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