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William D. Hess Marlene E. Post Isaac Blachor Sondra C. Sokal Steven Weinberg Karen J. Rubinstein 633 THIRD AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR Zionist Membership Organizations: Ameinu * American Friends of Likud * American Zionist Youth Council * AMIT * ARZA * Baltimore Zionist District * Bnai Zion * Herut, N.A. * Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Mercaz-Zionist Organization of Conservative Judaism * Meretz - USA * NA'AMAT - USA * Religious Zionists of America * Zionist Organization of America * Zionist Student Movement * Russian American Jews for Israel Affiliated Organizations: B'nai B'rith International * Friends of the Israel Scouts * Jewish National Fund * WIZO - Women's International Zionist Organization Zionist Youth and Student Movements: B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Betar-Tagar * B'nei Akiva * Habonim - Dror * Hashomer Hatzair * Kesher * KOACH * Magshimey Herut * Masada Maccabi * National Federation of Temple Youth * United Synagogue Youth * UPZ * Young Judaea * YJ Impact |
If this email does not display correctly, please visit http://www.azm.org/newsletter/Chanukah2008.html December 2008/Kislev 5769 Dear Friend, Chanukah is a Zionist story. It is a story about nationhood, patriotism and identity. It is the story of the Maccabees, a courageous Jewish family that, against all odds, restored Jewish political and religious life in ancient Israel. With the holiday season upon us, we reflect on the true meaning of Chanukah and rededicate ourselves to the future of the Jewish people and to Israel, our homeland. We recognize this was a particularly tumultuous year for Americans, but that does not change AZM's basic reality and our commitment to Israel and the Jewish People. As in the past, the Zionist Movement continues to lead the Jewish people. Zionists brought about the creation of the State. Zionists were there through the Six-Day and Yom Kippur Wars, and led the rescue of Soviet and Ethiopian Jewry. These events brought pride to Jews around the world, who then joined us in the common tasks of nation-building. The nature of the challenges has changed. Today, the Jewish identity of our young people, alienation from the community, understanding of Israel's past and a vision for her future are at the forefront of our concerns. As Zionists we must inspire a new generation of Maccabees to meet the current challenges to Israel and the Jewish people. During the past year AZM reminded IDF soldiers and
children in Sderot that they are our family, teaching young Americans the
meaning of solidarity and tzedakah at the same time; AZM continued the
campaign for Gilad Shalit and Israel's missing soldiers; and we brought
Israel into communities with our unique holographic exhibit "Israel at 60:
Fulfilling the Dream." AZM worked with young Jews to enrich their Jewish
and Zionist identities and in 2009 AZM plans to launch an extraordinary
leadership development program. See below for more details
about three of our 2008 programs. Your support is vital for AZM to continue its essential programs of education and advocacy. Please give generously, as you have in the past. Please show your support for Zionism, Israel and the Jewish people. Become a shareholder in our destiny - support the work of AZM.  With Zion greetings,
William D. Hess, President
Marlene Post, Chair of the Board
Karen J. Rubinstein, Executive Director |
AZM places great importance on the development of the leaders of tomorrow.
We are developing young Zionist leaders in New York and Chicago, through events including:
For two years running, AZM has responded to the crisis in Sderot with a magnificent initiative to ease the difficult burden shouldered by the Sderot children and their families - a Yom Kef, a Day of Fun. Beneficiaries have included single-parent families, new immigrants and Ethiopians, all living in unimaginable fear.
On July 23, a Yom Kef allowed six buses full of Sderot residents to briefly leave the sirens, rockets and bomb shelters behind. In a second Yom Kef on August 25th, AZM brought 200 Sha'ar HaNegev residents to Jerusalem for a second Yom Kef. Participants were treated to a full day of a day of family enrichment and fun, featuring a visit to the City of David. In addition, there was a barbeque, Israeli dancing and a singer in the courtyard of the JAFI/WZO building, where Dr. David Breakstone, head of the Department for Zionist Activity of the WZO, addressed the group.
The fate of Gilad Shalit awaits our help - and AZM has led the way in advocating tirelessly on his behalf. This High Holiday season, AZM reached out across the US to bring Rosh Hashana greetings to Gilad Shalit. In parallel with a British campaign, we worked with the Red Cross to have the cards delivered. During the Chanukah season, we will continue to send cards including personal messages of hope for Shalit's imminent release, showing Gilad that we have not forgotten.
In an additional campaign, AZM has motivated Zionists across the US to urge the Egyptians to intensify their efforts on Shalit's behalf in their role as mediators of the negotiations between Israel and Hamas. We have urged synagogues and communities to sign on to this crucial effort - together we will make a difference.
