Why I Have Always Supported the Purchase of State of Israel Bonds

For twenty-five years since coming to my congregation, I have advocated that my members purchase State of Israel Bonds during the High Holiday season. I do so annually without hesitation, without second-thoughts and proudly for six reasons;

[1] Purchasing Bonds is a concrete way that my community and I can express our support for and love of the state of Israel;

[2] Purchasing Bonds is one of the ways that the substantial gap between state expenses and income in Israel’s budget is closed;

[3] State of Israel Bonds help to fund meaningful and important projects that would otherwise draw from other necessary budgeted items such as (in the past) Ethiopian and Russian immigrant resettlement, and now the development of water desalinization facilities to reduce the burden on natural fresh water systems. Bonds also supports new life-saving, time-saving and food-producing products that contribute to a cleaner, safer and healthier planet.

[4] When American Jews purchase Israel Bonds, we send a strong signal of support not only to Israelis, but to American lawmakers whose voting patterns on issues of vital concern to Israel's democracy, Jewish character and security are influenced by the nature of American Jewish commitment to the state of Israel;

[5] The purchase of State of Israel Bonds offers American Jews a means to nurture our familial identification with the people and state of Israel. For example, giving a gift of a bond or certificate creates an affiinity between that young person who receives it and the Zionist enterprise thus fulfilling the goal of assuring ongoing connections between Israel and world Jewry going forward l'dor vador – from generation to generation;

[6] Israel Bonds is a stable and solid financial investment.

According to Israel’s Finance Ministry (January 2014), 26% of Israel’s foreign debt is made up of Israel Bonds thus providing Israel with a cushion for taking on additional debt for expansion, defense or other needs. Bonds also provide more options when renewing or adding current levels of foreign debt.

It needs to be understood that the purchase of Israel Bonds is NOT tzedakah. Rather, it is an investment, and the purchaser can redeem his/her bond at maturity or at any time. In the history of Israel Bonds since its formation in 1951, Israel has never missed an interest/redemption payment. Bond also provide strong competitive yields! That is an extraordinary record of stability and good-faith.

Purchasing Bonds is simple – go to www.israelbonds.com/.

L’shanah tovah!