B'Yachad Summer 2018

Summer 2018 B’Yachad: The Newsletter of Jewish National Fund

jnf.org

Together Summer 2018 B’Yachad has the largest circulation of any Jewish-American newsletter.

We hope you enjoy this issue. Send your feedback to newsletter@jnf.org.

- B’Yachad Editorial Staff

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 5

8

16

B’ YACHAD STAFF PUBLISHER

Russell F. Robinson EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Jodi Bodner

Honor Your Legacy

Empowering Women

Israel’s New Wave

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Daniel Peri MANAGING EDITOR

Adam H. Brill ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Marina Brodetsky CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Don Morris ART DIRECTORS

Gaby Garuz Jessica Herschler DIGITAL PRODUCTION

Greg Weber

JEWISH NATIONAL FUND (JNF) began in 1901 as a dream and vision to reestablish a homeland in Israel for Jewish people everywhere. Jews the world over collected coins in iconic JNF Blue Boxes, purchasing land and planting trees until ultimately, their dream of a Jewish homeland was a reality. Today, JNF continues to give all generations a unique voice in building and ensuring the prosperity of the land of Israel through their generosity and partnership with the people of Israel.

JNF strives to bring an enhanced quality of life to all of Israel’s residents, and translate these advancements to the world beyond. JNF is greening the desert with millions of trees, building thousands of parks, creating new communities and cities for generations of Israelis to call home, bolstering Israel’s water supply, helping develop innovative arid-agriculture techniques, and educating both young and old about the founding and importance of Israel and Zionism.

JNF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and United Nations NGO, which continuously earns top ratings from charity overseers. For more information on JNF, call 800.JNF.0099 or visit jnf.org.

We’re Halfway There!

IN 2014, JEWISH NATIONAL FUND launched its revolutionary One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the

Next Decade, a groundbreaking campaign on behalf of our one and only Jewish homeland, Israel. This campaign channels Jewish National Fund’s values for new ventures and calls for investments in a range of initiatives, including community building in Israel’s periphery, engaging the next generation with Israel, heritage preservation, work for individuals with special needs, and so much more.

Four years into this 10-year plan and the response from donors has been nothing short of amazing. I am proud to announce that Jewish National Fund has generated $505 million and is continuing its march toward the $1 billion mark ahead of schedule!

Building infrastructure and communities represents more than 40% of our Roadmap. Since 2014, Jewish National Fund has opened new medical centers in the Central Arava and Halutza, and has helped alleviate Israel’s growing housing crisis by developing more than 800 housing sites throughout the Negev and Galilee thanks to JNF’s Housing Development Fund. It has also been steadily improving the quality of life and infrastructure in the Negev’s development towns, with Be’er Sheva having undergone a revolutionary change and now considered Israel’s fastest growing city—something unimaginable less than a decade ago.

These are just some of Jewish National Fund’s accomplishments in the four short years since the One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade was launched. We have just under six years left with much more to do for the land and people of Israel. Jewish National Fund is building new fire stations and purchasing scores of new fire trucks so our brave first responders are better prepared and equipped. We are building more accessible parks, new buildings, and programs for individuals with disabilities and special needs. The once hidden gems of the Galilee are now there to be explored by all thanks to Jewish National Fund’s new Western Galilee Tourist Information Center in Akko. And of course, water is the essence of life, and Jewish National Fund continues to help mitigate Israel’s long-term drought and is raising funds to build more reservoirs for agricultural needs.

This is all made possible thanks to you—the most passionate and dedicated Zionists in philanthropy today. I, along with Jewish National Fund’s lay leadership and professional staff, look forward to us reaching the finish line ahead of schedule and bringing to fruition all of the plans in the Roadmap for the benefit of the land and people of Israel, and the Jewish people everywhere.

Thank you for all you do,

Jewish National Fund, CEO

The Power of Our Work

Campaign Update

A Message from Our President Dr. Sol Lizerbram

Bruce K. Gould Vice President, Campaign/President-Elect

I’VE BEEN FORTUNATE to enjoy a lot of traveling in my life, but my soul stirs each

THERE ARE MANY quotes attributed

time I arrive in Israel. As I walk through Ben Gurion International Airport, I take pride in what our people have built. After all, 70 years ago there was not much there; certainly no modern airfield or major infrastructure and hardly any water supply. It is thanks to you—our Jewish National Fund stakeholders— that Israel ranks as ‘very highly developed’ on the Human Development Index, and as an equal among the world’s modern countries.

Jewish tradition is based on our shared rich history, the cultural mosaic of our people, the intrinsic values we hold dear, and the rejoicing of calling Israel home after so many centuries in exile. Our story is an ongoing one, especially as we continue to work to better the land and people of Israel. In this issue of B’Yachad, we delve into Israel’s past, present, and future. Your eyes will undoubtedly fill with tears when reading of the harrowing courage and persistence of our people as they made their way to British Mandate Palestine and the Atlit Detention Camp. Created during the days of “illegal” Jewish immigration, Jewish National Fund today supports this important heritage site so that our people do not forget the road they took in the aftermath of the Holocaust, and the sacrifices they made to become the new ‘Israelis.’

Seventy years ago, Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, proclaimed Israel’s independence, and his vision—like that of today’s Jewish National Fund leadership—focused on the Negev as the future. Working with myriad partners and dynamic mayors across Southern Israel, we are founding new communities to embrace all backgrounds and beliefs. It is incredible to watch these populations—representing all age groups—help grow neighborhoods and towns. That is the power of our work, and the promise of adding 500,000 new residents, in line with our Blueprint Negev plan.

Since I took office, many of you have written me and shared your positive thoughts on B’Yachad and delight in reading the stories we report. I am very happy that you find these articles of interest, and I thank you for helping the work we spotlight.

Now, I ask you to take your support to a different level and come see for yourself what we are doing at Jewish National Fund for the land and people of Israel. In this special year, as we celebrate Israel@70, there is no better moment to commit to going to Israel on one of Jewish National Fund’s many tours. Or, sign up on jnf.org/bustour to take a day trip with us to the south, and witness how we are making Ben Gurion’s dream come true (see page 7 for details). It’s always a good time to go to Israel. Remember the family and come home for a visit, and I hope that you, like me, sense your soul stir upon your arrival to your eternal homeland, our beloved Israel.

to David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, but one in particularly continues to resonate with me: “If an expert says it can’t be done, get another expert.” Jewish National Fund’s role in developing the land of Israel is about making the impossible, possible.

In this issue of B’Yachad, coming on the heels of celebrating Israel’s 70th anniversary, we look at the country’s past, present, and promising future. Looking back, one can’t help but marvel at the achievement of developing a modern state out of barren soil. Against all odds and the naysayers who said it couldn’t be done, Jewish National Fund—with support from our donors—turned malaria-infested swamplands into rich agricultural soil, transformed a rock-strewn landscape into a canopy of green, brought water to the once barren desert, and helped build modern cities and laid the foundation for what is today a first-world state. Ben Gurion was a doer and had little patience for those who said, “it can’t be done.” Jewish National Fund runs on that same philosophy.

Today, with a modern and secure state achieved, Jewish National Fund is developing the sparsely populated Negev and Galilee, which collectively make up 75% of Israel’s landmass. Jewish National Fund and its partners are developing infrastructure to improve quality of life throughout the north and south so Israelis have options to live and work outside of the congested and expensive center of the country. When Israelis from Tel Aviv can consider moving to places like Mitzpe Ramon— an hour south of Be’er Sheva—just as much as someone from Chicago or Boston, tired of the long winter season, can choose to move to Florida or Arizona, then we will have achieved a great victory. Our donors’ partnership with Jewish National Fund is making this a reality. One only need look at the new communities popping up in the Negev, or witness the revitalization of development towns like Yerucham, Arad, or Ofakim in the south. It is happening because of donors like you. Because of doers like you. Donor support of Jewish National Fund and its vital work also means that you are an investor and a partner, and you enable Jewish National Fund to make the impossible, possible.

Can you imagine what Ben Gurion’s reaction would be if he came back for a brief visit and drove Israel’s modern highway system from north to south? I gather he’d say, “So, you must have gotten another expert!”

You can always reach me at slizerbram@jnf.org.

To get involved, contact Bruce K. Gould at bgould@jnf.org.

Jewish National Fund

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Water Update

Campaign All-Star

The Essence of Life

By Doron Markel

Robert Cohan A Rock ‘n’ Roll Legend and Dedicated Leader

LAKE KINNERET, also known as the Sea of Galilee, is the only freshwater lake in Israel. It played an integral part in Israel’s pre-state years and continues to do so today: in 1932 it was dammed to produce electricity, it has been a major water resource—supplying 20-25% of the country’s potable water— since the construction of the National Water Carrier (NWC) in 1964, sustains commercial fishery, provides recreational activities, and is also home to some of Christianity’s holiest sites.

However, in the last 40 years the Kinneret has been shrinking. It went from an average new inflow of 500 million cubic meters per year (MCM/y) in the 1970s to 300 MCM/y since the 2000s. The drop is primarily due to regional climate change and long-term decreases in precipitation in Northern Israel, resulting in increased variability in water level fluctuations and progressive deterioration of water quality. If conditions continue, net inflows will decrease to 200-250 MCM/y by 2050, causing an increase in water salinity and the formation of cyanobacteria blooms.

And there’s something else to consider: In accordance with the 1994 peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, Israel is obligated to supply 50 MCM/y of water from the Kinneret to Jordan, and a recent agreement between the two countries will increase the supply provided to 100 MCM/y.

Fortunately, the public’s water supply is secured thanks to the construction of desalination plants in the last decade, helping reduce demands from the Kinneret. However, Israel has been in severe drought for five consecutive years, resulting in dangerously low water levels that are currently at half a meter below the “Lower Red Line.”

The drought has also led to cuts in water allocations for agriculture. A strategic plan is needed to increase the water supply in the Kinneret basin to preserve the Kinneret on one hand, while securing the future of agriculture on the other. Israel’s Water Authority has implemented a plan that includes the removal of saline inflows, pollution prevention in the watershed, fishery management, and increasing water levels in the basin.

Since the 1980s, Jewish National Fund has built over 250 reservoirs across Israel, each storing recycled and runoff water for agricultural use. To further help mitigate the current water crisis facing Israel’s agricultural industry, building an additional 90 new water reservoirs will not only help alleviate pressure from freshwater sources, it will also save an additional 80 to 100 MCM/y of freshwater and provide a lifeline for Israel’s agricultural needs.

This new endeavor can be accomplished within a decade and will complement the many other initiatives in place to bolster water supplies throughout Israel.

Israel’s early pioneers knew that the future state would be one with few natural water resources. Through ingenuity and innovation, like water recycling, reservoirs, desalination plants, drip irrigation, and more, Israel has provided its citizens with drinking and agricultural water and made the land flourish. Today it is our responsibility to make sure that this drought will not destroy the Kinneret, our crops, and the economy. We must ensure that our precious water resource—the Kinneret—will continue to provide a rich supply of high quality water while developing more agricultural water sources all over Israel.

Doron Markel is the Head of Monitoring and Management of Lake Kinneret and its Watershed at the Israel Water Authority. To learn more about JNF’s National Water Task Force, contact Talia Tzour Avner at ttzour@jnf.org.

FOR NEARLY TWO decades, there’s been an unknown

Rock ‘n’ Roll legend hidden amidst our Jewish National Fund family. If you still have an unopened copy of “Calm Before …” by The Rising Storm, a popular 60s garage band, somewhere in your closet, you’re in possession of a highly coveted item for garage band record collectors.

Robert Cohan, a dedicated Jewish National Fund leader and talented lawyer, plays the part of rock star a few times each year when he gets together with his Phillips Academy bandmates—The Rising Storm.

The Robert we know is also an active lay leader, was Boston Board President and a Breakfast Chair, serves on the New England Board of Directors and the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI-JNF) National Development Committee, and is a proud member of the Herzl Society. In 2013, he received Jewish National Fund’s Guardian of Israel award in recognition of his commitment to Israel and JNF’s vital work.

“Robert’s leadership has shown the brightest on our national stage,” said Sara Hefez, Executive Director of New England and the Capital District. “He leads by example and goes out every campaign year urging the community to give to Jewish National Fund projects he holds dear. He has a way of seeing a big idea, putting it into play, and getting everyone involved.”

“We can always count on Robert to be there as a partner and friend,” said Diane Scar, JNF National Campaign Director. “As our National General Campaign Co-Chair, he makes a true impact each day driving our fundraising forward, both locally and nationally.”

A successful litigator with the firm of Cohan Rasnick Myerson Plaut LLP in Boston, Robert is married to Dr. Phuli Cohan—an integrative medical physician and the author of The Natural Hormone Makeover—and together they have six children.

Robert and Phuli first visited Israel in 2008 on Jewish National Fund’s 60th Anniversary Mission, and have traveled back numerous times since. In 2016, they lived in Israel for the year, during which time their youngest child attended Jewish National Fund’s Alexander Muss High School in Israel, where they saw firsthand the incredible impact the school and its unique curriculum makes on a student’s life.

“Robert strongly supports JNF’s work and our vision by investing his time, talent, and passion,” added Scar. “He is a true member of the JNF family, and it is his unwavering passion and commitment to strengthening Israel for the future that makes him a Campaign All-Star.”

Plant trees in Israel in memory of a loved one Plant trees in Israel now at jnf.org/trees 800.542.TREE (8733)

PLANNED GIVING

Philanthropic Investments with IRA Rollovers and Donor Advised Funds

By Matt Bernstein, CFP, JNF Chief Planned Giving Officer Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Lowering tax rates for some and doubling of the standard deduction to $12,000 for single taxpayers and $24,000 for married couples are a few of the effects of the law. It also significantly reduces the number of people who might otherwise itemize their taxes, and many Jewish National Fund supporters will be unable to use their charitable deduction. But all is not lost. There are two terrific opportunities for tax-smart giving donors to consider: Using your IRA to take advantage of tax-free distributions and Jewish National Fund’s Donor Advised Fund.

