“Israel is not a country of sand with tanks running back and forth [but rather] a country of culture, science and technology,” said Martin F. Stein, well-known community activist, philanthropist and past chairman of Israel Bonds. “It is very close to the United States in terms of quality of life; but most people don’t understand that unless they go there….”
That was why Stein jumped at the chance to include non-Jewish Israel Bonds purchasers in a recent Israel Bonds special task force trip to Israel from June 11-15.
Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds is not a wholly Jewish effort to raise funds for the State of Israel. More than one-third of Israel Bonds purchases comes from non-Jewish organizations such as banks, unions, foundations, universities and Fortune 500 companies.
“Over the years I have tried to bring as many non-Jews as possible to see first hand what happens [in Israel]. It helps them to see what their investment does,” said Stein.
Todd Lappin, the general chairman of Israel Bonds locally, said that of the “30 people from around the country [that went on the trip],” the Milwaukee contingent represented a “high proportion” of the task force.
Despite all of the negative press Israel has been receiving since last September, there was no shortage of individuals willing to go.
“My impressions [of Israel] were that it is a tremendous place,” said Michael Falbo, president and CEO of State Financial Services Co., who is not Jewish. “I felt comfortable at all times, and I was very much impressed with how we were received and treated.”
Falbo’s involvement with Israel Bonds began “probably about seven or eight years ago through our Jewish customer base and from friends in the Jewish community.” Falbo said the group was shown “where our money goes” and that he fully plans to “continue to support the [Jewish] community” by continuing to purchase Israel Bonds.
Asked if investing in Israel concerned him more than investing in any other country because of the political situation, Falbo said he was “no more skeptical [about investing in Israel] than anything else we might invest in.”
Jim Ericson, chairman of the board of Northwestern Mutual and also a non-Jew, said he was “extremely happy about the results [of Israel Bonds investments]. We toured several housing projects and I was impressed by the country as a whole. The people … were warm and wonderful.”
Dangers exaggerated
Executive vice president of the Peltz Group, Arnie Peltz, who is Jewish, said the timing of the trip made him want to go.
“With all the casualties Israel has had from day-to-day … the net result is that Israelis don’t know where they sit,” Peltz said. “I got the impression they were very happy that people came, and it is the best thing that American Jews can do [for Israel].”
Peltz said the dangers are exaggerated and that obviously “tours don’t go to dangerous places.” Nevertheless, he was sad to note diminished numbers of people on Jerusalem’s Ben Yehuda St., a popular shopping area.
“I really do think it is a very important time to support Israel,” said Ericson. “The tourist industry is suffering … but certainly we never felt in danger at any time. We had a marvelous time.”
Highlights of the trip included meetings with high-ranking Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert.
Falbo was impressed with the directness of Israeli leaders. “They very much know what their mission is, and although there are many different thoughts on how to accomplish goals, they are very direct.”
Israeli politicians “were extremely impressive, particularly Sharon,” said Ericson. “He was very articulate about the Israeli position concerning negotiations. He is a very dynamic individual and much warmer than portrayed in the press.”
Stein said that bringing non-Jews to Israel “helps to clear the minds of the decision makers [in the U.S.] that Israel is a good investment. For them to hear me [speak positively about Israel] they’ll say, ‘Oh, Stein is such a fanatic,’ but if they hear Jim Ericson or Mike Falbo — who have no ax to grind — it makes a gigantic difference.”
Although the group was only in Israel for two-and-a-half days, the itinerary kept them constantly on the move. Besides meeting dignitaries and viewing the results of their investments, the group also visited Masada and a number of Christian and Jewish holy sites.
Stein said he gets a lot of fulfillment bringing people to Israel, especially non-Jews. “I have been to Israel over 70 times,” he said, “but the fact is, when you go there with a new person who has never seen it before, it takes on a whole new angle because you see Israel through other peoples’ eyes.”
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