Israel Bond Organization’s Cash Receipts Exceeded the Half Billion Dollar Mark Last Year

In 1982, cash sales of the Israel Bond Organization for the year exceeded the half billion dollar mark, it was announced by Sam Rothberg, general chairman of the organization.

He reported that despite severe recession and record unemployment, the proceeds of the Israel Bond Organization amounted to $502,144,500 in 1982 as against $432,958,900 for the previous year. All proceeds from the Israel Bond program flow into the Development Budget of the State of Israel to help finance its economic growth.

Rothberg said that the increased results of 1982 reflected “the unbroken solidarity of the Jewish community with the people of Israel.” While there was criticism of Israel in some quarters as a result of the war in Lebanon, in his opinion “it did not have a negative impact on Bond sales. On the contrary, the criticism stimulated wider response in many circles to Israel’s economic needs.”

Another major factor in the outcome for 1982 was the record results in synagogues and temples during the special High Holy Day effort conducted under the leadership of the Bond Organization’s National Rabbinic Cabinet headed by Rabbi Leon Kronish of Miami, Rothberg said.

Another leading factor, according to Rothberg, was the part of the non-Jewish sector where sales in 1982 were the highest in the history of the Israel Bond Organization. He noted that two landmarks were achieved by the Bond Organization in 1982; it surpassed the $6 billion mark in total cash receipts since its inception in 1951 and it exceeded the half billion dollar mark for the year.

Among the outstanding highlights of the campaign last year, he said, were the emergency drive in the summer months to help offset the economic impact of “Operation Peace for Galilee” and the Golda Meir Leadership Award Dinner honoring William Belzberg of Los Angeles, national campaign co-chairman.