Throughout the time when groups and individuals are canceling their trips to Israel, there are the really dedicated and true friends of Israel who during these hard times show their solidarity by coming to be with us. Such a man is Gerry Flanzbaum, the co-chairman of the Partnership 2000 steering committee.

Gerry, (before he came) when many people are canceling their trips to Israel, are you still coming?

"Of course, do you think that I wouldn't be coming?" Nothing is going to stop me and my wife, Marilyn from visiting my family and friends."

How do see the support for Israel in the United States during these times that we are going through?

"This is the time when all of the Jewish Federations in America come together around Israel and show it the solidarity that is needed."
This week there were about 750,000 people in Washington for a rally, showing that Israel is not alone and never will be.

What do you think of people who cancel their trips to Israel with the situation is like it is today?

"The press in America is painting a very harsh picture of the situation here in Israel. When people see this they are afraid to come here and even though they want to, there is a lot of pressure on them from their families and friends to cancel."

Partnership 2000 has given us support for the past 6 years, in what areas do you see P2K's priorities going.

"The idea is to focus on economic development and people-to-people programs. Economic development is really beginning to show results, and we can't cut that off. We're all in general agreement about where the money has to go, but when it comes down to whose ox gets gored that's when the fun starts. At the least, it's forcing us to focus on what our priorities are."

In closing, how do you see the effects that P2K has had on the Jewish Federations in New Jersey and Delaware?

The Jewish Federations as a whole were searching for a connection with Israel. Not just a financial connection, but also a personal people to people relationship. In P2K we have found this type of relation and we see it as a growing point to bring our communities closer to Israel and especially to our friends in Arad and Tamar.

Iyar 5762 - May 2002