Bracelets raise money for terrorist victims

When sophomore Whitney Bond casually adjusts herself on the Hillel Center couch, her silver bracelet jingles, drawing attention to her wrist.\nBut this bracelet is not a fashion statement; rather, it's a political statement.\nAs the co-president of Jews in Greek Life, Bond is wearing a bracelet inscribed with the name of an Israeli child killed during the violence between the Israelis and Palestinians. JIGL have sold these bracelets since Thanksgiving, as a philanthropy project. Bond says her wrist has been adorned with the bracelet every day since she bought it for three dollars.\n"I feel like I'm honoring the victim and their family, keeping their spirit alive and making sure they're not forgotten," Bond said, her eyes wide with concern. \nShe's not the only one wearing an Israeli victim bracelet -- JIGL has sold out of the 100 bracelets they ordered and are planning on getting more to meet the demand.\nNicole Guzik, the Jewish Campus Service Corps fellow, said she's thrilled with the surprisingly widespread enthusiasm.\n"The response has been so huge, we haven't expected such support. Someone bought 12 and gave them out as Hanukkah gifts," Guzik said. "We've tabled in the (Indiana Memorial) Union but moreso people come to us and ask for them."\nGuzik's round face, framed by blond hair, saddens at the mention of her bracelet, which memorializes a nine-month-old baby. But her expression changes dramatically when she explains why she bought the bracelet in the first place.\n"I've never been prouder -- to be Jewish and to support Israel as an American," Guzik said. "It unites the Jewish community, honors the victims of terror and supports Israel."\nThe bracelets were conceptualized by the Israel Solidarity Fund in September of 2000. Neil Thalheim, founder of the Fund, said since that time they have distributed close to 85,000 bracelets.\n"The funds are benefitting Israeli citizens who are victims of Arab terrorism," Thalheim said. "They're going out to people all over the country who are wearing them as a reminder of people who have been killed, which amounts to 718 as of today."\nGuzik said as far as she knows, IU is the only college involved in the project, though many synagogues across the country have been selling them. Guzik is one of 100 JCSC fellows, and she said she sent an e-mail telling the other fellow about their philanthropy.\n"I think it perked interest, as it supports the fight against terror above all else," Guzik said.\nJunior Mike Miller, co-president of JIGL, said he's eager to be involved in such a specific fundraiser.\n"There are so many different causes benefitting Israel, but with this you know exactly where and to whom the money is going," Miller said. "It puts a face and name on what's happening over there."\nFor more information, or to purchase a bracelet, contact Mike Miller (miwmille@indiana.edu) or Whitney Bond (wsbond@indiana.edu).