LAST DECEMBER,

IRA Rollover

For years, enormous funds have been placed into retirement accounts. Now the tax bill from those years of deferred taxes is coming due for many donors, because, at age 70 ½, the IRS requires us to take distributions

from these accounts. This forced withdrawal is called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

For many JNF donors this has become an imposition as increased taxes on income that may not be needed.

This extra revenue may push some donors into higher tax brackets and may also cause a tax on social security payments. IRA distributions are top margin income and there are few deductions you can use to offset this “bonus.”

Luckily, there is now a solution. The IRS will allow up to a $100,000 tax-free gift for 2018 from an IRA to JNF. The benefit to donors is the gift can be used to satisfy the RMD and is 100% TAX-FREE. It is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

Claiming your QCD is a simple process: You must be 70 ½ years old or older; IRA transfers must go directly to Jewish National Fund to ensure the tax-free nature of the contribution; the gift cannot exceed $100,000 in 2018 per individual; it must be completed

by December 31, 2018 to count for 2018; the gift must be an outright gift and cannot be used for a Donor

Advised Fund or any income producing Planned Gifts.

A gift from an IRA can be applied to existing pledges, and will qualify you to become a member of one of Jewish National Fund’s prestigious lifetime giving societies.

Donor Advised Fund

Our Donor Advised Fund is another smart way to manage your philanthropy. It is a personal fund through which you can grow your assets tax-free, conveniently direct grants to Jewish National Fund and other charities, and pass on your philanthropic values.

For a minimum of $10,000, a Donor Advised Fund allows your money to be invested, and as it grows you don’t pay any taxes, and JNF doesn’t charge any overhead expenses. A portion of each fund must be earmarked for JNF projects in Israel—ensuring your legacy continues on in the Jewish homeland.

For more information, please contact Matt Bernstein at 800.562.7526 or visit jnflegacy.org.

How Will Your Legacy Be Honored?

ALICE J. TEVELSON

and Marchel Charles Tevelson, of La Mesa, CA, shared a great love for each other and the life they created together. Married in 1957, Alice gave up her teaching career to become a Navy wife. Charlie, as he was known to his family, was a graduate of Temple University and a decorated commander in the U.S. Navy, serving in World War II and Vietnam. Charlie served in the U.S. maritime and naval forces on active duty and as a civilian for a total of 54 years. In 1972, while on active duty and having completed several decorated combat tours, Charlie became Director of the Navy’s worldwide humanitarian mission, Project Handclasp. He held this position as both an active duty Commander and Civilian Director until 2006.

During his career, Charlie was awarded the U.S. Legion of Merit Medal recognizing his warfare and humanitarian contributions, as well as the Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal in recognition of his 34 years of service as Project Handclasp Director. He received letters of recognition and thanks from U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush for his work. Ever at his side and through it all was his partner and bride, Alice.

Charlie’s parents, Theodore R. Tevelson and Edythe Florence Tevelson (nee Binder), were devout Jews who kept a kosher home and made Judaism a focal point in their lives. In his teenage years, Charlie was a counselor at Camp Sholom, located in Collegeville, PA, and had his Bar Mitzvah at the conservative Har Zion Temple in Philadelphia.

Alice and Charlie were very charitable, and in discussing their giving plans, made it known that after their passing a donation was to be made to honor Charlie’s parents at Jewish National Fund’s American Independence Park in Jerusalem—a living symbol of the enduring partnership between Israelis and American Jews. The Tevelsons also felt it was important to support Israel and the Jewish community, and to ensure the development of the land of Israel. Alice named Jewish National Fund as one of the beneficiaries of her IRA, in addition to the Shriner’s Hospital in memory of her parents.

Charlie passed away in 2015 at the age of 88. He will be honored with a plaque at the Wall of Honor at Ammunition Hill as a tribute to his military service and courage. Ammunition Hill was chosen as the location for the Wall of Honor because of a famous battle waged there by the Israel Defense Forces during the 1967 Six-Day War. The Israeli victory at the strategic hilltop led to the capture of the Old City and the reunification of a Jewish Jerusalem, making this site all the more appropriate to honor Charlie for his years of heroism, bravery, and service to his country and people.

Take advantage of the last great tax break with your Charitable IRA Rollover Support Jewish National Fund in a simple and easy way If you are 70 ½ or older, you can rollover up to $100,000 from your IRA to JNF. ··To qualify, transfer must go directly from your IRA to JNF ··Gifts made from your IRA (up to $100,000 per year) are not reportable as taxable income ··The gift must be an outright gift, but can be used to satisfy existing pledges ··The gift will qualify for your required minimum distribution

Contact our Planned Giving Specialists today at 800.562.7526 or visit jnflegacy.org to learn more!

Planned Giving

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FOOD & WINE

Yehelim Boutique Hotel Serving Breakfast with a View in Arad

OVERLOOKING THE BEAUTIFUL open desert and the majestic Dead Sea sits Yehelim. This family-run boutique hotel is a getaway destination in the Southern Israeli town of Arad.

Yehelim’s owners, Gali and Gili Sofer, take pride in their establishment’s location for the stunning natural views, activities, and relaxation it offers the increasing number of foreign and domestic tourists.

Developed in the 1960s, Arad is Israel’s first planned desert city just west of the Dead Sea, and bordering

the Eastern Negev and Judean deserts. Once known as a sleepy desert town, Arad, along with many of Israel’s other desert cities, is experiencing a reawakening. Its magical qualities are now being openly celebrated once more for its natural beauty, hiking trails, agricultural possibilities, and potential for tourism. The city’s location is just minutes from some of Israel’s biggest attractions: Ein Gedi on the shores of the Dead Sea and the ancient Masada fortress.

The boutique hotel boasts 12 exquisitely decorated suites with balconies taking in sweeping multicolored desert vistas. Guests can relax and take in the breathtaking views while enjoying the hotel’s extensive Israeli breakfast spread. Mornings at Yehelim are a celebration of Israeli modern life in a desert blooming with agricultural fields, greenhouses, boutique cheese farms, and warm hospitality. The seasonal menu includes fresh-squeezed fruit juice, salads, savory dips, jams, olives, freshly baked breads, as well as local cheeses, yogurts, and eggs.

Looking for a refreshing summer salad with a sweet twist? Check out the recipe below for Yehelim’s signature tasty strawberry and mixed green salad.

For more information on Yehelim Boutique Hotel, please visit yehelim.com/en.

"Mornings at Yehelim are a celebration of Israeli modern life..."

Gali and Gili Sofer’s Strawberry and Mixed Green Salad Serves 4-5 INGREDIENTS FOR SALAD:

· 6 cups mix of washed baby greens or fresh baby spinach · 2 cups of fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered (other fresh berries may be substituted) · 4 oz. crumbled blue cheese (such as Roquefort) or goat cheese (such as Sainte-Maure) · 1/2 cup pecans, lightly toasted and chopped INGREDIENTS FOR DRESSING:

· · · · · ·

2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar 1 Tsp. Dijon mustard 1 Tsp. maple syrup or honey 1/4 Tsp. table salt (optional) 1/4 Tsp. ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

· In a large bowl, place washed greens, strawberries, cheese, and nuts. · Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until dressing is combined. · Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss lightly to coat. Serve immediately.

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Food & Wine

TRAVEL & TOURS

Come See a New Israel Join Jewish National Fund’s weekly bus tour and see how Southern Israel and the Negev are becoming a modern-day paradise.

Be’er Sheva

Ayalon Institute

Visit the Negev’s capital and explore the expansive Be’er Sheva River Park, located in the heart of the fastest growing city in Israel. Walk along the scenic promenade, enjoy live music at the country’s largest outdoor amphitheater, and more.

Go back in time with a visit to this secret underground bullet factory that produced much-needed ammunition to Jewish underground fighters, and played a major role in the establishment of the State of Israel.

Sderot Indoor Recreation Center

Nir Am Reservoir

See how this one-of-a-kind fortified recreation center changed the lives of local residents and youth of Sderot—a city located less than a mile from Gaza.

Learn how Israel is paving the way for global water solutions with a visit to one of the biggest water reservoirs in the Negev Desert.

Jewish National Fund’s weekly bus tour departs every Wednesday at 7:45 am from the HaTurim light rail station (206 Yafo St.), and returns to Jerusalem by 5:00 pm. Lunch is included.

Register at jnf.org/bustour

Learn More About JNF’s Travel Opportunities 877.563.8687 • travel@jnf.org • jnf.org/travel Travel & Tours

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WOMEN FOR ISRAEL

Empowering Women to Achieve Their Dreams Women Helping Women Thrive

By Toni Dusik her family van on the roadside in Bedouin society is traditionally I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY challenging and painful moments Shula Giladi the hopes of attracting tourists. But patriarchal, so you can imagine how in my life, but they have made me the woman I am remaining hopeful and determined surprising and eye-opening it was today. Twice widowed—once at 49 and then at 57—each to succeed, she began hosting to meet a Bedouin woman who had time I picked myself up, and took charge of my life. Each visitors and tourists inside her set her mind to become what she time, after conquering sorrow and new challenges, I felt home and, eventually, the business wanted and followed her dreams. stronger and more able. began to take off.

“If I can be highly educated and Fourteen years later, and I have learned the power of Shula’s business is thriving even become a CEO at age 28, Bedouin owning one’s choices in life. I have always believed that more since she joined Western Galilee women can be whatever they want women can do anything, and my experiences taught Now (WGN), a consortium of 43 small to be,” she said to me. What a me that women are capable of making and owning businesses, boutiques, wineries, and powerful and true statement! With important decisions. tourist providers supported by Jewish Lina at the helm, and support from The best decision I ever made in philanthropic giving National Fund. What’s more is that Jewish National Fund and WFI, Wadi was joining my local Jewish National Fund Scottsdale most of WGN’s businesses are either Attir now has 30 employees, 50% of Board over 10 years ago. Since that first step I have held owned or run by women. whom are women. various positions, but I am most proud of joining the Whether it’s stepping out of The impact Jewish National Fund National Executive Board of Jewish National Fund’s Photo Credit: Anatoly Michaelo traditional roles to pursue a dream and Women for Israel have on the lives Women for Israel (WFI). I am honored to be part of a or following through to achieve it, women can do of Israeli women is evident everywhere in Israel. In the group of dynamic women who band together to support anything, and Women for Israel members are there Western Galilee, I saw the determination and successes a the land and people of Israel in so many important and to support them. woman can achieve in Shula Giladi. meaningful ways.

Toni Dusik and Lina Alatawna I had the privilege of chairing the Queen of Sheba: Shula lives in the small village One way WFI is helping the people Women for Israel Tour, a women-only tour that of Shtula, located on the Israeliof Israel—Israeli women in particular— experiences Israel through women’s eyes. I saw how Lebanese border, and dreamt of is through its support of Israel’s Negev women have taken the lead in bettering the land of Israel starting her own business selling and Galilee. On my last visit to Israel, for all its people. Join us November 8 – 14, 2018 on our homemade Jewish Kurdish food.

I was astonished to see how many next Queen of Sheba trip, and experience the power of Like many small business owners, women are positively affected by women for yourself. There’s always room for you. Join she struggled to get her business initiatives backed by Jewish National me and Women for Israel, and make your voice heard. off the ground and make a living Fund and supported by women. wage for herself and her family.

At Project Wadi Attir, a Jewish Toni Dusik lives in Scottsdale, AZ, serves on Women for Israel’s Shula told me that the most difficult National Fund partner working National Executive Board, is Assistant Vice President of JNF’s period in launching her business was with the local Bedouin community, Israel Relations Committee, and is Co-Chairing the 2018 National when she had to sell her delicious I met 28-year-old Lina Alatawna, Conference. To get involved in WFI or to join Queen of Sheba, homemade food from the back of Wadi Attir’s new CEO of Operations. contact Sharon David at sdavid@jnf.org or call 212.879.9305 x242.

Jewish National Fund

Queen of Sheba: Women for Israel Tour Embark as friends. Leave as sisters.

Join this memorable experience to Israel for women only.

November 8 - 14, 2018 REGIS TER TODAY

jnf.org/queenofsheba18 ∙ sdavid@jnf.org ∙ 212.879.930 x242

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Women for Israel

JNFUTURE

Investing in Leadership Development JNFuture Leadership Institute Seminar is cultivating tomorrow’s leaders today

By Chad Holtzman NOT EVERYONE IS born

a leader. For the past 11 years, however, Jewish National Fund has proven that leaders and leadership can be cultivated. It is most evident among our young professionals who, when given the proper tools, care, and empowerment, have evolved into a strong, ever-growing, unified, and forwardthinking JNFuture.

JNFuture provides young adults and professionals (ages 22-40) unparalleled access to leadership building programming and seminars while supporting Israel with like-minded peers through Jewish National Fund.

Today, JNFuture is Jewish National Fund’s fastest growing donor group, with 20 chapters and over 1,000 members nation-wide, each with the goal of growing tomorrow’s leaders.

I knew that I, as a young professional and a strong supporter of Israel, wanted to be part of JNFuture when I was asked to join the newly formed JNFuture Philadelphia Board. It was during my visit to Israel on the JNFuture Leadership Institute Mission ( JLIM) and seeing firsthand all that Jewish National Fund does every day, when I knew that I wanted to do more than donate. I wanted to become a leader, and the JNFuture Leadership Institute Summit ( JLIS) was the key.

Now in its third year, JLIS is a series of leadership training seminars and workshops available to JNFuture national board and chapter chairs, JNFuture major donors, and JLIM alumni. It provides opportunities to discuss Jewish National Fund and Israel with likeminded individuals, as well as coaching on how to mesh well with different personalities—an important tool for any leader.

JLIS programming coincides with Jewish National Fund’s Major Donor Weekend in Phoenix, where our group meets with seasoned major donors and learns the importance of clear and timely communication, best practices on donor engagement, and improving public speaking skills.

Developing the next cadre of leaders is an important investment in the continued security and support of the land and people of Israel. There is no other organization providing young adults and professionals with the opportunities and freedom to learn and grow into the leaders they want to be more so than Jewish National Fund. JNFuture is actively creating the future leaders of our nation’s secular and Jewish communities.

"There is no other organization providing young adults and professionals with the opportunities and freedom to learn and grow into the leaders they want to be more so than Jewish National Fund."

On a personal level, the tools I have gained from JLIS have allowed me to also excel professionally.

