Robert Bandanza
September 23rd, 2008, 10:04 AM
September 22, 2008 – President Nicolas Sarkozy has honored the director of AJC France, Valerie Hoffenberg, with the Légion d'Honneur, France’s highest decoration.
"It is a pleasure for me to honor a real daughter of the Mediterranean with this distinction,” said President Sarkozy, as he presented the award to Hoffenberg at an Élysée Palace ceremony. Hoffenberg’s family originated in North Africa.
“You are a determined woman who never quits on her dreams,” said Sarkozy. “Your commitment to Judaism and to Israel's security is only matched by your commitment to the French Republic.”
Applauding Hoffenberg’s significant contributions as director of the American Jewish Committee office in Paris, Sarkozy said, “AJC is the most effective, most influential and the most respected of American Jewish organizations.”
"Receiving the Legion d' Honneur from President Sarkozy was one of the most moving moments of my life,” said Hoffenberg. “My grandparents, who suffered from French laws against Jews during World War II, never could have imagined that one day their granddaughter would receive such an honor from the president of France.”
Hoffenberg continued: “I am so proud that my own children – Ariane, Alexis and Eliott – can see that in France today one can assert her Jewish values and identity and be honored by the Republic."
Hoffenberg has represented AJC in France since 2002. She builds bridges between France and the United States, advocates for Israel, and provides the support of AJC to French Jews in their fight against anti-Semitism.
“We are very proud of Valerie for receiving this prestigious recognition,” said AJC Executive Director David A. Harris. “She has worked tirelessly on AJC’s behalf for the past six years, and it is so gratifying to see her impressive efforts recognized in this way.”
http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=849241&ct=5984661
"It is a pleasure for me to honor a real daughter of the Mediterranean with this distinction,” said President Sarkozy, as he presented the award to Hoffenberg at an Élysée Palace ceremony. Hoffenberg’s family originated in North Africa.
“You are a determined woman who never quits on her dreams,” said Sarkozy. “Your commitment to Judaism and to Israel's security is only matched by your commitment to the French Republic.”
Applauding Hoffenberg’s significant contributions as director of the American Jewish Committee office in Paris, Sarkozy said, “AJC is the most effective, most influential and the most respected of American Jewish organizations.”
"Receiving the Legion d' Honneur from President Sarkozy was one of the most moving moments of my life,” said Hoffenberg. “My grandparents, who suffered from French laws against Jews during World War II, never could have imagined that one day their granddaughter would receive such an honor from the president of France.”
Hoffenberg continued: “I am so proud that my own children – Ariane, Alexis and Eliott – can see that in France today one can assert her Jewish values and identity and be honored by the Republic."
Hoffenberg has represented AJC in France since 2002. She builds bridges between France and the United States, advocates for Israel, and provides the support of AJC to French Jews in their fight against anti-Semitism.
“We are very proud of Valerie for receiving this prestigious recognition,” said AJC Executive Director David A. Harris. “She has worked tirelessly on AJC’s behalf for the past six years, and it is so gratifying to see her impressive efforts recognized in this way.”
http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=849241&ct=5984661