Press Conference: Alan Dershowitz, David Gergen, Robert Gibbs and Bob Woodward Featured Panelists at 2011 Spirit of Hope Gala Fundraiser for Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 27, 2011) - One of the most anticipated events of the spring season is set for May 31, 2011 when more than 2000 guests will join Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) and Moderator Heather Riesman, Founder and President of Indigo Books & Music, to watch a panel of expert communicators discuss some of the most critical issues in the news today.

Author and Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz, CNN political analyst David Gergen, President Barack Obama's former press secretary Robert Gibbs and a reporter who exposed the Watergate scandal that brought down the Nixon White House – Washington Post Associate Editor Bob Woodward, will discuss issues ranging from the Arab spring and the killing of Osama bin Laden to emerging threats to western democracies and the future of Israel.

"We are extremely excited to welcome these four men, who have seen and reported on some of the most significant events that continue to shape our world today, to our annual Spirit of Hope panel," said Avi Benlolo, Human Rights activist and President and CEO of FSWC. "The conversation is sure to be challenging and the event bound to be a great success filled with lively and thought-provoking debate."

FSWC is set to unveil a new exhibit at Spirit of Hope titled 'Revolution and Evolution" detailing the ongoing protests in the Arab world. The exhibit is a 14 panel showcase providing details of the beginnings of the Arab Spring and the desperate bid for freedom in countries across the Middle East. "As a Human Rights organization we feel it is important to show our support for people in the Arab world struggling for freedom and democracy. What better time and place than Spirit of Hope to do this?" explains Mr. Benlolo.

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal, a non-profit Human Rights advocacy organization, holds the annual Spirit of Hope Benefit to support and strengthen its education programs designed to counter racism and anti-Semitism and to foster human rights and social justice. More than 10,000 students in the public, Catholic and private school boards participate in FSWC workshops on the Holocaust, genocide, bullying and Heroes every year.

The Media is invited to join us at the Spirit of Hope Press Conference:

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