Outreach to Diplomatic Community

Date: September 25, 2009

ADL staff and lay leaders recently met with the Consuls General of Austria, Japan and Germany as part of continued outreach efforts to the diplomatic community based in Los Angeles.

These meetings provide the opportunity to discuss anti-Semitism, Israel and other issues that relate to the Jewish community.

At the meeting with Consul General of Japan Junichi Ihara, the group commended him for his concern about issues affecting the Jewish community.  The Consul General was particularly interested in ADL's Asian Jewish Initiative.

ADL has traditionally had a very close working relationship with the Consuls General of both Germany and Austria.  Meetings with new Consuls General from these countries provide an opportunity to continue that strong connection.  Both of the new Consuls General – Karen Poidl of  Austria and Wolfgang Drautz of Germany – confirmed their interest in continuing that relationship.