October 30, 2006 - New York - Diplomats from more than 50 countries will join leaders of the American Jewish Committee on Thursday, November 2, for the New York Chapter’s 17th annual tour of Jewish New York, and will be treated to special presentation by Dan Rather on AJC’s groundbreaking use of media to fight prejudice.

U.N. ambassadors and other senior diplomats from China, Greece, India, Jordan, Mexico, and Turkey, as well as consuls general from Austria, Germany and the Philippines, are among the diplomats attending the event.

This year’s tour showcases the historic Jewish Museum on Fifth Avenue and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, home to Conservative Judaism’s rabbinical seminary.

“The point is to introduce these world leaders to key institutions that reflect different aspects of Jewish life in New York City and across the country,” said Diane Steinman, executive director of AJC’s New York chapter.

Dan Rather, former anchor of the CBS Evening News, will present a multimedia retrospective on AJC’s use of radio, TV, and film to educate, fight anti-Semitism, further civil rights, and contribute to deepening America’s democratic values.

In addition, throughout the day, the group will hear from several speakers, including David Harris, AJC’s executive director; Ruth Beesch, deputy director for Program at the Jewish Museum; and several faculty members at JTS.

The program is one of many AJC initiatives focused on international relations. AJC just completed its 17th “diplomatic marathon” in which the group met with leaders of more than 60 countries who were in New York for the start of the U.N. General Assembly.