Responding to a stirring plea for unity by Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the concluding session of the January 31-February 4 United Jewish Appeal Winter President’s Mission, 150 American Jewish leaders announced 1983 pledges of $1,953,800 for the Regular Campaign, $450,250 for the Israel Special Fund and $374,450 for Project Renewal.
The Regular Campaign total represents a 26.4 percent increase over commitments from the same donors for the 1982 campaign.
Begin’s call for unity at the final session projected an enduring partnership between the American Jewish community and Israel’s people: “Stand together with us in the days to come. We are one. Let us believe in the future here in the land of our forefathers which we have together made so green and beautiful. Our dream is that our children will grow up with no more killing and the Jewish people and the State of Israel will go on and on for all generations to come. “
The leadership action followed four days of intensive person-to-person contacts with Israel’s people.
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