Jewish National Fund-USA Drives Bold Comeback for Northern Israel’s Small Businesses
Akko, Israel – April 24, 2025 Jewish National Fund-USA's Small Business Consortium is leading a remarkable resurgence in Israel’s north. — Jewish National Fund-USA's Small Business Consortium is leading a remarkable resurgence in Israel’s north. In the first quarter of 2025, small businesses across the Galilee are coming back to life with renewed energy, buoyed by an improvement in the security situation, strategic support systems, and a wave of solidarity from the organization's 600,000+ passionate supporters.
“The echoes of rocket sirens have quieted, and in their place, we hear the sounds of construction, bustling marketplaces, and tourists rediscovering the treasures of the Galilee,” said Michal Shiloah Galnor, CEO of Western Galilee Now - the organization operating the Small Business Consortium.
The Galilee’s Road to Recovery
With 73 tourism operators now active—up from 64 at the end of 2024—the signs of revival are unmistakable. Many of these entrepreneurs are returning to business thanks to tailored consulting and emergency “First Aid Kits” for tourism operators, co-developed with Jewish National Fund-USA's Lauder Employment Center.
But this comeback isn’t just about business—it’s about hope. “We’re seeing new members join, old ones return, and communities reawaken,” said Shiloah Galnor. “And behind all of this stands Jewish National Fund-USA, whose unwavering support has been the wind beneath our wings.”
Highlights from Q1 2025:
Festivals Return: Events like the Winter Festival and the 11th annual “Zman Yayin” Wine Fair brought nearly 2,250 visitors, with the Winter Festival strategically hosted in central Israel to remind the nation of the Galilee’s enduring charm.
Tourism on the Rise: Western Galilee Now's Tourist Information Center in Old Akko, owned by Jewish National FundUSA, saw a 500% increase in visitors compared to Q1 2024.
Economic Impact: Over ₪724,000 in package sales, including support boxes for soldiers and evacuees, were facilitated by Jewish National Fund-USA’s Mitzvah Marketplace and WGN’s online stores.
Volunteer Missions: In partnership with Jewish National Fund-USA, five volunteer expeditions helped pack and deliver 1,350 care packages to IDF soldiers, combining humanitarian support with economic stimulus for Galilean businesses. The organization has brought over 5,000 volunteers to Israel since November, 2023.
JNF - Building a Stronger Israel
Jewish National Fund-USA continues to rebuild, repair, and rehabilitate Israel's north and south, supporting communities, fostering innovation, and securing a thriving future. Last month was a time of remarkable progress across multiple regions, from the Arava in Israel's south to the Galilee in the country's north.
Empowering Communities & Strengthening Israel’s Security
Arava Regional Council: Jewish National Fund-USA proudly supported the $1 million expansion of the local medical center, ensuring advanced healthcare access In addition, 140 security squad members completed specialized training, and the medical team was honored as the Outstanding Team of 2024 for their heroic war evacuation efforts
Eilot Regional Council: Jewish National Fund-USA is backing the construction of a new Emergency Response Center, bolstering security infrastructure in the region
Mitzpe Ramon: With a population milestone of 6,000 residents, the town continues to flourish, securing 5 million NIS in government funding and planning five new hotel projects
Innovation & Growth in the Negev and Galilee
Global Culinary Institute by JNF: A major milestone was reached with the completion of a new 40-person dormitory, enhancing student housing for Israel’s premier culinary education hub
AICAT (Arava International Center for Agricultural Training): Hosting 650 international agricultural students, reinforcing Israel’s role as a leader in agricultural innovation.
Lauder Employment Center: Generating 1,000 job leads for positions in Israel’s south, attracting 400 applicants for just 10 sought-after jobs at Assuta Medical Center.
AridX – Southern Arava Institute for Desert Innovation: A groundbreaking initiative focused on sustainable desert technology was officially launched.
Bezalel Academy Partnership: Twenty design students are working on solutions for desert innovation, combining creativity and sustainability.
