IN BRIEF

The Jewish National Fund in Costa Mesa will kick off a 30-day campaign

Monday to jump-start a three-pronged program to increase water supplies

for the people of Israel. The country is currently faced with its most

severe drought since 1951.

Funds raised will be used to build new reservoirs and flood dams for

drinking water; recycle more waste water for agricultural irrigation; and

conduct more research and development using brackish water to grow fish

and vegetables, said Ronald S. Lauder, president of the fund.

Campaign chairman Robert B. Levine will lead a national volunteer

campaign and telethon throughout the month explaining the urgency of the

water crisis.

“Meetings will be conducted in synagogues, community centers and homes so

that American Jewry can help [the fund] meet its budget goal for this

emergency campaign,” said Levine.

For more information, call (714) 957-4540.