During Super Sunday (Dec. 8) and Super Week (Dec. 9-12), volunteers will be on the phone asking their friends and neighbors to contribute to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation Community Campaign 2003.
Each gift to the campaign brings hope, dignity and comfort to millions of people — young and old — in Milwaukee, in Israel and wherever there are Jewish communities that need our help. Particularly in times of crisis, these needs continue to grow.
Your gift helps in the following areas, which represent just some of the needs in our Jewish family worldwide:
• In the U.S., the Jewish community is aging faster than the general population. Twenty percent of the Jewish population is over 65 compared to 12.8 percent of the general population.
In Milwaukee, federation dollars work year-round to prolong independence — providing transportation, counseling and mobile meals. Nationally, our funds work to help federations and their coalition partners serve as advocates for the elderly, including leading the effort to help restore assistance to vulnerable refugees and legal immigrants
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• Domestic violence occurs in Jewish families nationwide at about the same rate — 15-20 percent — as it does in families of other religions. Federation-funded agencies and programs are here to help those facing abuse in Milwaukee.
• The Jews of Argentina are struggling in the midst of political and economic turmoil. Most of them are members of the middle class who almost overnight have lost their businesses, homes and savings. The need is urgent to assist Jews who stay in Argentina and those who make aliyah.
• Super Sunday gifts help provide 1.6 million food packages, 7 million hot meals, fuel, clothing and blankets to 250,000 needy elderly in the former Soviet Union.
• Israel remains under constant, indiscriminate attack. Ongoing emergency needs there include aid for victims of terror and their families; strengthening security in heavily populated places where terrorists are known to strike; keeping children safe with additional security; and continuing to improve medical and emergency response systems.
In addition, the shift of resources to support Israel’s war on terror means more cuts in the services and programs that help Israelis who struggle even in good times: children and teenagers at risk; isolated elderly immigrants and Holocaust survivors; and immigrants on the margins of Israeli society, including many from the Ethiopian community.
MJF staff report
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