Radiothon to Aid the Association for Welfare of Soldiers in Israel, JTA, Feb. 4, 1982.

The 1982 “Shirutrom” – Radiothon for the benefit of the educational and recreational projects of the Association for Welfare of Soldiers in Israel will be held this year in three cities — New York, Chicago, Los Angeles — on May 2, it was announced yesterday by Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Natke Nir, chairman of the Association at a news conference here.

Nir told the news conference that support for the Association will enable “us to build 16 of a projected 80 soldiers’ clubs at the new Israel Defense Forces Bases in the Negev as well as extend services to the IDF’s educational program at the Association’s installations.” He added that the educational effort is especially aimed at helping soldiers lacking in basic education.

The Shirutrom-Radiothon broadcasts will celebrate Israel Independence Day and will be held in New York for the second straight year on FM Radio WEVD 97.7 on Sunday, May 2 from 2-11 p.m. In Chicago the Shirutrom-Radiothon will be held for the first time, on WEEF-AM; and in Los Angeles negotiations are now being concluded to air the premiere fund-raising program on a leading FM station. The broadcasts will be conducted in both Hebrew and English.

Aided by the Israel Consulate in each city, each broadcast will be opened by the Consul General and will feature leading show business personalities and community leaders. Volunteers will man batteries of telephones. Highlighted will be popular songs from Israel and recorded interviews and messages with outstanding Israeli and American figures. There will also be up-to-the minute news reports from Israel Radio. The names of donors and amounts will be read on the air.

In charge of the United States Shirutrom-Radiothon 82 is the spokesman of the Association for Welfare of Soldiers in Israel, Hezi Lufban. He announced that veteran television producer and journalist, Raphael Rothstein, has been named as executive producer for the broadcasts.