Stop Terror. Teach Peace.

More than 1500, Including Celebs, To Pay Homage to Victims of Terrorism and Educate Republican Convention-Goers About Israel

* Nearly 1000 to hold poster-size photos of recent terror victims
* Israeli relatives of terror victims to tell their stories
* Singing stars Evan and Jaron to perform special tribute
* Israel's new Consul General, Ambassador Aryeh Mekel to speak   

Sunday August 29th, beginning at 11:00 AM at Baruch College,
17 Lexington Ave (23rd St.), Manhattan

"Stop Terror.  Teach Peace," will be the rallying cry of an event that conveys the tragic personal toll of terrorism and calls for education for peace on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  The event, an initiative of The Israel Project and more than a seventy national and local Jewish organizations,       will send a message to political leaders, media and other opinion leaders who are gathering for the Republican National Convention.

"With so much attention being focused on Iraq, and on protests against U.S. policies, we want to recognize the support of the American public and leaders -- from all parties -- for their support for Israel, a democracy where Christians, Muslims, and Jews all share freedom of speech, religion, and a right to vote" said Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, Founder &President of The Israel Project, which organized a similar event and other initiatives during the Democratic National Convention. "At the same time, we want to help make sure that America and its leaders understand the dangers - caused by both terrorism and incitement of hatred -- that confront Israel. We want to remind leaders that the Middle East needs a solution to terrorism and incitement so that BOTH sides can live in peace and security."

More than 1,500 people are expected to attend the event whose co-sponsors include the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Jewish Community Relations Council of NY and the UJA Federation of NY.  Nearly 1000 will hold poster-size photographs of victims of recent terrorist attacks, whose names will be read aloud in a ceremony that begins at 10:00 a.m. At 11:00 a.m., Israeli parents who lost their children to terror will be among those who share stories about loved ones whose lives were cut short by senseless violence, and pop singing sensations Evan and Jaron, who have sold more than 10 million records, will perform a special musical tribute to terror victims. Other speakers include an Israeli teacher who will focus on how Israel teaches its children peace, coexistence and tolerance in schools - something that is needed on BOTH sides. Israel's new consul general, Ambassador Aryeh Mekel, will also speak.

"We are very excited to participate and play our music at the "Stop Terror. Teach Peace." Event in New York," said Evan Lowenstein.  "Our hearts are with the victims and we know that the path to peace involves educating the youth towards peace and coexistence. We're honored to be a part of it."

Other co-sponsors include American Jewish Committee, American Zionist Movement, Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York, Fuel for Truth, Hillel at Baruch College, Hunter College Hillel, Orthodox Union, UJA Federations of Northern New Jersey, and Yavneh Olami.  Speakers at the Sunday event will include:

" Ron Kehrmann, the father of 17-year-old Tal, who was killed along with 16 other people in the Haifa bus bombing on March 5, 2003. Tal was returning from a shopping trip to buy clothes for the prom when she was murdered.  Her father, Ron, has traveled to The Hague to demonstrate his support of Israel's security fence.

" Lea Zur, who sent her 17-year-old son Asaf off to school in Haifa on March 5, 2003, and soon learned that he had died in a bus bombing along with 17 others - including Christian, Druze and Jewish children. 

"This event is a great opportunity for Americans, both Jews and non-Jews, to affirm that we cannot, we must not, accept terrorist violence or those who sponsor and condone it," said Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. "And we cannot, we must not, give up the quest for a secure peace."

"All too often, the personal tragedies inflicted by terrorist violence are absent from media reports on Israel," said Michael Miller, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York "As the world during convention week  focuses on New York City, this is an important moment to ensure that these innocent victims and their loved ones are not forgotten."

"Those who have lost their lives because of terrorism deserve our respect and homage," said John Ruskay, Executive Vice President and CEO of the UJA-Federation of New York. "We hope America and the world share our determination to create a world where peace and tolerance aren't just empty slogans. The start of that is teaching children to cherish life, coexistence and peace."

"As leaders from across America are convening into New York for the political convention, it is critical to send a simple yet profound message: `Stop Terror. Teach Peace," said Shoshana S. Cardin, National Chair, The Israel Project's Press Ambassadors for Israel.

The Israel Project (TIP) is the largest TV advertiser at the 2004 political conventions. For more information about their ad campaign and for poll results on Israel, go to www.theisraelproject.org. The Israel Project is a new, national non-profit organization devoted to promoting security, freedom and peace by educating the public about Israel.  It was started by three mothers who became concerned that negative images of Israel were endangering the future of children who want to live in a world free of the sort of anti-Semitism that was faced by generations before them.  The Israel Project serves as a resource for journalists, leaders and the public.