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Permit No. 1208
The Charlotte
JEWISH
Vol. 17 No. 4
ffews
April 1995
Fifty Years And Counting...
m
A handmade American flag greeted U.S. troops
when they liberated Dachau cmApi#^ 1046.
‘Contract
With
America’:
A Red Light For
Israel?
By Elmer L Winter
Largely lost in the highly-pub
licized “Contract With America”
is its potential impact on Israel’s
future. Beyond the domestic social
issues involved, are the implica
tions for sharp cuts in foreign aid,
a critical matter in view of the Jew
ish state’s long-time dependence
on American largesse.
Although United States grants
and loans to Israel appear secure
in the short run, the “contract”
must be viewed as a red warning
light for the future. It should elicit
caution and concern among friends
of Israel now that the issue of bud
get-balancing has taken on such
immediacy. Every item of expense
to be incurred by the U.S. govern
ment is now up for Congressional
and Administration scrutiny. One
straw in the wind is a proposal to
sharply reduce the amount of debt
relief for Jordan initially requested
by the President. In a political en
vironment where fierce debate can
be expected over cuts in such hot-
button budgetary items as Social
Security, Medicare and Medicaid,
could aid to Israel long withstand
the axes of Congressional budget
cutters?
There is another concern that
must be considered: Within the
next few years, many of Israel’s
loyal Congressional supporters
will have retired if, as appears
likely, term limits for legislators
become a reality. Newcomers who
are strongly committed to budget
balancing may not have the same
affinity with the Jewish state as
many of Israel’s current staunch
advocates in Congress. Moreover,
Israel’s rapidly improving
economy may provide a further
argument for cuts in aid. And
should legislation designed to limit
the influence of political action
committees -(PACS) be enacted, it
would further erode an important
incentive for some in Congress to
support Israel.
Banking institutions, among
the most conservative in the cor
porate market place, have ignored
Israel in the past, but are now rac
ing to get in on the U.S. banking
boom underway in the Jewish
state. On the heels of the banks are
major American accounting orga
nizations that are teaming up with
Israeli CPA firms in anticipation
of an economic explosion in the
Middle East triggered by the peace
process.
These sophisticated compa
nies are delivering a message: “We
see a bright future for American
companies to do business in Israel.
We want to become a part of build
ing Israel as a Middle East finan
cial center as we look to the year
2000 and beyond.”
Business leaders and eco
nomic officials in Israel foresee the
need fcM- a high-tech strip extend
ing from Karmiel to Haifa, down
the coast from Haifa to Tel Aviv
and up to Jerusalem. This zone
would resemble some of the most
modem industrial areas in the
United States, such as the Research
Triangle Park of North Carolina
that houses many of American’s
outstanding high-tech factories
"/srae/’s rapidly
improving economy
may provide a
further argument for
cuts in aid”
and research laboratories. A simi
lar industrial park in Israel com
bining industry, research facilities,
training centers and associated in
stitutions — supported by Israel’s
superabundance of skilled, highly-
trained scientists, engineers and
technicians — would attract many
foreign companies.
There is always the chance
that the red warning light will stop
blinking and U.S. aid funds will
continue to flow to Israel for the
foreseeable future. But Israel is a
nation that cannot afford to stake
its future on possibilities. If crunch
time comes and the U.S. closes its
foreign aid door, Israel must be
ready to say: “We can now stand
on our own feet. Thanks very
much for past favors.”
The Federation
Connection
mERAHDN
Of Greater Charlottie
I would like to thank every
one who gave me the opportunity
to be your Federation president for
a second time. There have been
many more challenges than any
one could have anticipated, but it
has been a very rewarding year. I
wish there were some way I could
convey the excitement that comes
with working with the rising young
leadership in our community.
Their enthusiasm, their dedication
and their commitment has made
my job look easy; I shall always
be grateful for their trust. No mat
ter how difficult our tasks, I came
away invigorated and comfortable
with the knowledge that our com
munity has carefully chosen its
leadership and that we will be well
served in the future.
All of us who are engaged in
the wonderful enterprise of build
ing our community would encour
age nK)re of you to get involved in
your Federation, your Temple or
Harry Lemer
out any in such a brief article.
However, when you see your
Board members, please tell them
how much you appreciate what
they have accomplished. Most
importantly, all our contributors
deserve thanks for their generos
ity and confidence in our property
allocating their hard earned con
tributions. ,
Next month Rich Osborne
will assume the role as your Presi
dent and there could not be a more
deserving and capable leader for
the JCC. The present leadership
is bringing a new synergism to
these organizations. If you want
some very rewarding community
involvement, take the time to
speak to them and learn how your
skills and interests can be utilized.
By calling and volunteering your
efforts, I am confident you will
find your experience as rewarding
as I have.
As time consuming as my in
volvement has been, I could not
have succeeded without my
family’s support. Thanks to my
wife Gloria’s encouragement, our
children, Alexis and Reid continue
to excel in school, to compete na
tionally in their sports, and to make
time for their commitment to oth
ers. Feeding the homeless at an ur
ban Hillel Center and helping on
weekends at Habitat homes have
been very enriching and gratifying
experiences for them.
I wish to thank the officers and
members of our Federation Board
for making this such i successful
year. There are simply too nuny
accomplishments to try to single
the job. As president-elect he has
worked very hard and has been of
invaluable assistance to me. I wish
to thank him for his support and
assistance. As you get to know
Rich, I am confident you will ap
preciate his many strengths and at
tributes. He and his officers have
earned your endorsement and they
deserve your support.
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