The Case of the Campaign

Background
Keren Hayesod answers the needs of Israel and the Jewish people by working in four principal fields of action: rescue; aliya and absorption; Jewish identity and continuity; and strengthening Israel by developing its social infrastructure. While these basic mission areas remain constant, the pressing needs and issues in Israel and the Jewish world are continually changing. Keren Hayesod is always on the watch to identify Israel's emerging social needs, quickly adapting its operations to develop appropriate responses and ensure their broadest possible impact.

The Challenge
The challenges facing Israel and world Jewry today are diverse, yet interconnected and global in nature. The unexpected and unprovoked outburst of Palestinian violence accompanied by an upsurge of anti-Semitism throughout the world in dimensions reminiscent of the 1930's, has brought home the essential need for world Jewish solidarity and a strong Israel. Throughout the world, Jews are realizing that a strong Israel is necessary to ensure the survival of the Jewish communities in the Diaspora. And the Israeli population is recognizing that Israel needs the support of world Jewry to be strong.

In the ten years prior to the outbreak of hostilities Keren Hayesod, working together with the Jewish Agency, brought one million olim to Israel. These immigrants made a unique contribution to the country, changing it beyond recognition. The consequent increasing prosperity led to a drastic rise in foreign investment and to a booming economy, particularly in the fields of hi-tech and tourism. The violence and terrorism that has been raging since September 2000 has uprooted a decade of flourishing social and economic growth and development, and has taken a serious toll on Israel's economy.

While no end to the hostilities appears on the horizon, an additional threat has arisen. An American attack on Iraq has taken place, and Iraq has made it clear that they will respond by striking at Israel. The nature of the Iraqi attack could be conventional, chemical, biological or any combination of the three. Israel must be prepared for any scenario.

As is often the case, the crisis intensifies existing serious problems among Israel's vulnerable populations, such as new immigrants. A particularly high percentage of terror victims are new immigrants, who lack both the financial and the emotional support systems when they most need them. The frequent terrorist attacks, and the atmosphere of uncertainty and insecurity add significantly to the pressures of immigrant absorption, which can be traumatic in and of themselves.

New immigrants are also among the hardest hit by the bleak economic reality, caused by the security crisis. As more and more government funds have been redirected from social programs to defense and security expenditures, a large number of both new immigrants and second and third generation Israelis find themselves caught in a cycle of poverty and alienation from which they cannot escape without significant intervention. Too many children live below the poverty line. Against this background, a recent survey revealed that one out of every six children are in situations of risk due to their parents' incompetence, intended cruelty, physical abuse, neglect or sexual abuse. Economic pressures, stress, frequent military duty, fear of terrorism, unemployment and the difficulties associated with immigrating to a new country are all contributing factors to this painful issue.

Yet in spite of the security threat and the economic hardships, the Israelis are going on with their lives. The population of Israel is standing steadfast, altering their lifestyles to adapt to the new reality, but determined never to give in.

They cannot do this alone. They need the moral and concrete support of world Jewry. Keren Hayesod – United Israel Appeal serves as a bridge between Israel and the Diaspora, assisting world Jewry to direct its concrete support for the population of Israel where it is most needed.

I. Support for the Israeli population during the security crisis
Against the background of the deep economic recession and the growing social needs in Israel caused by the security crisis, Keren Hayesod - United Israel Appeal responded to the Prime Minster's call for support by establishing the Israel Crisis Emergency Fund.

Since its inception, the Emergency Fund has helped enhance the personal day- to-day security of the Israeli population by augmenting the local civil guard organization as well as ensuring the security of hundreds of thousands of children in kindergartens and schools throughout the country. The Fund supports organizations supplying life-saving medical assistance in the aftermath of terrorist attacks, including numerous trauma units, hospitals and medical centers throughout Israel, Magen David Adom, Yad Sarah and ZAKA - Search and Rescue, as well as providing for the emotional needs of the victims and their families, through its support for the Jewish Agency Fund for Victims of Terror.

Challenges for 2003
With no solution to the conflict in sight, and the new Iraqi threat apparently inevitable, the needs are constantly changing and growing. Two principal areas of action have been identified for 2003: These are The Jewish Agency Fund for Victims of Terror, and Rescue Services

The Jewish Agency Fund for Victims of Terror
The Jewish Agency Fund for Victims of Terror, the largest of its kind, provides one-time or ongoing assistance to families of victims and survivors of terror in the areas of psychological counseling, special equipment, transportation to and from the hospital, therapy, and supplementary income, as well as special equipment for the home and home care. A special orphans fund provides each orphan with a personal savings account.

Rescue Services
The unexpected, unprecedented dimensions of the violence have created a broad array of needs in the various Rescue Services.

One of the most urgent emergency needs that has been identified for 2003 is support for the Fire and Rescue Services. When any terror incident occurs, they are the first on the scene - providing the vital first response and in the event of an Iraqi attack on Israel, they will have a vital role to play. Another dominant rescue and recovery organization supported by Keren Hayesod is ZAKA, which performs essential search and rescue activities.

I I. Aliyah and Absorption
Aliyah and immigrant absorption always have been and always will be among the top priorities of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The Jewish state was built upon aliyah and gets its strength from its olim. Since 1989, Keren Hayesod, working through the Jewish Agency, has helped bring more than one million new immigrants to Israel, mainly from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia.

