General Assembly opens, organizers expect 'success' By Cnaan Liphshiz Tags: Israel News, UJC, Jerusalem  Full coverage of the 2008 GA conference Attendance at the United Jewish Communities General Assembly, which opens today in Jerusalem, is down 30 percent compared to five years ago, when Israel last hosted the event. Head organizer Nachman Shai says the numbers actually indicate the event's success, considering that the world financial crisis has left budget cuts in its wake. Roughly 3,000 participants from the United States, Canada, Israel and elsewhere are expected to attend the opening ceremony of the assembly - considered the most significant gathering of leaders and members of North America's 155 Jewish Federations and 400 communities. In 2003, at the height of the second Intifada, the event drew more than 4,000 North Americans alone. "We really feared a much lower turnout," said Shai, a former army spokesman whose television appearances during the 1991 Gulf War earned him the nickname, the "national calmer." Advertisement Speaking in his capacity as the UJC's senior vice president and director-general for external affairs, Shai says that in 2003, air fare was cheaper and the U.S. dollar was stronger. "We were subsidized by several organizations in 2003, and the assembly's budget was 50 to 60 percent higher," says Shai. "So you see, we had cause for concern." The 2008 General Assembly coincides with three major events: The Jewish Agency Assembly with 1,000 guests, the Lion of Judah conference with 1,200 participants and the Next Generation Day - a gathering of more than 800 Jews under the age of 45 from around the world. These three events, Shai says, also helped boost attendance and compelled many Americans to make the trip. Unlike the GA, all of the smaller conferences reported they had reached their registration capacity. Jewish Agency Secretary-General Josh Schwarcz told Haaretz that his organization's 2008 assembly would be one of its largest conferences in a decade. Shai says fate threw this year's GA a proverbial bone: Israel's 60th Independence Day. "That also helped a lot. But really it comes down to caring; some people are too cynical to remember that these people [Diaspora Jews] really and truly care about Israel, believe it or not." The world financial crisis will be addressed at the conference, says Shai. Several of the dozens of sessions, panel discussions and lectures at the GA will be devoted to tips on how to conduct Israel-related philanthropy in a post-financial crisis world. In 2007, the UJC raised $2.5 billion; Israel received $200 million of that sum. The effects of the world financial crisis on fundraising for Israel and for the U.S. Jewish community will not be known until the end of 2008, the UJC says. A glance at the GA program reveals that, inevitably perhaps, this new focus has come at the expense of what was in 2003 a detailed exploration of Israel's security issues. "I had to make a choice based on what the audience was most interested in," Shai said. "So there's one session about Iran, and the guests will be addressed by the defense minister. But it's the crisis that's on everybody's minds now." Crisis or no crisis, the four-day program is still offering six excursions across Israel and more than 50 walking tours. "Listen, we have to show these people what we're doing with their money," Shai says. "They give us billions of dollars to develop this country. Let them see it at work!" Earlier this month, Shai announced he would be competing for a slot on the Knesset Kadima list and was quoted as harshly criticizing the Jerusalem municipality for not being helpful enough, as he put it, in the GA preparations. He is also quoted as calling the city "ugly." Noting that the city had not been given a chance to respond, the municipality's spokesman, Gidi Schmerling, told Haaretz: "It's unfortunate Nachman Shai saw fit to launch his political career at the expense of the Jerusalem municipality." As for Shai's complaints, Schmerling said: "Shai's attempts to obtain more and more funds from the city did not succeed, but the municipality has nonetheless extended all the required assistance to the UJC General Assembly." Ruth Sinai contributed to this article. Related articles: GA special feature / An online battle for Israel's legitimacy GA Magazine / Crisis, what crisis? GA Magazine / Failing the taste test Full coverage of the 2008 GA conference Bookmark to del.icio.us   Taped launch IDF releases video of Gaza gunners firing rockets at Israel. GA, Jerusalem UJC General Assembly opens, organizers expect 'success.'   1.   UJC 18:55  |  Gershon Ron 16/11/08

Read & React U.S. study urges Obama to press Israel over nukes Responses: 173 Israeli lightly hurt as Qassam hits yard of Sderot home Responses: 120 Yossi Melman: Syria may soon face nuclear sanctions like Iran Responses: 62 Livni to Miliband: U.K. plan to label W. Bank goods is 'exaggerated' Responses: 58 ANALYSIS / Hamas is calling the shots as Israel's leaders bicker Responses: 67 More Headlines 23:06 GA special report / Olmert: World must confront Iran's malevolence 23:28 Livni to Miliband: U.K. plan to label West Bank goods is 'exaggerated' 23:44 Poll: Only 19% of Americans say Israeli-Palestinian peace should top Obama's priorities 00:27 Israeli lightly hurt as Qassam hits yard of Sderot home 23:11 GA special report / Olmert: Strong Israel is best deterrent protecting world Jewry 21:05 IDF releases video of Gaza gunners firing rockets at Israel 18:02 PA negotiator Erekat: Netanyahu is closing the door to peace 19:24 IDF officials: Settlers unlikely to quit Hebron home unless forced 15:48 ANALYSIS / Hamas is calling the shots as Israel's leaders bicker 20:36 GA special report / Ex-basketball star Tal Brody expected to run for Likud Knesset list 00:26 B-G Airport strike ends as Histadrut chief calls for renewed talks in labor dispute 15:16 Ahmadinejad aide under fire over Koran 'dance' 09:12 U.S. study urges Obama to press Israel over nuclear program 00:26 Ami Ayalon quits Labor, claiming party has lost its will to live 09:17 Feted author Amos Oz says new leftist party will replace Labor Previous Editions Select Day 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov 10 nov 09 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 03 nov

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