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May 10, 2002
On their way to Israel ... now
Fund-raising and a solidarity mission are key components of campaign.
KYLE BERGER REPORTER
A new campaign slogan has hit local Jewish Web sites, rally posters,
letterheads and news releases. It comprises two simple words, Israel
Now, and, along with similar campaigns worldwide, it hopes to put
a dent in Israelis' financial, physical and emotional suffering.
The Greater Vancouver Jewish community's Israel Now emergency campaign
is designed to provide every opportunity possible for members of
the local Jewish world to support Israel.
Campaign-related events such as rallies, town hall meetings, festivals
and educational seminars have taken place with an emphasis on Israel.
According to Vancouver lawyer Michael Moscovich, the two best ways
to show support for Israel is by donating money to the campaign
or by visiting the homeland of the Jews in person.
The Israel Now campaign is taking place all over the world and the
Diaspora communities within North America have set a goal of raising
at least $300 million that will go directly to Israel for relief
for survivors of terror attacks and for added security. The Lower
Mainland community had set a goal of raising at least $1.5 million
for the campaign. At press time, more than $1.2 million had already
been raised.
Vancouver is also sending a mission to Israel on June 13 for those
who want to show their solidarity in person. Moscovich, who is leading
the mission along with Beth Israel Rabbi Charles Feinberg, said
that if people really care about the survival of Israel and the
Jewish people, they have to be prepared to act.
"In the past, people have asked, 'What would we do if...' or
said, 'never again.' " he said. "So if we get an opportunity
to be with our brethren for one week and share some of their joy
and suffering, I don't think it's too much to ask of someone."
Moscovich, who has been on several locally organized missions to
Israel over the past 10 years, said that with so much anti-Jewish
sentiment spreading throughout the world these days, it is even
more important than ever to show unity with Israel.
"Israel is very isolated and alone right now and I think it's
very important that we show our solidarity with them at this time."
The mission will be highlighted by a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon and a meeting with Jerusalem's mayor, Ehud Olmert.
The group will also spend time in places that previous missions
have visited and renew relationships with Israelis they had met
there.
Moscovich and his wife, Phyllis, for example, look forward to visiting
friends from the northern city of Metullah who they met on a mission
10 years ago and with whom they have kept in touch.
"When the bus pulls in, this family will be standing in the
middle of the road waiting to grab us," Moscovich said. "So
there are some fairly deep relationships that have developed from
past missions."
Louis Eisman, who is a co-chair of the local Israel Now campaign
with Gordon Diamond, said it is important to make financial donations
for Israel because the strength of world Jewry is directly related
to the strength of Israel.
"I was born in '43 and I could see how, in the first years,
everything was in the closet and we couldn't talk about the Holocaust,"
he said. "But as the years went by, after those two incredible
wars, everything started coming out of the closet and as Israel
got stronger, the Jews got stronger all around the world."
Eisman, who donated $10,000 himself to the campaign, said Diaspora
Jews have to be prepared to support the Israeli people, both financially
and morally, and that is why attending the mission is important.
"I was there last July and I saw how appreciative the people
were that we were there."
Arnie Fine, who, along with his wife, Susan, have already committed
to participating in the June mission, said visiting Israel shows
a clear connection to the people by proving that Diaspora Jews are
willing to take the chance and visit a place that has a higher risk
of danger.
"It's a show of oneness that we're prepared not just to write
nice things and talk to people, but we're prepared to go there even
though it's not exactly a tourist spot right now," he said.
The Israel Now emergency campaign was established to rally the community
of Greater Vancouver to show support for Israel through donations
and awareness. It was inaugurated at a recent meeting involving
presidents from community agencies who discussed what the community
could do to support Israel. For more information about the campaign
or the solidarity mission, call the Federation office at 604-257-5100.
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