Any program that teaches strategizing skills and public speaking in front of peers or a boardroom will have a positive effect, and for that I am grateful for the opportunities JLIS and JNFuture have provided.

As JNFuture continues to grow, I am proud to serve as the first JNFuture National Vice Chair of Leadership Development with the intention of creating strategic national leadership development opportunities, including increased support of local chapters as they implement leadership development programs, as well as annual board retreats to provide leadership skills to committed JNFuture members seeking to grow as leaders.

If JNFuture had a stepladder toward leadership, JLIS would be a stepping stone towards being named to Jewish National Fund’s National Board. That responsibility requires practice in leadership, savvy decision-making

skills, and insight into how to further Jewish National Fund’s development of the Jewish homeland.

Many millennials only know of a strong Israel—one that has always been secure and well-defended. But the land and people of Israel continue to need our support, and it is through JNFuture and the JNFuture Leadership Institute Seminar that we can grow, nurture, and develop countless leaders to carry on Jewish National Fund’s work for the land of Israel.

Meet peers, network, and learn more about how you can improve your leadership skills with JNFuture and Jewish National Fund at the JNFuture Conference Summit at National Conference this November.

Register at jnf.org/nc.

Chad Holtzman is the JNFuture National Vice Chair for Leadership Development and Chair of JNFuture Philadelphia. To learn more about joining JNFuture, please contact Anne Tishkoff at atishkoff@ jnf.org or 212.879.9305 x297.

2018 JLIS participants at the Major Donor Weekend JNFuture

B'Yachad

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JEWISH NATIONAL FUND

ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR INFO ON UPCOMING JNF EVENTS, VISIT JNF.ORG AND CLICK ON “JNF IN YOUR AREA”

SOUTHERN

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(L-R) Harvey, Ann, and Marianne Tettlebaum on the Arkansas Community Mission in Israel.

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(L-R) Kathy Bauman, Judith Weisblatt, and Ellen Lowitz on the Mount of Olives in Israel with the Arkansas Community Mission.

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(L-R) Maya Resnick, Lisa Klein, Shiraz Ostroff, Val Burda, and Rachel Hochberg at the Tu BiShvat Community Celebration in Chicago.

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(L-R) Bruce Weininger, Chicago Board Member Jill Weininger, guest speaker Alon Ben-Gurion, Judy Rosen, and Rabbi Sydney Helbraun at the Temple Beth El Breakfast in Chicago.

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(L-R) Eve Pearl, Erica Messer, and Nancy Messer at the Women for Israel (WFI) Tu BiShvat Seder in Cincinnati.

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(L-R) Lisa Braverman and Aimee Guttman at the WFI Tu BiShvat Seder in Cincinnati.

MID-ATLANTIC

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(L-R) JNF Audit Committee Vice Chair and Chicago Board Member Ted Banks, Chicago Board President Deb Lust Zaluda, Cheryl Banks, Michal Shiloah, and Chicago Board Member Dan Cohan at a Go North parlor meeting in Chicago.

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(L-R) Event Committee Members Rotem Greiniman, Cindy Loon, Shari Huidt, Ruth Greenberg, and Idit Moss at the WFI Tu BiShvat Seder in Cincinnati.

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Northern Ohio Board Member Tanya Bodzin’s daughter, Isabella, has her arm painted at the Tu BiShvat celebration in Cleveland.

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(L-R) Owen Harrison, Erik Hillesheim, Stan Baratz, and Carter Blankenship at a Caravan for Democracy Student Leadership Mission to Israel breakfast in Minneapolis.

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(L-R) Jill Winger, Cayce Kitts, and Zoe Winger volunteer at the Tu BiShvat celebration 1. (L-R) JNF National Campaign Director Diane Scar and Susan Manekin at a in Cleveland.

Women for Israel (WFI) event in Baltimore.

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(L-R) Event Co-Chairs Penny Greenberger, Tamar Brosse, Loren Frieder, and Lori Raichilson at the WFI Game Day in Cleveland.

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Western Pennsylvania Board Member Julie Paris and JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson at the Beyond the Trees event in Pittsburgh.

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(L-R) Bonnie Jacobson, Wisconsin Board of Trustees Member Aura Hirschman, and Susan Warren at a WFI Purim reception in Milwaukee.

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(L-R) Guest speaker Joan Nathan and Gail Kushner at a WFI event in Baltimore.

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Dr. Chet and Rita Stein at a dedication ceremony for each of their fathers at the Wall of Honor at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem.

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Dr. Larry and Naomi Amsterdam at a parlor meeting in Bethesda.

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(L-R) JNF National Campaign Director Diane Scar with Baltimore Board President Orly Shalem at a parlor meeting in Baltimore.

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(L-R) David Schwaber and Arava Institute Executive Director David Lehrer at a meeting in Baltimore.

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JNF-LOTEM Liaison Gaylee Schiff in Israel with Washington, D.C. Board President and Task Force on Disabilities Chairman Gary Kushner.

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(L-R) Judi Elovitz-Greenberg, Paul Gershkowitz, and Russ Stein at the Breakfast for Israel in Newton.

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(L-R) Riki Fine and Lisa Joseph at the Breakfast for Israel in Newton.

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David Beckman and JNF Campaign Executive Rina Wagman at the Breakfast for Israel in Newton.

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(L-R) Kacie Saxer-Taulbee (Yale), Vivian Fernandez (Harvard), and Catherine Zhang (Harvard) visit JNF’s Indoor Recreation Center in Sderot during JNF’s Caravan for Democracy Student Leadership Mission.

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(L-R) Jayne Klein presents Baltimore Board President Orly Shalem with a thank you gift for hosting a parlor meeting in Baltimore.

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(L-R) Andy Klein is presented with a plaque of his B’Yachad “Campaign All-Star” feature by Director of JNF’s Task Force on Disabilities Yossi Kahana at a parlor meeting in Baltimore.

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(L-R) Kampelman Lawyers for Israel (LFI) host Russell Smith and guest speaker Joe Hyams at an LFI forum in Washington, D.C.

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(L-R) Bill Rosenbluth presents the final check for his family’s fire truck donation with Baruch Fellner and JNF Mid-Atlantic Executive Director Stuart Diamant-Cohen at a Washington, D.C. Board Meeting.

(L-R) Stuart Weissman, AMHSI-JNF Director of Admissions Dana Gerbie Klein, Harriet Merkowitz, AMHSI alum Gillian Weissman, Rina Wagman, Leon and Alexis Davidoff, and Campus Fellow Becky Davidoff at a breakfast in Manchester.

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(L-R) Arad Task Force Member Russell Silberglied, Arad Mayor Nisan Ben-Hamo, and Delaware Board President Joel Friedlander in Arad, Israel.

(L-R) JNFuture New England Board Members Lisa Shakun, Len Aronson, and Liz Harris at the JNFuture Leadership Institute Summit in Phoenix.

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(L-R) Aly Robinson, JNFuture Campaign Executive Gali Gordon, Laura Milmed, and Carly Lubert at a JNFuture pop-up brunch in Boston.

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(L-R) 2017 Massachusetts AMHSI-JNF Impact Fellows Jessica Giordano, Jacob Berger, Netta Shpinner, and Ruby Russell at Alexander Muss High School in Israel.

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(L-R) Professors Mary O’Keefe (Providence College) and Samantha Meenach (University of Rhode Island) in the Negev during the Faculty Fellowship Program in Israel.

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(L-R back row) JNFuture New England Board Members Lisa Shakun, Brandon Pinsker, and Jonathan Epstein. (L-R front row) Gali Gordon, Liz Harris, Eli Orkin, and Leonard Aronson at a Board Retreat in Boston.

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(L-R) Evelyn and Michael Miller, Sarah Fishman, David and Carol Greenfield, and future JNF Shlicha to New England Dar Nadler on JNF’s Israel H20 Water Tour.

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(L-R) Brett Rhyne, Jeffrey Woolf, and Richard Goren at the Breakfast for Israel in Newton.

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(L-R) Sarah Klibanoff, Mindy Schall, Jessica Wise at a Women for Israel (WFI) cooking event in Livingston.

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(L-R) JNFuture NJ Social Media Chair Rachel Cohen with Michael and Alyson Chananie, JNF Central NJ Senior Campaign Executive Anna Richlin, and Central NJ Board Member Event Co-Chair Allison Nagelberg at the Breakfast for Israel in North Brunswick.

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(L-R) Central NJ Board Member Alyssa Russo with Alyssa Sutton and guest speaker Susie Fishbein at a WFI cooking event in Livingston.

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(L-R back row) JNF Eastern PA and Southern NJ Executive Director Marina Furman and Tanya Kramer. (L-R front row) Terry Katz, Jackie Danilewitz, and Debbie Stein at a WFI dinner event at Zahav with Chef Michael Solomonov in Philadelphia.

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(L-R) JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson with Val and Jason Dabow at JNFuture’s Conversations with the CEO event in Philadelphia.

Across the Country

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GREATER NEW YORK

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(L-R) Tracy Pollock, Terry Katz, guest speaker Amy Miller, Marina Furman, Lori Dabrow, JNF Philadelphia Campaign Executive Samantha van Adelsberg, and Ellen Holtzman at a WFI Meditation, Mindfulness and Making Life Meaningful event in Philadelphia.

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(L-R) Gaby Abramson, Michelle Marowitz, guest speaker Chloe Valdary, Sharon Van Bezooyen, Meredith Small, and Anastasia Khizenko at WFI’s Let’s Shake it Up with Chloe at Betsy Fischer’s Groove Lounge in Voorhees.

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(L-R) Rabbi Steven Lindemann, Cantor Jen Cohen, Mark Kramer, 1. Henri Bengualid and his family at Neot Kedumim in Israel.

JNF-LOTEM Liaison Gaylee Schif, Steve Ravitz, and Rabbi Micah Peltz 2. (L-R back row) Jerry Rosen, JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson, and Bob Levine. (L-R front row) Janice Rosen and Helen at JNF’s Beer Cheese and (More Than) Trees event at Temple Beth Levine at the 50th Annual Teaneck Reception at Congregation Beth Sholom in Teaneck.

Shalom in Cherry Hill.

3. (L-R) JNF Northern NJ Director Jocelyn Inglis, Northern NJ Board President Bruce Pomerantz, and Buzzy Green at 9. Helene Blumenfeld addressing WFI’s Let’s Shake it Up with Chloe the 50th Annual Teaneck Reception at Congregation Beth Sholom in Teaneck. attendees at Betsy Fischer’s Groove Lounge in Voorhees.

4. (L-R) Drew Fabrikant, JNF Chairman of the Board Jeffrey E. Levine, Jessica Levine Sherman, and Zach Ehrlich at a briefing on business and philanthropy at the Ronald S. Lauder JNF House in NYC. 8.

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(L-R) Debbie Rothschild, JNF Westchester & Southern CT Director Stephanie Risa Balkin, Rachel Lizerbram Sandler, Lisa Schneider, and Loren Kabakov at the 5th Annual Water & Wine Reception at the Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale.

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JNF’s Women’s Invitational Mission visit the Atlit Detention Camp in Israel.

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(L-R) JNF NYC Senior Campaign Executive Sarah Azizi, David Hochberg, Charles Gallo, and JNF Greater NY Executive Director Michael Feinman at the launch of Amar’e Stoudemire’s wine at the Ronald S. Lauder JNF House in NYC.

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New York City Board and Housing Fund Task Force Member Arthur Adler and Adrienne Cooper Adler at the Shuk Shack Tu BiShvat Festival in NYC.

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(L-R) Karl Kaplan, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Tracy Kaplan at the launch of Stoudemire’s wine at the Ronald S. Lauder JNF House in NYC.

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(L-R) Amy and Westchester & Southern CT Board Co-President Jeremy Abramson with guest speaker Alon Ben-Gurion at the 5th Annual Water & Wine Reception at the Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale.

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(L-R) Andrew and Rabbi Sadie Becker with Michael Achtman at the 4th Annual JNFuture Shabbat in the Desert in Phoenix.

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(L-R) Andre Ivory, and Co-Chairs Mimi Haber and Victoria Nazarov, with JNFuture Phoenix Board President Ian Sachs at the 4th Annual JNFuture Shabbat in the Desert in Phoenix.

(L-R) Event Co-Chair Barry Citrin, Stephanie Risa Balkin, Westchester & Southern CT Board Member Ruth Raisfeld, Alon Ben-Gurion, and Leonard Benowich at the Major Donor VIP dinner at the 5th Annual Water & Wine Reception in Scarsdale.

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12. Sarah Fishman with her daughter, Sami Rose, with their new tree certificate at the Ramaz School in NYC. 4.

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Across the Country

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(L-R) Danielle and Benjamin Gross with Dr. Joshua and Leah Mondlick at the 4th Annual JNFuture Shabbat in the Desert in Phoenix.

(L-R) Lior Sibony, Brian Chernoff, and Alex Woogmaster at the Love of Israel Brunch in Las Vegas.

Rabbi Yocheved Mintz and guest speaker Bret Stephens at the Love of Israel Brunch in Las Vegas.

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Bob Dubin at the Love of Israel Brunch in Las Vegas.

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Mountain States JNFuture Board Members and Event Co-Chairs Alex Milzer and Hilary Cooper at the JNFuture Wine & Trees: Tu BiShvat in the Rockies event in Denver.

(L-R) Northern California Board President Dick Berman with JNF partners Noa Gefen, Hanni Arnon, Yedidya Harush, Rabbi Leor Sinai, and JNF National Campaign Director Sharon Freedman at a Positively Israel event in Palo Alto.

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(L-R) Judy, Rikki, Hannah, and Michael Kapiloff at a Positively Israel event in Palo Alto. 15. (L-R) Toni Dusik and Melissa Bloom at the WFI Hamentashen Bake in Portland.

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(L-R) Mountain States Board Member Michelle Brunschwig and Cindy Noam at the Women for Israel (WFI) luncheon in Denver.

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(L-R) Helen Loewenstein, Sherry Rowen, and Anne Petrowsky at a Positively Israel event in Berkeley.

