Buber’s $87 million charity achievement

FORGET certificates or plaques, Meir Buber will return to Israel knowing that $87 million worth of charitable donations have preceded him.

Buber, the United Israel Appeal (UIA) Victoria shaliach (emissary) for the past four-and-a-half years, flew home last week to spend the High Holy Days with his children and grandchildren before embarking on yet more service for the State of Israel, this time in Johannesburg.

The former Israeli navy commander will be replaced by two, yet-to-be-named shaliachs in the coming weeks.
In a wide-ranging interview with The AJN in the days before he left, Buber said his main aim while in Melbourne was to raise as much money as possible for UIA.

By any measure he has done that, presiding over five appeal campaigns, which raised a combined total of $87 million — per capita the highest amount of any UIA, Keren Hayesod or Jewish Agency appeal.

“It is unbelievable,” he said. “There is no doubt that Melbourne is one of the best campaigns in the world.”

His second goal, he said, was to build the community’s relationship with Israel and to this end, he led six donor missions to the Jewish State.

“Visiting Israel and seeing unique aspects that UIA can provide to participants is the best way for people to maintain contact with Israel,” he said.

Upon the return of one of the missions, Buber said a man, who has since become a major UIA donor, told the shaliach “you changed my life”.

During his time in UIA’s Melbourne office, Buber saw a number of changes in the executive and professional staff — most recently the appointment of Craig Wolff as campaign director, replacing long-time executive director Miriam Suss.

Asked what he thinks of UIA’s recent changes, Buber spoke openly.

“I think this is a calculated risk that the leadership has taken,” he said. “I do hope they are right.

“The organisation itself is stronger than any kind of temporary challenges, the organisation has such a deep tradition and the image of the organisation is so positive. Maybe because of that, now is the time to make some changes. If the organisation is not strong enough, the risk is much bigger.”

Buber also addressed the ongoing debate over whether the community should direct more of its charity dollars
to local social welfare and education causes.

It is a debate that UIA, as a multi-million dollar fundraiser, is at the heart of.

“It is my impression that the Jewish community here has enough money to contribute to local needs and to the State of Israel,” he responded. “I have never seen other organisations as competitors to us. I really appreciate every dollar that is a donation for Jewish goals and purposes.

NAOMI LEVIN