NANOMEDICINE is HUGE . So are the returns from an AFHU Hebrew University Gift Annuity. See video about the exciting new partnership between The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Cleveland Clinic to create the Center for Transformative Nanomedicine. Go to afhu.org/cga6 Dr. Galia Blum is developing precision diagnostics to detect life-threatening atherosclerosis plaques at the molecular level. Advances in nanomedicine by Dr. Blum and other outstanding Hebrew University researchers are revolutionizing the fi ght against cancer and the #1 killer in the Western world: cardiovascular disease. When you create a secure AFHU Hebrew University Gift Annuity, you’ll support brilliant young Israeli researchers such as Dr. Blum. At the same time, you’ll obtain: • High lifetime fi xed rate of return • An income tax charitable deduction • Substantial tax-free annuity payments Your gift annuity’s high rate of return assures you substantial retirement income for life. 65 70 75 80 85 90 Rate 6.0% 6.5% 7.1% 8.0% 9.5% 11.3% law since 2008 that “Israel will be made capable of defending itself against and defeating any likely combination of conventionally armed adversaries.” This is known as Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME). It was simple once — Arab armies were Soviet-equipped and trained. But the world has changed. On the plus side, Jordan joined Egypt in making peace with Israel, and the Soviet Union disappeared. On the other hand, the U.S. has been selling arms and equipment to Arab states that maintain a state of war with Israel. Israel still receives more cutting-edge technol- ogy, but at some point, the quantity of oil-financed Arab purchases can tip the quality scales. Saudi Arabia spent $9.3 billion on U.S. weapons last year. To be fair, Israel understands Saudi purchases are to address the war in Yemen and the larger conflict with Iran, not to aim against Israel. Israeli-Saudi relations have thawed, at least temporar- ily, but other threats, some conventional, some not, have increased. ISIS, Hamas and Hezbollah are what former IDF Chief of Intelligence Amos Yadlin calls “substate actors” — terror- ist organizations that have attributes of statehood, such as territory, populations, etc. Syria remains in a state of war with Israel and, as the civil war continues, Iran and Hezbollah have forces and weapons close to the Golan Heights. Iran is only a decade away, if that, from the freedom to openly pursue its nuclear capability as the JCPOA ends. It was the release of hundreds of mil- lions of dollars by the U.S. to the Islamic Republic, destined to improve and enhance Iranian military capabilities, The Debacle Of JPM JCC Closing Rates are based on a single life. Cash contributions produce annuity payments that are substantially tax-free. Call or email now. THE RETURNS ARE GENEROUS. THE CAUSE IS PRICELESS. For information on current or deferred AFHU Hebrew University Gift Annuities, contact AFHU Midwest Region Executive Director, Judith Shenkman at (312) 329-0332 or email: jshenkman@afhu.org. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem RESEARCH ENGINE FOR THE WORLD. ENGINE OF GROWTH FOR A NATION. 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2020 Chicago, IL 60606 2062150 8 September 8 • 2016 continued from page 6 which added urgency to Israel’s request for missile defense and other capabilities. The U.S., then, is on both sides of Israel’s security conundrum. On one hand, U.S.-Israel security cooperation is embodied in QME joint R&D on missile technology, joint train- ing and exercises (most recently, a joint missile defense exercise in Israel) and Israel’s new diplomatic mission to NATO Headquarters. But on the other hand, having to spend all the money on U.S. procure- ment, U.S. arms sales to countries still in a state of war with Israel, the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars to Iran and removing Congress from its pivotal role as a security partner for Israel are all positions that clearly express administra- tion weariness and irritation with Israel. Israel, of course, does not have to sign. There is a new administration coming, and no doubt Israel can manage evolving bilateral relations with the U.S. under either party. There is, however, some- thing to be said for the reassurance of a 10-year American commitment, even if the current terms are not ideal. On balance, Israel is a strong, accom- plished, and increasingly capable coun- try with both military and civilian assets sought by countries around the world. It finds itself in a vastly improved interna- tional situation even as its neighborhood declines. It would have been in the larger interest of the United States to enhance those capabilities rather than trying to constrain them. * Shoshana Bryen is an analyst of U.S. defense policy and Middle East affairs and senior director of the Jewish Policy Center where this essay was originally published. letters AFHU Hebrew University Gift Annuity Returns Age viewpoints » S end letters to: letters@thejewishnews.com Thank you for your articles and edito- rial (Sept. 1, pages 8, 10 and 14) on the Jewish Community Center and the one-year requiem for its Jimmy Prentis Morris Building. While Jewish Federation and JCC officials continue to ponder the fate and finances of the two buildings, I wonder why the disparity in funding between Jewish and non-Jewish JCC members continues to be ignored. In its 2014-15 annual report, the JCC states that only 14 percent of its revenues came from memberships, while 33 percent was provided by the Federation. How many non- Jewish JCC members contribute to Federation? As a resident of Southeastern Oakland County, I strongly protested the pre-ordained decision to close JPM, forcing its 2,500 members to use the Royal Oak Young Men’s Christian Association and area for-profit athlet- ic facilities, and forcing the Oak Park campus’ elderly to stay home. An entire, growing community of Jews must now use non-Jewish facilities. I have halted my donations to Federation’s Annual Campaign. I refuse to subsidize the JCC in afflu- ent West Bloomfield as long as the Federation and the JCC refuse to subsidize a Jewish Community Center — and I don’t mean an office building — in less-affluent Oak Park. It is highly ironic that Federation’s new motto, “Here for Good,” was posted on JPM’s door just weeks before the building was closed. Alan Hitsky Southfield