About The Abraham Fund
than \vhen we first embarked on our
mission six years ago.
The projects we support are
ference planning as part of our
many resources for teaching the
critical nature
or
coexistence in
his past year has been an
implemented throughout Israel. in
except•ional one for The
urban centers and small villages;
minority relations throughout the
kbraham Fund. We expand-
targeting populations of all ages and
world.
ed our coexistence projects,
eihnicities; and employing a wide
It is the continual hope of
welcomed new members
range of approaches to improving
The Abraham Fund that the dia-
throughout
the United States, aced-
,
erated our educational programs
the relations between the Jewish
logue among Israeli Jews and Anil
and Arab populations of Israeli soci-
will spark similar efforts elsewhere
and initiated successful dialogue
ety. This year. over one third of the
among those who strive for the only
with worldwide coexistence groups.
grants constituted between 50 and
way for majorities and minorities to
live together. Coexistence is the wily
alternati ve .
T
In 1995. The Abraham
100 percent of the projects' total
Fund allocated a total of $758.000
budget. and many of these were
to 64 distinct and. worthy projects
new initiatives.
Israel and its impact on majority-
that are working to promote Jewish-
In North America, The
Arab coexistence in Israel. This year,
Abraham Fund's wide array of edu-
we have already sent out more than
cational and cultural programs
300 applications — clear and
deliver the lessons learned from its
Alan 13. Slifka
heartening evidence that endeavors
firsthand experience with Jewish-
President and Co-fiitinder
to establish the legitimacy and
Arab coexistence projects. We offer a
imperative of Jewish-Arab coexis-
lecture and discussion series, jour-
tence are beconiing less of a rarity
neys to Israel and Jordan, and con-
Grants Presented In Israel
I
sraeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin personally endorsed the work of The Abraham Fund when he met
with its president Alan B. Slifka and Yitzhak Navon, chairman of the organization's Israel Advisory
Board, on the day of the 1995 Israel Awards Ceremony. "I believe it is a very interesting and important
project," Mr. Rabin said. "After all, in the long run, our existence here as a Jewish state is based on our
desire and our efforts to bring about coexistence."
Following the June 21st meeting with the Prime Minister, The Abraham Fund honored its 1995
grantees at the Ramie Community Center. This year, The Abraham Fund presented $758,000 in grants to 64
organizations and projects that promote Jewish-Arab coexistence in Israel. With more than 500 people in
attendance, including a number of ambassadors and foreign dignitaries, Amnon Rubinstein, Israel Minister of
Education and Culture, delivered the keynote
address. Yoel Lavi, the Mayor of Ramle, greeted
the audience, followed by Mr. Navon and Mr.
Slifka. Speaking on behalf of the grantees were
Josie Mendelson, former Director of the Jerusalem
International YMCA's Integrated Kindergarten,
and Ibrahim Abu Shindi, Director of Tikvah
V'Shalom and the Jewish-Arab Community Center
in Jaffa.
Israeli Prime Minister
Yitzhak Rabin (right) wel-
comes Alan B. Slifka (left),
as Yitzhak Navon looks on