Editor’s E-Mail Box: August 29, 2018 (3 items)

 

Israeli bill would give favorable tax treatment to minority towns with high IDF enlistment rates

A proposed bill in the Knesset aims to encourage minority enlistment in the IDF and national service by granting tax deductions to minority towns with a high enlistment rate.

According to the explanatory section of the bill, which will be submitted by MK Oren Hazan (Likud) at the start of the Knesset’s winter session, the legislation aims “to encourage different groups in Israeli society to integrate” and “to anchor the life pact between the State of Israel and the minorities who are working to build and defend it.”

Towns comprised of minorities such as Druze, Bedouins, Christian Arabs, and Muslim Arabs,  that have an enlistment rate of over 70% on average for three years would fall under the purview of the legislation.

The bill also calls to establish an official day of recognition honoring the minorities who serve in the IDF and national service, which will include discussions in the Knesset and in the education system.

MK Hazan, who drafted the bill in collaboration with the Zionist organization Im Tirtzu, said that “Israel is and will remain a Jewish state, but we cannot forget the minorities who have tied their fates together with the state.”

“In these days, when the schism in Israel is growing due to a lack of understanding and mutual responsibility,” continued Hazan, “I saw it fit together with my friends at Im Tirtzu to heal the rift by recognizing the contributions of minorities in Israel.”

Matan Peleg, CEO of Im Tirtzu, stated that the legislation aims to “translate the recognition of Israel’s minorities into palpable actions.”

“One cannot survive in the Middle East without properly recognizing our allies who have tied their fates together with us. This needs to occur not only through talk, but through actions as well,” said Peleg. — From Im Tirzu

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500+ North American immigrants to Israel hold a picnic in Kiryat Motzkin

More than 500 new Olim living in Northern Israel celebrated the end of the summer at a festive picnic this week, organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh at Park Chai in Kiryat Motzkin. Among the participants were new Olim, many of whom just arrived in Israel this past year. These new Olim all made Aliyah from North America with the assistance of Nefesh B’Nefesh and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, in cooperation with the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and JNF-USA. The picnic featured a variety of activities including a zoo tour, children’s activities, and an artists’ fair with works by the Olim themselves.

To date, 6,000 new Olim from North America have chosen to live in Israel’s northern towns and cities, including Nahariya, Katzrin, Tzfat, Mitzpe Netufa, Misgav. Since the beginning of 2018, more than 300 Olim have left the United States and Canada and decided to settle in the north thanks to the “Go Beyond” initiative. The joint program between Nefesh B’Nefesh and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL) was created to strengthen the periphery of the State of Israel by leveraging the existing momentum of Aliyah from North America and increasing the number of Olim to the North and South of the country, as well as to the capital.

Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Nefesh B’Nefesh, said, “Almost a decade ago, we took upon ourselves as an organization the mission to contribute to developing Israel’s North and the South through Aliyah with the help of our partners. It is extremely heartwarming and inspiring to see how the thousands of Olim, young and old, who have chosen to move to the North, are building their lives here, establishing families, integrating into the community, and developing the region.” — From Nefesh B’Nefesh

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American Jewish Committee joins flood relief efforts in India

The American Jewish Committee (AJC),  a global Jewish advocacy organization, is supporting IsraAID relief efforts in Kerala, India following devastating monsoon rains that have displaced more than 1 million people and caused hundreds of deaths.

“Consistent with our Jewish values to assist those in need and our longstanding partnership with India, we are pleased join with IsraAID in delivering much needed humanitarian relief during this crisis,” said Shira Loewenberg, director of AJC’s Asia Pacific Institute (API).

Kochi (also known as Cochin), a port city in the southwest of Kerala state, was for centuries home to a thriving Jewish community that supported numerous synagogues. The beautiful Paradesi synagogue, constructed in 1567, still has a regular congregation and attracts tourists as a historic site.

AJC has supported IsraAID: The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid over the years in responding to a number of humanitarian crises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. “IsraAID, our partner, often is one of the first non-governmental groups to reach the site of a disaster, no matter the distance from Israel, and provide urgently needed assistance,” said Loewenberg.

For over a quarter-century, AJC’s API has promoted Israeli and American ties with India. Senior AJC leaders regularly visit India to meet with the country’s top officials, and with Indian diplomats in New York, Washington, D.C. and across the United States. — From American Jewish Committee

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Preceding culled from news releases. Send yours to editor@sdjewishworld.com