Chair: Rabbi Leonard Tann
Email: ltann@rabtann.fsnet.co.uk
MDA Website: http://www.magendavidadom.org
UK Friends of MDA Website: http://www.ukmda.org
The Birmingham aid committee was formed to raise money to support the excellent
and essential work of the Israeli Magen David Adom.
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BIRMINGHAM WOMEN'S CAMPAIGN FOR SOVIET JEWRY 35s
For further information please contact Ruth Jacobs
The 35s have campaigned since 1972 for Jews in the former Soviet Union. Currently work is directed towards frail, elderly and disadvantaged Jews in the CIS, as well as vulnerable new immigrants in Be'er Sheva. The annual pre-Pesach phone-in and the sale of greetings cards help raise money to further these ends.
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Administrator: Mrs Ruth Jacobs, c/o Israel Information Centre
Singers Hill, Ellis, Birmingham B1 1HL
Tel/fax: +44(0)121-643 2688
E-mail: rjacobs@iicmids.u-net.com
JNF (UK) Web Site: http://www.jnf.co.uk
JNF (International) Web Site: http://www.jnf.org
Objectives: To raise money for planting trees, creating water resources, reclaiming the land and educational programmes about Israel. Funds are collected through Blue Boxes, Green Sunday and other appeals and Walk for Water.
Commemorative certificates for donations received are issued by the office. Details on request.
Through the KKL Executor and Trustee Company (a subsidiary of the JNF) the JNF operates two other services of interest to donors. The KKL Charity Account is a scheme where up to 40 per cent of tax can be reclaimed from the Inland Revenue. The KKL Executor and Trustee Service enables wills to be drawn up and the appointment of KKL to be executors which in certain circumstances will be provided without charge.
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No local office, but enquires and correspondence can be addressed to:
Regional Director: - Mr Barry Abis JP.
Balfour House, 399 Street Lane, Leeds, Yorks LS17 6HQ
Tel: +44(0)113 269 3136
Fax: +44(0)113 269 3961
The small committee, which always welcomes new members, aims to assist fundraising and support the UJIA's "Saving Jewish Life" mission. This programme has two distinct areas of work - Rescue and Renewal.
RESCUE: Whereever in the world Jewish lives are at stake, UJIA has a duty to "Rescue" them and bring them home to Israel. Much of this work is done in the former Soviet Union [FSU] through youth movements, summer camps, Ulpanim etc. helping people to reconnect with their Jewish identity. We are also continuing with our support for families and individuals making aliyah and helping to reduce the stress of absorption into Israeli life.
RENEWAL: The current challenge lies in strenghthening Jewish identity at a time when many people are opting out of Jewish life. The UJIA aims to be the catalyst for the "renewal" of Jewish life in our community, enabling us to meet this challenge. The work of Renewal falls into three areas: "Young People", "Educational Leadership" and "Israel Experiance". "YOUNG PEOPLE" looks to encourage and help develop programmes aimed at both youth and young adults.
"EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP" provides bursaries to Jewish educators participating in UJIA-funded training programmes. The aim is to maximise the training and skills of Jewish educators and to raise the quality of Jewish education in the UK.
"ISRAEL EXPERIENCE" aims to increase the number of young people having a meaningful Israel experience. This is done by providing bursaries to ensure that anyone wanting to participate is able to do so and that the quality and educational effectiveness of the programmes is of the highest standard.
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THE BEN GURION UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH
For further information please contact Ruth Jacobs
The BGUF is a registered charity which supports the Ben Gurion University of the Negev. The branch concentrates on raising funds for the purchase of scientific equipment for desert research. Events are held three times a year.
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WIZO REGIONAL COUNCIL BIRMINGHAM
For further information please contact Ruth Jacobs
The Council consists of elected representatives from all the WIZO groups in Birmingham. It meets approximately 4 - 6 times a year. Its function is to co-ordinate between the groups, to disseminate information from WIZO Head Office in London, and to raise funds in order to maintain Birmingham's project in Israel, the Valerie Gould Centre for Women and Children in Israel.
Chairman: Mrs Ruth Drapkin
email: keith@drapkins.demon.co.uk
The aim of the society is fundraising for WIZO projects in Israel, in particular currently for our personal project, which is gymnasium equipment in memory of Marie-Louise Gold. Funds are raised through functions, such as cinema and quiz suppers. Committee meetings are held about every six weeks.
CARMEL WIZO
Age group: Ladies - 50 plus.
Objectives: Ostensibly a fundraising group for projects and maintenance of existing projects in Israel, such as creches, youth centres and day centres for young and adults. The committee organises various annual activities such as luncheons, the midsummer strawberry evening, and a coffee morning. Other functions such as social evenings, and cinema supper outings are also arranged. A calendar of future events can be obtained from the secretary.
EDGBASTON WOMEN ZIONISTS
Edgbaston Women Zionists is the oldest of the WIZO groups in Birmingham. Substantial funds are raised annually towards the continued care and assistance of women and children in Israel. The main source of income of this group comes from the Good-as-New sale held in the spring of each year. Several other fundraising functions are organised during the year, and the group, though considerably diminished in membership numbers since its peak in the sixties, continues to flourish.
KINERETH
Birmingham Kinereth Ladies' Group was founded by Life President Magda Bloom in 1952. The aims and objectives of the group are to raise money for under-privileged women and children in Israel. Kinereth is the second largest fundraiser in Birmingham WIZO, averaging £5000 to £6000 a year. Five or six fundraising functions are held each year.
Chairman: Mrs. Vanessa Rose
e-mail: sales@clivemark.co.uk
Simcha Aviv is the newest and youngest WIZO/AVIV group in Birmingham. The group's aims are to raise funds for WIZO and to have fun. The majority of the members are young married women with young children, so a mixture of events is organised over the year, with some for women only, some for men and women and some for families.
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Birmingham & Midlands Aid Committee
Chairman: Mr David Winroope
Tel: +44(0)121-552 1645
UK Website: http://www.wjr.org.uk
World Jewish Relief was established in 1933 and rescued 80,000 Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. This included 10,000 unaccompanied children (Kindertransport) some of whom receive our help to this day.
Over the years, WJR (formerly Central British Fund for World Jewish Relief) rescued Jews from all over the world including Hungary, Egypt, Ethiopia, Syria, Yemen and the former Yugoslavia.
Today, World Jewish Relief is primarily involved in humanitarian aid in the former Soviet Union and provides food packages, hot meal programmes, homecare and Welfare Centres to pensioners living below the poverty line. Wherever there is a Jew in need, World Jewish Relief is there to help.