Community-building at home and overseas continue to be the focus of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation as it begins its 100th year.
“To be a true Jewish community, we must look beyond our borders,” said Allen Samson, federation president, at MJF’s annual meeting Aug. 15 at O’Donnell Park. The theme of the event was “Milwaukee-Israel: The Ties That Bind.”
To an audience of more than 100, Samson emphasized the importance of demonstrating solidarity with Israel. “Show your solidarity and support by going on the community-wide trip to Israel in February and celebrate the federation’s 100th anniversary,” he said.
“Also, I hope everyone will turn out for a solidarity rally on Sunday, Sept. 23 that will be held simultaneously with other Jewish communities across the country,” he continued. “We hope to re-establish the prominence of Israel and world Jewry.”
Further, Samson said the federation has examined long-term plans for the Milwaukee Jewish community. “To ensure that our programs remain viable and engaging and keep their place in today’s competitive marketplace, we are undertaking a community capital campaign to remodel the Karl Jewish Community Campus, develop a Jewish Heritage Museum, help the Jewish Home and Care Center grow in Mequon and assist the Hillel Foundation-Milwaukee meet its space needs,” he said.
As these projects increase the demand for resources, Samson looks to growth in the community campaign, in the Jewish Community Foundation — the federation’s endowment development program — and in donor-centered giving to meet the financial needs. “All three of these areas must increase to keep our community strong for future generations,” he said.
In keeping with the focus on community building, Richard H. Meyer, MJF executive vice president, said, “While the federation is involved in significant issues from a global perspective, we must continue our outreach here to all Jews, including synagogues and other Jewish institutions. Our mission as a community ranges from meeting the crises in Israel to energizing plans for local growth.”
He boasted that the community campaign has increased its donor base by 1,000 over the last couple of years, which he attributed to “outreach and community building.”
Strategy backfired
Another plea for solidarity was issued by featured speaker Douglas M. Bloomfield, a Washington consultant and syndicated columnist. He said, “The Milwaukee community can make a difference by going to Israel.”
In presenting an update on Israel affairs, the former AIPAC chief lobbyist labeled Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as “the man Arabs love to hate.” However, he thinks Palestinian Authority president Yasser Arafat’s strategy “to provoke Sharon to over-react has backfired,” and “next to Arafat some Arabs think Sharon looks good and even defend him.”
Bloomfield charged that Arafat “has no will for peace” and condemned him for failing to honor his commitment to the CIA to apprehend and incarcerate terrorists. Further, he chided him for sending his condolences to the families of the suicide bombers.
“He has not ended the violence,” Bloomfield said, “and seems to want to keep things ‘simmering.’ I think he’s afraid to let them ‘boil,’ but by keeping things simmering he’ll incite Sharon, which will result in international support to bring the house down on Israel.”
He admits that politically Arafat has lost some credibility with his people and has attempted to shift the lack of peace to Sharon. “I feel this attitude has been transparent, especially in Washington. Also, I’ve heard that Arafat is blaming Jewish groups for the violence — to make him look bad. However, my sense is that President Bush knows Arafat lies and views Sharon as a straight shooter.”
As a reaction to the recent events, Bloomfield said the Vatican, which has asked to get involved, “should declare Arafat unwelcome and not to treat him honorably. Also, I think [Secretary of State Colin] Powell should renew the threat to cut him off until he honors his agreements with CIA director George Tenet. The U.S. government can freeze his assets.”
In addition, he feels alternative Palestinian leaders should be encouraged to speak the truth to their people.
Bloomfield criticized Sharon’s refusal to negotiate until there are seven days of quiet because “it gives veto power to the extremists. What he should do is demand a 100 percent effort to show results.”
In other federation action, officers and board members were elected. Samson will continue his term as president.
Others serving with him are: Jerry Benjamin, Penny Deshur, Larry Gellman, Jody Kaufman Loewenstein, Gerald Stein and Marci Taxman, vice presidents; David Lubar and Judy Segall Guten, treasurers; Bradden Backer and Stanton Bluestone, secretaries; and Bruce Arbit, Jayne Butlein and Robert Habush, officers-at-large.
New board members include: Andrea Cooper, Frederick Croen, Suzy Ettinger, Rabbi David Fine, Susan Friebert, Keith Lindenbaum, Marianne Lubar, Stephen Marcus, Scott Sampson, Herzl Spiro and Louise Stein.
Sarah Kovnar received the Bernard and Helen Soref Scholars Program scholarship established by the Sorefs to show their support for Jewish youth.
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