Ethiopian Israelis under financial attack

November-December, 2001

Dear Friend:

–– Israelis are under physical and financial attack

Right now, a very difficult and unpredictable situation catches Israel's heart. Death, injury and concern for personal security overwhelm many. Yet the average Israeli also faces a significant economic downtrend. Ethiopian Jews living in Israel are affected even more than other Israelis because of the type of work they do. Israel's tourist industry and its factories have been particularly hard hit by the Intifada resulting in a disproportionately severe financial hardship upon Ethiopian Jewish workers.

–– How you have helped in the past

Occasionally, I feel the need to remind you about your giving to the Winer Foundation. Your gifts make an important difference in people's lives. Our records show that for 2001, you've given gift(s) for a total of $. We also show gift(s) in 2000 for a total of donated. Your name was added to our mailing list on . The last time you made a gift was on . If you've never given before or not made a recent gift, please now consider doing it.

–– Alemu, a needy Ethiopian Jewish father of four in Israel

Here's some news from one of the many Ethiopian Jews that the Winer Foundation helps regularly. Alemu, the father of 4 young children, made Aliyah to Israel five years ago, leaving a brother and two sisters in Ethiopia. He is a very responsible man, who had in the past taken care of both his own family and regularly sent money to help relatives left in Ethiopia. Unfortunately Alemu was recently laid off from his Israeli factory job and remains unemployed. Alemu called us to help him financially – both for his Israeli family and his relatives in the Gondar region of Ethiopia.

Alemu and his family desperately need immediate support to pay their regular monthly expenses, especially to buy food. Also his family in Ethiopia is even more needy, for without our help they'll not be able to meet their financial obligations to buy food, medical supplies, or to pay rent for the shanty-town shelter they live in.

–– News on Our Work

The work among Ethiopians in the Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware progresses nicely. A home meeting recently had 15 people and a large conference is planned in Philadelphia for January, 2002. Another Ethiopian Messianic Jewish leader and his family have moved here and joined with the Gedamu family to further the work in America, Ethiopia, and Israel.

I recently traveled to Ohio to give an all-day seminar, "A Biblical and Hebraic Psychology: the nature of the mind, emotions, soul, and spirit," to a group of religious leaders and those interested in furthering their education and expertise in the counseling field. All or part of this seminar is now available for purchase (complete set is 4 CD's with written outlines – see enclosed info sheet).

–– Your Gifts Are Needed

I know that during this time there are lots of needy and very deserving causes to donate to, even in the United States, particularly after the September 11 tragedy. But for the Beta Yisrael (Ethiopian Jewish) people you are perhaps the only hope they have at this time. We pray that as you are blessed financially, that you consider blessing our work with your gifts.

The Winer Foundation's vision of "one person who cares can make a difference" compels us to continue in our humanitarian work in both Ethiopia and Israel. As always, we thank you our partners for your prayer and financial gifts. Without you we cannot fulfill the work God has called us to do. Please do not forget the Beta Yisrael people. Below are our suggestions for giving, but know that any gift is deeply appreciated.

• Your gift of $75 houses an Ethiopian family of 7-10 for one month.

•Your gift of $120 feeds an Ethiopian family for a month.

• Your gift of $180 feeds a single Ethiopian for a year.

• Your gift of $250 gives significant help to a needy Beta Yisraeli in Israel.

May God richly bless you and grant you His comfort,

Robert I. Winer, M.D.

P.S. For more updates on our work, visit our website at www.winerfoundation.org

P.P.S. I'd like to you to get to know me better by giving you a gift. Drop me a note in the return envelope and I'll send you my book, "Ten Commandments for Success: Unlocking Principles of Prosperous Personal, Business, and Family Living from the Life of Moses" or "Heartwords," my inspirational CD of 16 - 5 minute messages.

if you need any further information, contact us: