Israel Bonds to Mark First Anniversary of War by Conducting Intensive 10-day Campaign

The first anniversary of the Yom Kippur War will be marked by an intensive 10-day campaign aimed at strengthening the hard-pressed Israeli economy through the widest possible enrollment of purchasers of Israel Bonds, it was announced here yesterday at the closing session of the International Fall Leadership Conference of 750 Jewish leaders from the United States and Canada. The conference had been in session for four days to devise means for expanding economic aid to Israel through the sale of Israel Bonds.

Julian B. Venezky, national chairman of Regions, stated that the 10-day campaign will be held on a person-to-person basis in homes, synagogues and Jewish fraternal, social and religious organizations in American and Canadian cities during the period from Sept. 26 (Yom Kippur) through Oct. 6, the anniversary of the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War.

Rabbi Leon Kronish of Miami Beach, national campaign co-chairman and chairman of the National Rabbinic Cabinet of Israel Bonds, explained that in the first phase of the Israel Bonds fall drive, a record number of 1000 synagogues in the U.S. and Canada will conduct special appeals during the forthcoming high holidays to enroll every Jewish family as Guardians of Israel (Shomrei Israel) through the purchase of a minimum of $1000 in Israel Bonds.

NATIONAL REDEDICATION DAY OCT. 6

To mark the anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, worshippers in the countries synagogues will be asked to buy bonds “to repay the debt they owe to the 3000 brave men who gave their lives in defense of Israel,” Rabbi Kronish said. He also stated that the 10 days, beginning on Yom Kippur, have been designated as the Ten Days of Rededication, culminating with a National Day of Rededication on Oct. 6.

“On the occasion of the first anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, a National Day of Commemoration will be held throughout the U.S. and Canada for the enlistment of Shomrei Israel families,” Rabbi Kronish stated. “This day-long organized solicitation will be planned and implemented by Shomrei Israel committees in synagogues, organizations, trade and professional groups.”

Amnon Barness, chairman of the International Corporate Program for Israel Bonds, asserted that the business community, both Jewish and non-Jewish, is participating in the Israel Bond drive to a greater extent than ever before. He said that despite the sharp rise in interest rates this year, a substantial portion of the 5.5 percent Israel Bonds of the Fourth Development Investment Issue are being sold to pension and profit-sharing plans, insurance companies and banks. He said that to date more than $350 million in Israel Bonds have been sold to such purchasers.