Re: Richard J. Israel Memorial Fellowship Fund Dear Friends, To honor and celebrate Dick's life, a group* of us have established the Richard J. Israel Memorial Fellowship through the New Israel Fund beginning in Fall 2001. We chose this memorial with Sherry's strong support, because Dick and Sherry have been long-time supporters of the New Israel Fund. The Fellowship will provide an annual scholarship in Dick Israel's memory for a North American candidate to volunteer for a year with an Israeli organization to further the cause of social justice in Israel.  These organizations provide help in the areas of civil and human rights, the status of women, economic gaps, religious pluralism, Arab-Jewish relations, and the environment. Irle Goldman first thought of this idea because he is on a committee that reviews applications for the scholarship in memory of Nomi Fein, z"l.  He noticed how many wonderful applicants there were and thought of doing something similar in Dick's name.   We already have commitments of $10,000 over two to three years from several donors and have reached a third of our goal of setting up an endowment of $150,000 to fund the Fellowship. We invite you to contribute a donation to the fund thus helping continue Dick's positive influence on so many lives.  Any gifts, large or small would be appreciated. We are asking for you to pledge an amount you'd be willing to contribute over the next two years (by the end of Jan 2003).  To this end, we have attached a pledge form that should be returned to NIF. (A copy of the form is on the web -- click here.)  If you would like to use appreciated stock, let us know and we will provide the necessary form. We would also be delighted to welcome anybody who feels so inclined, to join us in soliciting others for contributions.  Likewise, please let us know if we may add your name to our list of supporters.  For this purpose, or if you have any questions, please contact either Elkan Gamzu (617-964-5543) or Irle Goldman (617-332-3242) If you wish to get a feel for the impact that Dick had on peoples' life, you might wish to visit the following website: www.site38.com/dickisrael/ Thank you in advance for any support you can offer and please feel free to pass on this letter on to any appropriate mailing list. ================================= *group in formation:  list as of 12/20/00 Gad and Joan Almaliach Robby Apfel and Bennett Simon Paul Bleicher and Julia Greenstein Geoffrey and Aviva Bock Harvey and Sally Bock Ken and Orna Bresler Richard Dale and Dorit Harverd Herb and Carol Dryer Sol and Terri Eisenberg Les and Trudy Fagen Robbie and Rina Gray Fein Rabbi Sue Fendrick & Benjamin Kruskal Marc and Deborah Fogel Russ and Sara Frim Foreman S. Zelda and Elkan Gamzu Lori and Michael Gilman David and Felice Gordis Irle M. Goldman and Janet Yassen Paul and Marlyn Katz Levenson Ronnie Levin Barry and Caryl Mesch Nahma Nadich and David Belcourt Rabbi Sandy & Masayo Ragins Sandy and Arlene Remz Art and Barbara Skydell Safran Sol Schimmel Jonathan Slavin Murad and Rachelle Taqqu Vivian Troen and Paul Wesel Michael and Serene Victor Rabbi Burt Visotzky Rabbi Moshe and Anne Waldoks Joel Ziff and Liz Rosenzweig (To donate you can use the Fellowship Fund Pledge Form.)