Bushfire fundraising blazes ahead
AS the clean-up continues following Israel biggest bushfire last month, the Australian Jewish community has once again shown its generosity.
AS the clean-up continues following Israel biggest bushfire last month, the Australian Jewish community has once again shown its generosity.
Local organisations launched a number of fundraising campaigns in the wake of the December 2 fires in Israel’s north, which left 44 people dead, numerous homes destroyed, and five million trees burned.
As of late December, the Jewish National Fund Victoria (JNF) had raised close to $200,000, while Magen David Adom Victoria (MDA) had a tally of more than $100,000. The NSW branch of MDA sent $25,000 to assist the Israeli fire victims, which a spokesperson for the organisations said was a “fantastic response”.
United Israel Appeal is also running an emergency fundraiser, although a spokesperson for the Victorian arm of the organisation said they would release the tally. She did, however, say the organisation “continues to be overwhelmed by the support and generosity of our strong and committed Jewish community, who pull together in Israel’s time of need”.
Both JNF and MDA can expect a boost to their ongoing campaigns in coming weeks.
JNF is preparing to launch its annual Green Sunday campaign, in time for Tu b’Shvat – the festival of trees.
JNF NSW’s new shaliach (emissary) Ygal Shapir said the appeal would be dedicated to bushfire relief.
“I’m sure that people are aware of this disaster and will contribute more than ever,” Shapir said.
In Victoria, the aim is to gather $1 million in donations for Israel’s forests, including the decimated Carmel Forest.
According to JNF Victoria executive director Joe Krycer, funds are needed, not just for the tree planting fund, but also for a general fund to enable the purchase of more firefighting equipment.
He explained that a new fire truck costs half a million dollars, adding that if the fires weren’t trouble enough, Israel continues to grapple with a severe drought.
Dr Omri Bonneh, JNF’s Northern Region director in Israel, said the immediate need in Israel is to develop alternative recreational areas.
“The areas burned in the Carmel Forest were one of Israel’s major outdoor activities centres, and we need to immediately begin developing alternative recreational corners, scenic roads, hiking trails and biking trails, to mention just a few,” Dr Bonneh said.
In terms of the scale of the damage, the final toll is not likely to be known for months.
“There are certain things that we won’t know until the Spring, when we will see which trees blossom and find out if they’re still alive.
“We’re not cutting many trees down yet, even if they’re burned, because their roots help prevent soil erosion.”
Meanwhile, MDA Victoria will host Uri Shacham, the head of the organisation’s director-general’s bureau. He will aptly address a gathering at the Fire Services Museum, together with Jemima Richards, a founder of Firefoxes – a organisation for women affected by Victoria’s Black Saturday fires in 2009.
The organisation’s Victoria chair Glynis Lipson said their appeal has no end-date, “as the need is great”.
“MDA is still involved with the housing of the people, delivering war clothing to those affected by the fire,” she said, adding they had also been involved in replenishing medical supplies and an iconic MDA ambulance was present at the funerals of all fire casualties.
NAOMI LEVIN AND GARETH NARUNSKY
Photo: Bushfire areas are being made safe with the help of Israeli soldiers. Courtesy: Isranet
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