Dear Staff and Personnel of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

On November 21st, 2002 as a member of Western North Carolina Hillel based at the University of North Carolina at Asheville I had the utmost pleasure of welcoming Neil Lazarus to Asheville, North Carolina.

During the duration of Neil's visit he delivered three extremely effective talks on issues dealing with Hasbara and the current situation between Israel and the Palestinians. As a Zionist and as a Jew I was overwhelmingly amazed at Neil's speaking ability. In Israel's current war of survival against Arab Terrorism Jewish Communities throughout the world need highly qualified speakers to represent Israel and to portray the plight of the State of Israel.

I am eternally grateful for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the Consulate of the State of Israel in Atlanta, GA, and Benji Loviitt from Academic Affairs Department at the Consulate in Atlanta for their outstanding assistance to enable Neil to speak in Asheville. I can only hope that Israel will continue to support and make it possible for speakers of the caliber of Neil Lazarus to speak to Jewish Communities throughout the United States to dispel Palestinian myths and lies concerning Israel. Once again we from WNC Hillel were overly amazed at Neil's ability to represent the State of Israel and Jews throughout the world.

From the bottom of my heart thank you!

Shalom
Avi Mechanic