A program that was started over 15 years ago, the Latino-Jewish dialogue, has been sustained. The goal of creating enduring relationships between the two communities without the need for structure or formality was never more evident than at the web launch party to honor both LaVoz and the New Haven Independent.
Many of the original members of the founding group reunited to celebrate the two new online journalistic initiatives. It was a love fest of old friends and new acquaintances. There was an almost familial sense of joy as the space filled with a capacity crowd of well wishers. Except for those who were “new kids on the block”, very few introductions were necessary. If it were not so comfortable, people would have dismissed themselves to make room for the later arrivals.
David Waren, executive director of the Connecticut Anti-Defamation League, was in good company; Bev Levy (formerly the public voice of SNET and SBC and now an adjunct prof at Quinnipiac U) is ADL’s former state chairman and current chair of development. Lauri Lowell (pictured), the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council for the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, was also on hand.
Tomas Reyes (pictured), one of the original founders of the “Dialogue,” chatted with Lindy Gold (another original) and Frank Alvarado about those “olden days” when they were envisioning the possibility of such evenings.
The event would be hailed as a success no matter which perspective — the “paperless papers” heightened awareness and the Latino Jewish Dialogue was refreshed and revived — ¬¶ — ¬¶Once again, you know, “All for the GREATER GOOD!”