NCJW Israel Program Report, September 2007

In this edition: 

• Message from Shari Eshet, Director of NCJW's Israel Office
• Messages to NCJW
• Advocacy and Action: Israeli Women and Conflict Resolution
• Advocacy and Action: Agunot Rights -- "The Shattered Dream" Fashion Show

Dear Friends,

At the end of August, Israel commemorated the first anniversary of the Second Lebanese War. One year ago, in a spontaneous outpouring, the American Jewish community sent $300 million to Israel through various philanthropic agencies in response to a major attack on more than a million citizens on its northern border. A year later, NCJW looks back at our organization's response to that emergency.

Our Israel Granting Program has allowed us to create close and personal relationships with many groups within Israel's neediest populations, and we determined that our best contribution during the war would be in using NCJW dollars to meet the emergency needs of several of the Yad B' Yad recipients that we could identify as being most in need. Once we publicized our intentions, a number of generous individual donors and sections sent in additional contributions to add to this effort. Over $48,000 was sent to Israel through NCJW to provide emergency care to the victims of the war. Our funds indeed reached the very people they were intended for, and within days participants in programs funded by NCJW in Israel were enjoying a respite from the war. We at NCJW were able to quickly and directly reach the populations with which we have been working. Our response was focused and accurate. As a small, grassroots organization, we can target issues and help find solutions. And with your help, we will continue to do so both domestically and in Israel. Included below are a number of quotes from those we served in the chaos of last year's war. Our name and reputation precedes us.

Best wishes for a safe, happy, and healthy new year,

Shari Eshet
Director of NCJW's Israel Office

From the Northern Kibbutzim:

"In the past 28 days of fighting, on an average, 145 rockets have fallen in the north of the country ... our children have experienced heavy daily bombardments in and around their settlements. The deafening noise day and night of the Israeli artillery stationed close by and the traumatic pounding of Hezbollah missiles makes extended stays in shelters almost unbearable. Within this harsh reality, it is of utmost importance to allocate funds enabling our children, even for the day, to 'enjoy' what's left of their summer vacation in safer areas of the country. Your generous donation will be used to help send 250 children to a water park in the south of the country for one day."

From Haifa:

"During the war the families of the Ethiopian children suffered very much as the condition in their homes did not allow for proper shelter from the missiles. Not knowing Hebrew well, the parents encountered difficulties understanding the directions of the Home Front Command because of language barriers.

"Hiyot tried its best to aid these families in any way possible. Thanks to the generosity of Yad B' Yad, which took the families by buses to a safe place in Jerusalem, the families had an opportunity to enjoy a few days of peace and quiet. We are grateful for NCJW, which showed leadership and real partnership with Hiyot in aiding the Ethiopian community during the terrifying days of the war."  

After years of conflict with its neighbors, the government of Israel has recently passed legislation that guarantees representation of women on conflict resolution committees and in policy-making. In order to guarantee implementation of the new law, the citizens of Israel need your help. Please sign on to NCJW's petition. In October, NCJW's mission to Israel participants will be carrying your message to the prime minister's office. Make sure your name is included.  Each signature counts! For more information regarding NCJW's work, please log onto www.ncjw.org.

On June 22, the International Coalition for Agunot Rights (ICAR) held a fashion show in Tel Aviv. With over 50 articles and news items in the Israeli and international press, this event succeeded in bringing the issue to the forefront. NCJW, through a Yad B' Yad grant, helped provided seed money for this project. One of NCJW's former board members who was visiting Israel at this time and attended the event filed this report:

"All the elements were there -- the runway, the models, the media, the designers, the buzz amongst the crowd -- yet this was no ordinary fashion show. Table decorations were sparse -- simple glass vases with chains, nails, and a few scattered butterflies. This fashion show had a purpose. Each dress was an illustration of an agunah's life -- the anguish, disappointment, confinement, and, yes, there was hope and even freedom.

"This fund-raising event, produced by ICAR, was designed to raise money and awareness of the agunot's plight. Key to its success was the collaboration with high-end Israeli fashion designers who created one-of-a-kind masterpieces. While celebrity models strutted the runway, a well-known Israeli personality told the agunah's story. These real-life tales inspired designers to make a dramatic impact on all. Designers and agunot were invited on the runway with 'their model' for the grand finale. While a few agunot took the stage, I suspect the majority were more comfortable blending in with the crowd, waiting for the day they will celebrate their freedom. NCJW will continue its commitment to monitor the plight of the agunot and keep us informed."