Monmouth community responds to Israel crisis; campaign at $150,000

by Jill Huber
NJJN Bureau Chief/Monmouth

Sidebar Article: Where the money is going

The Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County has raised more than $150,000 for its Israel Emergency Campaign, and donations are still coming in, according to federation officials.

“The fighting may have ceased, at least for now,” said federation executive director Howard Gases, but, unfortunately, “the social service needs in Israel continue to grow.”

Gases had announced the re-establishment of the IEC during a prayer service in support of Israel on July 17. The gathering, which took place at the Ruth Hyman Jewish Community Center in Deal, was sponsored by the Joint Chaplaincy and the Community Relations Council of the federation.

“The IEC announcement was a call to action, and the Jewish community in Monmouth County has responded, and continues to respond, with an outpouring of generosity,” said Gases. “Community members’ concern and support for the State of Israel will help children and adults who live in and near Haifa to cope with the challenges that they have been dealing with since the start of the attacks by Hizbullah last month, and continue to face as they try to rebuild their lives.”

Proceeds from the performance of SoulFarm, a Jewish jam band that will take the stage at the Herbert and Evelyn Axelrod Performing Arts Center at the Ruth Hyman JCC on Wednesday, Aug. 23, will also benefit the IEC, according to Karen Sacks, director of marketing and communications for the federation. The organization is cosponsoring the concert with the JCC, she added.

In addition to the IEC announcement at the July prayer service, the federation has been sending weekly e-mails to update donors on the situation in Israel and to ask for contributions to the emergency campaign, Sacks said. Donations have been sent to the federation on-line and through regular mail, she noted.

As a result of community support, United Jewish Communities, the national umbrella organization for North American federations, has received more than $150 million for the IEC, including $28.8 million in cash collections to UJC.

Spokespersons for the United Jewish Appeal, the fund-raising branch of UJC, said the donations are part of a nationwide effort to raise $300 million for the emergency appeal.

IEC funds have already improved living conditions in bomb shelters in northern Israel and also have helped move more than 17,000 children out of range of Katyusha rockets. IEC monies also will help rebuild homes and re-establish services that have been destroyed and disrupted since the outbreak of the violence in July, according to Monmouth federation officials.

“Israel has once again been forced to defend her right to exist, and, once again, we must help,” said Ann Goldman, federation’s director of planning and allocations. “The IEC has already begun to care for and relocate families and children who are in danger, provide food and medicine for the elderly and disabled, assist victims of physical and emotional trauma, and find a safe haven for those in harm’s way.”

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Where the money is going

THE ISRAEL EMERGENCY Campaign is meeting emergency needs in Israel, according to United Jewish Communities personnel. Funds are providing for the operation of summer camps in central Israel for more than 10,000 children and youth living in or near the areas of confrontation; renovation of more than 800 bomb shelters and equipping about 1,500 shelters with televisions, air conditioners, emergency light fixtures, and portable toilets; and emergency amenities to those living under fire in 13 Jewish Agency for Israel absorption centers.

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee programs have distributed more than 13,000 activity kits that include games and art projects to children living in shelters and have provided emergency psychological support for more than 1,000 children living in bomb shelters and evacuation sites. Outreach programs established at community centers have helped at least 15,000 children and have offered transportation options for those coping with severe physical disabilities. Support services have been increased for the elderly, including more than 5,000 at-home meals, transportation, emergency home equipment, and more than 10,000 telephone check-in calls. Close to 150 staff members have been added to homes for the aged in the north of Israel, and accessible emergency centers and evacuation assistance have been made available to more than 1,200 individuals with disabilities.

IEC funds have been used to relocate families from the absorption centers in the North to facilities in the center of the country. In an effort to monitor the needs of olim, mostly from Ethiopia, JAFI also has established communications with those who have moved from northern absorption facilities to reside with relatives or host families in other parts of the country. IEC funding also has been used to provide emergency training for AMEN youth volunteers, allowing them to quickly be deployed as part of an emergency service network offering first aid and other forms of assistance.

Information on making contributions to the Israel Emergency Campaign is available on the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County Web site or by calling the federation office at 732-531-6200. SoulFarm concert information is available from the Ruth Hyman JCC office at 732-531-9100. Information about the national United Jewish Communities Israel Emergency Campaign can be found on the organization’s Web site.

— JILL HUBER