Shalom Friends,
Our dream is finally a reality! The Greater Phoenix Israel Advocacy Group, The JCC Alliance 4 Israel (JCCAFI), is alive and operating under the auspices of the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center.
JCCAFI’s goal is to create and offer educational, cultural, social, and spiritual programs to the Greater Phoenix Jewish community, promoting greater understanding and appreciation of the spirit of Israel, and deepening the bond between Israelis and Jews in our community and in Israel.
We hope to do this collaboratively with the JCC, the Federation Family of Agencies, and our Community. Our vision is to establish programs which will further enrich our community, and enhance the development of Jewish identity amongst all of us, especially our youth.
Programs are already being planned: a community-wide Yom Ha'atzmaut Israel Independence Day Festival on April 6, 2008; a community Yom Ha'zikaron memorial; weekly Sunday night Israeli dancing; endorsing the annual Summer Scout (Tzofim) Caravan performances throughout Arizona; sponsoring periodic Israeli movie nights; launching our "Close to Home" series of cultural programs advocating Israel; adopting an Israeli Senior Citizen through collaboration with the ESHEL program in Israel (details to follow); and supporting a concert honoring Israel’s 60th birthday under the auspices of the Jewish Federation. We will work with the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix on efforts for a year-long celebration of "Israel at 60" being coordinated locally and nationally with the North American Jewish Federations.
We are presently forming volunteer committees to make this happen. JCCAFI needs your help now!
Please feel free to call us with your questions and ideas by contacting:
- Steve Rosenbaum at (480) 419-8935
- Carol Talmon at (602) 265-2251
- Kim Subrin, JCC Program Director, at (480) 483-7121 x1206
We look forward to your participation and commitment to JCCAFI. Thank you, and le’hitraot...
The Steering Committee of the JCC Alliance 4 Israel
Steve & Ellen Rosenbaum, Carol & Chaim Talmon, Ben & Dorit Herlinger, Shlomit & Itsik Aviram