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March 15, 2002/Nisan2, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 26
Israel Now rally raises $77,606
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Members of the Valley's Jewish community offered pledges totaling $77,606 during a two-hour Israel Now fund-raising event March 10 at Temple Beth Israel in Scottsdale.
"You have to give enough money so that it hurts financially," said Susan Berk, wife of Rabbi William Berk of Temple Chai in Phoenix, one of approximately 375 in attendance. "Only then will you have an inkling of what (the Israelis) feel daily."
Peace can exist in the region only if Israel remains strong, stressed the event's featured speaker, Dr. Michael Bar-Zohar.
A former Knesset member and adjunct professor and research fellow at Emory University in Atlanta, Bar-Zohar is author of a biography of former Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion.
"We are not fighting for our existence. We are fighting for peace," he said. Bar-Zohar remarked that the strength of the Israeli Defense Force will prevent the nation from being destroyed by the Palestinian violence.
Since the Israel Now campaign kick-off on Dec. 27 - including pledges from the community event - almost $700,000 has been raised from parlor meetings, phone calls and mailings to purchase armored vans, upgrade security systems and support crisis centers for terrorist victims in Israel. The local goal is to raise $1 million, part of a national effort sponsored by the United Jewish Communities to raise $250 million.
"This (gathering) is just another example of how the American Jewish community feels the presence and importance of Israel and our willingness to respond," said Art Paikowsky, federation executive vice president.
The local community needs to play a part in reacting to the loss of life and "the loss of hope in Israel," remarked Lanny Lahr, federation board president.
Michael Greenbaum, Israel Now co-chairman, urged participants to give in addition to the money they have earmarked for federation's annual campaign. Though federation is sponsoring the Israel Now campaign, anonymous donors have covered overhead charges; as a result, 100 percent of pledges to Israel Now will provide for Israel's self-defense, he added.
The Israel Now gathering included music from several of the Valley's children and adult choirs: The King David School, The Pardes Jewish Day School, Temple Chai, Temple Solel, Temple Beth Israel and Temple Emanuel of Tempe; featured were Cantors Mikhal Shiff-Matter of Temple Beth Israel, Julie Berlin of Temple Solel and Baruch Koritan of Temple Beth Shalom.
In addition, Adam Paikowsky and Jessica Sonabend of The King David School presented Lahr with a check of $1,100 raised by the school's student body for the Israel Now campaign.
Those who could not attend the event can still contribute to Israel Now, remarked Mim Botner, vice president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
"We need every Jew in this community to stand up for what you know in your heart is true. We need Israel, and they need us," she said.
Contributions marked "Israel Now Campaign" can be sent to the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, 32 W. Coolidge, Phoenix, AZ 85013-2773, she added.
Contact the writer at barry_cohen@jewishaz.com.
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