At the final plenary of the Jewish Agency's Board of Governors meetings, the 2012 budget was passed unanimously. The approved budget of just over $322m. represents a cut of approximately 2.5% from 2011. As approved, the budget contains a projected deficit of $4.6m. The Jewish Agency is required to have a balanced budget and within the next 60 days additional revenue, expenditure reductions, or a combination of the two must be identified. Of note, the Jewish federations (which earlier this summer had indicated to JAFI that 2012 would see a decline in income) is budgeted to provide $105m - the same as in 2011. Keren Hayesod $43m and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews $9m. Of the projected decline in income, $5m (of the approximately $8m) results from a U.S. Government grant … Continue Reading
Jewish Camping Builds Community Across Europe, Israel and the FSU
It's summertime, and Jewish camping is in full swing around the world. Not only in North America, but in Europe, Israel and the countries of the former Soviet Union. Beginning today, eJewish Philanthropy will look at a number of programs being run with assistance from (alphabetically) Genesis Philanthropy Group, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, JDC, the Jewish Agency and UJA Federation-NY. We begin today with stories of JDC camps in Belarus. For Natalia, a 5-year-old from Belarus, and nearly 15,000 Jewish children and their families, this summer will be filled with memorable celebrations of Jewish life and identity. In more than 130 family and youth retreats and Shabbat weekends across 20 countries in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, the American Jewish Joint … Continue Reading
An Ethiopian Seder in Israel: a Photo Essay
5,500 new immigrants from Ethiopia are celebrating the seder together at large events organized by the Jewish Agency and The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) in 16 absorption centers around the county. Approximately 1,000 of them have come to Israel recently following the Israeli government decision to bring the remainder of the Falash Mura community to Israel. The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews donated approximately $200,000 for the project. images courtesy Jewish Agency and Brian Hendler … Continue Reading
IFCJ Launches New Aid Project in Ukraine
The Jewish community of Krivoy Rog (Ukraine) has facilitated a humanitarian aid campaign sponsored by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. The campaign enables local families to “purchase” children's clothing from the Sela clothing store chain with certificates issued by the Jewish community. For several years IFCJ has been sponsoring various humanitarian aid projects for the Jewish community of Krivoy Rog, a member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine. For this most recent campaign, 320 certificates have been distributed to underprivileged children ages 2-16 years. Children received 3-4 certificates each worth 200 hryvnia (about $25 each). Sela is an Russian-Israeli company, founded in 1991, offering clothing for the entire family as well as footwear and … Continue Reading
Jewish Agency Emergency Response for Carmel Fire Victims
On the ground, post Carmel fire, with the Jewish Agency. … Continue Reading
Shas Minister Refused Donation of Fire Equipment from Christian Group
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews has stated Interior Minister Eli Yishai refused to accept donations from pro-Israel Christians and thus denied the underfunded Fire and Rescue Service much needed equipment. Yishai, is the same minister who echoed Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's recent words stating that the Carmel fire was a result of insufficient Shabbat observance in the area. from The Jerusalem Post: Israeli firefighters could have received a shipment of brand new fire trucks that would have helped quell the fires that raged over the weekend on Mount Carmel, killing 41 people and turning tens of thousands of dunams into an ashen wasteland. ... Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, which raises money for Israel among Christian … Continue Reading
The Jewish World and Christian Zionist Cash
Michele Chabin writing in Religion News Service: Israel finds common cause with evangelicals When Texas megachurch pastor John Hagee wrapped up a visit to Israel on Monday (Nov. 15) with 40 pastors in tow, he sought out the places where Jesus walked, preached and prayed some 2,000 years ago. But there was another meeting on the itinerary that was a must-not-miss event for Hagee and his host: a sit-down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. ... Christian Zionist support for Israel is at an all-time high, observers say, and Israelis, American Jews, and Palestinians are all taking notice - some favorable, some not. While Israel has long courted financial and political support from evangelicals, many Jewish American leaders have viewed the alliance with suspicion, leery about … Continue Reading
The Falashmura Aliyah: the Conclusion is on the Horizon
The Government of Israel has approved a plan to bring the remaining 7800 Ethiopians claiming Jewish ancestry to Israel. Working from rosters prepared, and approved in 2007, those registered will be brought at a rate of 200 month beginning sometime in 2011. Approximately 50-75% of those registered are expected to actually make the journey. The decision to bring this group is expected to, once and for all, close the doors to the community immigration except in specific individual, and humanitarian, requests. The decision, reached months ago, was postponed from Cabinet action several times due to Israeli political considerations. In seeking approval earlier today, the Prime Minister had this to say: Today, the Cabinet will discuss bringing the Falashmura, of the seed of Israel, who remain in … Continue Reading
Summer Camp Programs Expand Worldwide
Despite the economic downturn, Jewish summer camp programs continue to expand. This year, several new camps opened in North America, and retreats sponsored by organizations including the Jewish Agency and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) reached enlarged audiences in the countries of the FSU and eastern Europe. At JDC sponsored summer retreats, programs for toddlers to teenagers and their families combine Jewish education with art, drama, English language studies, computers, sports, dancing and music. Children from the full spectrum of Jewish affiliation, from large cities and remote villages, experience a renewed commitment to their Jewish heritage. One such participant, 7-year old “Paula,” whose eyes glow as she sings one of the new Hebrew songs she recently learned, is the … Continue Reading
Heftziba: A Ray of Light Appears
Filed under In Case You Missed, Life in the FSU Countries, The American Jewish Scene, The Blog
There are small cracks in the wall, but they are growing. Consider, the professional head of an influential American-based foundation speaks about the importance of reaching out to Russian-speaking Jews worldwide. Young adult programs, from multiple organizations, catering to the same audience are flourishing on multiple continents. Discussions on funding Jewish education in the countries of the FSU are discussed not only at the table of global Jewish organizations, but at the highest levels of the Government of Israel. Perhaps, worldwide Jewry is beginning to internalize that the story of FSU Jewry is not over. Some think that with the opening of borders those who have wanted to leave have left, and therefore why support those remaining? Yet, there are approximately 1.1 million Jews (as … Continue Reading
English