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Locals honored at Israel Bonds event in Monroe

By Jason Cohen

August 1, 2008

In efforts to raise money for Israel, the Jewish Congregation of Concordia of Monroe Township held its Israel Bonds brunch on Sunday, July 27, honoring five local residents.

The honorees were Monroe Councilman Irwin Nalitt, Dr. Robert and Judith Sherman, and David and Doris Bagoff. The keynote speaker of the afternoon was Dr. Yossi Olmert, the brother of the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The chairperson of the event was Floyd Langner.

Past president of the temple Evelyn Goldstein introduced each of the five honorees. She presented each honoree with a plaque for their dedication to Israel and the temple.

The Bagoffs who are long-time members of the temple said to think positive, invest in Israel Bonds, and the rewards are countless.

"We are very thankful to have been honored," Doris Bagoff said.

Nalitt, who is serving in his sixth term as councilman, said he was reluctant to being honored because he felt there were many people that worked hard for Israel besides him.

"Israel recently celebrated its 60th anniversary and I feel there's something in our hearts and mind that links us to Israel," Nalitt said. "Israel is fighting for life and if peace doesn't come soon we may be fighting for ours soon."

Robert Sherman is a teacher and a past president of the temple and Judith Sherman is a writer and a Holocaust survivor. The two of them met in Israel when he spent a year there on a kibbutz. She recently published a book entitled "Say the Name: A Survivor's Tale in Poetry and Prose." Both were very grateful to have been honored.

Judith said, "I have had a bond to Israel for 54 years, it's old, and it's very personal."

Robert told a humorous joke about President Bush and Israel.

"President Bush went to visit the Pope and when he was there he saw a red phone and asked "Does this phone talk to God?"

"The Pope said, yes, it does."

Bush asked, "But how much does it cost to use?"

The Pope replied, "$2 million."

Bush then visited with Prime Minister Olmert and saw that he had the same red phone.

Bush asked, "How much does it cost to talk to God?"

Olmert replied, "It's free."

Bush said, "I don't understand, why is it free and the same phone with the pope cost $2 million?"

Olmert said, "From here it is a local call."

"Therefore I urge everyone to buy a bond, and thank you," Robert said.

Temple President Joan Kornblum introduced Olmert.

There is nothing in the world today that presents more danger to Israel than Iran, Olmert said.

"The remarks by the president of Iran should cause Iran to be disqualified from the UN," Olmert said. "More importantly, Israel will always be here."

Iran's development of nuclear weapons is an existential threat to Israel, Olmert said.

"We need to call upon the world for immediate effective action to stop Iran from producing the bomb," Olmert said. "They shouldn't be allowed to possess the atomic bomb."

Olmert said that Israel's economy is ranked 18th in the world.

"Israel's economy is growing; we work, we sell, and the world buys," Olmert said. "But, ultimately, everybody wants to invest in Israel."

America is supported heavily throughout Israel, Olmert said.

"Israel is 86 percent pro-America, and the Israeli police are looking after the other 14 percent," Olmert said.

When one visits Israel they must be aware of the danger presented to Israel by Iran and take it seriously, Olmert said.

He said American Jews have become ambivalent to Israel because they study Zionism, while Israelis live it.

"American Jews have grown distant from Israel and it's time to speak out in support of Israel," Olmert said.

He said the terrorist group Hezbollah smuggles weapons in and around Israel to build up its arsenal in the hopes of one day destroying Israel.

"There are towns in Israel that have seen the killing of innocent men and women, that live a life filled with metal detectors, buses being blown up, and people simply don't deserve to live like this," Olmert said.

"Nothing is as powerful as hope, if you have hope you have everything," Olmert added. "The state of Israel has proved itself by its character and values."

Richard Hirschorn of the Development Corporation of the Israel Bonds for Middlesex County spoke about each of the five bonds the audience could invest in. The five different types of bonds were: jubilee bonds, state of Israel savings bonds, floating rate libor bonds, mazel tov bonds, and the seventh floating rate libor bond. For more information, visit www.Israelbonds.com.

The proceeds from the Israel bonds are used by Israel's finance ministry and have been used toward power plants and irrigation systems. Currently, they are used to assist in funding for the new mass transit system and new parks and communities throughout the Galilee and the Negev.

In 1948, prior to Israel's independence, David Ben Gurion felt that if it declared independence it would get attacked, Hirschorn said.

"Therefore, Ben Gurion sent Golda Meir to the U.S. in hopes of her coming back to Israel with a million dollars, but instead she came back with $25 million, which then became the forerunner for Israel bonds," Hirschorn said.

Israel needs the American Jewish community for Israel bonds, Hirschorn said.

"Investing in bonds has allowed Israel to change a desert into an oasis," Hirschorn said. "Also, every little bit of investment counts."

George and Gert Applebaum, residents of Concordia in Monroe said it was a wonderful opportunity for them to be there.

Gert said, "I was an honoree three years ago, Israel has always been dear to my heart, and I would like to congratulate all of the honorees."

George said the theme of the brunch was Am Yisrael Chai, "the people of Israel."

"Everyone should take into account what Alan Dershowitz said that all of those that have feelings for Israel should devote one hour each week in support of Israel," Langner said.

"The past is our heritage, the present is our opportunity, and the future is our home," Langner said.