Challenges for 2003
In addition to the essential ongoing work, since the beginning of the decade, new challenges have arisen from unexpected quarters. Three principal areas of action have been identified for 2003: These are Aliyah, Absorption of Immigrants and The National Project for Ethiopians.

AIiyah
Since the beginning of the decade, new challenges have arisen from unexpected quarters. The virulent anti-Semitism raging through France and the economic every day crisis that is engulfing South America have made aliyah from France, Argentina and Uruguay a national priority. Keren Hayesod supports flights together with a freight subsidy, provides an initial "settling in" grant, provides housing in an absorption center for 6 months and a 5-month Hebrew language ulpan. Special programs have been developed for specific target groups.

Absorption of Immigrants
Keren Hayesod has taken upon itself to do all that it can to ensure as easy a transition as possible, supporting immigrants' initial housing in Jewish Agency absorption Centers, funding Hebrew language ulpanim, professional training courses, scholarships for new immigrant students, enrichment activities for immigrant children etc. However, the absorption process is a lengthy one, and long term investment in immigrants is also necessary.

The National Project for the Advancement of Ethiopians

One of the greatest challenges facing Israel today is the absorption of the Ethiopian community into our society. Keren Hayesod, together with the Jewish Agency, UJC and the Israeli Government, has launched a nine-year National Ethiopian Absorption Project, designed to promote the full integration of Ethiopian Israelis into the mainstream of Israeli society. The project targets children, teenagers and young adults.

III. Strengthening Israel's Social Infrastructure
The security crisis has dealt a hard blow to the Israeli economy, leading the country into a deep economic recession, which is eating away at the fabric of Israeli society. New immigrants are among the most vulnerable segments of society affected by the economic crisis. Keren Hayesod supports a large number of innovative, holistic programs providing both long- and short-term solutions to the problem of poverty in Israel. These programs work towards uprooting the problem at its source while responding to the immediate needs of Israel's vulnerable populations - including immigrants, the elderly, children and youth- at-risk - as well as constructing and equipping necessary facilities.

Challenges for 2003
Strengthening Israel's social infrastructure is as essential to Israel's survival as winning the war against terror. Three principal areas of action have been identified for 2003: These are Early Childhood Day Care Centers, Afternoon Tutorial Centers and Youth Villages for Youth at Risk.

Early Childhood Day Care Centers
The establishment of day care centers throughout the country has been designated a national priority. Early childhood frameworks enable mothers to enter the workforce while providing children with a nurturing environment and nutritious meals. Keren Hayesod has undertaken to fund the construction of day care centers in Israel's underprivileged neighborhoods.

After-School Tutorial Centers
Education is the most effective way to break the vicious cycle in which many in Israel - almost a fifth of the underprivileged people are caught and to facilitate the absorption of new immigrants so that they do not become alienated and fall under negative influences. The Jewish Agency, in conjunction with the Association for the Advancement of Education, operates a network of After-School Tutorial Centers throughout Israel to provide enrichment, support and a hot meal for immigrants as well as second- and third-generation Israeli children.

Youth Villages for Youth at Risk
Jewish Agency Youth Villages provide residential care and education to the extent outside of their disadvantaged young immigrants and Israeli-born youngsters who would biological homes. Of these, otherwise have dropped out of the school system. Keren Hayesod supports four Jewish Agency Youth Villages: Ramat Hadassah, Ben Yakir, Kiryat Yearim and Hadassah Neurim.

Conclusion
In the summer of 2000, Israel extended the hand of peace to the Palestinians in the hope of putting an end to 120 years of conflict. Interpreting this offer as a sign of weakness, the Palestinians responded to the outstretched hand with a clenched fist. They thought that through violence they would undermine the social fabric of the country and divide the people. They thought we had forgotten why we are here, what we are fighting for. BUT THEY WERE WRONG!

We know why we are here, we know what we are fighting for. We are fighting for our home, we are fighting for the home of all the Jewish people. We are fighting for the future of our children, and for the future of every Jewish child the world over. And the Jews of the world have risen as one to stand at our side.

As the violence continues, the Israeli economy is weakening, and the social needs are increasing. It is essential to answer these needs now, as they arise. Israel's most vulnerable populations are the hardest hit by the crisis, and the most vulnerable of these are the new immigrants. New immigrants are hardest hit by terror. New immigrants are hardest hit by poverty.

Yet new immigrants are the secret of our survival over the past 54 years. Particularly at times like these, as our enemies attempt to call our very legitimacy into question, our new immigrants are our greatest asset. On one hand, Jews throughout the world know that, come what may, they will always have a safe haven in Israel, and on the other hand the continuation of immigration, in spite of the violence and the danger, is the best response to those who seek to destroy us. It is the only way to ensure a strong and secure Israel. It is therefore imperative to ease their way as much as possible in order to ensure their successful integration into Israeli society.

Every new immigrant strengthens the country, every new immigrant is a victory for Israel. Now, more than ever, an investment in the absorption of immigrants in Israel is the single most important investment for the future of the Jewish People. Keren Hayesod brought them to Israel. It is up to us to help them.

We are all faced with a struggle for the future and security of our national homeland - Israel. Your contribution to this struggle is in strengthening Israel.

The Jews of Israel and the Jews of the world are one. Standing as one, connected through the unique partnership with Keren Hayesod, we will win.