Dayton responds to the crisis

The Dayton Jewish Observer

In a massive show of support for Israel, Dayton’s Jewish community has raised more than $388,000 for the Israel Emergency Campaign launched by the Jewish Federations of North America. In one evening alone, at the community-wide Israel Solidarity Rally and Prayer Service on July 20 at Temple Israel — sponsored by 18 area Jewish institutions — the 440 people in attendance raised $249,352. The Federation’s goal is to raise $410,000 for the special campaign.

“I was overwhelmed by the emotion of the evening and the unbelievable showing of solidarity by our Jewish community,” said Jewish Federation Executive Vice President Larry Skolnick.

Since the outbreak of the crisis, Skolnick has sent e-mail updates about the situation in Israel every weekday to the more than 700 community members on the Federation’s e-mail distribution list.

With services donated by Linda Kahn and Walter Ohlmann of Penny/Ohlmann/Neiman, the Federation also aired a series of 133 television spots supporting Israel, during news programs on four local network affiliates in July.

The Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council has also kept the momentum going with a series of speakers, including Edward Walker, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and Egypt, scheduled to speak at Temple Israel on Thursday, Aug. 24; and Lebanese journalist Brigitte Gabriel at Beth Jacob Congregation on Sunday, Sept. 17.

Following the shooting rampage at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle on Aug. 11 that injured five and killed one, Dayton’s Federation tightened security at all of its locations, met with law enforcement officials at the city, county and federal levels, and facilitated a security meeting with local Jewish institutions and the FBI.

“We are comfortable that these increased measures will allow us to maintain the highest levels of safety and security,” Skolnick said.

In response to the need for additional medical supplies and equipment at the Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya — Dayton’s Partnership With Israel Region — the Levin Family Foundation offered a gift of $20,000 to assist with the purchase of items needed for the hospital’s blood bank.

The hospital has treated more than 1,500 victims of Katyusha rockets since Hezbollah began firing them at Israel in July.

Premier Health Partners has also agreed to donate $10,000 worth of supplies and equipment to Western Galilee Hospital. Located in Israel’s north, the hospital was hit by a Katyusha rocket on July 28. Patients were in the hospital’s underground facility.

The Israel Emergency Campaign

The Jewish Federations of North America have launched this $500-million campaign for:

• Trauma services
• A fund for victims of terror
• Relief & support for soldiers & their families
• Assistance for those who are unemployed or suffering economic hardship
• Rebuilding communal Infrastructure, including absorption centers, libraries, community centers, & homes for the elderly, updating bomb shelters, and upgrading emergency vehicles.
• Temporary housing & repairs
• Restoring home care, meals-on-wheels,
& medical care to the elderly; helping new immigrants access government services; providing specialized services to the disabled.
• Expanding education and social welfare programs that will not be adequately funded by the government a result of increased defense needs and loss of tax revenue.
• Israel advocacy
• Restoring and fostering youth travel to Israel

To contribute, go to www.JewishDayton.org.