Sports, Education & Community Initiatives
Jewish National Fund-USA Sports Arena: Hosted a memorial basketball tournament, bringing communities together in the spirit of resilience and unity
Ramat HaNegev’s Youth-Led Café: A social enterprise where local youth run a café, gaining entrepreneurship experience Wadi Attir: Partnered with celebrity Chef Haim Cohen to expand culinary and agricultural programming, including the launch of public weekend events and new youth education programs
Horse Riding Therapy Center: In a time of need, therapy sessions for evacuees doubled, with additional services extended to military reservists dealing with PTSD Sustainable Development & Environmental Progress
Eilot Region: Completed a ₪27 million ($7 million) access road and cycling path to Timna Park, enhancing tourism and environmental sustainability The region also hosted a 320-person cycling conference to promote green transportation Ramat HaNegev Agriculture: Producing 80% of Israel’s tomatoes, a testament to Jewish National Fund-USA’s dedication to agricultural advancement
A Vision for the Future
Jewish National Fund-USA’s work in January 2025 underscores its unwavering commitment to building a brighter future for our land and people of Israel. From infrastructure and security to employment and innovation, these achievements underscores the organization's "Circle of Impact," whereby every project has a ripple effect that creates jobs, population growth, and economic growth.
As we look ahead, we remain #PoweredByJNF, dedicated to ensuring Israel’s prosperity, security, and strength.
Israeli Doctors from Save a Child's Heart Deliver
Holiday Miracles to Zambian Children
In the spirit of the season, a team of Israeli doctors recently completed a humanitarian mission to Zambia, bringing hope and healing to 25 children suffering from critical heart conditions The medical mission, a testament to the true meaning of Christmas – compassion, generosity, and the gift of life – successfully performed life-saving heart surgeries on these young patients, offering them a brighter future
"Witnessing these children, who faced imminent danger, receive the gift of life during this joyous season is truly heartwarming," said Dr Lior Sasson, a heart surgeon and key member of the Israeli medical team "This mission embodies the spirit of Holiday Tzedakah –giving back to those in need and spreading joy and hope " Save a Child's Heart (SACH), an Israeli-based international humanitarian organization, completed a life-saving mission in Lusaka, Zambia, last week This mission brought together an international team of medical professionals from Israel, Tanzania, and Zambia to treat 25 children suffering from congenital heart defects. In a groundbreaking collaboration, doctors from Israel's Wolfson Medical Center (WMC), Tanzania's Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), and Zambia's National Heart Hospital (NHH) performed open heart surgery and catheterization procedures at NHH.
Leading the effort were Dr. Godwin Godfrey Sharau of Tanzania and Dr. Mudaniso Kumani Ziwa of Zambia, both trained by Save a Child's Heart in Israel. They worked alongside Tanzanian and Zambian teams, many of whom have also undergone specialized training in Israel through Save a Child's Heart Dr Lior Sasson, Director of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at WMC, observed firsthand the collaboration of two generations of surgeons he trained in Israel over the past 15 years, as they worked together to save the lives of Zambian children
"It is incredibly rewarding to see the doctors we trained in Israel now leading life-saving missions and building sustainable cardiac care programs in their home countries," said Sasson. "The specialized training they received at Wolfson Medical Center has empowered them to perform complex heart surgeries and train others, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond Israel. Witnessing the successful collaboration of these skilled professionals, who were once our trainees and are now leaders in global pediatric cardiac care, fills me with pride and hope for the future of children with heart disease around the world."
Since 2017, Save a Child's Heart has worked closely with Zambia's Ministry of Health to strengthen pediatric cardiac care. This partnership has resulted in the treatment of over 100 Zambian children and the training of medical professionals in advanced cardiac care techniques at Save a Child's Heart in Israel, as well as 10 nurses trained in Tanzania. As of 2024, Save a Child's Heart has sponsored medical teams to facilitate open heart surgery and catheterization procedures based on an international collaboration between Tanzania's JKCI, Italy's Congenital Heart Academy Italy, and Israel's WMC.
"This remarkable achievement underscores the power of international cooperation and the profound impact of medical expertise on the lives of children worldwide," noted Simon Fisher, Executive Director of Save a Child's Heart. "This Christmas, let us remember the spirit of giving and the importance of extending a helping hand to those in need. The Israeli medical mission to Zambia serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact that compassion and medical expertise can have on the lives of children around the world."
