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He gave a detailed briefing on the Iranian nuclear threat, but retired IDF Lt. Col. Gil Elan's top priority in Monroe July 19 was making sure his audience of 260 understood that Israel's economy was the issue which required their immediate attention.

Elan, Southwest region executive director of the American Jewish Congress, delivered the keynote address during a State of Israel Bonds brunch at the Jewish Congregation of Concordia, organized in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County. Israel Bonds secured $220,000 in bond purchases from the event, where honorees included Corinne and Dan Gown, Harriet and Arthur Sudran, and Doris Altman.

Israeli banks didn't get involved in toxic assets in the United States, Elan said, but amidst the global recession the country's exports are down 13 percent, unemployment is up to 10 percent, and a tight two-year national budget was passed that cuts back on education, healthcare, and public works projects.

In order for Israel to maintain its status as a powerhouse in the Middle East and a forerunner in the high-tech industry, the government needs to be able to build 12 key infrastructure projects proposed last year for 2015 completion by the Ministries of Finance and Transportation, Elan said. Israel cannot afford to be weakened in their region, Elan said, and during this economic downturn that means getting as much support as possible through the sale of bonds to the Jewish community worldwide.

"Israel will deal with Iran together with other allies, but the economy is something Israel needs help with," Elan said. "Everybody is recruited here, in Israel, and around the world. We have one thing nobody else has -- we have no choice."

Richard Hirschorn, of Middlesex County's Development Corporation for Israel/State of Israel Bonds office, said the bonds are a safe investment because the organization hasn't missed a payment on interest or principal since its inception in 1951. Israel Bond investments are down because many Jewish donors have lost money from the Ponzi scheme of Bernie Madoff, he said, but reinvigorating those investments is crucial as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tries to use infrastructure projects to put Israelis back to work.

"When you invest in a CD or a bank, you are getting an interest rate, maybe higher than you would get with us, but probably not," Hirschorn said. "When you invest in an Israel Bond you get your interest rate, but you are also helping the state of Israel."

Hirschorn, who reviewed the investment options offered by Israel Bonds with the crowd, recalled how the bonds helped pay for his daughter's education at the University of Wisconsin and even her wedding.

"I don't want to go into the cost of the wedding, but I will tell you this: I invested in Israel Bonds, and it's helped me pay for this wedding," Hirschorn said.

Event chair Floyd Langner, who Hirschorn said "works tirelessly and endlessly to make this event work," explained that it is important to realize that Americans' everyday worries about mortgage payments and retirement funds are shared by Israelis. Langner noted that global anti-Semitism is historically ramped up during recessions, such as when the Nazis blamed Jews for Germany's economic woes before the Holocaust, making it particularly important for Jews to assist each other during these tough times.

"Israel's struggle is our struggle," Langner said. "Now, more than ever, we stand together."

When Langner needed last-minute help with the program, he got a hand from Scott Levy, owner of Levy's Kosher Italian Cuisine in Manalapan. The night before the event, Levy came down from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. to cut tomatoes and cucumbers for the brunch.

"We want to ensure that our brethren in Israel have what they need," Levy said.

Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-14) was on hand to present the honorees with proclamations. The Gowns are volunteers at Jewish Family Service and B'nai Brith of Clearbrook. The Sudrans are heavily involved in the Jewish Congregation of Concordia, with Harriet arranging food and seating arrangements for events and Arthur serving as a member on the Kavod and Ritual Committees. Altman is a past president of B'nai Brith of Concordia and a member of the Community Relations Committee of the Monroe Board of Education, among several other leadership roles in the field of education.

Elan, speaking at the Concordia congregation for a 3rd time, reviewed Israel's approach to Iran's nuclear program as well as the possible release of Israeli soldier and Hamas hostage Gild Shalit under a proposed "mega-deal" between Israel, Egypt, and Hamas.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak initiated the mega-deal, which would enable the reconstruction of Gaza, the opening of a border crossing between Israel and Gaza without letting in hazardous materials to Israel, Shalit's freedom, and the release of Hamas and Fatah prisoners in Egypt and Israel. For the deal to happen, Hamas and Fatah must agree to a reconciliation and a temporary government supervised by foreigners in Gaza until the Palestinian elections of January 2010, Elan said.

Under the deal, Hamas and Fatah must agree to accept the results of the 2010 elections no matter which side wins, Elan said. Israel is going back and forth in negotiations regarding how many Palestinian prisoners it needs to release in exchange for Shalit's freedom, Elan said, as the deal has been held up by Hamas' desire for the release 40 Hamas legislators, who Israel arrested as bargaining chips for Shalit, prior to the signing of any agreement.

"As long as Gilad Shalit is alive, all the Hamas leaders are inoculated from Palestinian leadership assassinations," Elan said.

The Iranian nuclear issue takes up about 30 percent of the IDF's time and energy, Elan said. Israel strongly believes that Iran is "not playing around here" and is intent on spreading Shia Islam through terrorism and a nuclear war, he said, and that the threat of Iran will create unstable Middle East resulting from an arms race with Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

"Iran having nuclear weapons is a game-changer in the Middle East," Elan said.

Since no side during last month's Iranian elections, which have been widely accepted as rigged, suggested that the country cut back its nuclear program, Israel's strategy for Iran does not change depending on who is in power there, Elan said.

"All plans have to continue regardless of what happens with the regime over there," he said.