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THE CONFERENCE IN SUMMARY
by Loni and Harry Dyner

  Recently, we had an opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. where we were part of CNT’s delegation that joined more than 5,000 pro-Israel activists from all 50 states, from Mar 5-7, for AIPAC’s largest-ever annual Policy Conference. It was the best conference/symposium that we ever attended. Speakers from all sides of the political spectrum received standing ovations from all 5000 of us, democrats and republicans alike. There were more than 100 presidents of student bodies from colleges, Jews and non-Jews alike. These will be our future Senators and Congress-persons.
  This year’s conference featured an address from Vice-President Dick Cheney, who vowed that the United States “will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” In addition to Cheney, the conference was addressed by former Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Evan Bayh (D-IN), House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO), and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD). Those in attendance were treated to live video feeds from all three Israeli Prime Ministerial candidates, who shared their visions for the important partnership between our two countries and outlined their respective views of the challenges and opportunities facing Israel. There were also more than 40 breakout sessions (panel discussions, policy briefings, town hall meetings and workshops) from which we could choose four to attend.
  We attended panel discussions on the differences between European and American views of the Middle East, a briefing of What Options Exist for Stopping Iran’s Nuclear Program, a briefing on U.S.-Israel Strategic Cooperation, and a lobbying workshop. Led by Rabbi Jeret and Elie Vrobel (Huntington Beach, CA) to Capitol Hill, we then concluded the conference on Tuesday by lobbying our congressman, Dana Rohrabacher. Unfortunately, the Congressman was still traveling back to Washington from California, but we met with his military and foreign affairs advisor, Paul Berkowitz for a very productive session.
  We would seriously urge you to join us in attending next year’s AIPAC conference in Washington D.C. on May 3-5, 2009. You will have a wonderful experience, you will learn a great deal (as we all did), you will join all of those CNT delegates who went this year in demonstrating our solidarity with Israel (all of those who went this year have already signed up to return next year), and you will lobby for pending bills that serve the national interests of our own country. Feel free to speak with either of us or with Rabbi Jeret to learn more and to get involved.