The names and faces may be different, but the end result is the same. Jews living in the greater Milwaukee area, once again, are raising money for Israel — in living rooms, in synagogues, in offices throughout the community.
For Jews here, sending money is one of the most immediate actions they can take to help meet Israel’s current crisis.
Since the new Israel Emergency Campaign was announced April 16 during the community-wide Yom HaZikaron ceremony, Milwaukeeans have raised more than $500,000. In launching the nationwide campaign, the United Jewish Communities, the umbrella organization of North American Jewish federations, aims to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to meet Israel’s immediate economic, security, social and absorption needs.
“In just over a week’s time, the Milwaukee community has responded swiftly and generously to the new IEC effort,” said Richard H. Meyer, executive director of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, which is coordinating the campaign on behalf of the entire community with Robert L. Habush as chair.
Meyer added, “Milwaukee has always stepped up to meet Israel’s challenges. This meaningful response by the community has been very moving and profound for all of us at the federation. We have seen individuals give from their hearts, and we hope this inspires everyone to help during this emergency.
“So many of us read the news and wonder what we can do. I think that the community is responding so forcefully because we understand that this crisis is about the people and the land of Israel and not about the politics. This is an emergency, and we are not turning our backs.”
To better accommodate the outpouring of support, a secure online system has been put in place on the federation’s web site at www.milwaukeejewish.org. A number of donations have already been made online.
In addition to pledges made at the Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut events last week, concerned community members jump-started the fundraising efforts in an unprecedented outpouring of funds at a gathering during the evening of April 17.
Among them was Marty Katz. “I sat there that evening,” he said, “and now I can tell my children how exciting it was to see the response. The mood was powerful…. As I sat in the living room, I saw 40 people, representing 31 individual or family commitments, from throughout our community who all understood that our Jewish state is at risk, and they stepped up to the plate.
“Together we raised $450,000 that evening, which we hope will inspire others to give the maximum they can. One of the benchmarks for giving is that we are asking people to consider making a gift equal to at least half of what they regularly give to MJF’s annual Community Campaign. Most of the people who were there did do that — and in some cases actually gave more.”
Rick Ruvin, who also attended, added, “If Israel is fighting for its survival, and we as a group are lucky enough to be in a position to help her fight for her survival, then we need to step up and do what we can. I felt compelled to give 150 percent of my [annual community campaign] gift because I don’t want to look back and say ‘I could have or I should have’….”
And Jack Spector said, “I came to Milwaukee in 1946 and have never missed working on any campaign for the federation. This campaign is really the most urgent. Israel is facing a different kind of enemy and is devastated by what is happening — in their economy and in their psyche. I clearly remember in 1967 when everyone was so distressed and so fearful [about the situation in Israel] that they came to the [fundraising] meeting ready to donate their family jewels. But I fear that this situation that Israel is in now is even worse.”
Spector is heartened to see that the desire to support Israel is still strong. “At the [April 17] meeting, I was amazed that no one hestitated to make a pledge.”
Alan Marcuvitz was so moved by that gathering that he shared his feelings at Friday evening Shabbat services at Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue in Mequon.
According to Pat Chamoy, synagogue president, “He was handed pledges on the spot. Because of his response, both myself and Rabbi [Gideon] Goldenholz made a similar appeal at Saturday morning services. I’m just overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. I have such an incredible feeling that I e-mailed our cousins in Efrat that help is coming.”
Further, Chamoy noted that the synagogue’s religious school students raised an estimated $500 to help the Israeli soldiers at an assembly Sunday morning.
Speaking about the situation in Israel to the board of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation on Tuesday, Israel Consul General to the Midwest Moshe Ram said that every day, his friends in Israel tell him by telephone about what they have seen and heard about American Jewish support for Israel.
“For us, this support, which is manifested throughout the spectrum of American Jewry, is extremely, extremely important,” he said. “It is important for us, and for you, too.”
For more information on the campaign or how to make a donation, call the federation at 414-390-5700 or visit www.milwau keejewish.org. The web site also offers information on advocacy and other programs in support of Israel.
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