AUSTRALIAN
JEWISH COMMUNAL RESPONSE TO KOSOVO CRISIS
Media Release - 11th April 1999
"If
I am only for myself, who am I ?" Hillel
How
Can We Help?
Jews not only oppose the
brutal abuse of minorities but Jewish values and history compel us to act to
ameliorate the tragedy of such action. As the influx of refugees strains the
resources of relief organisations close to the Kosovo conflict Australia's
Jewish community is working together with Israeli and Australian aid initiatives
to facilitate and co-ordinate fundraising efforts.
Both the U.I.A., (United Israel
Appeal) to which the majority of Australian Jews subscribe, and Keshet,
an Australian/Jewish, humanitarian initiative, will ensure that donations are
used as effectively as possible.
Mr Peter Wertheim,
President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, in a press release last week, not
only roundly condemned expulsion of ethnic Albanians from the Kosovo district
but drew attention to the way in which Australians can contribute to the Jewish
Agency's relief fund.
He said, "The fact
that in 1999 over 300,000 innocent civilians are being forced to abandon the
land of their birth and their livelihoods for no reason at all except their
ethnic identity is an indictment of humanity", he said. "It is sad
that the perpetrators are, for the most part, ordinary Serbs whose hearts and
minds have been so poisoned by ethnic hatred that they have become transformed
into murderers and the destroyers of innocent lives. Jewish history has taught
us all too well that ethnic hatred is not only a blight upon the human soul, but
also a socially destructive force without parallel. No-one will derive any joy
from the fact that now some of the Serbs themselves are becoming victims as a
result of the NATO bombing campaign."
"I know that there are
many Jews within our community who wish to do something constructive to
alleviate the suffering of the victims and a donation can be made through the
United Israel Appeal earmarked "For Jewish Agency operations in Kosovo".
The money will be used for all refugees, not just for the Jewish community in
Kosovo.
Donations
can be made by credit card over the phone (+61-2-93614273) or by
delivering or posting a cheque to |
"Keshet",
the Australian Jewish Humanitarian Relief Trust, has, over the past 4 years
supported humanitarian projects in Rwanda, Papua New Guinea as well as Melbourne
Homeless Youth and Aboriginal Educational Programmes. In announcing Keshet's YUGOSLAVIAN
REFUGEE APPEAL its president, Mr Ric Benjamin, stressed that such action is
in accordance with "tsedakka", the Jewish ethic which teaches us that
as Jews we should reach out to anyone who is in need.
By supporting this
appeal you will help Keshet (the trustee for the Australian Jewish Humanitarian
Relief Trust) let the world know that the Jews of Australia understand the
plight of the displaced person and their need for help.
The funds collected through
this appeal will be provided to CARE Australia to be used for
non-sectarian purposes in refugee programmes based in Yugoslavia, Albania and
Macedonia. Money donated to the Kosovo region will go directly to assist
refugees without making any political judgement.
"Through the
activities of Keshet, Care Australia recognises the contribution of the
Australian Jewish community to emergency relief efforts around the world"
Charles Tapp, Chief Executive, Care Australia.
To
make a tax deductible donation of over $2.00, Keshet or make
a credit card donation to Keshet on fax: 03 9533 0066 For
more information : Ric Benjamin rlbenj@bigpond.com
IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED THAT YOU EMAIL CREDIT CARD INFORMATION. |
Shalom
Geraldine Jones
President JOIN Inc
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KESHET I/We
enclose a donation of $ made out to Keshet, VISA
or Mastercard Card
Number.................................. Keshet Ltd A.C.N 065 814 271 |
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