Area residents are continuing to respond to the urgency of Israel’s situation with donations to the recently launched Israel Emergency Campaign (IEC), according to Robert L. Habush, volunteer chair. The campaign, coordinated by the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and announced April 16 during the community-wide Yom HaZikaron ceremony, has seen a “community-wide groundswell of support in its first two weeks,” he said.
“As of Tuesday, we’ve raised $568,224. The contributions are coming in all sizes and in all ways: by phone, through pledge cards and online. It is inspiring to see how people are giving from their hearts and showing that they want to be part of a community that cares so deeply about the survival of our Jewish State.”
The campaign, part of a nationwide effort through the United Jewish Communities, the umbrella organization of North American Jewish federations, is seeking to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in support of Israel.
“With Israel facing a crisis on so many fronts, people ask me constantly what they can do,” said Habush. “Contributing financial support is one of the most immediate steps we can take to help. The money will be used to provide direct relief to victims of terror and their families on many levels.”
Funds will also be used to strengthen security for schools, including preschools; malls; restaurants; markets; and other heavily populated places where terrorists are known to strike.
“We need to ensure that we are doing all that we can to keep children safe,” said Habush, adding that IEC funds will also be used for such programs as expanded after-school and summer programming, crisis intervention and post-trauma support for parents and children.
Money is also being earmarked to improve medical and emergency response systems, such as specialized training for mental health professionals and everything from “blood bank equipment to the development of information management systems for triage,” Habush said.
UJC has helped identify numerous areas where funds are needed, said Richard H. Meyer, MJF executive vice president.
“The war on terrorism has shattered Israel’s economy. [See related story page 7.] Now, it threatens the nation’s health care, education, resettlement and social welfare systems. Our community is showing that it understands we must do all that we can to stand with Israel today.”
To make a gift to the IEC, call the federation at 414-390-5731 or go to the secure online system at www.milwaukeejewish.org.
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