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(L-R) Jerry Sorkin, JNF West Coast Planned Giving Director Cynthia Hizami, Lisa Grier, Zorica Sorkin, and Glenda and Uri Urmacher at a Planned Giving luncheon in Orange County.

(L-R) Howard Gross and Dr. Joel Gross at the AICAT welcome reception in Bellevue.

Bill and Joanne Chunowitz at the Love of Israel Dinner in Palm Springs.

(L-R) Mountain States Board Member and Event Co-Chair Julia Epel Sherry with guest 13. (L-R) Brian Harmatz, Scott Sussman, Scott Gelb, and JNF Orange County Director Lisa 18. (L-R) Robert Sylk, Art Shamsky, Joel Johnson, and Michael Saywitz at the Annual speaker Ethan Zohn, and Board Members and Event Co-Chairs Carla Kutnick and Grier at a JNFuture event in Orange County.

Men’s Night Out event in Palm Springs Amy Hinton at the WFI luncheon in Denver.

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Stephanie and Paul Ross at the Love of Israel Dinner in Palm Springs.

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Claire and David Ellman at JNF’s Breakfast for Israel in San Diego.

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Rabbi David Kornberg and Debbie Kornberg at JNF’s Breakfast for Israel in San Diego.

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(L-R) Steven Oberman, Dr. Frances Lobman, Lauren Lizerbram, and Myra Chack Fleischer at JNF’s Breakfast for Israel in San Diego.

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(L-R) Gale Milgrim with JNFuture Co-Chair Shira Glickman, and Orlando Board Member and JNFuture Co-Chair Veronica Serjai at a Women for Israel (WFI) event at the Shapiro’s home in Orlando.

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(L-R) Orlando Board Member and Lawyers for Israel (LFI) Chair Rob Gebaide with Honest Reporting CEO Joe Hyams and Orlando Board President Edward Milgrim at a LFI event in Orlando.

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(L-R) Howard and Pearl Lefkowitz, JNF Israel Operations Development Officer Ariel Kotler, and Susie and Eddie Kleiman in Halutza, Israel.

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(L-R) Andrew Gluck with Russell Goldberg and Michael Soll at the Tree of Life™ Gala in Orlando.

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(L-R) Orlando Board Member and WFI Chair Meril Salzburg with WFI National President Nina Paul at a WFI event at the Shapiro’s home in Orlando.

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(L-R) Orlando Board Member and LFI Chair Rob Gebaide with his son, Jordan, and wife, Rachel, at the Tree of Life™ Gala in Orlando.

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(L-R) Dane Berkowitz with Orlando Board Member and JNFuture Co-Chair Shira 10. Amy Lynn Levenson with JNF-Halutza Liasion Yedidya Harush in Sarasota.

Glickman, Orlando Board Member Lee Ossin, Lexi Goldstein, Joe Davis, and JNFuture 11. (L-R) Cookbook author Joan Nathan with Karen Whitman at a WFI Thank You event Co-Chair Joy Iroff at a JNFuture event in Orlando. in St. Petersburg.

8. (L-R) Orlando Board Member Michael and Lori Beim with Linda and Marc Brenner at 12. (L-R) Joan Nathan with Doreen Kostel at a WFI Thank You event in St. Petersburg. the Tree of Life™ Gala in Orlando.

13. (L-R) Drs. Carl and Paula Zielonka with Cindy Spahn and Richard Rappaport at the 9. (L-R) Naples Board Member Dr. Kenneth and Goldie Wetcher with Director of Special Doctors for Israel (DFI) Dinner in Tampa Bay. In Uniform Lt. Col. (Res.) Tiran Attia at a Special in Uniform parlor meeting in Naples.

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(L-R) Palm Beach Board Member Addison Shuster and Dennis Prager, with Palm Beach Board Members Cantor Elaine Shapiro and Arthur Silber at “An Evening with Dennis Prager” at Temple Emanu-El in Palm Beach.

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(L-R) Carly Hockenberry with Dr. Marisa Potter, Emmanuelle Subar, JNF Miami Director Jeffrey Greenberg, Victoria Gaxiola, Dr. Lila Chertman, and Miami Board President Ron Kriss at a Board Meeting at The Sagamore Hotel in Miami.

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(L-R) Helene Stronger with Jane Weiss, South Palm Beach Board Member Florence Paley, guest speaker Eve Harow, and Palm Beach Board Member Cantor Elaine Shapiro at a WFI event at the Paley’s home in Boca Raton.

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(L-R) Warren Rosenblum with Michael Zimmerman, Palm Beach Board Member Cantor Elaine Shapiro, Robert Keats, Jane and Palm Beach Board Member Martin Weiss, and Ruth Arneson at the Winter Connection kick-off at the Zimmerman’s home in Boca Raton.

Across the Country

(L-R) Sarasota Board Member Greg Band with Director of Special in Uniform Lt. Col. (Res.) Tiran Attia in Sarasota.

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Sarasota Board Member Nadia Ritter with JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson at the Guardian of Israel Luncheon in Sarasota.

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(L-R) Yoni Gutman with Antonia Pevzner and Adam Ross at the JNFuture Tu BiShvat celebration in Miami.

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(L-R) JNF-Israel Emissary Zohar Vloski, Miami Board President Ron Kriss, Israel Consul General to Florida and Puerto Rico Lior Haiat, and Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber at the City of Miami Beach Tu BiShvat tree planting ceremony.

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(L-R) Dr. David and Sheryl Raskin with Dennis Prager and Broward Board Member Alan Cohn at “An Evening with Dennis Prager” in Weston.

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(L-R) Broward Board Members Libo and Louise Fineberg with Myron and Debbie Stayman, and Sheri and Michael Benchetrit at the Past Presidents Thank You Dinner in Fort Lauderdale.

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(L-R) Mara Gober, Dennis Prager, and Dr. Mel Gober at “An Evening with Dennis Prager” in Weston.

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Dr. Mark and Helen Cohan at the Annual Boca Raton Event.

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(L-R) Dennis Prager with Charles Trauring and Rabbi Yaakov Gibber at the Annual Boca Raton Event.

(L-R) Cyndi Sterne, Beth Friedman, and Margot Alfie at the Women for Israel (WFI) Beyond the Blue Box cooking demonstration in Atlanta.

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(L-R) Sara Cannon, Jennifer Meyers, and Golda Mendelsohn at a Women for Israel (WFI) meeting in Los Angeles.

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(L-R) Reena and David Makover with Lindsay Hooge and Lisa Kaufman at the Annual Boca Raton Event.

(L-R) Cheryl Simonoff and Julie Gold at the 4th Annual Women Noshin’ Hamantaschen Purim event in Atlanta.

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(L-R) Roni Wolk, Nina Silver, and Susan Leader at a WFI parlor meeting at the Leader’s home in Asheville.

(L-R) Tina and Michael Loboda with guest speaker Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, and JNF-Halutza Liaison Yedidya Harush at a meeting in the Loboda’s home in Los Angeles.

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(L-R) Aaron and Dayle Levy with Connie Glaser at a parlor meeting hosted at the Glaser’s home in Savannah.

Sponsored by Ronald S. Lauder’s JNF Water Initiatives

ISRAEL H2O A TOUR ON THE TRAIL OF ISRAEL’S WATER SOLUTIONS

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

From reservoirs to desalination plants, see how Israel has become a world water leader on this unique water-focused tour of Israel, with exclusive access to leading water technologies, innovations, developments, and experts.

PRICE

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SUNSHINE TOUR:

FOR ACTIVE ADULTS 55+ August 26 – September 4, 2018 TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• 10-days exploring Israel’s heritage sites, museums, cultural history, and hidden gems • Meet with inspirational leaders, journalists, and Israelis • Enjoy authentic cuisine, fine dining, and luxurious accommodations in Tel Aviv, the Sea of Galilee, and Jerusalem

More information at jnf.org/sunshinedetails jnf.org/travel ∙ 877.563.8687

jnf.org/travel ∙ 877.563.8687

Across the Country

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Israel’s

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B'Yachad

The Green Issue

Israel has certainly come a long way in the seven decades since its founding. In the following pages, read about Jewish National Fund’s preservation of Israel’s heritage sites documenting the Jewish peoples’ journey to self-determination, the new 21st century kibbutz movement strengthening Israeli society from within, and how David Ben Gurion’s dream for Israel is being realized by the mayors of the Negev’s cities and towns.

Jewish National Fund’s pioneering values helped shape the Jewish homeland into the vibrant, thriving society it is today, and will continue to build on its achievements and develop the land of Israel into the future.

LEFT PAGE: PHOTO BY MICHA PERRY, GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE OF ISRAEL RIGHT PAGE: PHOTO BY AMIT GERON

Wave The Green Issue

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PHOTO BY COHEN FRITZ, GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE OF ISRAEL

When the Past Meets the Future Israel’s historical sites represent more than events from long ago—they tell the story of a nation and its people Words by Rachel Cohen

HISTORICAL SITES HAVE the

ability to stir emotions. Take the Statue of Liberty in New York, for example. Nearly every visitor—from anywhere around the world—can surely appreciate its significance, meaning, and symbolism for the U.S. as a whole. However, the connection is likely a global one, not a personal one.

In Israel, historical sites inspire dramatically different reactions. After all, in a nation of merely eight million people now celebrating 70 years of independence, each and every landmark carries a deep and powerful meaning for most.

Biblical sites aside, Israel’s connection to modern day landmarks can be traced back to its first prime minister, David Ben Gurion. Israelis and foreign tourists frequently flock to his home in Sde Boker, a kibbutz in the heart of the Negev Desert that is now a bustling museum, and learn about the bold statesman who envisioned a blooming desert, which has—rather miraculously— become a reality in recent years.

Thanks to its Blueprint Negev initiative, Jewish National Fund has transformed Southern Israel into the booming hub of culture, hi-tech, and education it is today. So while a pit stop in Sde Boker pays homage to the past, visiting its surroundings—specifically Be’er Sheva, the crowned jewel of JNF’s Blueprint Negev initiative and Israel’s fastest growing city—is a nod to the future Ben Gurion dreamt of decades ago.

To ensure that strong ties to Israel’s past are cultivated and maintained for generations to come, the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites (SPIHS), a

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Israel’s New Wave

Jewish National Fund partner, is tasked with preserving, restoring, and developing heritage sites across Israel.

For Noa Gefen, the organization’s executive vice-chairwoman, this is an undertaking that is both emotionally and professionally important to her. Gefen’s parents served in the Palmach, an elite fighting force which fought the British in the struggle for Israel’s independence, so any site commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of Israel’s soldiers speaks volumes to her.

“We’re not talking about historical sites from biblical times,” said Gefen. “These are historic sites from recent history that need to be shared with the younger generation. Many of these brave men and women are still among us.

“Once you start digging and asking questions, you find that each family has a story. Sometimes, it’s a hero of the IDF, the Palmach, or the Irgun. Sometimes it’s the people whose family helped build development towns and played a significant role in Israel’s creation as the Jewish homeland. No matter the connection, heritage sites tell the stories of our path to independence—the Jewish peoples’ independence in their own land.”

Historical sites are part of the Israel independence experience—a visceral and tangible reminder that a heavy price was paid for freedom in the not so distant past.

Specific sites themselves throughout the country conjure up images of courage in the face of resistance and determination in the face of adversity.

It can be felt walking through the trenches of Ammunition Hill that overlook the ancient walls of

Left: David Ben Gurion at his Home in Sde Boker Below: SPIHS President Shlomo Hillel Center Bottom: “Operation Michaelberg” C46 airplane at Atlit Detention Camp Bottom Right: Alexander Muss High School in Israel students visiting Atlit

Jerusalem’s Old City. Knowing it’s the same view shared

by Israeli soldiers who captured the strategic hilltop from Jordanian forces 51 years ago, leading to the reunification of Jerusalem, makes it even more poignant.

While the view has stayed the same, today Ammunition Hill is a Jewish National Fund-sponsored national memorial site, providing visitors a robust interactive experience that transports them to the past, while honoring and recounting the story of the heroic soldiers who died in the fight to reunite the capital city during the 1967 Six-Day War. Alon Wald, marketing manager and event coordinator at Ammunition Hill, credits Jewish National Fund for transforming the site from a bare bones venue commemorating the fallen into a museum that ties in the lessons learned from the battle with contemporary life.

The site now also boasts the new Jewish National Fund Norman and Jean Gould Commemoration Hall for visitors, an audio-visual theater, and the Wall of Honor—a wall that serves as a tribute to the heroism and courage of Jewish soldiers who served in uniform around the world and throughout time. Plaques can be purchased to honor any Jewish veteran.

Ammunition Hill hits close to home for Wald, whose father died during the battle for control of the hilltop.

“My father literally paved the way onto Ammunition Hill.

It is because of his sacrifice that his friends made history,” Wald said with a faraway smile.

The Ayalon Institute, another Jewish National Fund supported heritage site, is an important part of the narrative that gives testimony to what great lengths Jewish fighters went to for Israel’s independence and survival. It was at the Institute, while under British rule, that people clandestinely produced and stored bullets so they could prevail in the 1948 War of Independence. Between 19461948, they produced 2.5 million bullets in total secrecy, right under the noses of the British.

Understanding the importance of retaining such a crucial aspect of Israel’s history, Jewish National Fund has funded some major upgrades, including the installation of an elevator to provide easier public access

to the interior of the site, and reconstructing the factory from the ground up.

“We want people to come and see what happened in the actual places,” said Gefen. “These sites are not regular museums. They are heritage sites. Our goal is to create opportunities for visitors to learn about Israel’s unique history in person, not just from textbooks in schools. We want them to tour the country and see history come alive with their own eyes.”

Another such place to experience pre-state Israel’s heritage up close and personal is the Atlit Detention Camp. Visitors can walk through the camp’s halls and see for themselves how European Jews, immediately following the Holocaust, fled in droves to the land of Israel as refugees, only to be incarcerated upon arrival for attempting to smuggle themselves into British-ruled Mandate Palestine. Visitors can also walk through the cramped conditions that held 13,000 people while they continued to hold onto their hopes of one day achieving the Zionist dream.

