9th Annual WCJCS June Seminar

June 22, 2004, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., Jerusalem, Israel

WCJCS JUNE SEMINAR  EXPLORES THE CRISIS OF POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY IN ISRAEL -- WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY ?

Our 9 th WCJCS annual June Seminar, which took place at the Jerusalem Dan Panorama on June 22, 2004, dealt with the crucial and sensitive issue of the role of Diaspora Jewry in responding to the growing problem of poverty and food insecurity in Israel.

This topic was selected because it was felt that as publicity and attention have understandably been focused on Israel's security and political problems, there was not enough recognition given to the problem of poverty and food insecurity - which can pose an internal threat to Israel's future.

The Seminar was chaired by Dr. Steven Nasatir, President of the Chicago Federation. The Seminar Co-Chair, Professor Jack Habib, Director of the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, led off the proceedings by examining the depth, range and potential consequences of this problem and provided a conceptual way of looking at the issue.

Professor Dov Goldberger, Director-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs, spoke about the Israeli Government's strategies and programs. Cheri Fox, Director of the Fox Family Foundation and Co-Chair of the Forum to Address Food Insecurity and Poverty in Israel, described the important efforts of the Forum and and her Foundation and their strong view that World Jewry had a vital role to play.

Doron Krakow, UJC Vice-President for Israel and Overseas Pillar, shared the views of a special committee established to recommend policy for Federation action. Danyael Cantor, Executive Vice-President of the Montreal Federation, reported on his Federation's deep commitment and involvement in collaborative projects.

It was pointed out that part of the sensitivity is due to the fact that in Hebrew there are no words to distinguish between hunger and starvation, and that we are dealing with hunger and not with starvation. Israel is not a third-world country.

The problems are chronic, and the response should treat them as such.

Inter-organizational collaboraton, data collection and anaylsis, models of service that can be replicated, synergy and long-term strategic planning can all be employed to address this issue.

Federations have been engaged in poverty issues for many years and in many ways, but hunger must be the primary responsibility of the government of Israel. Nevertheless, NGOs, Federations, and Foundations have important roles to play that can make a difference...... in consonance with our credo that "All of Israel are responsible for one another."

Greetings at the Seminar were extended by WCJCS Presidents Max Kleinman and Howard Weisband.

This Seminar flowed from the highly successful 2003 WCJCS QUADRENNIAL that took place last November in Jerusalem, and it serves as one of the bridges to the next QUADRENNIAL, scheduled to take place in Jerusalem between - SAVE THE DATE - 27-29 June, 2006.

Please click here for the Full Seminar Proceedings.

We look forward to seeing you in future WCJCS events!