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The Gerald Cromer Paths of Peace Fund

                       

 

Dear Friends,

 

It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since Gerald Cromer z"l passed away.  Personally,   I miss him deeply. At NIF, we miss his sound advice, his perspective and his humor. In the larger context of Israel in 2009, we miss his moderate and conciliating voice.

 

Some of you might know that for his last five years, Gerald was active in the New Israel Fund serving on the Board and on the Pluralism and Shatil Committees, always promoting the voice of tolerance, liberal Judaism and moral integrity.

 

The New Israel Fund was deeply honored that the Cromer family decided in 2008 to establish a special fund at the NIF in his memory. We have been privileged to work with Chana in selecting a suitable cause that would reflect Gerald's passion for justice, pluralism and peace.

 

Attached you will find a short report on the work of 12th of Heshvan, the first recipient of the Gerald Cromer Paths of Peace Fund Grant. This year, the Fund is also supporting the publication of a compilation of the "Shabbat Shalom" weekly portion pages, a project that Gerald initiated. See attached for more details.

 

We are pleased to tell you that Chana and the family have just decided that Bina Baschuna will receive the second Gerald Cromer Paths of Peace Fund Grant this year. Information about their work is attached here as well.

 

We send our deepest thanks to all those who supported the Fund this past year and we look forward to your generous support this year.  Attached you will find details on how to donate to The Gerald Cromer Paths of Peace Fund.  When sending your donation, please specify that it is for the Cromer Fund.

 

May Gerald’s blessed memory be an unceasing inspiration to all of us.

 

With best wishes,

Eliezer Yaari

Executive Director

 

Text Box: The Gerald Cromer Paths of Peace Fund at the NIF § The Fund sponsors initiatives for peace and pluralistic action based on Jewish values, sponsoring new group initiatives and encouraging creative minds in their pursuit of innovative ideas and approaches to peace and pluralism. § The Fund supports projects that use Jewish ideals, ethics and religious imperatives of charity, especially where support will eventually encourage individuals to help themselves. § The Fund supports initiatives that use Jewish ethics to create dialogue in place of conflict and in enabling opposing sides to work in harmony for a common good.

 

 

2008-9 Grantees:

12th of Heshvan – Combating Extremism and Racism

A $25,000 was granted to 12th of Heshvan in September 2008 by the Fund.

 

Founded in 2006 by National Religious parents in Rehovot, the organization's name derives from the Hebrew date of Yitzhak Rabin’s death. 12th of Heshvan aims to develop formal and informal educational programs for the National Religious sector which promote openness, pluralism and tolerance.

 

12th of Heshvan’s first action was to establish the Yitzhak Rabin Synagogue, whose membership now totals 120 families. Other achievements have included helping Rehovot parents establish a liberal boys' yeshiva high school, which is affiliated with the Amit network of religious high schools. The yeshiva has currently moved to a new building, attracting significant numbers of new pupils of which 60 were accepted for the new academic year. The organization also assists parents groups around the country who wish to establish alternative religious schools. Currently, they are advising groups of parents in Zichron Yaakov and Givat Shmuel who are interested in  opening a school modeled o! n similar lines.

 

In order to promote change on a national level, 12th of Heshvan initiated a Forum of Liberal Orthodox Organizations which promotes key issues on the liberal Orthodox agenda, such as improving the status of women, promoting liberal Orthodoxy in the State Religious education system, and reinforcing democratic principles. Today, 60 liberal Orthodox heads of organizations, educators, rabbis and other public figures are involved in the Forum.  

 

12th of Heshvan has taken the lead in expressing a moral Jewish voice in response to disturbing recent events in Israel. . Together with NIF, they protested the attack on Professor Sternhal.

 

In March 2009, extremist right wing activists chose to exploit Israel's liberal approach to freedom of expression and march through the Arab city of Umm El Fahm. Subsequently, on the eve of Passover - the festival of Freedom - NIF, in partnership with 12th of  Heshvan organized and sponsored a solidarity rally in Umm El Fahm, bolstering and amplifying the voices of peace and coexistence, showing that the vast majority of Israeli Jews oppose such racist and hate-filled provocation and incitement.

 

Shabbat Shalom Compendium

Gerald was one of the founders of Oz Veshalom-Netivot Shalom in 1975. The movement was created as an alternative expression of religious Zionism, committed to promoting the ideals of tolerance, pluralism, and justice, concepts which have always been central to Jewish tradition and law.

 

Twelve years ago, Gerald initiated the "Shabbat Shalom" weekly Torah portion flyers, which include a commentary explaining how that week's portion teaches us the importance of peace and what we must do to pursue it. The flyers have been distributed every Shabbat in over 300 synagogues around Israel.

 

With the support of the Gerald Cromer Fund, Oz Veshalom together with Yediot Books is about to publish a compendium of selected articles from the weekly flyers written by renown names such as Asa Kasher, Gili Zivan, Avigdor Shenan and  Dalia Marx on issues relating to social justice, peace and human dignity.

 

2009-10 Grantee:

Bina – Center For Jewish Identity And Hebrew Culture – Bina Bashchuna Project in Be'er Sheva
Bina was established in 1996 by educators at the United Kibbutz Movement’s Efal Seminar Center in order to promote the development of pluralistic Jewish culture and to instill in Israel’s secular public (mainly youth) a commitment to social justice. The community project Bina Bashchuna was established to promote Jewish renewal,! educational welfare and community empowerment in disadvantaged neighborhoods in cooperation with the local community. The project began in South Tel Aviv and has since branched out to the disadvantaged Dalet neighborhood in Be'er Sheva. Bina Baschuna in Be'er Sheva runs formal and informal education activities for children and youth. The project also targets young adults, encouraging local youth involvement in social action and facilitates adult education activities and elderly assistance.

 

Project Highlights

·                                                                                                              Volunteer youth counselors run an after-school program combining scholastic support and a Jewish enrichment programs in three neighborhood schools. Activities center around Jewish holidays or a value-related theme such as: non-violent communication, identity, diversity and accepting the other.

·                                                                                                              During the War in Gaza, the activity and homework-assistance center were open during morning hours as well, and volunteers from Bina traveled from shelter to shelter to entertain the children.

·                                                                                                              A group of nine older teenagers have been trained as mentors and help operate the activity center, providing an opportunity for older teenagers to take on more responsibility. The center is also staffed with professional coordinators.

·                                                                                                              Bina Bashchuna volunteers also run programs in the local schools focusing on Jewish identity and holidays.

·                                                                                                             ! Bina Baschuna holds weekly meetings at the local community center on the weekly Torah portion (25 persons participate in each meeting) and facilitates a study program coordinated by a local volunteer, on topics related to Jewish culture, holidays and traditions. These programs expose new populations to Jewish culture from a pluralistic perspective. The 20 participants (mostly Sephardic middle aged women) are given the tools and guidance to plan and lead pluralistic family holiday celebrations for the entire community.

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