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September 27, 2002/Tishri 21 5763, Vol. 55, No. 5
Israel Now surpasses goal
Local campaign collects more than $1.2 million
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
The Valley's Israel Now campaign has surpassed its $1.2 million goal.
Launched by the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix on Dec. 27, 2001, the campaign raised money to send directly to Israel to assist with safety and security issues there.
The local effort - part of an international fund-raising campaign by the United Jewish Communities - set an initial goal of $1 million. Once that goal was reached, the campaign set a new goal of $1.2 million that was surpassed earlier this month.
"When we launched the campaign, people thought there was absolutely no way we were going to be able to raise $1 million," said Joshua Belkin, major gifts director for the federation. "The fact that not only did we raise that, but we increased it to $1.2 million - I think people have been thrilled."
Federation has collected more than 90 percent of the funds pledged to the campaign, a portion of which has been used to fund projects in Israel, including security fences, armored vans to transport schoolchildren, a safe room at an early childhood center in Hof Askelon and assistance for new immigrants from Argentina.
The campaign, led by co-chairmen Mike Greenbaum, Gene Schupak and Irv Shuman, collected more than 1,400 gifts through parlor meetings, rallies and mailings.
"Clearly the $1 million was an ambitious goal for our community," said Greenbaum. "We definitely have a wonderful core of committed people."
Belkin said he believes the money will send a message to the people of Israel.
"My personal hope is that it will show that people here in the Valley truly care about what's going on in Israel and we're not just going to allow things to happen without stepping forward and doing something," he said.
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