Christian Support

$45 million aids Jewish aliyah.

Jerusalem

I

n an agreement signed Dec. 18,
the Jewish Agency for Israel will
significantly expand its coopera-
tion with the International Fellowship
of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), under
the leadership Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.
Under the agree-
ment, the fellow-
ship, which fund-
raises mostly among
Christian supporters
of Israel, will donate
$45 million over the
next three years to
the Jewish Agency
Rabbi Eckstein
to fund projects
focused mainly on
immigration and absorption.
The agreement will enable the
Jewish Agency to upgrade current pro-
grams and carry out additional activi-
ties in the field.
This is a new step in cooperation
between the fellowship and the Jewish
Agency that began when the fellow-
ship was established a decade ago.
The fellowship will become a part-
ner of the Jewish Agency, alongside the
United Jewish Communities — the
Jewish federations of North America,
and Keren Hayesod — United Israel
Appeal. The decision received the
approval of both organizations.
This is the first time an organization
representing Christian supporters of
Israel will join the leadership of the
Jewish Agency together with Jewish

Rethinking Hebrew School
Ask adults if their afternoon Hebrew
school experiences made them feel
good about being Jewish and you'll
often hear a resounding "No!" Ask
children if they enjoy Hebrew school
and many will share that sentiment.
What can be done to transform this
much-maligned institution — to turn
it from a forced rite of passage into a
transformative, positive experience?
The Autumn 2007 issue of Contact:
The Journal of the Steinhardt Foundation
for Jewish Life explores this topic, exam-
ining ways in which afternoon schools
can create innovative, dynamic and
rewarding Jewish experiences.
According to Michael Steinhardt,
founder of the foundation, "A dismal
afternoon school experience probably

communities.
"This partnership will improve our
ability to face today's challenges and
improve our services to those who
need our support:' said Jewish Agency
Chairman Zeev Bielski.
"The long-standing contribution of
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein and the fellow-
ship to Israel's security, society and
immigrant absorption and their close
cooperation with the government of
Israel, local authorities, the Jewish
Agency and others, is a badge of honor
for the non-Jewish communities
around the world which support Israel
and believe that strengthening the
State of Israel is a top priority"
"Thirty years ago I identified the
importance and the deep strategic
connection between the Christian
community and the Jewish people and
Israel: Rabbi Eckstein said. "Our con-
nection with the Jewish Agency actu-
alizes an important recognition in this
strategic and important covenant with
the entire Jewish people'
In recent years, the IFCJ has con-
tributed more than $250 million to
organizations and local government in
Israel and to the Israel Defense Forces
and Israel police to fund projects
ranging from the renovation of bomb
shelters in the north of Israel, to social
welfare projects, helping youth at risk,
new immigrants and IDF soldiers.
In addition, the fellowship has
contributed hundreds of millions of
dollars to the Jewish people abroad,
mainly in the former Soviet Union. ❑

does more harm for future Jewish
identity than no education at all."
In his article, "Rethinking
Supplementary Education:' he argues
that curricula need to be reoriented
away from preparation for bar and bat
mitzvah and toward the larger nar-
rative of the Jewish people's shared
history and values — what he terms
"Common Judaism."
He also suggests that a key is to
move away from standard classrooms,
looking to camps or even moving
instruction into the home.
Steinhardt is chairman of Jewish
Renaissance Media, parent company
of the Detroit Jewish News. 0

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Hsi

January 3 • 2008

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