A new attraction recently opened at Atlit is a C46 airplane that tells the heroic story known as “Operation Michaelberg.” The covert mission brought 150 clandestine immigrants to Israel by air from Iraq and Italy, and was led

by Shlomo Hillel, today the president of SPIHS. Gefen is proud of Atlit’s ability to portray the hardships the immigrants endured during that period in Israel’s history, as well as their resolve to keep going.

“We captured the heroism of that immigration,” she said. “We have so many visitors who come to the site today, and there are many cases when someone discovers that their grandparents were part of this saga at Atlit.”

Today, the journey may be far easier, but when visiting these heritage sites, thanks to Jewish National Fund, the memory of those who sacrificed much for Israel is at our fingertips.

To visit one of Israel’s many heritage sites with Jewish National Fund, contact JNF’s Travel & Tours Department at 877.563.8667 or email travel@jnf.org.

“No matter the connection, heritage sites tell the stories of our path to independence— the Jewish peoples’ independence in their own land.”

Israel’s New Wave

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Strengthening Israel’s Communities from Within Jewish National Fund’s investment in the 21st century kibbutz movement

Words By Gil Hoffman

Photos By Nadav Rotem

STAYING TRUE TO her family’s tradition of living on a

kibbutz, Tal Hakim-Drori, a second-generation kibbutznik, has followed in the footsteps of her pioneering grandparents.

The kibbutz her grandparents founded decades ago in Northern Israel is now an established, privatized community offering residents relatively easy living—almost unrecognizable from its humble origins as a socially-oriented community. So Hakim-Drori decided not to live and raise her family there, close to her parents and extended family, but rather to adapt to the 21st century model of kibbutz life and move away to Kibbutz Pelech.

Pelech is no ordinary community—it’s the first new visiondriven kibbutz built in two decades and focuses on educational programming. It is relatively isolated—located in Israel’s lush Western Galilee—and is still not fully developed.

Hakim-Drori wouldn’t consider living anywhere else.

“We are new pioneers building the kibbutz of the 21st century to mirror the way we want society to be, one with an emphasis on shared responsibility and solidarity,” said Hakim-Drori. “We want to make Israeli society better.”

To reach the kibbutz’s goals, Pelech’s 70 adults and 60 children are divided into clusters, each with a different focus. They share a social-democratic vision for the kibbutz and its residents, and members must be active and productive participants.

Hakim-Drori credits Jewish National Fund and its revolutionary Housing Development Fund, which is helping build a new neighborhood in Pelech and will significantly increase the size of the community, for the kibbutz’ success. It is also thanks to MAKOM—a Jewish National Fund supported nationwide federation of pioneering groups and individuals dedicated to populating and strengthening the Negev and Galilee—that Pelech is thriving.

MAKOM recruits, mentors, networks with, and supports groups of young people who collectively choose to live in Israel’s outlying areas. Once a group is established, it works to empower those places from within through a variety of projects, such as employment, culture, and education—the three most important elements needed in attracting new residents to Israel’s Negev and Galilee.

“Jewish National Fund’s partnership and support for MAKOM naturally falls in line with its Go North and Blueprint Negev initiatives, which aim attract 300,000 and 500,000 new residents, respectively,” said Sue Rothberg, 20

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We Dont Have a Title Yet

Left: A family celebrates Purim in the park in Kibbutz Pelech Right: New housing construction in Pelech thanks to JNF’s Housing Development Fund · Top: Entrance to Pelech, a thriving community in Israel’s Galilee · Bottom: Pelech has become the home to many young families that work together to improve Israeli society

“As Israel has changed over the decades, so too have the characteristics defining its pioneers.”

chair of JNF’s MAKOM Task Force. There are 15 Jewish National Fund supported MAKOM communities, and the organization boasts an estimated 15,000 members, reaching almost half a million beneficiaries. “In many respects, this is the renaissance of the pioneering spirit on which the State of Israel was founded,” Rothberg added.

As Israel has changed over the decades, so too have the characteristics defining its pioneers. Communities span the spectrum and include those based on religious affiliation, cultural identities, and even philosophical ideology. But all are unified by their desire to build and develop Israel’s frontier. In Pelech, educational projects bring together Jewish, Arab, and Druze children who live in neighboring communities, but would otherwise never meet. Another central educational component is to teach the children that they, too, have the power to make a positive impact on society—one of the 21st century pioneering values unique to Kibbutz Pelech.

Shosh Mitzman, Jewish National Fund-MAKOM liaison, said JNF decides which MAKOM communities to partner with based on shared vision and interests in advancing Jewish National Fund’s initiatives for Northern and Southern Israel. For Mitzman, one of the important qualities she admires in MAKOM is that they consolidate secular and religious organizations all under one banner.

“The various groups work together, doing what they cannot do on their own,” Mitzman said. “That’s what builds Israel’s society. MAKOM is a cross-cultural incubator on issues like the elderly and at-risk youth, and allows for everyone to learn from each other to see what worked and what didn’t. No one can solve these issues on their own, but we can tackle them together as a society and make a significant impact.”

While most think of pioneering communities as rural or agricultural, less than 20 miles away from Pelech, Jewish National Fund and MAKOM are creating an impact in the city of Akko. In the heart of this mixed Jewish and Arab city with a population of 50,000, members of the Dror Israel Educational Movement have created an “urban kibbutz.”

Though from a different background, Shira Levy, the coordinator of the urban kibbutz, follows a similar mission to what Hakim-Drori employs at Pelech. Levy grew up in the Labor Zionist movement’s youth group in the 1990s, and, similar to Hakim-Drori, didn’t feel that draw to live in a privatized kibbutz.

“We asked what society needs now, and we realized that in Akko that need is education,” Levy said. “In the past it used to be that being a pioneer meant settling the land and working in agriculture, but today it’s different.

It’s about educating the people where they are—that’s mostly in the cities.”

Dror Israel runs 18 urban kibbutzim throughout Israel under the MAKOM umbrella. Its mission is to provide formal and informal education to their communities, as well as leadership trainings to teach the values of equality to bridge societal gaps.

MAKOM’s involvement in Akko goes back to 2005 when Mayor Shimon Lancry took office and realized steps had to be taken to encourage young people to

remain and live in the city. He invited a group of 20 community leaders from MAKOM to come and take over an abandoned building, and map out the city’s needs.

Over the past 12 years, the group has grown to 90, and has acquired a new building. “We all live together, and instead of tending to a barn and a chicken coop like other kibbutzim, we do educational projects,” Levy said.

“We work on our initiatives during the day and then come home and learn from each other.”

Each year, the group develops new educational programs to benefit the city’s citizens, with one of its pinnacle ideas a clubhouse operating in conjunction with Israel’s Ministry of Education and Social Welfare. The clubhouse offers children having difficulties at home a place to go after school, a hot meal, and help with their homework. In addition, counselors are available to keep in touch with parents, teachers, and social workers.

For Levy, the role of the 21st century pioneer is to be an example for others, and create an inclusive society.

This includes working towards increasing integration through collaboration. In Akko, Dror Israel is breaking down social barriers by bringing together Jewish and Arab counselors to work with local youth through language exchanges, known as Jam Sessions.

“We want to create change, so we provide the citizens of Akko with activities and a role in helping their city,” Levy said. “There are Arabic lessons for Jews and Hebrew for Arabs to improve their language skills. They come together once a month to learn more from each other and their way of life.”

In 2014, when the joyous Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha fell on the same day as the solemn day of Yom Kippur, the community raised awareness with Hebrew and Arabic flyers signed by Akko’s chief rabbi and chief imam.

Jewish National Fund’s broad vision for Israel’s future includes investing in the pioneers of today, and while the basic component of building new sustainable communities is the actual community itself, there is a stronger underlying element that defines a thriving 21st century community: its identity, character, and spirit.

Israel’s New Wave

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Shaping the Negev’s Future

on the Negev as Israel enters its 70th year as a Jewish nation. Why? Because the desert is indeed blooming, and many are labeling this area of Israel as the future of the Jewish state. Leading in agricultural research and development, cyber security, and the sciences and engineering, people are beginning to pay attention to all that the Negev has to offer.

Eight pioneering, dynamic mayors of Negev cities and towns couldn’t agree more. The following pages profile these influential Israelis, most born in the Negev, all currently living in and shaping the desert in a transformative and significant way. Almost all of them

ALL EYES ARE

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Israel’s New Wave

Pioneering mayors work with Jewish National Fund toward the Negev’s success

Words By Megan E. Turner

had opportunities to build successful careers in the center of the country or even abroad, yet they chose to build their lives in the south, to take a chance on dreams built on Zionist ideals.

Because of their partnerships with Jewish National Fund, those dreams are becoming a reality more and more every day. These dreams and ambitions include placing their cities and towns on the international stage of advanced agricultural techniques and studies, being one of the top high-tech centers in the world, and improving the lives of the region’s residents while encouraging more Israelis to come and build their lives

Illustrations by Sarah Keane

in the Negev. These mayors share Jewish National Fund’s vision for community growth and development in the Negev, and truly embody the organization’s mission of building a strong, secure, and prosperous Israel.

David Ben Gurion is famous for saying, “It is in the Negev that the creativity and pioneer vigor of Israel will be tested, and this will be a crucial test.” Seventy years after Israel declared its independence, the modern pioneers of the Negev are proving that the Jewish state is utilizing its creativity and vigor, and that Israel’s future does indeed lie in the Negev.

What future plans do you have for your town, and is Jewish National Fund part of that equation?

We have a vision to supply our energy needs through renewable energy and to become the first green city in Israel. We presented this vision to JNF, and they were amazed. JNF will help make it a reality.

MAYOR OF ARAD • AGE 44

Why did you leave and what was the reason you decided to return to your hometown?

After serving as an officer in Duvdevan [an elite IDF Special Forces unit], I wanted to come back to Arad but there wasn’t anything professionally appropriate for me then. Years passed, and my wife—who is a doctor of chemistry—and I decided to leave our jobs and comfortable life in Tel Aviv for Arad. I returned with the idea of helping the city that helped me so much—of doing something meaningful.

What is your proudest moment as mayor?

How did Jewish National Fund and its Blueprint Negev initiative play a part in this?

In 2007, Jewish National Fund identified Arad as a place in need of help and support. Unfortunately, the local leadership at the time wasn’t ready. When I was elected mayor, I found a letter from JNF CEO Russell Robinson in my desk. He had written, ‘We see that you [the previous town leaders] are not ready, but when you are, call us.’ The first thing I did was take a flight to New York to meet Russell, and told him, ‘Let me show you that we deserve the support.’ My proudest moment was when JNF decided to really invest in and support Arad.

What does a ‘modern pioneer’ mean to you, and what’s Jewish National Fund’s role in it?

JNF defined what a modern pioneer is—taking Israel’s periphery and transforming it into a thriving society.

Be’er Sheva has undergone a revolution thanks to JNF. The future is not in the center of Israel; it is in the south.

There’s new leadership here that cares about the region.

It’s not only Arad. It’s all of the Negev.

What are the challenges and opportunities facing your town, and how has Jewish National Fund helped?

We have a demographic challenge: we need people to stay here and we need to attract new families, and this requires affordable new housing. JNF is helping with the infrastructure. This is how you create a partnership and a brighter future.

MAYOR BEN-HAMO years in a variety of fields: hi-tech, cyber innovation, local and higher education, health and welfare, infrastructure and transportation, culture, sports, and the arts. JNF is a central partner in a shared vision of creating tangible change for the benefit of the city’s residents.

Nisan Ben-Hamo Prior to your election as mayor, what was your profession or career?

I was General Counsel for Ceragon Networks, a cellular networks company; and for Alvarion, an international hi-tech company.

“The future is not in the center of Israel; it is in the south.”

Ruvik Danilovich

MAYOR OF BE’ER SHEVA • AGE 47 Prior to your election as mayor, what was your profession or career?

I entered politics when I was 27. Before I was elected mayor, I was appointed deputy mayor of Be’er Sheva, a post I held for 10 years (two terms).

Why have you chosen to live in Be’er Sheva?

I never left the city! I am the eighth mayor of Be’er Sheva, but the first one to be raised here, educated here, and to enter local politics. I am proud to tell the children of this city that they can be anything they want to be or dream of being…anywhere. Geographic location is not important in realizing our dreams.

What is your greatest achievement as mayor?

How did Jewish National Fund and its Blueprint Negev initiative play a part in this?

I am filled with happiness and pride when I see how the city’s residents are benefitting from the completion and realization of projects. Jewish National Fund formulated Blueprint Negev to transform Be’er Sheva into a quality metropolis. Today, we are creating projects that generate change, such as the Be’er Sheva River Park, the amphitheater, the construction of the lake, and more.

It’s very exciting!

What does a ‘modern pioneer’ mean to you, and what’s Jewish National Fund’s role in it?

I am pleased to have the privilege to know Jewish National Fund and to work together with people who are friends and lovers of the land of Israel, the Negev, and the city of Be’er Sheva. Over the years, we have succeeded in advancing many breakthrough projects, realizing dreams, and shaping the future. That, to me, is modern pioneering.

What are the challenges and opportunities facing your town, and how has Jewish National Fund helped?

Be’er Sheva is a metropolis that has changed a lot in recent

What future plans do you have for your town, and is Jewish National Fund part of that equation?

JNF will continue on in its development of Be’er Sheva into a quality metropolis. Together, we will continue to build new projects for the benefit of the residents, the region, and the state.

Dr. Eyal Blum

MAYOR OF CENTRAL ARAVA • AGE 44 Prior to your election as mayor, what was your profession or career?

I was the CEO of the Arava Development and Construction Company, the regional council’s economic company.

What is your greatest achievement as mayor?

How did Jewish National Fund and its Blueprint Negev initiative play a part in this?

Moshav Ein Yahav’s expansion of 84 new plots—the first community expansion in the Arava. It wouldn’t have been possible without Jewish National Fund’s Housing Development Fund.

What does a ‘modern pioneer’ mean to you and what’s Jewish National Fund’s role in it?

Jewish National Fund implements David Ben Gurion’s vision with projects, buildings, infrastructure, and activities in the Negev. I am thrilled with our partnership with JNF because they help us dream and then fulfill those dreams.

What are the challenges and opportunities facing your town, and how has Jewish National Fund helped?

