Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., October 31, 2007 Cheshvan 19, 5768 | | Israel Time: 15:43 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Print Edition Diplomacy Defense Arts & Leisure Real Estate Jewish World National Advertising Magazine Week's End Business Opinion Rosner's Domain Anglo File Books Travel

del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 07:11 31/10/2007 U.S Jewish donors make bid to separate Jewish Agency, WZO By Anshel Pfeffer A group of prominent Jewish American philanthropists has taken steps in recent weeks to separate the Jewish Agency (JA) from the World Zionist Organization and end all political affiliation in the operation of the WZO. Donors and community leaders in the U.S. are calling for increased transparency at the Jewish Agency, which is responsible for immigration from the Diaspora. N Advertisement early half the JA's budget comes from donations by North American Jews via United Jewish Communities (UJC), which controls only 30 percent of the seats. The donors, who include some of the world's wealthiest Jews, have threatened to stop giving money to the JA unless their demands are met. They would give money to independent projects instead. The donors and community leaders are calling for increased UJC representation and broader oversight by American accountants. Members of the WZO, which consists of representatives from Israeli political parties, the major Zionist organizations and various religious streams, comprise half the seats in the organizations that run the Jewish Agency, the JA Assembly, board of governors and directorate. They also control the political appointments of senior JA officials, including the chairman, treasurer and some department heads. These demands reflect a growing trend among wealthy Jews toward funding independent projects such as Nefesh b'Nefesh or taglit-birthright israel rather than giving money to the JA through donations to UJC. Three months ago Sheldon Adelson, considered the world's richest Jew, gave $50 million to taglit but consistently refuses to donate to the Jewish Agency. A few weeks ago the banking tycoon Bobby Goldberg, the chairman of Tel Aviv University's Board of Governors, convened a meeting of Jewish billionaires that included Michael Steinhardt and Charles Bronfman. They drafted an unofficial list of demands from UJC and JA heads that included separating the JA from the WZO, ending political appointments and increasing to 50 percent U.S. representation in the major organizations, with a threat to suspend donations to the JA and UJC. The president and chief executive of the UJC, Howard Rieger, declined to comment on the issue. The Jewish Agency spokesman said: "The uniqueness and strength of the JA lies in cooperation among all its components, including the WZO, the UJC and the Keren Hayesol, and in its close connection to the government of Israel. That partnership will continue in the future, with the approval of all its partners." More Jewish World news and features Related articles: Lieberman seeks to encourage aliyah of Russian Jews from Canada Gov't eyes tax breaks for immigrants with businesses overseas The Law of Return is not the problem Bookmark to del.icio.us China, Israel diverge With Livni in Beijing, China rejects Israel's call for tougher sanctions against Iran. Amending aliyah Interior Minister Sheetrit says Jews should not be granted automatic Israeli citizenship.   1.   Sentiments waning... 07:34  |  Esther 31/10/07   2.   about time 09:08  |  Avi 31/10/07   3.   DISMANTLE JEWISH AGENCY,WZO,GIVE TO JEWISH ORG THAT DO THEIR WORK 13:20  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 31/10/07   4.   Those US Billionaires Just Don`t... 13:45  |  Dave 31/10/07   5.   donors 13:49  |  seth altholz 31/10/07   6.   It`s about time 14:20  |  Simon 31/10/07   7.   Woww...what a good news!! 14:24  |  Buzaglow 31/10/07

Today Online Israel: Hezbollah has tripled its land-to-sea missile arsenal Responses: 47 U.S. renews pressure on Israel to remove West Bank outposts Responses: 84 Egypt detains 8 Eritreans, 2 Sudanese trying to enter Israel Responses: 8 Shmuel Rosner: Annapolis is the summit of all fears Responses: 20 Benvenisti: What's more foolish, current Jerusalem borders or redrawing them? Responses: 14 Rosner's Domain * WTR: Voters want Clinton to attack Iran * Guest: Churchill sometimes manipulated Jewish issues * Annapolis - The summit of all fears * Is Tikkun Olam a substitute for Israel? More Headlines 15:41 Arab MKs slam moves to bar visits to enemy states 15:34 Israel to UN: Hezbollah has tripled its land-to-sea missile arsenal 15:18 Police arrest Hebron teen carrying weapons, suicide note 13:35 Egypt detains 8 Eritreans, 2 Darfur refugees trying to enter Israel 11:08 U.S. renews pressure on Israel to remove W. Bank outposts 14:56 Hundreds gather to remember legendary Israeli actor 'Poli' 15:31 Syria denies plotting assassination of anti-Syrian Lebanese politician 13:57 Seven accused of kidnapping, beating soldier over alleged theft 13:55 Police suspect shooting at T.A. club result of refused entry Previous Editions Select Day 30 oct 29 oct 28 oct 26 oct 25 oct 24 oct 23 oct 22 oct 21 oct 19 oct 18 oct 17 oct

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