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Oct. 13, 2006
Needs of the campaign
CJA chair Craig Diamond on this year's targets.
PETER CAULFIELD
Craig Diamond, chairman of the 2006 Combined Jewish Appeal campaign,
is issuing a challenge to the Greater Vancouver Jewish community.
"We want more people to take part in this year's CJA campaign,"
said Diamond. "A key goal is to receive 300 new pledges in
2006."
Total pledges, both new and old, are expected to set a record this
year. The 2006 target was originally set at $6.8 million, a little
above the $6.4 million mark that was reached in 2005. By the end
of this September, however, the campaign had already raised $4.4
million. "That's more than 14 per cent above the 2005 rate,"
Diamond noted.
The theme of this year's CJA campaign is Live Generously/Together
We Keep the Promise.
"The theme means that we as a community make a commitment to
both the past and to the future," Diamond said. "We make
a promise to our children, to our aging parents and to everybody
in between."
There are two parts to the 2006 CJA campaign: the local, "regular"
campaign and the Israel Emergency campaign (IEC), which raises funds
to help rebuild postwar Israel. By the end of September, $3.4 million
had been raised for the IEC.
"Due to the success of the IEC, all new funds raised over $6.4
million – the amount raised in last year's campaign –
will go toward local needs," said Diamond.
In past campaigns, 65 per cent of the money raised went to fund
local needs and the remaining 35 per cent went to Israel.
On the home front, the CJA campaign supports 27 constituent agencies
of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver.
"[The] campaign helps the economically insecure, provides home
assistance for seniors, supports Jewish education and helps advocate
for our collective Jewish needs," said Diamond.
The IEC is helping to heal and rebuild northern Israel.
"The Israeli home front bore the brunt of missile attacks,"
said Diamond. "Katyusha rockets shattered lives and destroyed
homes, businesses and schools. [Donations] rebuild Jewish lives
and communities."
Diamond, formerly major gifts chairman of the 2006 CJA campaign,
took over in June as chairman from Jeffrey Goldberg, when the latter
was struck suddenly by a serious illness. Since the summer, Goldberg
has made a remarkable recovery and is working on the campaign as
past chairman.
"He's my hero," Diamond said. "He's done a tremendous
job for the campaign in the last couple of years."
When he is not working on the campaign, Diamond is president of
JET Equipment and Tools Ltd., a Burnaby-based national wholesaler
of automotive after-market and industrial supply equipment.
He is married to his "college sweetheart," Carrie Diamond,
who is also heavily involved in the campaign as co-chair of the
Night of 100 Dinners event. The Diamonds have two university-age
daughters: Amanda, who attends the University of Denver, and Allie,
who goes to McGill University.
Getting involved in the local Jewish community was only natural
for Diamond. His grandfather, the well-known and well-respected
Jack Diamond, was an active community leader for many years, generous
in both time and money. His parents, Charles and Isabelle Diamond,
are active in both the Jewish and secular communities.
Diamond himself has been involved in the local Jewish community
for at least 15 years. His involvement includes sitting on the board
of Vancouver Talmud Torah, the Jewish National Fund, the Vancouver
Talmud Torah Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver.
To contribute to the CJA campaign, call 604-257-5100 or visit www.jfgv.com.
Peter Caulfield is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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