A delegation of leaders from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the umbrella group for 52 national Jewish organizations, will pay its first official visit to South Africa beginning today. The 50 American participants representing the Conference’s member organizations will be joined by leaders of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), led by President Alexander Mashkevich and Secretary-General Mikhail Chlenov. The EAJC is the representative body of Jewish countries in the Euro-Asian region and maintains close ties to government leaders and national organizations.

The joint delegation will meet with South African government and African National Congress officials, civic and business leaders, in order to advance diplomatic and economic cooperation, as well as deepen the ties between the American Jewish community and South Africa, and with the local Jewish community. The program in South Africa is being coordinated by the South African Board of Jewish Deputies.

Each year prior to visiting Israel, the Conference of Presidents leadership has visited a region of special significance, including NATO and European Union headquarters in Brussels, and have been guests of the leaders of Russia, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Morocco, Jordan and Egypt, among others.

From South Africa, the American leaders will fly to Jerusalem, for the 36th annual Conference of Presidents Israel Leadership Mission from February 16th to February 20th.