Welcome to the
state of independence
Caution: Objects may shift during flight
2005 9-3 LINEAR SEDAN
Birthright
Stabilizes
169*
111U1ih SFr: ISSIII1J11,
FOR tliCil itt•6 SAFLI
IIHS Double
Best Pick
24 Mo. Lease
Free trips to Israel budgeted amid
long-term funding worries.
CHANAN TIGAY
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
New York
fter a five-year pilot period
that was, by all accounts, an
enormous success, the
Birthright Israel program has entered a
new phase.
It is working to ensure its sustain-
ability, broaden its base of financial
support and accommodate an explo-
sion in the number of Jewish young
adults interested in taking part.
Birthright this week launched a new
foundation aimed at expanding the
number of philanthropists funding the
program, which over the last five years
has brought nearly 80,000 Jews who
have never been on a peer tour on a
free trip to Israel.
On April 5, the program was buoyed
by news that the government of Israel
had earmarked $10 million for
Birthright in its 2005 budget. Last
year, Israel had slashed its contribution.
"We need to thank the government
of Israel, the people of Israel and par-
ticularly the prime minister and
Minister Sharansky for their vision in
ensuring the viability of the Birthright
Israel program," said Marlene Post, an
officer and member of the board of
the Birthright Israel Foundation.
When Birthright began, Jewish
communities worldwide — largely the
North American Jewish federation sys-
tem — the Israeli government and 14
philanthropists agreed to divide evenly
the funding for the $210 million pro-
gram — $14 million annually for five
years from each of the funding arms.
In the intervening years, some spon-
sors fell short of their commitments,
and Israel's government and the feder-
ations reduced their funding.
According to Birthright, the federa-
tion system is giving $5 million for
2005, the Jewish Agency for Israel is
giving another $5 million, philanthro-
pists are giving $13 million and Israel
is giving $10 million.
In addition, Keren Hayesod (Jewish
National Fund) is giving $2 million,
along with an anonymous $2 million
A
donation to bump the Israeli contribu-
tion up to $12 million, said Robert
Aronson, the CEO of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
who has acted as liaison between
Birthright and the federations.
"The federations and the communi-
ties have been supportive, very sup-
portive, and have made their best
efforts," said Susan Gelman, chair of
the board of directors of the Birthright
Foundation. "But federation cam-
paigns are not growing by exponential
numbers at this point and, of course,
there are a lot of competing priorities
in the federation system."
Although the program's financial
picture seems better than it was at the
height of the intifada, it still does not
allow Birthright to accommodate even
half of the young North American
Jews who are hoping to participate.
"The good news is that the funding
is stabilized and commitments are
being met," said Jeffrey Solomon,
president of the Andrea and Charles
Bronfman Philanthropies. "The bad
news is that for every participant
going on Birthright this summer there
will be two who will be left behind."
Charles Bronfman was one of the
original founders of Birthright, as was
Michael Steinhardt, chairman of the
Detroit Jewish News parent company,
Jewish Renaissance Media.
Gideon Mark, international director
of marketing and public relations for
Birthright, said the program is trying to
increase its budget so participants won't
be denied spots. Birthright has 15,000
participants from North America regis-
tered for its spring/summer trips, run-
ning from May 14 through June 30,
with space for just 6,500. In 2004,
10,523 North Americans took part in
the summer trips.
"We're absolutely better off than we
were a year ago because a year ago the
Israeli government hadn't approved the
budget," said Lynn Schusterman who,
along with her late husband Charles,
was one of the founders of Birthright.
But Schusterman, who has signed on
for another five years of support, worries
about the program long term. ❑
2005 9-5 ARC
249*
24 Mo. Lease
2005 9-3 CONVERTIBLE
$320
24 Mo. Lease
*24 Mo. Leases plus tax, title & plate. 12k miles per year. Sec. deposit waived on approved credit.
9-3 & 9-5=$2500 total due, 9-2X=$3500 total due. 9-3 Convert,41999 total due. Must qualify for
Oldsmobile loyalty and GMS pricing. All rebates to dealer. 'Plus tax, title, plate & destination.
GLASSMAN SAAB
O PEN 10-4
On Telegraph at The Tel-12 Mall, Southfield
SATURDAY
1-888-306-5188
963770
Making Outdoor Play Awesome!
Best Selection, More Brands,Compare a Save!
Up To 30% Off
On Select Models. Sale ends 4/17/05
Make No Payments Yil May 2006
With approved credit thru CitiFinancial, details in store. Cannot combine with any other offer.
ThruA01172
20% Off in-stock
fikkijmobV
os prat,
SOLDIER
SHOP
15% Off in-stock
Outdoor Ton Acthilties
a Flying Things
3947 W. 12 Mile Rd. Berkley (3 Blks East of Greenfield)
248-543-3115 800-551-PLAY
qIN
Mon-Wed 10-5:30 Thu 10-8:30 Fri & Sat 10-5:30p
Sun 12-4 For Swingsets Only
2005
4/14
29