Hunger for community brings crowds to AIPAC events

When AIPAC holds its annual luncheon and dinners next week, more people will be in attendance than ever before.

Some 1,000 people are expected at the pro-Israel lobby's San Francisco luncheon on Sunday -- including many public officials, members of Congress and the state Legislature -- and 1,000 each at the Oakland and San Jose dinners on Monday. An estimated 500 people will attend a similar event in Sacramento and another 350 will attend in Seattle.

With a total of 3,850, that's 1,000 more than have attended these functions in recent years.

The keynote address will be given by Howard Kohr, executive director of AIPAC. Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) also will speak.

"I think people are worried about what's going on in Israel, and they hate feeling hopeless," said Elliot Brandt, director of AIPAC's Pacific Northwest region. "They are desperate to find a way to do something and are looking for a sense of community where they can talk about Israel in a way that's constructive and supportive and action-oriented."

AIPAC makes no money from these events; they are simply to "get as many people in the door as possible to hear about what's going on and let them know there are things they can tangibly do to help the state of Israel," said Brandt.

Jerry Yanowitz, president of the local region, attributed the increase in numbers to what's happening in both Israel and America.

"There's a great concern, given the combination of the situation in Israel and the events of Sept. 11, that this is a critical time for the pro-Israel community to come together as a community, and be together to hear what the situation is," said Yanowitz.

"I think people feel more vulnerable than they did before Sept. 11," said Brandt. "I don't know if they fully appreciated what terrorism is, on a daily basis, like in Israel. I don't think it necessarily translates into identification with Israeli life, but they have a deeper appreciation of what it is to be more fearful, and live life differently because of it."

People also want to know "what they can do to further enhance the U.S.-Israel relationship and the security of the state of Israel," said Yanowitz. "There is a great deal of interest in the security of the state of Israel right now."

A lot of those coming, according to Brandt, have never been to an AIPAC event before.

"Many new people are calling out of blue to say 'I heard you're doing this and I want to come,'" he said, adding that a lot of them are students.