My name is Craig Dershowitz and I am the President of Artists 4 Israel (www.artists4israel.org). My request to you is timely and made humbly.

In April of this year, we led a historic and important mission to Sderot, the city on the border of Gaza. Sderot has been the victim of over 11,000 terror attacks (www.paintisrael.org) since 2005. As you know, the citizens of Sderot live in constant fear and bomb shelters are ugly but necessary reminders to them of this threat.

As we were quoted in the press, "We can not end the need for bomb shelters, but we could make them more attractive so that the Israeli citizens need not be victimized twice." We brought 6 American graffiti artists and 12 Israeli artists and turned this cold, grey shelters into soaring, artistic masterpieces. We painted messages of hope and support. We showed the people of Sderot that they were not forgotten and we showed the world that, contrary to misinformed, popular opinion, right-minded artists and intelligent Americans stand in solidarity with the people of Israel.

Our efforts were picked up by the Wall Street Journal, CBS, La Repubblica, Google News and every major publication throughout America and Israel. We proved to the world that Israel is a home for the arts.

Today, in a climate far more severe, we have been asked to bring arts home again. The city of Ariel is attempting, this coming November, to open up the Ariel Cultural Arts Center. This building was meant to be the home of theater, concerts and all forms of beauty and creation. But, a small group of Israeli artists decided to "boycott" the Center, putting desecration above creation and stifling dialogue.

The city of Ariel has asked Artists 4 Israel for our help in opening this center. They spoke to the Mayor of Sderot (who has awarded us the key to the city for our efforts) and decided we were the best emissaries to show the world that art can not be stopped, that beauty can not be silenced.

This is a wonderful offer and one that we can not reject. However, the economic reality is that it was not within our operating budget for this year and we need to turn to you to help offset the costs of our mission. All
of the funding we receive go to paying for the simplest necessities ­ airfare, lodging, modest meals and the cost of art supplies. All the artists are working for free ­ happily so.

As Allen Ginsberg said:

"Fortunately art is a community effort ­ a small but select community living in a spiritualized world..."

I ask that you become part of our community. All donations can be made to Artists 4 Israel, 201 E. 66th Street, New York, NY 10065 or via the internet at www.artists4israel.org/donate

With great honor,
Craig Dershowitz
President