It is too hot to be outside.
The news of more terror attacks from Egypt are distressing.
The reports of the Egyptian presidential results are depressing.
The fourth Israeli Presidential Conference – Facing Tomorrow 2012,
opens at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem tomorrow.
So today seemed like a good time to remember last year’s conference.
At the opening press conference President Shimon Peres called Shakira
“Sharika”…I still have to stop and think, so as not to repeat the mistake.
On the opening night, Sarah Silverman stole the show,
showing that she was a comedian with brains.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks called anti-Semitism a virus:
the oldest virus of hate that is spread today by the internet.
“Holocaust happens when language debases happenings,” he warned.
History shows hate begins with Jews, but it does not end with them.
A year later his words are even more insightful.
I spotted President Shimon Peres more than once
moving quickly from session to session.
Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales was a featured speaker.
It is still distressing to me that some Arabic entries found in Wikipedia,
are very different from the English ones.
In Arabic, the only connection of the Jews to the “Wailing Wall”
is that they tried to buy it twice and failed.
Popular ‘Dr Ruth’ Westheimer often got stopped in the halls.
She is on the schedule again this year.. and yes, she really is short.
A favorite of mine were the students from the Hebrew University labs.
Those doing studies on the blind loved to show
their sensor invention that makes a walking stick obsolete.
Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu was one
of the speakers at the conclusion of the conference.
At some popular sessions there were lines waiting to enter,
and once inside the room there was standing room only.
Lucky for me Mohammad Dajani got up and walked out
when Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat spoke of his vision for Jerusalem,
so I got a seat in the crowded room.
Facing Tomorrow… more on Tomorrow 2012 tomorrow.