We are dealing with three main challenges in the Arava: Housing, employment, and basic comforts. JNF is involved Israel’s New Wave

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in each of these areas. JNF has helped expand housing; it is a partner with the Arava International Center for Agricultural Training (AICAT), an agricultural training school specifically for students from Asia and Africa, and AICAT employs around 100 people and each year graduates over 1,000 students from their programs. And JNF has constructed four kindergartens in recent years, a regional health clinic, a swimming pool and country club, classrooms, and playgrounds. Each of these is critical to enhancing quality of life.

What future plans do you have for your town, and is Jewish National Fund part of that equation?

We plan to double the Arava’s residents, from 900 families to 2,000, in the next few years. To achieve this, we need housing lots, employment, and quality of life, and in each of these areas, JNF is a full and significant partner.

“We want to double the Negev’s population, and this is in line with JNF’s Blueprint Negev.”

MAYOR MAROM attract more young families to the region. Taxes are high, but with assistance from JNF, desert tourism is developing so that the area’s economy can improve. And then there’s JNF’s Housing Development Fund, which is developing new residential housing and helps make building and buying a home financially possible.

What are the challenges and opportunities facing your town, and how has Jewish National Fund helped?

For 15 years, Eshkol residents have lived in a complex security situation—the reality of rocket fire, the threat of terrorist tunnels, and infiltrations into the communities from nearby Gaza. We want a quiet and peaceful life, to develop our land, engage in education, agriculture, and develop our communities. Jewish National Fund is a significant and critical partner in this.

What future plans do you have for your town, and is Jewish National Fund part of that equation?

All of our community development plans, which total tens of millions of dollars, will be possible only thanks to the generosity of Jewish National Fund and its vision for Israel’s future.

What future plans do you have for your town, and is Jewish National Fund part of that equation?

We want to grow, develop, and create a connection with the youth. We want people to come, and we want to give them something to do. None of it will be possible without Jewish National Fund’s bold vision and the generosity of its donors.

Dr. Muhammad al-Nabari

Dr. Hanan Ginat

MAYOR OF HURA • AGE 47

MAYOR OF EILOT • AGE 60

What town or city are you the mayor of?

Hura, a Bedouin town with 20,000 residents.

Prior to your election as mayor, what was your profession or career?

I was a high school principal in the Central Arava.

What is your proudest moment as mayor?

How did Jewish National Fund and its Blueprint Negev initiative play a part in this?

Jewish National Fund helps with various projects in the kibbutzim and in preserving Timna National Park. JNF’s passion for the land of Israel is evident, particularly with its Housing Development Fund. The number one goal in Eilot is demographic growth, and for this to happen we need housing. We are happy to receive JNF’s support in this.

Gadi Yarkoni

MAYOR OF ESHKOL • AGE 50 Prior to your election as mayor, what was your profession or career?

I was the economic director of two kibbutzim, and I created new ventures worth tens of millions of dollars.

What does a ‘modern pioneer’ mean to you, and what’s Jewish National Fund’s role in it?

I don’t think that it’s an obvious choice to settle in the Arava, and I am happy to be defined as a modern pioneer. It’s a great pleasure to live in the Negev and to be partners with JNF, because its support is so important. I am quite proud to be here. I’m a doctor, so I could be a professor at a university instead of living in a desert.

What is your proudest moment as mayor?

How did Jewish National Fund and its Blueprint Negev initiative play a part in this?

I am most proud of reaching a joint agreement between all the towns in the regional council on the division of land. In addition, the entire area of land development and quality of life, such as housing lots, new schools with innovated structures, building a heated pool in a school, the development of pioneering communities, and more, would not have been possible without Jewish National Fund.

What are the challenges and opportunities facing your town, and how has Jewish National Fund helped?

We have three main challenges: demographic growth, economic development, and housing. JNF is helping address each of them. JNF’s projects are designed to

What does a ‘modern pioneer’ mean to you, and what’s Jewish National Fund’s role in it?

Jewish National Fund’s mission is the development of the land of Israel with an emphasis on the periphery. That is modern pioneering to me.

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Israel’s New Wave

Prior to your election as mayor, what was your profession or career?

I was the head of research in an R&D group dealing with the development of medicine for Perrigo, a drug company.

Why did you leave and what was the reason you decided to return to your hometown?

I lived in the north to study in high school. I relocated there only out of need and that is when I saw a different world. At my previous job, I worked two days a week in Tel Aviv, and I didn’t go out one night in Tel Aviv! I got into the car and came back to the Negev. We don’t leave the Negev, even if there isn’t success. In failure and in success, we stay in the Negev. We are here, and we are a part of this story.

What is your proudest moment as mayor?

How did Jewish National Fund and its Blueprint Negev initiative play a part in this?

One of the most significant was when we laid the cornerstone for Project Wadi Attir, a sustainable desert farming operation for the Bedouin community. This was done in partnership with Jewish National Fund. I have shared many successes with JNF, and the NetGev Hi-Tech Hub in Hura is one of our successes.

What does a ‘modern pioneer’ mean to you, and what’s Jewish National Fund’s role in it?

I didn’t come to save the Negev, so the question of being a modern pioneer isn’t applicable to me. I live the reality of the Negev and I care a lot about its future. I want my kids to grow up here and I want there to be equal opportunities for all the residents of the Negev. Jewish National Fund’s mission is to develop the Negev. My town’s needs are directly connected to JNF’s mission.

What are the challenges and opportunities facing your town, and how has Jewish National Fund helped?

There is a lack of organization in the Negev, but there are lots of opportunities. The Bedouin community isn’t spread out—99% live between Rahat, Arad, and Dimona— and if we take the Bedouin, 80% of whom are under age 30, and invest in them appropriately, we can create a better future for the Negev. We can’t do this alone, but with a partner like JNF, we will see success.

What future plans do you have for your town, and is Jewish National Fund part of that equation?

I work with a group of Israelis from all parts of society on an initiative for the development of Bedouin techniques.

JNF created a forum to discover what is important to the Negev, such as housing, farming, and tourism in the area.

There is also an initiative for Bedouin doctors in the Negev.

My question is always, ‘How do we take the Bedouin to the next step, to create change?’ I want Jewish National Fund to be part of these initiatives; part of this revolution.

Roni Marziano Marom MAYOR OF MITZPE RAMON • AGE 51

Prior to your election as mayor, what was your profession or career?

I served 24 years in the Israel Defense Forces as a colonel. I was also a farmer, here, near Mitzpe Ramon.

What was the reason you decided to live here?

I was born in Eilat and left when I was called to serve in the army. I came here to live away from Western consumer culture, for my kids to grow up in a small, family-centric town, and in a heterogeneous culture where they could be with people from different backgrounds. I also understood that to do something in the Negev is pioneering—it’s being the first to do something.

What is your proudest moment as mayor?

How did Jewish National Fund and its Blueprint Negev initiative play a part in this?

Recently, the Minister of Education called to tell me that we won the National Prize for Education. That was one of my proudest moments as mayor. Jewish National Fund is part of it, too. One of JNF’s projects was the opening of the skate park in Mitzpe Ramon. It’s a lot more than just a skate park. David Ben Gurion had the idea of ‘melting pots.’ A society that consists of various cultural backgrounds is a healthier one, and we have four or five various communities in Mitzpe Ramon, and the skate park creates a meeting point for them to come together—a physical place where all of the kids congregate and enjoy the facility. This is how JNF connects with our town’s vision—creating a bridge between people and bringing communities together.

What does a ‘modern pioneer’ mean to you, and what’s Jewish National Fund’s role in it?

We live on the edge of the desert here, so by definition we are pioneers. Jewish National Fund is a huge force and central actor in modern Zionism. One of our goals, with JNF’s assistance, is to grow demographically. We want to double the Negev’s population, and this is in line with JNF’s Blueprint Negev.

What are the challenges and opportunities facing your town, and how has Jewish National Fund helped?

We are small and need to grow, and the way to do that is with quality employment. As for opportunities, I think we are in an age where people are seeking an alternative and calmer quality of life, one where they can live normally and invest in their family. Mitzpe Ramon provides that.

JNF is helping by creating employment hubs, which are helping bring young, vibrant families to Mitzpe Ramon.

What future plans do you have for your town, and is Jewish National Fund part of that equation?

Future plans are to increase the number of youth living here, double the size of our population, and create a world center for innovation and art because Mitzpe Ramon is the ‘field of inspiration.’ Jewish National Fund is part of this and is our courageous partner.

“I live the reality of the Negev and I care about its future...

Jewish National Fund’s mission is to develop the Negev.”

Alon Davidi

MAYOR OF SDEROT • AGE 45 Prior to your election as mayor, what was your profession or career?

At the beginning of my career, I was a teacher. Later on I became the director of the Hesder Yeshiva in Sderot.

I have also managed various institutions and organizations prior to entering politics.

What is your greatest achievement as mayor?

How did Jewish National Fund and its Blueprint Negev initiative play a part in this?

One of my greatest achievements was when we inaugurated the Children’s Park. The park is the first of its kind in the Western Negev, covers eight dunams, and cost 15 million shekels. This was only made possible thanks to Jewish National Fund. The symbolism of watching the children of Sderot play outside was not lost on me.

What does a ‘modern pioneer’ mean to you, and what’s Jewish National Fund’s role in it?

Jewish National Fund helps Sderot in so many ways.

From the first day I took office, I always felt that I had an attentive ear and connection with people who have a genuine desire to help the city and its fearless residents—the modern day steadfast pioneers of the land and people of Israel.

What are the challenges and opportunities facing your town, and how has Jewish National Fund helped?

Although Sderot was founded as a development town and for many years had suffered a decline in population, today the opposite is true. The government recently announced it will build five new neighborhoods. This means that there is demographic growth, and those originally from the city are returning and new residents from various parts of the country are moving in. To complement each development we must also develop parks, playgrounds, schools, and other basic quality of life necessities that Jewish National Fund is an integral partner in.

What future plans do you have for your town, and is Jewish National Fund part of that equation?

My plans are to continue to work for the development and prosperity of the city’s residents, with Jewish National Fund as a full partner.

MAYOR AL-NABARI Israel’s New Wave

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OUT & ABOUT WITH

JNF’S MAJOR DONORS

World Chairman’s Council $1,000,000 Lifetime

Century Council $100,000 Lifetime

King Solomon Society $100,000 Annual

Negev Society $25,000 Annual

President’s Society $10,000 Annual

Sapphire Society $5,000 Annual

Herzl Society $5,000 Annual

JNFuture Root Society $1,000 Annual

MID ATLANTIC

(L-R) Women for Israel (WFI) Co-Chairs Nanci Seff (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society), Jayne Klein (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society, Sapphire Society), and host Faith Wolf (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) at a WFI event in Baltimore.

(L-R) Faith Wolf (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) and JNF National Campaign Director Diane Scar at a WFI event hosted by Faith Wolf in Baltimore.

(L-R) JNF-LOTEM Liaison Gaylee Schiff with Rita (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society) and Dr. Chet (Century Council, Negev Society) Stein, and Director of JNF’s Task Force on Disabilities Yossi Kahana unveil their sponsorship signage at LOTEM’s ecological pools.

(L-R) Jayne Klein (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society, Sapphire Society) with her daughter, Sarah, at a WFI event in Baltimore.

(L-R) Gail Kushner (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) and Dr. Adrienne Rulnick (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) at a Major Donor reception in Bethesda.

Dr. Adrienne Rulnick (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) presenting Jerry Jacobs (Herzl Society) with a Sderot Tulip at an event hosted in the home of Andy and Gail Quartner in Bethesda.

(L-R) Gail Kushner (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) and Gail Quartner (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society) at a Major Donor reception in Bethesda.

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JNF's Major Donors

(L-R) Ben Goodman ( JNFuture Root Society) and Rabbi Arthur Rulnick (President’s Society) at a Major Donor reception in Bethesda.

Jean (Century Council, King Solomon Society) and Bill (Century Council, King Solomon Society) Rosenbluth at a Major Donor reception in Bethesda.

(L-R) JNF Mid-Atlantic Executive Director Stuart Diamant-Cohen and Paul Frommer (Herzl Society) at a Major Donor reception in Bethesda.

Major Donor reception hosts Gail (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society) and Andy (Century Council, Negev Society) Quartner in Bethesda.

Joel Friedlander (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society) with an award for his work with JNF partner Green Horizons.

NORTHEAST

(L-R) Director of Special in Uniform Lt. Col. (Res.) Tiran Attia and Jeremy Halpern (Century Council, Negev Society) with his son, Ashton, in Israel.

(L-R) Marlene and Gene (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society) Epstein with JNF Eastern PA and Southern NJ Executive Director Marina Furman at the Epstein’s home.

Co-Chair and Board Member Marci Robinson (Century Council, Sapphire Society) with Brad (Century Council, President’s Society) and Central NJ WFI Co-Chair and Board Member Melissa (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) Segal at the Shuk Shack Tu BiShvat Festival in NYC.

(L-R) Central NJ WFI Co-Chair and Board Member Marci Robinson (Century Council, Sapphire Society) and JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson with Central NJ Board Member Roy (President’s Society) and Brenda (President’s Society) Tanzman at JNF’s Breakfast for Israel in North Brunswick.

(L-R) Central NJ Women for Israel (WFI)

LOS ANGELES

(L-R) Housing Fund Chair and Eastern PA Board Major Gifts Co-Chair Jeffrey Schwartz (Century Council, Negev Society), David Magerman (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society), and JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson at David’s home.

(L-R) Philip Rosenfeldt, Bonnie Benson (Sapphire Society), Andi (Herzl Society) and Scott (Herzl Society) Barsky, Robert (Herzl Society) and Roberta (Herzl Society) Kitchenoff, Mitchell Benson (Herzl Society), Joseph Wolfson (Century Council, President’s Society), and Lori Dabrow (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society) at the Dabrow’s home for a meeting.

(L-R) Robert Benedon (Century Council, President’s Society) and Mark Kramer (Herzl Society) at JNF’s Beer Cheese and (More Than) Trees event at Temple Beth Shalom in Cherry Hill.

(L-R) JNF Philadelphia Campaign Executive Samantha van Adelsberg, Southern NJ President Betsy Fischer (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society), and Leonard Wizmur at JNF’s Beer Cheese and (More Than) Trees event at Temple Beth Shalom in Cherry Hill.

