This December, AJC Dallas launched an initiative that aims to strengthen ties between the Jewish community and the Texas diplomatic corps. The AJC Diplomatic Engagement Series (DES) will provide quarterly opportunities for members of the Texas-based diplomatic corps and Jewish leadership to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange perspectives, and explore shared priorities.
AJC brings decades of experience working with diplomats around the world. While Dallas hosts a modest consular presence—with seven consulates and nearly three dozen honorary consuls—Houston is home to the nation’s third-largest consular corps, with approximately 75 professionally staffed consulates. The series will focus on engaging this broader statewide network, connecting them with Jewish organizational leaders and local rabbis.
The idea for the series was born from a conversation between AJC Dallas Regional Director Joel Schwitzer and former U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Marc Stanley, following the conclusion of Stanley’s diplomatic service in 2025.
“During my posting in Buenos Aires, I saw firsthand how impactful it can be when diplomats engage directly with diverse communities, including the Jewish community,” said Stanley. “As a longtime admirer of AJC and its work with foreign leaders, I knew they were uniquely positioned to serve as the convenor.”
The series launched on December 16 with a Diplomatic Hanukkah Reception and Menorah Lighting at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. Guests had an opportunity to explore both the museum’s permanent exhibition and its special exhibition on the Kindertransport. The evening also included the official launch of a Ukrainian-language audio tour of the museum, with remarks from Museum CEO Mary Pat Higgins and Ukrainian Consul General Vitalii Tarasiuk. AJC played a key role in facilitating this collaboration between the museum and the consulate.
The reception also served as the 2025 Sebakah Hanukkah Celebration, bringing together Jewish professionals from across the region. Sebakah, launched by AJC in 2024, is a networking initiative aimed at building community among Jews navigating challenges in the workplace.
Looking ahead, future DES events will include a Diplomatic Seder in March, a program tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and a Diplomatic Sukkot Celebration.
For more information about the Diplomatic Engagement Series or the Sebakah Hanukkah Celebration, please contact [email protected].
