Millions flow from UIA

MORE than $14 million was raised by the United Israel Appeal (UIA) Victoria in 2010, taking the national total to a tick under $28 million.

The organisation’s treasurer, Julian Black, told the annual general meeting last month that the Victorian total was still several thousand dollars below last year’s tally, but that would hopefully be made up by year’s end.

Of the Victorian figure, 7.6 per cent went to administration costs – including office staff – with the remainder being sent to Keren Hayesod and the Jewish Agency.

While examples were provided throughout the evening of children’s and absorption programs supported by Australian donors, UIA Victoria president Shlomo Werdiger said it can be difficult describing UIA’s beneficiaries.

“Not everything that is important is glamorous,” Werdiger said, adding that some of the most important projects don’t make headlines and their benefits are long term, rather than immediate.

UIA federal president Jack Smorgon added that at a time when donations from the US to Israel were way down and falling, Australian fundraising was more important than ever.

“The work must continue. Our Israel still needs you,” he said.

Guest speaker at the AGM Ha’aretz editor-at-large Aluf Benn spoke about Israel’s four inter-related challenges: Iran, the relationship with the Palestinians, Israel’s relationship with United States’ President Barack Obama and the Jewish State’s domestic politics.

NAOMI LEVIN

Caption: Ha’aretz editor-at-large Aluf Benn at the UIA Victoria AGM.