The American Jewish Committee (AJC) of Philadelphia is running a workshop that aims to empower Latino political advocacy and philanthropy in the region.

Scheduled for March 2, 2016, the workshop will include panel discussions led by local Jewish and Latino leaders.

For AJC, whose mission is to build democratic relations between different national and international groups, the union between Jewish and Latino leaders is about bringing “a deeper understanding for the particular issues” that affect each community.

“While the attendees of this workshop are emerging Latino leaders, both Jewish and Latino leaders will be engaged for panel discussions that allow exploration of respective strategies, models, and community histories,” said Gavriella Geller of AJC.

A representative from Congreso will speak on how to influence public opinion alongside a repsentative from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. The CEO of the National Philanthropic Trust will talk about philanthropic models alongside the vice president of the Hispanic Federation.

Prominent figures in the local Latino community — Judge Nelson Díaz, Romulo Díaz, Pedro Ramos — will deliver opening and closing remarks. Larry Gonzalez of the Raben Group will deliver a keynote address before the panel discussions.

“An outcome of past workshops has been the commitment for the Latinos and Jews to work together, advocating locally and nationally for the issues and policies in which they find common cause,” Geller said. “Among these concerns are civil and human rights, prejudice and discrimination, immigration, and public education.”

The workshop is $15 to attend, which includes lunch. Registration must be completed here by Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Here’s a who’s-who of the workshop leaders (subject to change):

Keynote: Larry Gonzalez, Principal, The Raben Group, Former Exec. Director of NALEO (Alumni of AJC’s Project Interchange Program)

Introductory and closing remarks by community leaders to include:

• Judge Nelson Diaz, Partner, Dilworth Paxson (Alumni of AJC’s Project Interchange program)
• Romulo L. Diaz, Jr., Vice President and General Counsel, PECO
• Pedro A. Ramos, President and CEO, The Philadelphia Foundation

Moderators:

• Farah Jimenez, Commissioner, School Reform Commission of Philadelphia
• Sara Manzano-Diaz, Regional Administrator, Mid-Atlantic Region, U.S. General Services Administration
• Jennifer Rodriguez, CEO, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Panel One: Approaches to Lobbying: Tools for Legislative Advocacy

• Laura Maristany, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, NALEO (National Association for Latino Elected and Appointed Officials)
• Julie Fishman Rayman, Director of Political Outreach, AJC (American Jewish Committee)
• Graie Hagans, Community Organizer, POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower, and Rebuild)

Panel Two: Tableside Philanthropy: Models for Giving

• Eileen Heisman, President and CEO, National Philanthropic Trust
• Susan Lundy, Senior Endowment Officer, Women of Vision
• Sally Cooper Bleznak, Founder, Women of Vision
• Martha Bahamon, Vice President of Development, Hispanic Federation

Panel Three: Influencing Public Opinion: Communication, Attitudes, and Policy

• Judy Bernstein Baker, Executive Director, HIAS Philadelphia (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society)
• Rick Olmos, Director of Communications and External Affairs,  APM (Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha)
• Yvette A. Núñez, Chief Communications Officer, Congreso de Latinos Unidos
• Frederick Strober, President, AJC Philadelphia