(New York Times) - Donations to projects and causes in Israel have routinely topped half a billion dollars a year, philanthropic leaders say, and events in Israel have galvanized many American Jews to increase their levels of giving. The United Jewish Communities, a leading American philanthropic group, has reversed a longstanding policy to support only projects within Israel's internationally recognized boundaries, and announced that it would finance some services for Jews living in the settlements. Officials at UJC defended the adoption of broader financing guidelines as a humanitarian gesture in a difficult time. "In response to the emergency, we are going to provide humanitarian assistance for Jews wherever they live and are in trouble, with no geographical distinction," said Stephen Hoffman, president and chief executive of the organization.
2002-11-22 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive