Shopping to help Israel

CARL ALPERT SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN

Haifa
While Israel is militarily secure, its problems are mounting. Media that are openly hostile lose no opportunity to present distorted accounts of events here. Aside from the United States, numerous nations have adopted an almost official anti-Israel attitude. The United Nations has long since been dominated by the large bloc of Arab/Muslim states. In Europe, a campaign is now being mounted to boycott Israeli products and the result could have a disastrous effect on Israel's already weakened economy.

Jews in the Diaspora are deeply concerned and many are asking how they can help. There are many avenues of help and, if the millions of Jews in America and elsewhere are truly interested, their combined efforts can indeed make a significant difference.

What can you do? You can add the weight of your presence at public pro-Israel demonstrations and rallies. You can write appropriate letters to your local newspapers or to your political representatives in government. You can contribute generously to your local community funds and to useful, constructive Israeli causes. You can come here as tourists, and by your very presence help lift the spirit of the Israelis and, at the same time, boost a sagging industry.

Collectively, all such efforts will be of enormous help to Israel, but there is something more within the reach and ability of each of you. As Israel's economy faces the threat of sharply reduced exports because of the dwindling market in Europe, with resultant increase in unemployment here, you can make a determined effort to buy Israeli products. You don't know what to buy? To begin with, ask your friends and neighbors. Many of them already go out of their way to look for the "Made in Israel" label. Ask a rabbi. Inquire of the Israel consulate if there is one near you.

Also, check in your supermarkets. Many of these already carry such items as Elite chocolates, Kedem biscuits, Telma soups, Osem food products, jams and jellies from 777 and Bet Hashitta, and many more that you may not have noticed. A friend reports to us on the availability of Sabra salads, Golan cheeses. Look for them. Ask for them.

Fashionable Gottex bathing suits come from here. Many cotton textile products carry labels which, under the name of the store, reveal that they were made in Israel. Look for them, and enjoy the excitement of finding them. Ahava cosmetic products are already a best-seller, and for good reason. Jewish bookstores carry publications and religious objects that are important exports from Israel. Wines and liquors of good quality have long since made their appearance overseas and should be easy to locate. Shabbat and yahrzeit candles are obvious objects.

Teva pharmaceuticals have justly earned a good name. For people in the high-tech field, there are endless opportunities. Consult Elmer Winter of the Committee for Economic Growth in Israel at [email protected].
Want something unusual? Sandals made by Source, worn by one in 10 Israelis, are coming to America and elsewhere. They are fashionable, comfortable and use patented strap systems. Not in your local sports goods store yet? Ask for them. In the meantime they can be seen and ordered through their Web site, www.source-vagabond.com.

For that matter, a wide range of useful and attractive Israeli products can be seen on two comprehensive Web sites: www. shopinisrael.com and www.israelexport.org. They provide links to a many other Israeli sites from which purchases can be made online for art, books, clothing cosmetics, educational resources, food and wine, music and more. As well, on the Shopinisrael site, there are links to people who provide professional Web services.

For businesspeople or others looking to invest, www.usaisrael.org lists companies such as architecture firms, computer start-ups, etc. The site is relatively new; no doubt the number of companies, requests for proposals and employment opportunities will increase over the next few months.

Not everyone has access to the Internet, so Web shopping alone isn't be enough. Stir up interest in your community. Together with friends, plan a local campaign to stimulate an awareness of the need to help Israel in all of these ways.

Supermarket and store managers will be responsive to repeated requests for specific items, and they will be happy to stock up on merchandise for which there is a demand.

Each of you can help make a difference. Spread the word. Look for and buy Israeli products.

Carl Alpert is a freelance writer living in Haifa.

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