Third Annual Business Trends Forum!

***Complimentary open bar and delicious heavy hors d'Oeuvres by Kuzina Hospitality Group!***


Third Annual Business Trends Forum: “From Refusniks to Dreamers – Past, Present, and Future of the American Immigration Policy”

When: Thursday, June 20, 2013
Time: 3:30 – 9:00 PM
Where: The National Museum of the American Jewish History
Address: 101 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106

This year’s RSPN Forum draws parallels between the Refusnik movement (which paved the way for Soviet Jews in the 1970s through the 1990s to escape religious persecution and find new economic, political, and social opportunities in America) and the worldwide immigration to the United States today, seeking the same opportunities that many Soviet Jews sought in the 70s, 80s and 90s, but facing a continuous struggle for equality, recognition, and basic Civil Rights.  

The Forum will examine the past, present, and future of immigration in the United States from varied perspectives and will include view points from former Refusniks, members of the Philadelphia Soviet Jewry Council, leading academics, social activists, business leaders and legal practitioners.  The keynote address, discussing the perspective on immigration from our neighbors, will be delivered by the Honorable Carlos Giralt, the Consul General of the Federal States of Mexico in Philadelphia.

The Forum is organized by The Russian Speaking Professionals Network of Greater Philadelphia (“RSPN”) in conjunction with HIAS Pennsylvania, the National Museum of the American Jewish History and the American Jewish Committee – Philadelphia Regional Office.

The Speakers and Presenters will include:

Panel I – Refusnik Movement –The Struggle Behind the Curtain 

• Lisa Hostein, Editor-in-Chief, The Jewish Exponent, Moderator
• Professor Igor Kotler, Museum of Human Rights, Freedom, and Tolerance
• Connie Smukler, Philadelphia Soviet Jewry Movement
• Marina Merlin, Refugee Resettlement Services, HIAS Pennsylvania

Keynote Address:

• The Honorable Carlos Giralt-Cabrales, Consul General and Deputy Ambassador, Federal States of Mexico in Philadelphia

Panel II - Is the Dream Within Reach Now? – Current U.S. Immigration Debate

• Francois Ihor-Mazur, Esquire, The Law Offices of Francois Ihor-Mazur, P.C.; Moderator
• Peter Gonzalez, Esquire, Executive Director, Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
• Maria Sotomayor, Pennsylvania Immigrant Coalition
• Professor Jonathan Grode, Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law
• Lenin Aguido, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, The City of Reading
• Judi Bernstein-Baker, Executive Director, HIAS Pennsylvania

Endnote Address:

• The Honorable Kenyatta Johnson, Councilman, District 2, The City of Philadelphia

***Complimentary open bar and delicious heavy hors d'Oeuvres by Kuzina Hospitality Group!***

COST OF ADMISSION:
RSPN Members:
$40.00 per person
$20.00 per full-time student

Non-Members:
$60.00 per person
$40.00 per full-time student
$40.00 per member/employee of a non-profit organization

*Cost of admission includes panel discussions, networking reception, complimentary open bar and heavy hors d'Oeuvres by Kuzina Hospitality Group, admission to the National Museum of American Jewish History exhibits, as well as  CLE credits.

**You must pre-register for the this event. No admission will be granted at the door.


REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.