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The Charlotte ^JEWISH ‘^NEWS
Vol. 13 No. 11
Charlotte, North Carolina
December 1991
Shamir Tells (JJA President’s Mission: ^92 Federation Campaign
“Diaspora Jews Must Increase Gifts for Absorption” Gears Up for January Kick-Off
After hearing Israel’s Prime
Minister Yitzhak Shamir call on
American Jews to substantially
increase their UJA contributions
for immigrant absorption, the
nearly 800 members of the UJA
President’s Mission to Israel
accepted his challenge by raising
a total of $21,9 million.
UJA National Chairman
Marvin Lender, who led the
mission, announced the fund
raising results. He said that of
the $21.9 million, the mission
raised $13.9 million for the 1992
UJA/Federation Regular Cam
paign, a 22 percent increase over
pledges by the same donors last
year, and $8 million for Oper
ation Exodus, the special cam
paign to aid the resettlement of
Soviet and Ethiopian Jews in
Israel.
“Operation Exodus is essen
tial to Soviet and Ethiopian
Jewish immigration and absorp
tion,” said Lender. “The Regular
Campaign is equally important
as it addresses other basic Jewish
needs in Israel, the U.S., and
elsewhere and is our bread and
butter. I’m confident that Amer
ican Jewry will join with Israelis
and help Jews everywhere
achieve a better life.”
The Prime Minister’s address
was one of the highlights of a
whirlwind five days in Israel
during which representatives
from 58 American Jewish com
munities met Israeli leaders in
government and politics, includ
ing President Chaim Herzog,
who hosted the mission, and
former Prime Minister Shimon
Peres.
Bails and John Pransky with Ethiopian children at an absorption center in Israel.
Mission participants, which
included Ada and Sol Shapiro
and Baila and John Pransky of
Charlotte, observed their cam
paign dollars in action in pro
grams and services of the Jewish
Agcncy and the American Jew
ish Joint Distribution Commit
tee which are funded primarily
by UJA/ Federation Campaigns.
Tliey met new Soviet and Ethi
opian immigrants, observed the
absorption process firsthand,
and visited Youth Aliyah vil
lages for troubled teenagers.
Project Renewal neighbor
hoods, and rural communities.
They also viewed facilities for
the elderly and handicapped.
Most participants arrived in
Israel following optional pre
missions to either Czechoslova
kia, Morocco, Poland, Spain,
Turkey, or the USSR.
UJA National Chairman
Lender noted that the Presi
dent’s Mission was part of a key
Gissen Was Guest Speaker at
Leadership Development Program
By Ken Stern
Ira Gissen, ADL Regional
Director for North Carolina and
Virginia, was the speaker at the
October meeting of the Leader
ship Development program. Mr.
Gissen spoke on the topic “Is
Anti-Semitism fashionable?”
Mr. Gissen told the group
that, in recent years, incidents of
anti-Semitism have again been
on an upswing. People are more
willing to submit articles to the
editorial section of local news
papers that are anti-Semitic in
content. Swastikas have been
painted on the campus of VPI
in Virginia, and incidents involv
ing educational facilities and
political campaigns have been
reported in North Carolina. The
ADL monitors these and other
activities occurring in this region
and can provide advice on how
to reduce the risk of desecration
at various Jewish facilities.
The impact of David Duke’s
campaign for Governor of Lou
isiana was also discussed, as
Ira Giasen
were the problems occurring in
the Crown Heights section of
New York some months ago. On
the international level, Mr.
Gissen reported on anti-Semitic
activities in the U.S. during the
Iraqi war (none were reported)
and of the distribution of anti-
Semitic leaflets in the Soviet
Union during the recent coup
attempt.
UJA mission program that
brought 3,500 American Jews to
Israel in October.
“We came because we cared,”
Lender said. “We American
Jews are determined to demon
strate our commitment to the
people of Israel. We are truly one
people with one destiny and we’ll
always stand together. The
world- has to know 'that Amer
ican Jews are standing shoulder
to shoulder with Israel.”
Ed. note: There will be a story
on this from a Charlottean's
perspective along with photos.
Look for this in next month's
issue.
Leadership roles are being
filled and key events scheduled
in preparation for the Charlotte
Jewish Federation’s 1992 Annu
al Campaign, which will be
launched in mid-January with
the theme, “Answering the Chal
lenge Together.”
Bobbi Bernstein, Harry
Lerner and current CJF presi
dent Emily Zimmern will lead
the fundraising effort as co
chairs.
The campaign kick-off event
is tentatively scheduled for
Saturday, Jan. 18 at Shalom
Park, Zimmern said. Details of
the event and the rest of the
campaign will be finalized after
the first campaign cabinet meet
ing. The campaign itself will run
through March, 1992.
“This will be a pivotal year for
the Charlotte Jewish community
and the Federation,” Zimmern
said. “Several historic events
were set in motion during 1991
that will continue to challenge
Jews both locally and through
out the world: Operation Exo
dus, the Mideast peace talks and
loan guarantees for Israel. Here
in Charlotte, we began a process
to consolidate the leadership and
resources of the Federation and
Foundation to produce a
stronger, more unified Jewish
community. The 1992 campaign,
probably more than any other
before, is an opportunity for us
to answer those challenges by
demonstrating our commitment
to Federation and what it stands
for — a communal spirit among
Jews all over the globe symbol
ized by continuing support and
cooperation.”
Also being planned is the
Major Gifts Dinner, which is
tentatively scheduled for Thurs
day, Dec. 12 at the home of
Mickey Gold. Leadership Circle
and Lion of Judah contributors
will be invited, said Don Bern
stein, 1992 chair of the Leader
ship Circle. “The dinner will
launch the overall campaign in
a significant and' tnepoingful way
and set the pace for the rest of
the campaign,” he said.
Volunteers for the campaign
are needed. For more informa
tion, call the Federation office,
366-5007.
Gala” Marks Opening of Golden Circle Theatre/JCC Season
Patrons and benefactors at
tended two performances on
Nov. 9 of the first play, “Catch
Me If You Can,” of the Golden
Circle Theatre/JCC 1991-92
season. The “Gala,” which took
place 6-8 p.m. between the 4 p.m.
and 8:15 p.m. showings, was
held in the Alvin E. Levine
Gymnasium.
Delicious food, catered by
Glorious Cuisine, consisted of
crudites, a pasta bar and a lush
dessert bar. Kudos go to all who
helped in making this a night to
remember. Chairing the patron
committee were Sue Ades and
Elaine Schefflin; Sandra Levine
was in charge of the benefactor
tickets. Louise Bernstein headed
decorations; EtTiel Gordon, re
freshments.
A total o( over 900L people
attended the various performan
ces of this play, the first of the
4-play series. Other plays to be
presented this season are “The
Little Foxes,” during January;
“Design for Living,” in March;
“The Diary of Anne Frank,” in
late April and May in commem
oration of Yom Hashoah. For
information on dates of the
(L to R) Leonard and Evelyn Berger, Barry Hantman, and guests of the Golden
Circle Theatre enjoying the refreshments.
“Gala” patrons at the “pasta bar."
performances and ticket prices,
please call the JCC, 366-5007.
Pttolos/Fran Dn—nhf o
Tickets may be purchased at the
front desk at the ‘J.’
mm iii