Spirit of Hope Gala to Feature Three Former Prime Ministers (Canadian Jewish News)

Year after year, the Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) pulls together an impressive roster of A-list political figures to headline it’s Spirit of Hope Gala, and this year is no exception.

This year’s event will feature three former prime ministers: Canada’s Stephen Harper, Israel’s Ehud Barak and Spain’s Jose Maria Aznar.

The trio will reflect on their experiences addressing anti-Semitism, dealing with terrorism, fostering relations with Israel and defending human rights, said Avi Benlolo, chief executive officer of the FSWC.

CBS reporter Lara Logan, who has reported from the Middle East for 60 Minutes, will serve as the moderator of a panel of the one-time prime ministers, Benlolo added.The 2018 Spirit of Hope will take place on May 30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Attendance is expected to exceed 2,000, making it “the largest dinner in the Jewish community.” It is also the FSWC’s major annual fundraising event, with gross proceeds estimated to exceed $3.7 million. Tickets range in price from $360 to $100,000, Benlolo stated.

“It’s a very high profile event in the city,” he continued. “We’re thrilled so many people support the work of the organization and the work we do every day.”

Funds from the dinner will go to support FSWC programming in human rights, Holocaust remembrance and youth education. On any given day, at least 250 youngsters benefit from FSWC programming, which deal with issues of anti-Semitism, Holocausts remembrance, women’s rights, cyber-bullying, tolerance and racism, he said.

The “theme” of the Spirit of Hope dinner is “fighting against the odds, fighting anti-Semitism, supporting Israel and defending human rights,” Benlolo said.

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