International Fellowship of Christians and Jews Launches Asian Affiliate in South Korea, Sept. 13

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International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

Sep 11, 2012, 02:07 ET

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews will celebrate the establishment of Asian operations and a new affiliate in South Korea at an event here September 13 that will also commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the State of Israel.

The jubilee observance will include a symposium and dinner at Konkuk University sponsored by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and the Israel Cultural Center of South Korea. The program will feature a conversation between South Korea's first Ambassador to Israel, the Honorable Park, Dong Soon and Israel's current ambassador to Korea, the Honorable Tuvia Israeli. Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder and president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews will present the keynote address. Dr. Kim, Jin Sup, vice president of Baekseok University, will also speak.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will provide greetings by video. Mrs. Kim, the head of the Israel Cultural Center of South Korea, will welcome guests.

Rabbi Eckstein: "We have been planning to establish our work in South Korea for a decade. It's providential that we launch not only during the jubilee of Korean-Israeli friendship, but also as we enter the holiest time of the Jewish year. Each year, 40,000 Koreans visit Israel; The Fellowship will widen the already significant bridge of friendship between Korean Christians and Israel in ways that benefit us all."

Musicians from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will perform at the event, including a performance of the South Korean National Anthem. The Friends of the IDF (FIDF), an American non-profit organization that provides programs and services for the soldiers of Israel, is sponsoring the appearance of the Israeli musicians.

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, begun in 1983 as an effort to promote better understanding and cooperation between Christians and Jews, is today one of the largest organizations in the world supporting Israel and helping her people, and the largest charity in Israel. Led by its founder and president Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, The Fellowship provides humanitarian aid to the needy in Israel and in Jewish communities worldwide. The Korean affiliate joins operations in the United States (Chicago), Israel (Jerusalem), Canada (Toronto), and soon in Australia.