Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Human Rights: Simon Wiesenthal Center denies closure

The New York regional office of the Simon Wiesenthal Center called recent media reports that it is planning to close the New York Tolerance Center "inaccurate and untrue."

According to Rhonda Barad, Eastern Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, "the New York regional office, like many other local non-profit organizations in the East, has been affected by the economic climate." "As a result, it has taken certain prudent steps to reduce overhead including consolidation of operations, reduction of staff, and the cancellation of the traditional benefit Dinner in favor of a non-Dinner direct appeal to its major donors and constituents."

"Given the difficult times, particularly in New York, the New York Regional Board felt it was not fiscally responsible to schedule a gala, and this decision was made in January of 2009 and is specific to New York," said Ms. Barad. "Our national and international activities are not affected and continue their multi-faceted operations," she added.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, Council of Europe, and the Latin American Parlatino.

Source: Simon Wiesenthal Center
Published by Mike Hitchen, Mike Hitchen Consulting
Putting principles before profits