The Community is Invites to Attend the 80th Annual Meeting of Jewish Family Service featuring Rabbi Irwin Kura Ranked #8 in Newsweek Magazine's Toy 50 Rabbis in America Ii?arning to Serve: The Aricticr of Going R.abbi Kula is president of CLAL The National Jewish Cente r Leamin,sr and yderchip, a leadership training insti- tute, think tank and soi u center. A faculty member of the Wexner Heritage Foundation, Rabbi Kula is a regular on NBC Tugs The .Tbday Show ht his latest book, Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred xl o scine o oftfia Rabbi Kula explores and celebrates seven of our deepest desires. Tuesday, June 3 Tooy.m. Dessert Reception 7:30,p.m. Program Jewish Community Center Marion a David Handfeman Auditorium D. Dan S Betty Kahn Budding Eugene a, Marcia Ayyfebaum Jewish Community Camyus 6600 W Mayfe Road, West Bioon_ifiefd (comyrimentary valetyarking) There is no charge to attend. For reservations, lease call Lori Drucker at IFS, 248-592-2339, or e-mail Lirucker@jfsdetroitorg Diane Orley Judy Stern Chairs, JFS 80th Annual Meeting Sandy Muskovitz Danto President, Jewish Family Service josi‘h Faray A34 4 1.JJ Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit WE'RE PART OF THE TEAM May 22 a 2008 Olmert snared in investigation of political donations made by Jewish businessman from New York. Ron Kampeas Where do religious ritual and the actual practice of caring meet? Do we define ourselves as Jews by how much we ,ei'm or how much we do? How does the prac- tice of caring affect the way we treat ow' family and othet -s? At our annual meeting, Rabbi Kula will share his thoughts on those people who embrace their inner yearning to serve those in need, P Campaign Abuse? 1393670 Jewish Telegraphic Agency Washington D Sheldon Adelson, the world's sixth-wealthiest individual and a close associate of Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu. The paper has focused on boosting Netanyahu's political prospects. The newspaper is "clearly running at a loss, but Adelson is getting the influence he seeks," the fundraiser said. Last week, Israeli police interviewed Adelson about the allegations against Olmert. Ha'aretz reported that Adelson was questioned whether Olmert had asked him to purchase mini- bar services from Talansky for Adelson's many hotels. Adelson, who has hawkish views on Israel, said in a rare interview last year that he believed Olmert was prepared to discuss far-reaching territorial compromises with the Palestinians "to stay out of jail." Adelson also has contributed to President Bush's campaigns. Before his trip to Israel last week, Bush wished the Israeli prime minister well. "The legal issue goes on, and I fully understand that and respect Israeli rule of law," Bush said in an interview with Israel's Channel 10."I have great relations with the prime minister. I find him to be a frank man, an honest man, an open man, a guy easy to talk to and somebody who understands the vision necessary for Israeli security" One complicating factor in donating to Israeli politicians is the constantly shift- ing laws governing such donations. Limits vary according to whether it is a national election, a primary election or a municipal election. onors to Israeli political campaigns are like any oth- ers: They want to influence politics and wouldn't mind a bit of yichus — access — besides. Amid an Israeli scandal that could spell the end of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's career, three Jews who live in the United States and are deeply involved in fundraising for Israeli politicians spoke to JTA about how Israelis raise money overseas. All three, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to protect their ties with a range of Israeli political figures, say that if the allegations of illegal financial dealings between Olmert and New York businessman Morris Talansky are true, they are very much the exception. "No quid pro quo is expected:' said one who frequently attends fundrais- ers for hawkish Israeli politicians. "When people are giving a couple thousand bucks, they're expecting that the candidate will win and do what they promised to do." Israeli politicians regularly col- lude with American Jews to sidestep Israeli law in raising money from overseas Jews interested in influenc- ing Israeli elections. Ehud Olmert denies on May 8 that he accepted bribes from A merican busi- One Washington consultant to Diaspora Influence Israeli and American politicians nessman Morris Talans ky. The laws have been changed with an eye described a common tactic: An toward reducing Israel's dependence on American donor pays a grossly diaspora Jews. Ironically, Olmert has been inflated price for some minor publicity work by a well-known outspoken in rejecting such dependence. Last year, he rep- U.S. political consultant. The consultant — perhaps Arthur rimanded diaspora Jews who have opposed negotiations on Finkelstein on the right or James Carville on the left — then Jerusalem as infringing on Israel's sovereignty. "donates" his services to an Israeli party or candidate. In the mid-1990s, the Knesset passed a law severely limit- The Israeli politician avoids having to deal with fundrais- ing donations to political parties and another allowing for the ing restrictions in finding the money to pay the U.S. political direct election of a prime minister. The donations law did not consultant; the consultant is working for "free." In reality, the cover direct elections. That allowed parties to funnel unlimited American donor picks up the tab. cash into the prime minister's race and made a mockery of the "It's come to appall me," the Washington consultant said of earlier effort to limit cash donations. The direct elections law Israeli politicians' outreach to American Jews. "It must be an has since been rescinded. entrenched thing that they just can't give it up." Contributions to primary elections for the leadership of Israeli police have questioned Olmert and several wealthy Israeli political parties carry the highest maximum restric- American Jewish businessmen in recent days about corruption tion. Individuals may donate up to about $11,000 within nine allegations. months before the election; donations are unlimited before All three of the fundraisers interviewed by JTA acknowl- this period. edged having heard of super donors who might expect specific Limitations on how much candidates may raise overall dividends for their money, but only as hearsay. None knew of depend on party membership. Candidates for the leader- specific instances. ship of parties with more than 5,000 electors may raise up to But U.S. Jewish influence on Israeli politics is inevitable, a $570,000. left-wing fundraiser said. General elections are funded by the state. The perpetually He pointed to the free Israeli daily Yisrael Hayom, a new shifting laws have led to confusion both among American newspaper launched recently by Las Vegas casino mogul donors and Israeli politicians. El