Community Magazine March 2009

88 community magazine World Jewish Congress Resolves to Stand With Israel The Inbal Jerusalem Hotel was the location for the World Jewish Congress, 13 th Plenary Assembly on January 26, 2009. Around 500 representatives from over 90 countries came to hear notable speak- ers and politicians including the President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres; Foreign Minister Tzippi Livni; Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak; and Likud Party Leader Binyamin Netanyahu. Discussions revolved around the war in Gaza, the rise in anti- Semitism worldwide, the Iranian threat and the upcoming Durban II conference. The Plenary Assembly concluded with a number of resolutions. Firstly, they expressed their unwavering support of Israel. The motto of the event was “We Stand by Israel”. They criticized the Vatican for revoking the excommunication of a Holocaust denier and a general ‘call of action’ was made to all Jews to lobby their government officials against attending or even allowing the Durban II congress to happen. Bruno de Schuyter, General Manager of the Inbal, was in the forefront to welcome all the VIP’s including WJC President Ronald Lauder and Secretary General Michael Schneider. $5 Million Earmarked for Nonprofits in Crisis The Jewish Funders Network has launched a Crisis Loan Fund to assist nonprofits harmed by the Madoff Ponzi scheme. With an initial pool of $5 million, The Crisis Loan Fund will provide bridge financing and interest subsidies to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits facing budget shortfalls as a result of the scheme. The fund was created through a collaboration of JFN members. JFN has also launched a Pro Bono Resource Bank that offers consulting services to nonprofits who are struggling in this down economy. “The Crisis Loan Fund represents an immediate first step to aid nonprofits who are already scrambling to meet increased demand with rapidly diminished resources,” said JFN President, Mark Charendoff. “It’s our hope that philanthropists will join with JFN to continue to meet the demand in the months to come.” Information about The Crisis Loan Fund and Pro-Bono Resource Bank are available at www.jfunders.org . Community Women Tackle Economic Crisis The Ladies Angel Network (LAN), a division of the Sephardic Angel Fund, presented a symposium entitled, “Making Dollars and Sense in Today’s Economy” at Congregation Ahava ve Ahba on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. The purpose of this gathering was to give information and encouragement to the women of our commu- nity, many of whom are currently confronting fiscal challenges they never imagined. Many of these women have now been compelled to reexamine their spending habits, and to offer much-needed sup- port to their husbands who had been “on top of their game” in terms of securing a livelihood, only to find it topple underneath them. The participants received a crash course on economics and the stock exchange from Paula Arrojo, a Private Wealth Adviser at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Rachel Powers, the Network’s budgeting counselor, offered some invaluable savings strategies. Kim Allouche, a psychotherapist, spoke about turning crisis into opportunity, emphasizing that “how you spend your days is how you spend your life.” Judi Franco Chalme delivered a powerful spiritual message, and reminded the attendees that Hashem controls the world and gives us the ability to turn crisis into opportunity. Relating her firsthand experience with financial crisis, Yvette Sutton Meisel told the women candidly and with emotion,, “When opportunity knocks, open the door.” A number of follow-up seminars are scheduled for the coming months. Success of the event was credited to the many people working behind the scenes for LAN, including Kim Dabah, chair- person; Sarit Botton, Rebecca Harary, Michele Terzi and Mr. Irwin Dayan. – P NINA S OUID Community Chest Bibi Netanyahu with Inbal General Manager Bruno de Schuyter Photos by: Morris Antebi Mr. Irwin Dayan Lunch catered by Pomegranate