ISRAELI KNESSET HOLDS SPECIAL HEARING TO HONOR NCSJ   

JERUSALEM, Israel, December 12, 2011 - Today, the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs convened a special hearing to recognize the 40th anniversary of NCSJ's founding, and its work today.
 
The hearing was led by Committee Chairman MK Danny Dannon. The chairman was joined by Minister of Public Affairs and the Diaspora Yuli Edelstein and four other Russian-speaking members of the committee.
 
The Chairman congratulated NCSJ on its past accomplishments and on its current work in support of the State of Israel.

Minister Edelstein praised NCSJ, saying "Even today, you continue your vital work for the benefit of Russian-speaking Jews in the former Soviet Union."
 
The committee heard from NCSJ Chairman Richard B. Stone, President Alexander Smukler and Executive Director Mark B. Levin.

Also congratulating NCSJ during the hearing was Dr. Mala Tabori of the Prime Minister's Office for the Former Soviet Union.
 
Chairman Dannon and Minister Edelstein both stressed the need for NCSJ to continue its important mission.

The hearing was the final program in a week-long visit by NCSJ leadership to Israel, which earlier included a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  

About NCSJ 

NCSJ: Advocates on Behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia, founded in 1971, represents the organized American Jewish community in monitoring and advocating on behalf of the estimated 1.5 million Jews in the 15 successor states of the former Soviet Union.

Website: http://WWW.NCSJ.ORG

email: NCSJinfo@ncsj.org

phone: 202.898.2500