30 August 2013 – The officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, led by Philippine Ambassador to Israel Generoso D.G. Calonge, achieved a deeper understanding of Jewish tradition and culture when they attended the Jewish Cultural Sensitivity Seminar held on August 28, at the Embassy Conference Room.  The seminar was conducted by Rabbi Elliot Fischer, an expert on and educator of Judaism at various schools and communities in Israel and the United States.

The seminar, which lasted for more than two hours, covered topics such as Jewish history, tradition, culture, laws and practices.  Given the broadness of the seminar’s subject and limited time, Rabbi Fischer was able to point out essential and practical information that might be needed by Embassy personnel in working and adapting in Israel. Of particular focus was the year-round observance of Jewish High Holidays, such as Pesach and the upcoming ones.

The Jewish Cultural Sensitivity Seminar forms part of the Embassy’s continuing personnel training and development aimed at providing officers and staff with relevant and updated information, which will be useful in the performance of their duties and functions.

The seminar is also timely as many of Israel’s most important Jewish holidays, such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Succoth, will be celebrated next month.  END