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January 4, 2002/20 Tevet 5762, Vol. 54, No. 16
'Israel Now' seeks emergency funds
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Valley residents have a chance to join a national effort to supply Israel with armored vehicles, school security systems and terror victims' crisis centers through the recently unveiled "Israel Now" program.
"This is a lightning campaign," said Michael Greenbaum, Israel Now co-chairman.
The goal of the local effort, administered by the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, is to raise $1 million in January and get it to Israel as quickly as possible, he added.
Israel Now is a national campaign to raise $200 million to improve security and to address victims' needs, said Greenbaum. Contributors in other communities that began campaigning several weeks ago have pledged $92 million to date.
Money pledged in Phoenix will be borrowed from "undesignated funds" held by the Jewish Community Foundation, explained Greenbaum. "The foundation will not lose any income from lost interest, because an anonymous donor has agreed to pay the difference," he added.
"Sometimes something happens that does not require solicitation," said Gene Schupak, Israel Now co-chairman. The United States experienced such an event Sept. 11 and what Israel faces every day with the latest intifada is similar, including security breaches and "arbitrary killings," he said.
The federation will not levy any overhead costs to the Israel Now campaign, said Art Paikowsky, federation executive vice president.
Nor will federation "receive any of the proceeds from the effort," noted Greenbaum.
He stressed that he does not want the Israel Now campaign to detract from local fundraising efforts. "We do not want anyone (who gives to Israel Now) to cut their normal pledge to federation."
Paikowsky said letters have been mailed to approximately 80 families, inviting them to attend parlor meetings at Greenbaum's home to hear more about Israel Now. The first meeting was Dec. 27; a second is scheduled for Jan. 15.
"Then we'll broaden it and give everyone a chance to participate," said Paikowsky.
According to Greenbaum, Israel Now fund raising is scheduled to culminate with a rally at a local synagogue in late January.
"To say this effort is timely is an understatement," said Paikowsky. During the past 15 months, the damage has been psychological and financial, he remarked; "it's a two-front devastation."
In addition to making contributions, Greenbaum said, people should visit Israel. "Israel needs to see moral support from Diaspora Jewry. The intifada has taken such a financial and emotional toll," he explained.
"If Israel means anything to you, you have an obligation to support it," Schupak said.
Paikowsky said he and federation President Lanny Lahr will go to Israel Jan. 3-9 on a mission for federation presidents and executive directors.
Schupak, a national board member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, will attend an AIPAC board meeting in Israel Jan. 14-23.
Paikowsky said a mission for Valley residents is planned for mid-April, to coincide with Yom Ha-Atzma'ut, Israeli Independence Day.
"The Israel Now program has nonprofit 501(c)3 status. Checks can be made payable to 'Israel Now,' " said Greenbaum.
The third co-chairman of the Israel Now program is Irv Shuman.
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