UPDATED: Russell Simmons, Rep. Rangel and Israeli Consul General to Address Jewish Leaders

UPDATED: Russell Simmons, Rep. Rangel and Israeli Consul General to Address Jewish Leaders

Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons will address the World Jewish Congress American Section on Monday, January 22, in New York City, on "Unity: Fighting Our Fights Together." He will champion the need for people from all backgrounds and cultures to stand up for each other -- Jews, African Americans, Muslims, and others -- to defend against hatred and promote mutual respect.

As part of the same program, Representative Charles Rangel, Democrat of New York and the new Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, will be addressing the WJC American Section on the importance of communal alliances and public policy.

Ambassador Arye Mekel, Consul General of Israel, will present Israel's perspective on promoting pluralism within the Jewish state and in the world.

DATE: Monday, January 22, 2007

TIME: 11:00-12:00 noon
(American Section meeting will already be in progress)

LOCATION: World Jewish Congress
501 Madison Ave., 17th Floor
(Between 52nd & 53rd Sts.)
New York, NY 10022

Time Warner is now airing public service announcements throughout the country on its cable network system -- including, CNN, USA and E! -- featuring Simmons and celebrity Jay-Z encouraging young people to fight anti-Semitism in their communities. In the campaign spot, Russell Simmons and Jay-Z ask: "What's hot? Respect for people. What's not hot? Hating people for their color or religion." The PSAs were produced by Simmons and Rabbi Marc Schneier.

Russell Simmons and Rabbi Marc Schneier serve respectively as Chairman and President of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. Rabbi Schneier is also Secretary of the WJC American Section and the Rabbi of The Hampton Synagogue and The New York Synagogue. The PSAs have been digitally translated from English to French, German, Spanish and Russian while still using the distinctive voices of Simmons and Jay-Z. They are scheduled to air in Europe later this month.

The World Jewish Congress American Section is a non-profit umbrella of American Jewish organizations seeking to promote and participate in the global advocacy agenda of the World Jewish Congress on behalf of the Jewish communities of the world. Since 1936, the World Jewish Congress has been the diplomatic arm and permanent address of the Jewish people.

CONTACT: Shai Franklin of World Jewish Congress, +1-202-491-7373

PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Jan. 21

Source: World Jewish Congress

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