Jewish community presidents and B'nai B'rith leaders gathered in Quito, Ecuador March 18-20 for a seminar about Jews and their future in Latin America. The group heard speakers on topics as diverse as the conflict in the Middle East and its effect on the region, to the type of support B'nai B'rith International can provide to the growing Jewish communities in Latin America. Latin American community leaders from Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador heard from prominent speakers who provided insight into the political, economic, and social climate of the region. Each Latin American leader made a presentation on the climate for Jews in his/her country to identify similarities and differences and determine a region-wide set of best practices for community action.
B'nai B'rith International President Moishe Smith and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin provided an international perspective. Mariaschin spoke about the Jewish Diaspora's political agenda as it relates to Latin America, and Smith outlined B'nai B'rith's work on issues of importance to Jews the world over. "It is imperative that Jews in Latin America realize that they can use B'nai B'rith as a resource. With five offices throughout Latin America, and with members in 18 Latin American countries, BBI represents a strong Jewish voice for those who might feel isolated in a predominantly un-Jewish part of the world," said Smith.
Eduardo Kohn, BBI's director of Latin American affairs, spoke about B'nai B'rith's media strategies in the region. B'nai B'rith Latin America Consultant Ram Tapia participated as well.
Keynote speakers included Ecuadorian economist Abelardo Pachano, who spoke about the economy; Middle East scholar and journalist Julian Schvindlerman of Argentina lectured on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and Dr. Ricardo Israel of Chile, a World Bank consultant and professor, told the group about the economic and political situation in the region.
Both Israeli Ambassador Eyal Sela and Daniel Gazit, the ambassador-designate to Argentina from Israel and a widely respected expert in Latin American affairs, participated in the seminar as well.
