Recently, as I agonized over the situation in Israel and her ever-increasing world isolation amid criticism of her right to defend herself, I experienced flashbacks to an earlier time: 1967, and then 1973. It was on these two occasions that I witnessed Milwaukee’s response to what were then correctly perceived as threats to Israel’s very existence during the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War.
I was a much younger man then, and as I sat in parlor meetings with the giants of Jewish philanthropy, I felt in awe of what they said and what they did in a financial way. Many of these philanthropic legends have passed away. How I wish they were all alive today to help us through this crisis. Although we are blessed to still have some of them among us, the torch is now passed to my generation and those who follow.
Since those perilous wars, much has changed. Israel has become a potent military force. She has thrived economically. Peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan have created some security, however superficial.
Concern among American Jews for Israel’s survival and well-being lessened in the face of ever-increasing local needs and disagreement with the policies of political and religious leaders in Israel. We still purchased Israel Bonds and supported the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s annual Community Campaign, but those of us in leadership positions could sense a lessening of the old emphasis on Israel’s needs and its motivational effect on local philanthropy.
Well, the time for complacency is over. We in America have experienced first-hand the ugly face of terrorism. We now realize, perhaps for the first time, the depths of the hatred for Israel that all of the Arab world and much of the Islamic world have been teaching for decades and are now expressing in the most violent way.
The Palestinian cancer has grown and metastasized to the extent that it again threatens Israel’s existence. And, as always, the international community sits quietly by as innocent men, women and children are slaughtered in Israel. This same community only becomes aroused when, in acts of self-defense by Israel, some innocent Palestinians unfortunately are killed.
Anti-Semitism, always festering beneath the surface, has spread worldwide in acts of violence against Jews and Jewish property. This brings me to my message — and a call for help.
Around the country, Jews are again meeting in large and small groups and in parlor meetings to express their emotional support for Israel and to pledge tens of millions of dollars in aid to an economically ravaged country and an endangered citizenry. We in Milwaukee must become engaged again as we have before.
Recently, at the community-wide Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut events, people expressed their concerns and their support and asked how they could help.
On April 17, a group of community leaders met at the home of a federation board member. In an emotional outpouring of support for Israel, $450,000 was raised. MJF’s executive committee has voted to create an Israel Emergency Campaign that will last for two months, ending in June. (See story page 1.)
I was asked to lead the campaign, and I accepted with a full understanding of the urgency of the mission and the need to succeed. I know there are new community leaders who will respond to the call. I also have confidence that Milwaukee and Wisconsin Jews know how serious Israel’s plight is. Whatever personal grievances existed in the past, we must stand with our brother and sister Jews in their time of isolation and need. If we do not, who will?
Robert L. Habush is chair of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Israel Emergency Campaign.
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