U.S. federations back Jerusalem gay center

Jerusalem's Gay and Lesbian Center, which organized last week's controversial gay parade through the streets of the city, receives about $200,000 a year from Jewish federations in the United States.

The organization's budget last year was $600,000, with donations divided almost equally among U.S.-based foundations, American Jewish federations and private donors, said Executive Director Noa Sattath.

The S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation has been funding Sattath's organization for more than five years. Federation officials say the JCF was the first in America to fund the Jerusalem Open House.

This year, the JCF gave $22,500 to the Gay and Lesbian Center.

The JCF of the Greater East Bay does not contribute directly to the center, but does fund overarching Israeli organizations such as the Joint Distribution Committee, which do contribute directly. — jps