Be it resolved that:

Whereas:         After the collapse of the Argentinean economy in late 2001 and the resulting disintegration of its Jewish educational system, JAFI established "BAMA – Beit HaMehanech HaYehudi" (hereinafter: "BAMA"), a center and address for educator training and educational programming for both formal and informal education efforts in the community; and 

Whereas:         JAFI, assisted by a special campaign among North American federations, has been funding BAMA since its inception in the amount of approximately $3.5 million (cumulative); and

Whereas:         JAFI has, in the last few years, sought to engage the local community in a partnership around the educational mission of BAMA in an effort to ensure the stability of the Jewish educational system in Argentina; in addition, to create a partnership around the funding of BAMA projects in order to secure the future of BAMA, with an understanding that the budget of JAFI cannot cover the costs of all of BAMA's activities in the long term; and

Whereas:         JAFI reached an agreement with AMIA – the central organization for the Jewish community of Argentina – regarding partnership in  BAMA projects, and on August 19, 2009, signed a multi-year commitment for a period of 3 years (2010-2012) with AMIA, committing to fund the educational projects emanating from BAMA in the amount of $250,000 per annum until the end of 2012, and AMIA committed to fund the educational projects emanating from BAMA in the amount of $180,000 per annum until the end of 2012;

Whereas:           The Jewish Zionist Education Committee recommends to ratify JAFI's multi-year commitment until the end of 2012 in order to create a partnership around the funding of BAMA projects;

Therefore, be it resolved:

1.     A multi-year budget of $250,000

U.S. annually for the years 2010-2012 is ratified for JAFI's participation in funding the educational projects emanating from BAMA until the end of 2012.

2.     The Finance Department is authorized to incur, on a multi-year basis, financial obligations for implementation of the undertakings of JAFI in accordance with the agreement signed with AMIA regarding BAMA. JAFI will continue its efforts to strengthen BAMA and create additional partnerships.