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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE 40
(GRC) advocates for legislation that reflects our core Jewish values on issues such as strengthening the U.S./Israel relationship, providing adequate resources for our vulnerable seniors and more.
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Last year, we hosted an event to mark the 25th Anniversary of Summit Sunday in Washington, D.C. when 250,000 Americans gathered with the clarion call: Let My People Go! Cleveland was one of the first communities to support freeing Soviet Jews.
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We host one of the largest annual Jewish community-wide events: Yom Ha’zikaron, a day of remembrance, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. Free and open to the public, the 2013 Yom Ha’atzmaut event drew a record-breaking 2,000+ people and featured international Israeli superstar David Broza to celebrate Israel’s 65th birthday.
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“AS A COMMUNITY WE ARE STRONGEST WHEN WE STAND TOGETHER. AS A PEOPLE, WE MUST NEVER STAY SILENT.” — WARREN L. WOLFSON, CRC CHAIR
We produced a magazine called Israel at 65 this year, with lots of fun facts about Israel. A few of our favorites are:
In its 65-year history, two Israeli Prime Ministers and one President have won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel produces 93% of the food it eats, requiring very few ingredients to be imported and helping them to be self-sustaining.
Relative to its population, Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation on earth.
Over 140 countries have benefited from Israeli humanitarian aid.
Israel makes up only 2% of the population in the Middle East and is only 1/6 of 1% of the land mass.
2013 Annual Report
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