Campaign All-Star

As the son of two Holocaust survivors from Poland, Chuck Kafenshtok grew up keenly aware of the importance of the Jewish homeland. Chuck’s mother and father met after the war, got married in Germany in 1948, moved to Israel, and Chuck was born in Jaffa.

Because of his family background, and his deep love for his homeland, Chuck, who lives in Chicago, decided to become involved with his local chapter of Jewish National Fund-USA in 2004.

“I have the ‘never again’ mentality,” he said. “It was very important for me to join Jewish National Fund-USA to get the message across to my kids and grandkids. This is our homeland. That is the most vital message I can say to anybody.”

Chuck and his wife Robin quickly became active supporters of Jewish National Fund-USA. They raised more than $1 million for various initiatives, including the development of the Gaza Envelope region. From 2021 to 2023, Chuck served as the Illinois Board President.

“My wife and I were one of the first 13 people who joined the Gaza Envelope Task Force,” he said. “For every dollar we put in there, the government or municipality matched it. We built resilience and trauma centers and provided animal therapy. We helped the community grow and stay safe.”

Another organizational initiative Chuck was passionate about was Giv’ot Bar, a town in Israel’s south that was not yet developed at the time.

“When we were initially introduced to it, they had five caravans there, and they wanted to build 800 homes,” he said. “When I joined the Chicago board, I said, ‘Why don’t we make this a Chicago project?’ We were then joined by Miami.”

A few years later, Chuck led a mission to the small southern town and saw 600 families living in the region.

“That was a very prideful thing,” he said.

Ellen Spira Hattenbach, National Campaign Director for the Midwest, said that as president, Chuck was all about creating community. He also never took “no” for an answer.

“He never sees an obstacle, she said. “He sees opportunity in everything. He is not afraid at all. Chuck sees the bigger picture. He’s a real leader.”

Chief Development Officer Rick Krosnick echoed a similar sentiment. “Chuck is a true investor in JNF-USA,” he said. “He has brought strategic thinking to everything he’s done with us. He wants to roll up his sleeves and help problem-solve.”

For Chuck, who is moving to Naples, Florida, the work with Jewish National Fund-USA will not end. He and Robin already joined the local chapter and held a parlor meeting.

He hopes to inspire the younger generation to contribute their time and energy to the Jewish State as well.

“My ultimate goal is to make sure the Diaspora does not abandon Israel,” he said. “Jewish National Fund-USA does such amazing outreach for the land and people of Israel. I hope it stays that way.”