MIDWEST

Natalie Roberts (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) with Director of Special in Uniform Lt. Col. (Res.) Tiran Attia at a meeting in her home in Beverly Hills.

(L-R) JNF National Campaign Director Sharon Freedman with Charles and Carole (Negev Society, Sapphire Society) Shnier at the Major Donor Weekend in Phoenix.

Linda Rubin (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) with JNF Chief Development Officer Rick Krosnick at a Women for Israel (WFI) meeting in Los Angeles.

(L-R) Chicago Board Member Scott Gendell (Century Council, President’s Society), Ambassador Danny Ayalon, and Jeff Kost (Herzl Society) at a Major Donor event in Chicago.

(L-R) Jan Armstrong Cobb (Sapphire Society), Ohio Valley Board Co-President Dr. Ronna Schneider (Sapphire Society), ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran Director of Development Avnet Kleiner, and Women for Israel (WFI) National President Nina Paul (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society) at the WFI Hamentaschen Bake-Off in Cincinnati.

(L-R) Ambassador Danny Ayalon and Chicago Board Member John Shear (Century Council, Negev Society) at a Major Donor event in Chicago.

(L-R) Aimee Guttman (Century Council, Sapphire Society) and Ohio Valley Board Co-President Dr. Ronna Schneider (Sapphire Society) address the Women for Israel Tu BiShvat Seder in Cincinnati.

(L-R) Shelly Shor Gerson (Century Council, Sapphire Society) and Alana Gerson ( JNFuture Root Society) at the WFI Tu BiShvat Seder in Cincinnati.

(L-R) JNF Israel Operations Development Officer Ariel Kotler with Northern Ohio Board Member Andrew (Herzl Society) and Nancy (Herzl Society) Soclof in Israel.

(L-R) Northern Ohio Board Member Nancy Kay (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) and Sandy Zieve (Negev Society, Sapphire Society) at the WFI Game Day in Cleveland.

(L-R) Western Pennsylvania Board President and Marketing Chair Steve Schwartz, Debbie Resnick (Century Council) and JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson at the Beyond the Trees event in Pittsburgh.

(L-R) Gail Komisar (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) and Wisconsin Board President Susan Carneol (Sapphire Society) at the WFI Purim reception in Milwaukee.

Northern Ohio Chairman of the Board Michael Jacobson (Herzl Society) and National Board of Directors Member Mary Ellen Hogan (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) at a JNF 101 event in Toledo.

JNF's Major Donors

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NEW ENGLAND

(L-R) Guest speaker Bret Stephens (Negev Society), Boston President Steven London (Herzl Society), Boston Board of Directors Member and Marketing Chair David Eisenberg (Herzl Society), Boston Board of Directors Member and Chair of AMHSI-JNF Impact Fellowship Committee Isaac Edry (Herzl Society), Boston Board of Trustees Member Jeffrey Glassman (President’s Society), and JNF New England and Capital Region Executive Director Sara Hefez at the Annual Breakfast for Israel in Newton.

(L-R) Liz (Century Council, Negev Society) and Larry (Century Council, Negev Society) Epstein, Martin Lowenthal (Herzl Society), and Laura Rice (Herzl Society) at the Annual Breakfast for Israel in Newton.

(L-R) Boston President Steven London (Herzl Society), Sara Hefez, Ellen Calmas (Herzl Society), and Board of Trustees Member Richard Calmas (Herzl Society) at the Annual Breakfast for Israel in Newton.

(L-R) JNF CFO Mitch Rosenzweig and Vice President of Israel Relations Committee Ken Segel (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society) getting updates on JNF partners and projects in Southern Israel.

(L-R) Suzanne Cohen (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society), Yadira Patkin (World Chairman’s Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society), and Sapphire Society President Emeritus Amy Parsons (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) at the Dessert & Design event in Needham.

(L-R) Lori Gilman (President’s Society, Sapphire Society), Women for Israel (WFI) Chair Risa Aronson (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society), and Executive Director of the Friends of the Arava Institute Miriam May at the Dessert & Design event in Needham.

(L-R) Boston Board of Directors Members Steven Aronson (Century Council, President’s Society) and Jonathan Plaut (Herzl Society) at the Annual Breakfast for Israel in Newton.

Kiryat Shmona and Upper Eastern Galilee Task Force Members Dr. Michael (Century Council, Negev Society) and Evelyn (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society) Miller visiting Israel on JNF’s Israel H2O Tour.

(L-R) JNF Task Force on Disabilities Member Daniel Serfaty (Century Council, President’s Society), Boston Board President Steve (Herzl Society) and Paula (Herzl Society) London, JNF National Campaign Director Sharon Freedman, Dr. Irene Mizrahi (Century Council, President’s Society) at JNF’s Major Donor Weekend in Phoenix.

(L-R back row) JNF National Campaign Director Diane Scar, Capital Region President Robert (President’s Society) and Dorothy (President's Society, Sapphire Society) Ganz, and Sharon Freedman. (L-R front row) Boston President Steve (Herzl Society) and Paula (Herzl) London at JNF’s Major Donor Weekend in Phoenix.

(L-R) Sara Hefez, Boston Sapphire Society President Rhonda Forman (Sapphire Society), Director of Major Gifts for New England and Capital Region Adina Zarchan, Bunny Aronson (Century Council, Sapphire Society) at the Dessert & Design event in Needham.

(L-R) Amar’e Stoudemire with New York Board Members Deborah E. Riegel (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society) and Sid Banon (Century Council, President’s Society) at the launch of Stoudemire’s wine at the Ronald S. Lauder JNF House in NYC.

(L-R) Northern NJ Board Member Bob Oppenheimer (Century Council, President’s Society), JNF-LOTEM Liaison Gaylee Schif, and Northern NJ Board Member Joan Oppenheimer (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) at the Breakfast for Israel at the JCC of Paramus.

(L-R) Boston President Emeritus and Makor Member Jeffrey Woolf (Century Council, President’s Society) and JNF-Green Horizons Liaison Ido Eisikovitz on a Makor Mission in Israel.

GREATER NEW YORK

(L-R) Mitzpe Ramon Mayor Roni Marom with Long Island Board President Michael Kessler (Century Council, Negev Society) in Israel.

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JNF's Major Donors

(L-R) Max Miller with Richard (Century Council, King Solomon Society) and Amy (Century Council, King Solomon Society) Miller, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites Noa Gefen, JNF Greater NY Campaign Executive Esti Marcus, and Matt Miller in Israel.

(L-R) Dara Levine ( JNFuture Root Society), Jessica Levine Sherman ( JNFuture Root Society), JNF Chairman of the Board Jeffrey E. Levine (World Chairman’s Council, Negev Society), Randi Levine (World Chairman’s Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society), Ben Levine ( JNFuture Root Society), and Evan Sherman ( JNFuture Root Society) at a briefing on business and philanthropy at the Ronald S. Lauder JNF House in NYC.

(L-R) Kay (President’s Society) and Larry (President’s Society) Smith with Mark (Century Council, President’s Society) and JoAnn (Century Council, President’s Society) Engel at the Shuk Shack Tu BiShvat Festival in NYC.

New York Board President Saul Burian (President’s Society) with Jennifer Gross (President’s Society) at the Shuk Shack Tu BiShvat Festival in NYC.

(L-R) JNF Greater NY Executive Director Michael Feinman with Northern NJ Board Members Bob (Century Council, President’s Society) and Joan (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) Oppenheimer, Louise Chazen Banon (Century Council, President’s Society) and New York Board Member Sid Banon (Century Council, President’s Society), and JNF Greater NY Executive Vice President Maidelle Goodman Benamy at the Shuk Shack Tu BiShvat Festival in NYC.

(L-R) Randi Levine (World Chairman’s Council, Sapphire Society), Shari Yardeni (President’s Society), and Kim Dickstein (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) in Jerusalem.

Miss Israel 2013 Titi Aynaw with Ed Blank (World Chairman’s Council, Negev Society) at the Shuk Shack Tu BiShvat Festival in NYC.

(L-R) Women for Israel (WFI) Executive Circle Co-Chair Susan Chadick (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society), New York Board Member and WFI Executive Circle Co-Chair Leslee Cowen (President’s Society, Sapphire Society), New York Board Member Deborah E. Riegel (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society), and Suzanne Dance (Sapphire Society) at a WFI event in NYC.

JNF-Halutza Liaison Yedidya Harush with New York Board Member Ellen Aschendorf-Shasha (Century Council, Negev Society) at her office, Egg Electric, Inc., in NYC.

WESTERN

Shari (Sapphire Society) and Frederick (Herzl Society) Schenk at the Breakfast for Israel in San Diego.

(L-R) Myra Chack Fleischer (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society), Executive Vice-Chairman of the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites Noa Gefen, Dr. Barbara Hoffer, and Leonard Hirsch (Century Council, President’s Society) in San Diego.

(L-R) Myra Chack Fleischer (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) presenting Karen Zeiger (Century Council, Sapphire Society) with her Sapphire Society necklace in San Diego.

Sandra (Sapphire Society) and Bob Borns (L-R) Lewis Rosenberg (Century Council, at the Love of Israel Dinner in Palm Springs. President’s Society) and Arthur Shorr (Herzl Society) at the Annual Men’s Night Out event in Palm Springs.

Iris (Sapphire Society) and Thom Smotrich at the Love of Israel Dinner in Palm Springs.

(L-R) Rabbi Steven (Herzl Society) and Senator Joyce (Herzl Society) Foster with Natalie Goldman (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society) at JNF’s Major Donor Weekend in Phoenix.

Howard Metzenberg (Century Council, King Solomon Society) at an AICAT welcome reception in Bellevue.

(L-R) Alyse Golden Berkley (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) and Adrienne Matros (Century Council, Negev Society) at the Women for Israel (WFI) luncheon in Orange County.

(L-R) Frances Lee Kaufman (World Chairman’s Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society), Alan Fisher (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society), Executive Vice-Chairman of the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites Noa Gefen, Barbara Sommer (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society, Sapphire Society), and Linda and Ed (Herzl Society) Rosen at a Positively Israel event in Palo Alto.

Faye Steinberg (Sapphire Society) at the Love of Israel Brunch in Las Vegas.

(L-R) Geri Kate Pearce (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society, JNFuture Root Society), Lisa Grier, Cindy Furst, and Adrienne Matros (Century Council, Negev Society) at the WFI luncheon in Orange County.

(L-R) Joshua and Shira Offenhartz ( JNFuture Root Society), Susan Farber (President’s Society, Sapphire Society), and Kim (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) and Lynton (President’s Society) Kotzin at the Breakfast for Israel in Phoenix.

(L-R) Arlynn Bock (President’s Society, Sapphire Society), Judy (Sapphire Society) and Dr. Nathan Laufer, Dan Bock (President’s Society), and Rabbi Pinchas Allouche at the JNFuture Shabbat in the Desert in Phoenix.

JNF's Major Donors

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Gabriela Gottlieb (Century Council, President’s Society) with guest speaker Ethan Zohn at a WFI luncheon in Denver.

(L-R) Dr. Nachman (President’s Society) and Minda (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) Kataczinsky, JNF Chief Development Officer Rick Krosnick, and Lisa Maddox at the Love of Israel Brunch in Las Vegas.

Dr. Edgar Moran (Century Council, King Solomon Society) and JNF Orange County Director Lisa Grier at a Planned Giving luncheon in Orange County.

(L-R) Gadi Maier (Century Council, Negev Society), JNF National Campaign Director Sharon Freedman, and Marlene Maier (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society) at a Positively Israel event in Palo Alto.

(L-R) Guest speaker Bret Stephens, Janet Wellish (Sapphire Society), Larry Monkarsh (President’s Society), Bernice Friedman (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society), and JNF Chief Development Officer Rick Krosnick at the Love of Israel Brunch in Las Vegas.

SOUTHERN

(L-R) Carol Knoppow (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society), Sue Rothberg (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society), Judge Ruth Hilliard (Sapphire Society), and Toni Dusik (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) at the Breakfast for Israel in Phoenix.

(L-R) Dr. Toby Mower (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society, Sapphire Society) and Barbara K. Burry (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) at a WFI luncheon in Denver.

Dr. Mark Saifer (Century Council, Negev Society), Dr. Merry Sherman Saifer (Century Council, Negev Society), Judith Sharon, and Dr. David Findley (Century Council, Negev Society) at a Positively Israel event in Palo Alto.

SOUTHEAST

(L-R) Irene and Joel (Century Council, Negev Society) Spalter with Marianne Tettlebaum (Sapphire Society) at Mitzpe Ramon during the Arkansas Community Mission.

Dr. Joel Spalter (Century Council, Negev Society) at the dedication of the Magen David Adom room in the JNF Central Arava Emergency Command and Control Rescue Center in Israel.

(L-R) Robyn Bernstein (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) presenting Sharon Levison (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) with her Sapphire Society necklace at a Women for Israel (WFI) leadership retreat.

Board of Trustee Members Jeffrey Kaufman (Herzl Society) and Karen Kaufman-Senft (Sapphire Society) at an Atlanta Board Meeting.

(L-R) Roni Wolk (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society) presents Marsha Spector (Sapphire Society) with her first Sapphire diamond at a lunch & learn program in Atlanta.

(L-R) Eileen Hoff, Diane Heller (Herzl Society), and Cheryl Orlansky at the 4th Annual Women Noshin’ Hamantaschen event in Atlanta.

JNF Atlanta Campaign Executive Evan Alberhasky and Eileen Price Snow (Herzl Society) at the JNF Atlanta office.

FLORIDA

(L-R) Gail Milgrim (Herzl Society), Nina Oppenheim (President's Society, Sapphire Society), Shari Klafter, and Bruce K. Gould (World Chairman's Council, King Solomon Society) at the Tree of Life™ Gala in Orlando.

(L-R) Jim (World Chairman’s Council, President’s Society) and Jill (World Chairman’s Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society) Riola with JNF Israel Operations Development Officer Ariel Kotler at the Tree of Life™ Gala in Orlando.

