In Summer 2018, my good friend and CEO of Jewish National Fund, Russell F. Robinson, wrote in a special message in this publication that just four years into our revolutionary One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade campaign, Jewish National Fund was over half way toward our goal. This achievement was, and remains, a result of the response of our amazing partners—our donors—who together with JNF are on a journey for our Jewish homeland.
As we mark our seventh year into this groundbreaking campaign, I’m proud to report that Jewish National Fund has surpassed $704 million dollars to date.
This milestone is underscored by our development in the Galilee and Negev. The achievements we have seen would not have come to fruition without your support. Thank you.
You, our partners, have played a crucial role supporting Be’er Sheva’s rapid economic development, including the completion of the Be’er Sheva River Park and Lake, and the expansion of the Ronald S. Lauder Employment Center’s services throughout the region.
We are helping relieve overcrowding in the center of Israel, and the Housing Development Fund has been responsible for 1,338 new housing sites in the Negev and Galilee. An additional $18 million is committed toward future developments. Jewish National Fund has also funded five fire stations, purchased 200 fire trucks and 15 fire wagons, and other life-saving equipment. We are the first responders for the first responders.
In the north, we are making further investments to attract 300,000 new residents to the Galilee with job creation and economic development initiatives. The Jewish National Fund Tourist Information Center in Akko is a success for small businesses in the Galilee—all thanks to you—bringing together the region’s tour operators, small businesses, and regional attractions, drawing more tourists to Israel’s north. Jewish National Fund is poised to develop the Upper Eastern Galilee into Israel’s culinary capital with the Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF, which will provide students with cutting-edge culinary tools and techniques, a medical center, and a food technology center. Bon appétit!
We continue to connect the next generation to Israel through our Israel Continuum, Israel Education and Advocacy programs, JNFuture for young philanthropists, and the construction of the $300 million Jewish National Fund-USA Israel Education and Technology Campus in Be’er Sheva for the Jewish world to come together.
This is all made possible thanks to you and your philanthropy. Jewish National Fund has been there for the land and people of Israel for nearly 120 years, and I, along with our lay leadership and professional staff, will continue to be there on the ground to keep us going.
Thank you for continuing along with us on this magical journey. To read the rest of the 2020 Fall B'Yachad magazine, please click here.
Jeffrey E. Levine is the Chairperson of the Board for Jewish National Fund-USA.
