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SOLIDARITY 2000: WE STAND WITH ISRAEL By Stephen Hoffman
 Stephen Hoffman The Jewish Agency recommended to the federations of North America an all out effort to galvanize the Jews of the continent to show solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Israel. The program adopted included education, advocacy and fundraising efforts. The centerpiece of the initial action was to be a massive rally in the streets of New York on September 23rd. Candidly, despite the vote of the UJC board, many communities continued to express skepticism about the efficacy of a rally or its potential for success. But UJC put every ounce of energy into organizing the rally, helped by other national Jewish organizations and the New York JCRC and UJA Federation. Thirteen days before the rally reality turned. Communities across the U.S. prepared chartered planes and hundreds of buses - and we expected 200,000 Jews to take to the streets on behalf of Israel. The North American Jewish Community was engaged. Solidarity mission The next day, September 11th, everything changed. New York could no longer "tolerate" a massive gathering. But our communities did not give up. We sent thousands of people to Israel on solidarity missions. Communities staged rally after rally around the country. In March 2002, we conducted a virtual national rally via satellite in 100 communities, with live feed from the site of the Moment Cafe in Jerusalem. Three weeks later, on one week's notice, more than 150,000 Jews gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol to physically express their concern for Israel and her people. And many communities followed up with unprecedented gatherings on Israel's Independence Day, including more than 250,000 people in a parade in New York City. Jewish organizations launched a variety of Hasbara efforts. Some major donors initiated private new efforts. E-mail traffic grew by geometric proportions. Such was the overwhelming concern for Israel and the need to set the record straight. National Jewish leaders were invited to the White House in December, 2001 to hear personally from President Bush of his support for Israel and its fights against terrorism. UJC leadership returned to the White House in May, 2002 to again meet with the President and then with the entire leadership of the U.S. Congress to encourage continued support for Israel. Four weeks later we met once again with Prime Minister Sharon at Blair House following his meeting with the President. Emergency campaign The Jews of North America took to the planes to visit Israel. They took to the streets repeatedly to support Israel. And they dug deep in their pockets to financially assist the victims of terror in Israel. In the past ten months more than $275 million has already been raised for Israel, two-thirds since April 8th in special emergency campaigns around the continent. Federations have worked closely to help out in their Partnership 2000 communities. UJC leadership has met with the top officials of Israel's government, the Jewish Agency and the JDC to ensure that out campaign funds are put to the highest and best use in Israel's time of crisis. We are seeking to help all of the victims of terror who need special assistance. We are seeking to assist in the protection of Israel's children, and more. North American Jewry, twelve months later The activities of the federation movement these last twelve months have been of growing intensity and engagement, and it is unprecedented in its duration - unlike anything since 1948. But then many believe Israel's conditions are unlike any since 1948. Whatever the analysis, in the streets and in our homes, on the campuses and in our synagogues, we stand with Israel. The people of Israel have shown the world how to face terror and carry on with life. They have been of great comfort to us and we learned to face our own fears of terror. Together we care for each other, defend each other and insure our common fate for a better tomorrow - and an Israel at peace.
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