Israeli Arab issues will have a prominent place on the agenda of this year's JFNA General Assembly (GA) in New Orleans. Please share the programs below with your colleagues, lay leaders and constituents that will be attending. For more information about the GA and to register, click here.

I. Why Israeli Arabs are a Jewish Issue and What Federations Can Do to Ensure a Secure, Jewish and Democratic State of Israel
MK Professor Avishay Braverman, Minister of Minority Affairs
Jeffrey Solomon, President, Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies
November 9, 2010
8:15 AM - 9:30 AM

MK Professor Avishay Braverman, Minister of Minority Affairs, will discuss why Israel's treatment of its minority population is an issue of Jewish values and how the work of the Israeli government and the North American Jewish community on this issue is making a difference in Israel. He will share his perspective on the current state of Jewish-Arab relations in Israel and on plans to promote true equality for all Israeli citizens. He will also discuss the recent government decision to approve massive investments totaling NIS 800 million in infrastructure and economic development in Arab localities in Israel, and the launching of the first-ever governmental initiative to enhance private investments in Arab businesses. Jeffrey Solomon, President of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, will discuss the vital role that federations can play in addressing these critically important issues.

II. Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues, JFNA Social Venture Fund for Jewish-Arab Equality and Shared Society, Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation, Other Israeli Film Festival and Foundation for Jewish Culture Film Screening: Arab Labor and After the Cup: Sons of Sakhnin United
November 7, 2010
8:00 pm

Select scenes from Arab Labor, the controversial hit Israeli comedy series created by Sayed Kashua, an Israeli Arab journalist, will be shown. Arab Labor, the first Israeli program to present characters speaking in Arabic on primetime, plays on religious, cultural and political differences and presents a comical yet sobering account of Jewish-Arab relations in Israel. Arab Labor is now in its second season.

After the Cup: Sons of Sakhnin United, one of two films being screened at this year's GA, follows a season of struggle for Israel's preeminent Arab soccer team, Bnei Sakhnin, and its captain and hero Abbas Suan, who also represents the Israeli national team in their quest for a spot in the World Cup. The film was directed by 2007 Lynn and Jules Kroll Fund for Jewish Documentary Film grantee Christopher Browne.

III. International Lion of Judah Conference (LOJ) (must be registered for LOJ conference to participate): Why Empowering Israeli Women — Jewish and Arab — Is Important to Building a Peaceful and Prosperous Israel
November 9, 2010
2:00 - 3:30 pm

Moderated by Carol Smokler, NWP Past President and Founding Chair, JFNA Social Venture Fund for Jewish-Arab Equality and Shared Society, Alisa Doctoroff, Chair, UJA Federation of New York and Member of JFNA’s Social Venture Fund for Jewish-Arab Equality and Shared Society; Ronit Segelman, Deputy Director, Partnership, Rashi Foundation; Vivian Silver, Co-Executive Director, Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development, will discuss innovative education, economic development and other initiatives that are empowering women to transform their families and communities, bringing hope for a positive shared future. The discussion will focus on how women’s philanthropy can make a difference in Israeli Arab society and help create a path to peace and prosperity for all citizens of Israel.