The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organisations, the central coordinating body representing 50 US Jewish organizations, will start its annual Leadership Mission to Israel with a trip to France.
More than 100 leaders of the Conference and its member organizations are expected to be participating.
The visit to Paris will include discussions with President Francois Hollande, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, as well as meetings with heads of religious and ethnic communities, and opinion makers.
A delegation will also visit Toulouse in an expression of solidarity with the Jewish community of that city that witnessed the brutal murder of three Jewish children and a rabbi outside a Jewish school in March 2012.
The Mission to France is being organized with the CRIF, the umbrella group of French Jewish organisations presided by Richard Prasquier.
Richard Stone, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman, of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations said : "The packed schedule will offer our leaders the opportunity to explore in depth the internal and external issues and challenges facing France and the French Jewish community."
"The attendance, which far exceeds our expectations, reflects the interest and commitment of the American Jewish community to our counterparts in France, especially after the horrendous event in Toulouse and the increasing anti-Semitism apparent in France and other European countries. "
Ronald S.Lauder, a former Ambassador and past Chairman of the Conference of Presidents, will chair the Leadership Mission to France.
The mission to Israel comes as Israel’s President Shimon Peres tasked Satuarday night Benjamin Netanyahu with forming the next government following the January 22 elections.
"Our discussions will be all the more timely as we explore the importance of the election’s implications and its likely impact on the socio-economic issues, regional challenges, prospects for peace, and the revolution in the Arab world including Jordan, Syria, Egypt and the ongoing Iranian nuclear threat. We will hear from a wide array of government officials, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres, experts, analysts, and leaders from various segments of Israeli society to assist the Conference in better understanding the context and implications of the issues as we face the challenges ahead," Said Stone and Hoenlein.