The Jewish United fund of Metropolitan Chicago will become the first American community to actually deliver major funds to Project Renewal this Friday in Israel. Chicago will present $1 million to Project Remewal in ceremonies at Amishav in Petach Tikva, its Project Renewal neighborhood.
“Because of the urgent need to begin specific projects such as new day care and youth centers in Amishav, we are making this payment now in advance of collection of pledges,” David Smerling, president of the Chicago Jewish United Fund, said. “It is a sign of our faith and love for our brothers and sisters in Israel.”
Irwin S. Field, United Jewish Appeal national chairman, praised the Chicago Jewish community for its leadership. “Chicago is to be commended for this signal achievement,” he said. “By making cash available now, it demonstrates its firm support for Project Renewal and fully commits its people to the people of Amishav.”
The symbolic transfer of funds–the money has already been advanced to the UJA’s Project Renewal program for use in Amishav–came as part of a 50-member Chicago Special Gifts Mission to Israel. The Mission flew to Tel Aviv earlier this week on the inaugural El Al flight initiating direct service from Chicago to Israel.
Joining Smerling in the ceremonies will be Max Robert Schrayer, general campaign chairman, Robert Max Schrayer, Mission chairman, and James P. Rice, executive vice president. The check will be accepted by representatives of the Jewish Agency, led by its chairman. Leon Dulzin and the leadership of Petach Tikva.
Chicago has raised $1.75 million for Project Renewal. Nationally, almost $48 million has been raised for this comprehensive $1.2 billion program to rehabilitate 160 distressed neighborhoods in Israel. The 300,000 people in these areas 200,000 of them children–are in need of social programs, rehabilitated or new housing, and community facilities. The goal for American Jewry contributions to UJA for Project Renewal is $400 million over five years.
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