30 YEARS OF AJC HISTORY
February 1998 After decades of engagement with Germany , and thanks to the generosity of Lawrence and Lee Ramer of Los Angeles ( pictured at left ), AJC becomes the first American Jewish organization to demonstrate its enduring commitment to German-Jewish relations by establishing a permanent office in Berlin . AJC Berlin rapidly emerges as an active participant in German and transatlantic affairs . Klaus Kinkel , then Foreign Minister of Germany , says :
“ new
This is a historic moment in German-Jewish understanding because a bridge will be built .”
October 1999 After a devastating earthquake in western Turkey , AJC raises funds to build a school in Adapazari , Turkey , for children left homeless by the natural disaster . The school is part of a pre-fabricated village erected in less than two months by the Israeli government . David Harris is invited to speak alongside Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Turkish Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit at the village and school dedication .
30 YEARS OF WORLD HISTORY
December 10 , 1998 The United Nations General Assembly marks the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , and the development of modern international human rights law as we know it today .
1998 1999
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