Jane Sherman with a participant of Youth Futures in Sderot

March 5, 2008 / 28 Adar I 5768

At the recent Board of Governors, Richard Pearlstone, Chairman of the Board, opened with a moment of silence in memory of recently deceased Robert Schrayer, past UJC Campaign Chair, Jewish Agency Executive member and good friend of the Agency.  Mr. Pearlstone then started the plenary agenda by outlining the reasons for the need for increased fund-raising, including: the substantial weakening of the dollar, an unrealized agreement with the government of Israel and the Jewish Agency's commitment to its flagship programs which lack core budget support.

Mr. Pearlstone thanked the Jewish Agency's constituents, chairs of the FRD committee, Julia Koschitzky, Mark Levy and Yaacov Neeman, board members and Jewish Agency employees for their support. He expressed appreciation to Jane Sherman for the five million dollar Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation donation, and to Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder and president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, for its fifteen million dollar donation for each of the next three years. He acknowledged the historic agreement with JDC on the distribution of core funding for the next five years. The Jewish Agency's ongoing efforts to enhance good governance were outlined.

Jane Sherman, Chair of the Israel Committee, gave a moving presentation about Youth Futures, thanking federations, foundations and Israeli philanthropists for their support of this program which benefits 6,000 youth at risk—ages six to thirteen-- in 27 areas around Israel and involves three hundred trustees.

The Board passed an amendment to the by-laws regarding Conflict of Interest, stressing the Jewish Agency's commitment to absolute transparency and accountability. 

Chairman of the Executive, Zeev Bielski, overviewed the challenges on the agenda, focusing on the need for continued support in Sderot, and on the Jewish Agency's flagship programs throughout Israel. He emphasized the importance of continuing the Jewish Agency's programs not just for now, but for thousands who will benefit from them in the future. He stressed the need for continued fundraising efforts noting that the money is there and that with joint effort, "We can do it!"

Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who addressed the plenum, reinforced to the plenum the common interests of the Israeli government with the Jewish Agency and worldwide Jewish communities.  Minister Livni stressed the importance of Israel as the Jewish and democratic homeland for all Jews throughout the world, and called on those present to strongly advocate against the sinister campaign to de-legitimize Israel in the national ideological and existential battle between Israel and the Palestinians.   She overviewed the nature of Israel's peace efforts which combine the fight against terrorism with practical ongoing peace negotiations.

Bobbie Higer told of a visit by board members to Sderot to express the Agency's solidarity with, support and encouragement to the families suffering from constant Kassam attack.

Alan Hoffman presented the Limmud FSU program, led by co-chairs Sandy Cahn and Chaim Chesler and driven by a lay constituency, volunteerism, pluralism and cooperation, noting its impact on Jewish culture and education in the FSU.

The ever-growing partnership between Israeli and Diaspora philanthropists was presented by Raya Strauss, who reported on the Jewish Agency initiative in hosting a business-to-business partnership at a recent business conference in Israel. 

The Board applauded the incredible gathering on behalf of Israel's kidnapped soldiers, organized by the WZO, which took place in the Jerusalem Convention Center in November. The event underscored the ongoing campaign for the soldiers' safe return home.