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February 1, 2002/19 Shevat 5762, Vol. 54, No. 20
Israel Now campaign halfway to reaching goal
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Since its Dec. 27 launching, the local Israel Now campaign has raised $500,000, the halfway point toward a $1 million goal to assist Israel with funding for self-defense in response to ongoing terrorist attacks.
"This shows that when something needs to be done, the people in our community will respond," said Art Paikowsky, executive vice president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
Nationally, more than $100 million has been raised to date for Israel Now, in an effort underway for several weeks in some communities, he added.
Locally raised funds are being directed to security needs in Phoenix's sister cities of Hof Ashkelon and Kiryat Malachi, said Michael Greenbaum, Israel Now co-chairman.
The local federation is paired with these cities by United Jewish Communities through Partnership 2000, a UJC effort to connect communities in Israel and the Diaspora to foster relationships and bolster Israel's economy.
During a Jan. 4-10 UJC mission for federation executive directors and presidents, Paikowsky said he met with Shimon Cohen, the mayor of Hof Ashkelon, who noted that many residents of the town, on the northern border of the Gaza Strip, are "very vulnerable" to terrorist attack.
The federation board of directors on Jan. 22 voted to direct a portion of Israel Now funds to Hof Ashkelon's immediate security needs, purchasing armored vehicles for school, senior and medical transport; a central alarm system for the area's 13 kibbutzim and moshavim; and security fencing around schools and community centers.
The local federation shaliach (representative of Israel) Eitan Ben Ami described some of the items to be purchased.
"The vehicle looks like a regular bus or ambulance," but it's bulletproof, he said. The alarm system resembles a "war room" to alert the kibbutzim and moshavim if a security breach occurs.
The security system includes fencing that is difficult to cut or to climb over, a gate and a security guard, he said.
Kibbutz Yad Mordechai in particular is in need of added security, he added. "You can go up a hill and see the sands of Gaza."
An estimated $100,000-$150,000 is needed to purchase items that address Hof Ashkelon's security needs, said Paikowsky.
Thus far, the local Israel Now campaign effort has contacted 100 families through three parlor meetings and through phone calls, Greenbaum said. The effort will culminate with a major community event March 10, said Paikowsky, at a location to be determined.
Although there will be "no marketing, advertising or phone calls of any kind" after March 10, contributions to Israel Now still will be accepted, Greenbaum said.
For information or to contribute, call the federation, at 602-274-1800.
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