Minneapolis Federation Sells $1,058,000 in Israel Bonds

In an unprecedented show of unity for Israel the Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Services held a dinner at which $1,058,000 in Israel Bonds was sold. The dinner marked the first time that a Jewish Federation had arranged a special event dedicated to the sale of Israel Bonds in the twenty year history of the Israel Bond effort. Herbert A. Friedman, executive chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, who was the guest speaker at the dinner last Thursday characterized it as the “most unique experience in my career.” “You have blazed a new trail in Jewish history,” he told the audience. “No Jew has the right to remove himself from the obligation of buying Israel Bonds.” A similar theme was sounded by Arnold Lifson, campaign chairman of the Minneapolis Federation, who was the guest of honor. “Only by working together can we, the Federation and the Israel Bond Organization, provide the funds that will assure Israel’s survival in this most critical period,” lifson observed. Presiding at the dinner was Samuel L. Kaplan, president of the Minneapolis Federation, who cited Israel’s pressing need for development funds.

Commenting on the significance of this unprecedented step for the Minneapolis Federation, Kaplan stated, “The cooperation of the Federation and Israel Bonds demonstrates our recognition of Israel’s total needs and an acceptance of the principle that only by working together can we provide the funds that will ensure Israel’s survival in this most critical period.” Irving Brand, chairman of the Minneapolis Israel Bond Committee, voiced confidence that the dinner would inspire similar cooperative efforts in Jewish communities throughout the country. “The paramount consideration is Israel’s needs,” he said, “and only by working together through the U.J.A. and Israel Bonds can we achieve maximum results.” The Minneapolis Federation has set a campaign goal for 1971 of $4,975,000, almost double the sum raised in 1970, with $4 million of that amount going to Israel. In addition they hope to encourage the sale of Israel Bonds in dimensions never before reached in Minneapolis.