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Diocese Honors Jewish World Watch Founder

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  • Diocese Honors Jewish World Watch Founder

    PRESS RELEASE
    Western Diocese of the Armenian Church
    3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
    Burbank, CA 91504
    Contact: Remo Alexandri
    Tel: +1 (818) 558-7474
    Fax: +1 (818) 558-6333
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Web: http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/

    May 15, 2008
    <[email protected]>
    DIOCESE HONORS JEWISH WORLD WATCH FOUNDER

    Burbank, CA - It was truly an auspicious occasion when, under banner of the
    Kinship of Suffering, the Armenian Community and the Jewish Community joined
    together to give reverence to the victims of the Armenian Genocide and
    Jewish Holocaust, as well as celebrate each other's rich culture. On
    Thursday, May 15, 2008 the Western Diocese hosted a special event to honor
    Rabbi Harold Schulweis, founder of Jewish World Watch, spiritual leader of
    Valley Beth Shalom, and long serving advocate of social and interfaith
    initiatives. Nearly 400 members of the Armenian and Jewish communities were
    in attendance, as well as several dignitaries and elected officials.

    The evening's program was a rich and varied representation of the spiritual
    and cultural heritage of the Jewish and Armenian peoples. A united choir was
    formed with representatives of each community that performed the Israeli,
    Armenian, and American National Anthems, and spiritual hymns in beautiful
    harmony. Two graceful and entertaining dance groups, the Armenian Dance
    Center and the Kashet Chaim Dance Ensemble, also offered several
    performances during the evening.

    The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Mr. Michael Amerian, Esq., who
    welcomed the evening's guests, as well as acknowledged the planning
    committee and those who worked hard realized the event. In his introductory
    remarks he said of Rabbi Shulweis, "Brilliance and humility don't frequently
    find harmony within the same soul. Yet the fact he possesses these qualities
    combined with a fierce sense of justice has benefitted not only the Jewish
    community, but the world as a whole."

    His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian was then invited to offer his remarks,
    "Our journey tonight proves to be a sign of victory and perseverance for the
    cause of global justice. 'Together we will not forget' is the leading
    thought. History demands justice and justice is a prerequisite for peace.
    The Honorable Rabbi Harold Schulweis the founder of the Jewish World Watch
    is not only a spiritual leader of the Jewish community, but a leading figure
    amongst the leaders. He has a compassionate heart, whose love is the
    reflection of God's love for humanity, whose genuine respect for the victims
    of the Armenian Genocide has utterly rejected all political considerations."

    The Primate then presented Rabbi Schulweis with the gift of a handmade
    Armenian tapestry. The Rabbi then offered his reflections on the evening to
    the attendees, "What would our ancestors wish? That we together answer the
    question that pursues human history from the story of Cain and Abel. 'Am I
    my brother's keeper?' Cain asked. We know the answer that the children of
    Abel must give is 'Yes, Dear God - we are our brother's keepers.' We know
    from the bowels of our haunted histories that... You, God, want us to
    protect Your children. You, God, want us to cry out against the myriad forms
    of genocide. You, God, want us to make whole shattered lives. You, God, want
    us to enlarge the meaning of our hemorrhaging ancestors lying in the
    blood-soaked earth, 'The voice of the blood of your brothers cries out unto
    me.' Two communities, yours and mine, have found each other. We must not let
    go."

    The Western Diocese was proud to host many esteemed guests and officials
    whose attention and leadership the Armenian Community cherish. The guests
    include Consul General Armen Liloyan, Supervisor Zev Yurovslasky,
    Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, Hon. Wendy Greuel, Hon. Dave Golinksi, Hon.
    James Bozajian, Judge Armand Arabian, Judge Zaven Sinanian, Fr. Alexei Smith
    representing Cardinal Roger Mahony, and JWW Executive Director Tzivia
    Schwartz-Getzug.

    The event was sponsored through the generous support of the George Ignatius
    Foundation, whose trustees are Michael Amerian Eqs., Walter Karabian Esq.,
    and George Phillips Sr. Esq.

    Full text versions of Abp. Hovnan Derderian's and Rabbi Harold Schulweis can
    be found at
    http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/diocese-honors- jewish-world-watch-founder/.

    ###


    Photos

    http:/ /www.armenianchurchwd.com/assets/galleries/kinship /DSC_0532.jpg

    Caption: Supervisor Zev Yurovslasky speaking at a private reception prior to
    the event.

    http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/assets/gal leries/kinship/DSC_0572.jpg

    Caption: Hon. Judge Armand Arabian presenting Rabbi Harold Schulweis with a
    gift.

    http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/assets/ga lleries/kinship/DSC_0576.jpg

    Caption: Los Angeles City Councilmember Wendy Grueul addressing guests of a
    private reception.

    http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/assets /galleries/kinship/DSC_0585.jpg

    Caption: Assemblymember Paul Krekorian addressing guests of a private
    reception.

    http://www.armenianchurchwd.co m/assets/galleries/kinship/DSC_0649.jpg

    Caption: Master of Ceramonies Mr. Michael Amerian, Esq.

    http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/assets/galle ries/kinship/DSC_0750.jpg

    Caption: Consul General of the Republic of Armenian Armen Liloyan

    http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/assets/ga lleries/kinship/DSC_0817.jpg

    Caption: Rabbi Harold Schulweis

    http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/assets/ galleries/kinship/DSC_0838.jpg

    Caption: Abp. Hovnan Derderian and Rabbi Harold Schulweiss shake hands as
    onlookers, including Consul General Armen Liloyan and Assemblyman Paul
    Krekorian, applaud the Rabbi's Accomplishments

    http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/a ssets/galleries/kinship/DSC_0864.jpg

    Caption: The Kashet Chaim Dance Ensemble leading guests in a traditional
    Jewish dance

    http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/assets/gall eries/kinship/DSC_0913.jpg

    Caption: Abp. Hovnan Derderian and Rabbi Harold Schulweis presented a
    traditional Armenian carpet gifted to the Rabbi.
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