Shorts: U.S.

Chairman of UJC’s national campaign resigns

The chairman of the national fund-raising campaign of the Jewish federation system has resigned, citing frustration with the system’s top lay leader.

David Fisher submitted his resignation in an angry letter addressed to Joe Kanfer, the chairman of the United Jewish Communities.

“I have found trying to lead during your term, frustrating, ineffective, and unfulfilling and candidly, something I believe you were not interested in allowing,” Fisher wrote to Kanfer in a letter dated Feb. 3. “There was the periodic lip-service to my role and contribution, but your resistance to my leadership and true involvement was palpable.”

The resignation comes less than a week before more than 200 leaders of the federation system are set to meet in Palm Beach, Fla., to discuss changes to the UJC and the federation system. — jta

Illinois buys $60 million in Israel Bonds

The state of Illinois has purchased $10 million worth of Israel Bonds.

The Israel Bonds will mature in three years with a 2.43 percent rate of return, compared to U.S. government bonds yielding a 1.51 percent return during the same period, according to Illinois state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.

“This is a good way to safely diversify our portfolio, especially during a time when some of our other investment options aren’t generating as much revenue because of the market fluctuations here in the United States,” Giannoulias said in a statement.

This is not the first purchase of Israel Bonds by Illinois, which started buying foreign government bonds in 2003. — jta