Mr. Gore is not attending the three-day convention, which runs through Tuesday, saying he had a prior obligation.

A vice-presidential spokesman, Jim Kennedy, said this evening that Mr. Gore did attend the dinner with his son.

Mr. Gore is attending three fund-raisers in the space of a week.

After his Army service in Vietnam, Mr. Gore attended divinity school briefly.

Mr. Gore does not attend anymore.

Mr. Gore attended the event at the temple on April 29, 1996.

Mr. Gore then drove in his motorcade to the restaurant here, and then attended two more fund-raisers.

Mr. Gore attended two events, starting with a reception at a downtown Washington hotel for the Women's Leadership Forum.

Earlier this morning Mr. Gore had attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a new National Guard armory here.

Mr. Gore was attending two fund-raisers tonight for the Democratic National Committee.