Press Release

Media Contact: John Bourget
phone: 860.231.6350
email: jbourget@mandelljcc.org

AMBASSADOR DENNIS ROSS AT THE NEW JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL
Key Player in U.S. Involvement in the Middle East Peace Process

WEST HARTFORD, Conn., January 11, 2008- Ambassador Dennis Ross, who played a key role in shaping the U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process, will be the final speaker in the current series of The New Jewish Book Festival: Four Seasons of Literary Excellence on Wednesday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. The spring event in this remarkable new series will take place at the Herbert Gillman Theater at the Mandell Jewish Community Center, 335 Bloomfield Avenue in West Hartford.

Ambassador Ross is best known for playing a leading role in shaping U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process and dealing directly with the parties in negotiations. A highly skilled diplomat, Ambassador Ross was U.S. point man on the peace process in both the George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations. He was instrumental in assisting Israelis and Palestinians to reach the 1995 Interim Agreement; he also successfully brokered the 1997 Hebron Accord, facilitated the 1994 Israel-Jordan peace treaty, and intensively worked to bring Israel and Syria together.

Mr. Ross also worked closely with Secretaries of State James Baker, Warren Christopher, and Madeleine Albright. Ambassador Ross was awarded the Presidential Medal for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service by President Clinton, and Secretaries Baker and Albright presented him with the State Department's highest award.

Mr. Ross has published extensively and The New York Times called his new book, Statecraft, And How to Restore America's Standing in the World "important and illuminating."

The event will feature a talk by Mr. Ross followed by a book signing. This speaking engagement is part of Israel@60, a year-long anniversary celebration coordinated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Mandell JCC in partnership with agencies, synagogues and organizations.

The New Jewish Book Festival: Four Seasons of Literary Excellence
The Dennis Ross lecture will be the final event in this year's series which celebrates nationally renowned Jewish authors and their wonderful contributions to culture. The NEW format features four signature events throughout the year with preview programs highlighting the theme of each.

Pat Kazakoff, Festival Chair, said, "Who wasn't effected by Carl Bernstein and Watergate? Who doesn't remember Lily Tomlin, John Belushi or Chevy Chase- all Second City Alum? And that's just the beginning! We are so excited to be a cultural force on the Greater Hartford landscape. This series will attract everyone."

Individual tickets to events are available for $30 adults/$20 students. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Delly London at 860.231.6316. Additional information is available at www.mandelljcc.org.

About the MANDELL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
The Mandell JCC is a community and cultural center that offers a full range of activities, classes and special events for people of all beliefs, ages and stages. The JCC's offerings include early child centers and after school programs, a summer camp, recreation and wellness facilities, health spas, an indoor pool, a swim and tennis club, an arts center and more. The JCC has a rich history which dates back more than 90 years and has continued to expand and evolve into its current role as a significant community and family resource for the Greater Hartford area. The JCC also has childcare facilities in Simsbury and Glastonbury.

About Israel@60
Hartford Celebrates Israel@60 is a year-long celebration of Israel's 60 years of independence with major funding provided by the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. The celebration, highlighted by an all-day public festival on Sunday, June 1, 2008, is co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Mandell JCC in partnership with agencies, synagogues and organizations. For more information, visit www.JewishHartford.org or contact Ronny Siegel, Israel@60 Coordinator, 860-727-6150, rsiegel@jewishhartford.org