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Last update - 05:40 24/03/2008 Jewish Agency turns to Haredi donors as budget dwindles By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Jewish Agency, Aliyah  As Jewish Agency funds dwindle, the immigration-oriented governmental body is turning to ultra-Orthodox philanthropists for donations to bring thousands of young Jews to Israel on organized trips, Haaretz has learned. Sources involved in the talks between the Jewish Agency and the philanthropists said that next year, a Jewish Agency subsidiary called The Israel Experience will participate in the Moreshet program, which is funded by ultra-Orthodox donors. The agency has not worked with such donors in the past. The program is meant to bring thousands of Jews from the Diaspora to visit Israel, while placing a special emphasis on Jewish studies and religious matters. Advertisement "There is an attempt here to bring a new kind of donor to the agency, because of the financial problems the organization is experiencing," a senior JA official said. Last week, Haaretz reported that the Jewish Agency is planning to close one of its most historically important branches, the Immigration and Absorption Department, as part of a radical restructuring plan. "We are doing it via a subsidiary because in the past, ultra-Orthodox philanthropists and parties refrained from participating because of the organization's Zionist character," the official added. Amos Hermon, director of The Israel Experience and head of the Jewish Agency task force on anti-Semitism, told Haaretz he was "pleased with every sort of [Jewish] group arriving for a visit in Israel." He noted the need to show visitors heritage sites as well as academic institutions and high-tech companies. Haredi philanthropists already fund a program called Moreshet ("heritage"). Over the past several months, Moreshet has facilitated the arrival of some 900 Jewish students from all over the world. Unlike the more secular 10-day Taglit-birthright Israel program - which is partly funded by the Jewish Agency - Moreshet brings its participants for three-week visits that include more religious content, such as visits to yeshivas and Torah studies. "The Moreshet program is a partnership between various parties seeking to instill young Jews with knowledge about Judaism - and the Agency sees great importance in connecting them to the state of Israel," a spokesman for the Jewish Agency said. The new Jewish Agency program will be one of a series of programs funded by religious and ultra-Orthodox magnates. Africa Israel chief Lev Leviev, for example, is funding a program that offers a $150-a-month scholarship for Russian Jews who agree to attend Judaism classes several days a week. Ze'ev and Aaron Wolfson are funding similar programs in the U.S., and Eli Horn is funding one in Brazil. Ultra-Orthodox donors have in the past sought to get on board the Taglit-birthright program, and some have contributed. However, their involvement remained limited after they realized the plan's architects were reluctant to accept their requests to introduce more Jewish, rather than Zionist, content into the program. Related articles: Jewish Agency mulls closing its historic immigration department Jewish Agency to start anti-terror drive after J'lem attack Jewish Agency wages battle to retain monopoly over aliyah Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nothing to fear Nasrallah says power of IDF exaggerated, Zionist entity can be wiped out. Sharing the blame Al-Qaida deputy chief calls on Muslims to strike Jews 'everywhere' over Gaza raids.   1.   Dwindling Influence is not an Option 07:11  |  Zev 24/03/08   2.   why work with the Jewish agencies and their bloated salaries ???? 13:22  |  Moshe 24/03/08   3.   mary a one legged christian / jewish black Lesbian if u want 13:29  |  SJ 24/03/08   4.   Not Ultra 13:34  |  D 24/03/08   5.   They are mostly poor 02:28  |  sweis Melbourne 25/03/08

Today Online Al-Qaida No. 2: Strike Jews 'everywhere' over Gaza raids Responses: 121 Nasrallah: The Zionist entity can be wiped out of existence Responses: 115 Barak: We must take Hezbollah's latest threats seriously Responses: 58 Loving Jesus but fearing the neighbors in Ariel Responses: 86 Shahar Ilan: The dangerous vision of an Arab-free Knesset Responses: 57 Rosner's Domain Guest, Kurtzer: US needs to be a 'honest broker' A ceasefire must be clear on the point of rocket fire (WTR) Govt. to appeal ruling on classified material in AIPAC trial There's no need for American pressure on Israel Poll: Mideast summit in Moscow, a good idea? More Headlines 03:32 Israeli defense sources: Hamas wants to maintain Gaza quiet 00:11 Nasrallah: The Zionist entity can be wiped out of existence 03:12 Half of Arab League leaders plan to skip Damascus summit 02:54 Bank of Israel cuts interest rate to lowest level in history 02:47 ANALYSIS / Nasrallah threatened punishment not revenge 02:34 Knesset approves precedent setting organ donor law 03:46 How the Olympic games became an extension of politics 04:15 Israel denies knowledge of imminent Pollard release 17:26 Barak: We'll ease W. Bank plight, but checkpoints to stay for now 01:54 Police believe they may have captured Bnei Brak serial rapist 19:22 Arab MKs storm out of Knesset when Lieberman speaks 01:00 Rubinstein Piano Competition: semi-finals / The Mozart hurdle Previous Editions Select Day 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar

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