Israeli Consul General to Address Atlanta Pastors.

From Abraham to Jesus Exhibit to Host Interfaith Reception

ATLANTA -- Ambassador Reda Mansour, the Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, will address a prominent group of Atlanta area pastors, community leaders and Christian theologians on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 6:30 pm. The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta (RCCA), the city's leading ecumenical organization, will host a special reception at the exhibit hall in the AmericasMart, currently the site of the historic exhibit entitled From Abraham to Jesus. From Abraham to Jesus is the largest touring exhibit of sacred texts, biblical artwork and artifacts from the Holy Land ever assembled. This priceless collection of antiquities, many of which have never before been outside of Israel, will tour 28 cities across the United States over the next 18 months. Atlanta - the first stop on the tour - will play host to the exhibit until October 8th.

Ambassador Mansour, an acclaimed Middle East scholar and a tireless advocate for religious and cultural dialogue between Jews and Arabs in Israel, was appointed Consul General to the Southeast Region in June of 2006. A veteran diplomat who speaks five languages and has represented Israel in Ecuador, Portugal and San Francisco, Ambassador Mansour is an accomplished author who has received several awards for his poetry and short stories. Roy Craft, Executive Director of RCCA, notes the historic significance of the Thursday event. "This unique exhibit is the ideal setting for this kind of open discussion between Atlanta's Jewish community and the Christian leaders in the area. Ambassador Mansour's history of building bridges is well documented, so this is a tremendous opportunity for the faith community in Atlanta. From Abraham to Jesus represents the common history we all share - it's the perfect starting point for dialogue."

The guest list for the event includes a broad cross-section of pastors, seminarians, bishops, elected officials and community leaders. In addition to the program featuring Ambassador Mansour, attendees will be treated to a private tour of the exhibit, a multi-media museum-quality experience that blends music, art, film footage, artifacts, sculpture and high technology into a one-of-a-kind historical encounter. The exhibit includes a bazaar area, complete with books, art, pottery, replicas of artifacts and many other treasures from the Holy Land.

For more information and a tour schedule, visit www.fromabrahamtojesus.com. Located on the first floor of the Apparel Mart Building at Atlanta's AmericasMart, From Abraham to Jesus is open daily through October 8, 2006.