Over $203 Million in Israel Bonds Sold in U.s., Canada, South America, Europe in 1970

A capacity audience of 20,000 persons filled Madison Square Garden Thursday night for the third and final performance of the 1970 Chanukah Festival for Israel Bonds and heard a report from Edward S. Silver, general chairman of the New York drive, that $45 million in Israel Bonds had been sold in the city in 1970. Sam Rothberg, national campaign chairman of the Israel Bond Organization, declared that Israel Bond sales in 1970 in the United States, Canada, South America and Europe will exceed $203 million. “The final sales figure will not be known for several days,” Rothberg said, “but we are confident that we shall provide a record cash total of more than $203 million or close to thirty percent more than last year for the economic development of Israel.” Rothberg pointed out that “Only once before in the twenty-year history of the Israel Bond Organization did we provide more than $200 million. That was in 1967-in the year of the June War. This fact clearly shows that the Jews of America understand Israel’s problems and are prepared to meet them, no matter what the cost.” Rothberg stressed that “the real test will come in 1971, when Israel expects us to sell $400 million in Bonds or twice as much as we sold in the year just ended, or even in 1967.” Silver said that “our sale of $45 million in Israel Bonds in New York in 1970 is the greatest total in the history of the metropolitan campaign, except for 1967. Because of Israel’s tremendous economic needs in 1971, the New York community is charged with the responsibility of providing Israel with $100 million in Israel Bond investment capital. We are prepared to face this challenge.”