Page 12 - The Canj^dian Jewish News, Friday, January 2, 1976
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Wilfred Posluns is the 1976 Gampaign Chairman for the United Jewish Appeal/Israel Special Fund. And he, more than anyone else, knows that this year more financial help is needed than ever before. '
Wilfred Posluns is giving everything he can to the UJA. He is giving his time, greater effort, a better contribution and now a commitment to increase Toronto's contribution in the 1976 campaign by 25% over previous years.
He knows that this increased contribution is essential if we are to maintain our Jewish identity.
With the increasing problems of anti-serhitism, inflation and poverty, the very existence of pur Jewish identity is endangered. It is our responsibility to defend and protect that existence. And to fulfil the commitment Wilfred Posluns has made for all of us.
The fact is, Israel needs bur help more than ever this year. Despite the interim agreement with Egypt, Despite aid that has come or will come from the United States.
In Israel, the burden of defence spending is enormous. It absorbs 40% of every tax dollar. With the present state of inflation and a 60% devaluation of the currency, the people of Israel are faced with one of the most difhcult times in their history. And there is nothing left to help them improve their quality of life.
But Israel must continue to grow.
More "settlements of confrontation" must be built in the
Galil, the northern part of the country. More development is requiredjn the Negev, in the south. Social services must be greatly expanded. More housing is required. The educational system must reach further. And the social gap must be eliminated.
The fact is, the people of Israel depend on our help to keep their country socially strong and a world centre of Jewish life.
For the 160,000Jews waiting to leave Russia, we are their only hope. It costs $60,000 to assimilate a family of 3 to 4 people in Israel where food and shelter, education and jobs must be' supplied. •
Hundreds of Jewish refugees are coming to Canada, mainly Toronto. Our help is required here. They have a right to freedom and we must help.
Locally, our own Jewish community depends on us. Many of our young people cannot afford the tuition fees of the Jewish schools. They must be subsidized. There are those in our community who cannot survive on their meagre incomes. They must have financial supplements. Arab propaganda at our universities and elsewhere throughout Canada is on the upswing, We must educate every one to see through this propaganda.
The need exists and it is moipe acute than in past years.
The fact is, we need 25% more than what you gave last year. It is essential to pur survival. And it is essential to the fulfilment of Wilfred Posluns' commitment.
Only by giving as much as we possibly can, as Jews, can we fulfil our commitment this yean We are one.
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Campaign Chairman: Wilfred Posluns; Chairman of Campaign Cabinet and Executive; Jack Gwartz; Vice-Chairman, Cabinet and Execiitive, Allan Offrrian; — Chairman of Special Gifts, Lionel Schippcr; Chairman of Women's Division, Beverley Gordon; CovChairmert of Business Division, Lionel Robins and Irving Levipe; Chairman of Professions, Morris Starkman. Vice-Chairmen of Special Gifts: Leonard Simpson, Issy Sharp, Tom Beck, David Rbbbins. Associate Chairmen of Business Division: Karl Bald, general mercantile; Jack Chisvin, construction and heavy industry; Sidney Starkman, Ben Kirshenbaum, food and services; Leonard Wasscr, fcishion industries. Associate Chairman, Health Professions: Dr. Bernard Shapiro; Associate Chairman, Commercial Professions, Ronald Appleby. Overall Chairman, Synagogues & Organizations: Izy Stern; Chairman of Organizations, Ale.x Scrota; Co-Chairmen of Synagogues, Mike Harris, Nat Hurwich. President^ United Jewish Appeal of Metropolitan Toronto: Stephen E Berger; Executive Director, Irwin H. Gol^