The Bottom Line - 28 March 2003

Following is the recent urgent appeal from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to all Keren Hayesod communities around the world.

“Last year, when I called upon you to stand in solidarity with Israel, you rose to the challenge. I offer my deepest appreciation for your enthusiastic support, which has played an invaluable role in strengthening our society.

Today, the Palestinian war of terror against Israel is in its third year, but our adversaries have failed to break our spirit – and I can assure you that they will never succeed. And yet, the heavy burden of our predicament has already inflicted extensive damage on our economy. While we remain prepared for the possibility that the terrorist violence may endure for quite some time, we must also maintain a high state of alert and mobilise our emergency services in order to defend our nation against other imminent threats to our security.

However, even in these difficult times, the Zionist enterprise continues. With your help, tens of thousands of Jews have come on Aliyah in 2002, including thousands from South America. Now, with more public funds being redirected to defence, we must rely more heavily on the support of Keren Hayesod – United Israel Appeal campaigns around the world to meet our critical social objectives. I ask every one of you to come to Israel, and to enlist your full passion and resources for the sake of your Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal campaigns.

I am confident that the strong and vibrant Keren Hayesod community will respond to this call as it has in previous years – with true commitment and love for the State of Israel.”

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The Legacy for Life Division of the IUA-UCF is dedicated to the long-term survival and prosperity of Israel and the local community. After re-launching this division recently, Micha Danieli, the Keren Hayesod Legacy for Life emissary, together with Gerald Zimbler, National Director of the Legacy for Life Division visited many members of the community in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, East London, Krugersdorp and Pretoria. Presentations were made pointing out the need for their continued support of the IUA-UCF. Those visited were also appraised of the situation in Israel.
The response obtained indicated that such essential contact with the older members of the community is a source of much strength to them.
The Legacies programme advocates leaving a lasting testimonial to one’s life, values and Jewish family so as to ensure Jewish continuity in Israel and locally. Through our committee of professional volunteers in the legal and financial fields, we offer a service to the community to assist all those who require advice on planning their affairs so that Israel and the Jewish people are remembered and provided for.
With this in mind, we recall the saying from the Talmud: “…As my fathers planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who will come after me.”

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