(L-R) Jim Shapiro (Century Council, President's Society) with Honest Reporting CEO Joe Hyams, and Valerie Shapiro (Century Council, President's Society, Sapphire Society) at an Israel Briefing event in Orlando.

(L-R) Mark Israel (World Chairman's Council, Negev Society) and Tree of Life™ Honoree Marc Reicher (Herzl Society) at the Tree of Life™ Gala in Orlando.

(L-R) Tampa Bay Board Members Fred (L-R) Honorees and Sarasota Board (Century Council, King Solomon Society) Members David (Century Council, Negev and Lynne (Century Council, King Solomon Society) and Edie (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society) Merriam with Society) Chaifetz with JNF CEO Russell Tampa Bay Board Member Ellyn Kessler F. Robinson at the Guardian of Israel (Sapphire Society) and JNF-LOTEM Liaison Luncheon in Sarasota.

Gaylee Schif at a parlor meeting in Clearwater.

Director of Special in Uniform Lt. Col. (Res.) Tiran Attia with Midge Rauch (President’s Society) in Bonita Springs.

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JNF's Major Donors

(L-R) Harry and Sarasota Board President Marsha (Sapphire Society) Eisenberg with JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson at the Guardian of Israel Luncheon in Sarasota.

(L-R) Tree of Life™ Honorees Marc Reicher (Herzl Society), Jim Riola (World Chairman’s Council, President’s Society), Debbie Meitin (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society), and Rabbi Aaron Rubinger at the Tree of Life™ Gala in Orlando.

(L-R) Len and Helen (Sapphire Society) (L-R) JNF National First Vice President Alan Glaser with JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson at Dabrow (Century Council, Negev Society), the Guardian of Israel Luncheon in Sarasota. Naples Board Member Estelle Price (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society), JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson, Louise Dabrow (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society), and Naples Board Member Stuart Price (Century Council, Negev Society) in Naples.

(L-R) Noel (Century Council, Negev Society) and Toby (Century Council, Negev Society) Siegel with JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson at the Guardian of Israel Luncheon in Sarasota.

(L-R) James Anchin (Herzl Society), Addison Shuster (President’s Society), Arthur Silber (Century Council, Herzl Society), and Mort Fishman (Herzl Society) at a parlor meeting in Palm Beach.

(L-R) Cookbook author Joan Nathan with JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson with Betty Tampa Bay Co-President Ida Raye Chernin Schoenbaum (President’s Society) at the (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Guardian of Israel Luncheon in Sarasota.

Society), Women for Israel (WFI) National President Nina Paul (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society), and Tampa Bay Co-President Mary Ellen Hogan (Century Council, President’s Society) at a WFI Thank You event in St. Petersburg.

(L-R) Marni Kriss (Century Council, President’s Society, Sapphire Society), Carol Milett (Sapphire Society), and Nancie Segel (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society, Sapphire Society) at a Major Donor Thank You dinner in Miami.

(L-R) JNF National President-Elect and Vice President, Campaign Bruce K. Gould (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society) with JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson and Jeffrey Gould at the Guardian of Israel Luncheon in Sarasota.

(L-R) Jeffrey and Robin (Herzl Society) Amkraut with Dennis Prager, and Fern (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) and Rabbi Sheldon (President’s Society) Harr at “An Evening with Dennis Prager” in Weston.

(L-R) Sharon and Rubin (Century Council, Negev Society) Pikus with JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson, Eva Schlanger (World Chairman’s Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society), guest speaker Alan Dershowitz, and Marvin Schlanger (World Chairman’s Council, Negev Society) at the Winter Connection Brunch in Boca Raton.

(L-R) VP of Israel Relations Committee Ken Segel (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society), Shara Scottland ( JNFuture Root Society), Lea Fruchter ( JNFuture Root Society), Miami Board President-Elect Maia Aron ( JNFuture Root Society), and JNF National President Dr. Sol Lizerbram (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society) at a JNFuture Major Donor dinner in Miami.

(L-R) JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson with Devorah (Sapphire Society, JNFuture Root Society) and Elchonon Shagalov at a Major Donor Thank You dinner in Miami.

(L-R) George and Ellyn (Herzl Society) Levie with Vivian Grossman (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society, Sapphire Society), and Lorelei Ennis (Sapphire Society) at “An Evening with Dennis Prager” in Weston.

Margaret (Sapphire Society) and Robert Blume at “An Evening with Dennis Prager” at Temple Emanu-El in Palm Beach.

(L-R) Eric Stein (President’s Society) with Florence Paley (Century Council, Negev Society, Sapphire Society) and JNF-HaShomer HaChadash Liaison Uriah Resheff at the Annual Boca Raton Event.

Basheva (President’s Society, Sapphire Society) and Murray (President’s Society) Goldberg at the Annual Boca Raton Event.

(L-R) Vivian Grossman (World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society, Sapphire Society), Dr. Robert Ennis, JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson, Lorelei Ennis (Sapphire Society), and Deborah Ring at Temple Dor Dorim in Weston.

(L-R) Guest speaker Dennis Prager with Avram Cooperman (President’s Society) at the Annual Boca Raton Event.

JNF's Major Donors

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Share the Gift of Birthrigh t Israel

JNF ALTERNATIVE WINTER BREAK December 22 – 30, 2018 Get early bird status for this winter & next summer at

ISRAELWITHISRAELIS.COM/SIGNUP Birthright Israel is for 18-26 year olds with at least one Jewish parent who fit the Birthright Israel eligibility requirements outlined at israelwithisraelis.com/eligibility. Limited spots available for 27-32 year olds on select trips.

CONTACT SHORASHIM (312) 267-0677 • REGISTRATION@SHORASHIM.ORG • ISRAELWITHISRAELIS.COM

Looking for a service vacation with a Jewish spin? Want to do something amazing on your next school break? Loved Israel and can’t wait to go back?

JNF Alternative Winter Break is the trip for you.

• Get your hands dirty with meaningful community projects • Open to Jewish young adults, ages 18–24 • All expenses paid, after a fundraising goal of $950 is met

Register at jnf.org/break For more Information, contact Amy Cytron at acytron@jnf.org or 414.963.8733 x776

THIS TRIP IS A GIFT FROM BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL

Register Now For Jewish National Fund's National Conference October 26 – 28, 2018 The Arizona Biltmore 2400 E. Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, AZ Join us for a powerful three-day event filled with inspiring moments, enlightening educational sessions, and motivating keynote speakers.

Register and view this year’s program (to date) at jnf.org/nc

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B'Yachad

Jewish National Fund

jnf.org/travel ∙ 877.563.8687

Connecting and Growing New Israelis Nefesh B’Nefesh raises the bar in Tel Aviv are a phenomenon across the world today. In any bustling city, you’ll find dozens of places where young professionals are renting space to consult, work remotely, or run their own start-ups. To the casual observer, it would seem there are as many co-working spaces as there are coffee shops on the busy street.

In Israel, and Tel Aviv in particular, this phenomenon has taken off, and Nefesh B’Nefesh (NBN), the organization responsible for bringing over 55,000 olim [new immigrants] to Israel in partnership with Jewish National Fund, is applying this groundbreaking concept to better integrate young olim into Israeli society.

In the spring of 2017, the NBN TLV Hub opened in the heart of Tel Aviv, connecting olim to the start-up, career, and community ecosystems of the city. “We wanted to provide this generation of younger, professional olim with a place to network—both socially and professionally,” said Benji Davis, director of the NBN TLV Hub. “There’s been an increase in aliyah to Tel Aviv and it was important to be in the heart of the city, but not with a conventional office. Instead, we applied the established concept of a co-working space to the aliyah model, allowing young individuals who make aliyah because of their Zionist

CO-WORKING SPACES

Moe Mernick

Arsen Ostrovsky

ideals to gain from the wisdom and experience of their peers. This methodology ensures successful absorption into Israeli life.”

NBN’s team of employment advisors, event coordinators, government advocates, and guidance counselors are on hand to assist olim and better ensure a soft landing and smooth transition. Many of the olim use the Hub to build businesses, consult, study, or search for jobs, be it immediately after landing in Israel, waiting until they finish Ulpan (Hebrew immersion class), or following the completion of their army service as a lone soldier.

Over 200 members have passed through the Hub’s doors in its first year of operation, and an average of 25 people are using the Hub daily, with hundreds more flowing through to attend various social events, networking meetups, practical seminars, and monthly Shabbat dinners.

The NBN TLV Hub has successfully transformed into a home for many young professionals who have bravely decided to lay roots in the Jewish homeland.

“Before the hub existed, people were going to cafés or working from home,” said Davis. “The Hub lifts their energy and output because it’s an environment where everyone is looking to take it to the next level.” NBN, in

partnership with Jewish National Fund, is raising the bar to the next level. Together, the two organizations are empowering the next generation of Israel’s leaders by providing an organic space to grow their Israel stories and make an impact.

For more information on Nefesh B’Nefesh, contact Doreet Freedman at doreet@nbn.org.il.

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B'Yachad

33

New Technologies Connecting Us to the Past Jewish National Fund: Reconnecting Families Through Generations think of social media as a place with a front row view of where technology is headed. It also anchors us to the present, keeping us informed of current events or a friend’s cute pet photos. But sometimes, it is also a forum to reconnect with the past.

In advance of the last issue of B’Yachad, “The Green Issue,” we ran a contest on our Jewish National Fund Facebook page asking friends and followers to tell us about the heroes in their lives. We received hundreds of nominations, but chose to highlight four of them in the magazine in an article titled, “The Hero in Each of Us.” One of the heroes, Ezra Tobias, was nominated by his niece, Adrienne Alexander, who wrote: “Although he has passed, I nominate my mother’s brother, Ezra Tobias.

He served in World War II and was a P.O.W. for several years. He finally came back to England and then almost immediately left for Palestine. Ezra is shown in this photo, bottom row, right (he has a helmet on). He lived there for many years.”

IT’S EASY TO

We loved this story for its connection to Israel’s history and its embodiment of classic heroism. Little did we know that the entry and photo would mean so much to one family. Soon after the issue hit homes, we were contacted by a member of the Tobias family. They hadn’t been in touch with their cousin Adrienne in some time and were happily surprised to see both Adrienne and Ezra’s names in our magazine. We subsequently received

inquiries from Ezra’s stepchildren, delighted to see their stepfather’s name in print. They told us: “Ezra had survived for several years, when he and his fellow sailors were captured in WWII, as ‘a guest of the Japanese’ (slave labor), as he used to say. Following his repatriation to England, he smuggled himself into Israel (Palestine at the time) to fight in Israel’s War of Independence, married and had a family, and lived on a moshav for years afterward. He was an ordinary man who led an extraordinary life.” We are thrilled that this one article in B’Yachad was able to renew links and reconnect long-lost family members.

As Israel enters its 70th year of independence, it is fitting that this serendipitous family reunion occurred on our Facebook page and through Jewish National Fund’s magazine. We look forward to sharing more of Israel’s history—our collective family narrative—through all our social and communication channels as we celebrate the land and people of Israel.

Follow us on Facebook (Jewish National Fund-JNF), Twitter (@jnfusa), and Instagram (@jnfusa).

VACATION WITH MEANING

A week of volunteering in Israel with Jewish National Fund

Engage Your Audience

December 23 – 29, 2018 (Ages 25 – 35) HIGHLIGHTS

With one of the many inspirational leaders from Jewish National Fund’s Speakers Bureau.

Let Jewish National Fund connect you to the most fascinating speakers with expertise on topics ranging from current affairs and the Middle East to technology, Jewish culture, and more.

Book Your Speaker Today!

212.879.9307 · speakers@jnf.org · jnf.org/speakers

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B'Yachad

Jewish National Fund

• Make a lasting impact on the lives of those who call Israel home • Pay it forward while getting your hands dirty with your peers • Build something you can call your own, and deepen your connection to the land and people of Israel

Register at jnf.org/jive18 For more information, contact Esti Marcus at emarcus@jnf.org or 212.879.9305 x506 jnf.org/travel ∙ 877.563.8687

ENHANCE YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION. ENRICH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE. Spend six weeks, eight weeks, or a full semester in Israel.

A high school study abroad academic adventure!

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Photo by Noam Chen

2 018 - 2 02 0 T R AV EL & T OUR S

There’s Something for Everyone to Explore.

Experience Israel with JNF Travel & Tours.

Young Professionals Tour (for singles ages 30 – 45) JULY 8 – 15, 2018 An exhilarating adventure with other like-minded singles experiencing Israel’s vibrant culture, cuisine, and history.

Sunshine Tour (for active adults 55+)

A week of volunteering in Israel with Jewish National Fund DECEMBER 23 – 29, 2018 Build something you can call your own, and deepen your connection to the land and people of Israel with young professionals ages 25-35.

Active Retirees in Israel (CAARI)

AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 4, 2018 A life-changing, 10-day excursion exploring the country from north to south.

President’s Society Mission OCTOBER 14 – 18, 2018 | OPTIONAL PRE- MISSION TO ROME: OCTOBER 10 – 14 An exclusive opportunity for JNF Major Donors * to experience the Central Arava in Israel’s Negev Desert. *Minimum gift of $10,000 is required

Queen of Sheba: Women For Israel Tour NOVEMBER 8 – 14, 2018 Embark as friends. Leave as sisters. Join this memorable experience to Israel for women only.

JANUARY 11 – FEBRUARY 28, 2019 | 2 -7 WEEK PROGRAMS AVAILABLE Learn the land and lend a hand through rewarding community service for adults ages 50+.

Doctors for Israel Tour FEBRUARY 17 – 21, 2019 An insider’s view into Israel’s medical field and healthcare industry.

Spirit of Israel Tour APRIL 7 – 15, 2019 Discover the sights, sounds, and flavors of the land while celebrating Israel.

JNF–Hadassah Family Trip

Israel H 2 O Tour DECEMBER 10 – 17, 2018 A unique water-focused tour of Israel with exclusive access to leading water technologies and experts.

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Vacation with Meaning:

CALL

877.563.8687 ·

VISIT

DECEMBER 24, 2019 – JANUARY 2, 2020 | Bar/Bat Mitzvah options available A vacation the whole family can enjoy on this inspirational trip to Israel!

jnf.org/travel ·

EMAIL

travel@jnf.org