Bush Hours Aways from Joining Israel 60th Birthday Facing Tomorrow

JTA Breaking New

80 U.S. Jews to join President Bush in Israel for Facing Tomorrow Conference

US President Bush will be joined by more than 80 American Jewish friends, donors and leaders during the Facing Tomorrow Conference marking Israel's 60th anniversary. Bush departs Tuesday for a three-day visit to Israel. The visit will include receptions, tours of historical sites and a speech to the Knesset. Jewish donors to Bush's two presidential campaigns comprise about two thirds of the list. Others include Jewish politicians, leaders of major U.S. Jewish groups and longtime friends. Included in the delegation are Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas casino magnate who is the sixth richest man in the world, a top philanthropist for Jewish causes and a major donor to the Republican Party; Howard Friedman, the president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee; Gov. Linda Lingle, the Republican governor of Hawaii; Ronald Lauder, the World Jewish Congress president; June Walker, the chairwoman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations; and Matt Brooks, the director of the Republican Jewish Coalition.