Israeli Parliament Celebrates Ninety Years of JDC in Israel

JDC programs in Israel share a common denominator: a partnership with the Government of Israel. In November 2004, this pivotal relationship was honored when the Knesset – Israel's parliament – dedicated a day's proceedings in recognition of JDC's 90th anniversary. Knesset members took time out from their pressing responsibilities, including finalizing the state budget for the coming financial year, demonstrating the genuine strength of this partnership.

In a commemorative opening ceremony, senior members of the Knesset recounted JDC's history in Israel. As they traced the organization's establishment in response to the hardship that befell the Jewish Yishuv of Palestine following the outbreak of World War I, they highlighted the significance of JDC's unbroken presence in Israel through their personal perspectives.

Speaker of the House, Member of Knesset (MK) Reuven Rivlin, referred to the day as a "JDC day – a festival for all the people in Israel" noting how JDC's work epitomized the central Jewish value of giving charity by helping others to become independent.

MK Avraham Hirschson, Head of the Finance Committee, expressed his appreciation of JDC by using the phrase "the Joint was there" as an ongoing motif throughout the history of the state of Israel and before. As he said, "Since its inception, JDC has been at every critical juncture of Jewish life, always adapting itself for the needs of the time."

Pointing out that the relief provided by JDC in 1914 could have been a one-time occurrence, MK Colette Avital, Head of the Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora, defined JDC's establishment as the "first step towards a partnership between Israel and the Jews of the Diaspora."

The sentiments expressed by the previous speakers were echoed by Arnon Mantver, Director General of JDC-Israel, as he related how, even to this day, he encounters people who remember JDC's support in Israel's earliest years.

An inspiring dance performance by the Shuru Kavkazi dance troupe of Ashdod changed the pace of the proceedings and dramatically transported the audience from JDC's past to the present. The energetic young dancers represent one of the many communities who benefit from JDC-Israel's current initiatives.

These young Kavkazi-Israelis were not the only JDC beneficiaries present at the event. In a Knesset plenary which considered resolutions commending JDC, MK Meir Shitreet shared his own personal story of how JDC helped him as a child in Morocco.

Recalling early memories of photographs with JDC visitors and his fellow classmates in Morocco, MK Shitreet revealed how his efforts to chase up this rare picture unearthed a thank you letter from his teacher to JDC. As he read the letter, which outlined the exact details of how each child was helped, the now Minister of Transport was amazed to discover that the coat and shoes that he'd worn as a nine-year old, nearly 50 years ago, were provided by JDC. Inspired thus to help other children who today still need this basic help, MK Shitreet concluded the proceedings by thanking JDC on behalf of the multitudes of people that the organization has helped over the years.

Other events held to mark the day included the convening of eight parliamentary committees who held hearings on a range of issues relating to JDC's current work and a photographic exhibit on JDC, which was unveiled in the Knesset Exhibition Hall, remained on display for a month. JDC's partnership with the Government and people of Israel, however, is sure to remain for many more years to come.