A Baltimore family solidifies its commitment to the people of Israel, gifting a bomb shelter to a Gaza border community.
Since their first visit to Israel in 2000, Wendy and Dr. Jeffrey Miller of Baltimore and St. Petersburg, FL, have felt an indescribable connection to their ancestral homeland. Over the years, they've channeled this deep love into action, supporting Israel in countless ways, particularly through their involvement with Jewish National Fund-USA.
As parents to three grown children and proud grandparents of three, the couple have embedded a deep love for Judaism and Israel in their family and home life for decades. Their active involvement in their school and synagogue communities their dedicated work with Jewish National Fund-USA are all ways that they demonstrate their unwavering support for Israel.
“Our passion and love for Israel has only grown stronger with each involvement and every trip, not just for Jeffrey and me, but for our kids as well,” Wendy said.
After the tragic events of October 7, the Miller family felt compelled to act. They decided to dedicate a bomb shelter in Halutza, a community in the Northwest Negev. Halutza was founded by families evacuated from the Gush Katif communities of Atzmona and Netzarim during Israel’s disengagement from Gaza. Located on Israel’s borders with Egypt and Gaza, the people of Halutza are true pioneers. After the 2005 disengagement, they chose not to dwell in anger but to continue contributing to the development of Israel by inhabiting and farming one of the country’s most remote corners, encouraging others to join them.
Jewish National Fund-USA has supported Halutza every step of the way through its ambitious Blueprint Negev plan to build and expand the Negev. Over the years, the organization has helped establish medical centers, community centers, synagogues, parks, and playgrounds in the Halutza region.
Yet, the harsh reality is that Halutza is in a precarious region, where bomb shelters are an unfortunate necessity.
“We’ve visited communities in Israel that border Gaza, and we’re acutely aware of the need for bomb shelters throughout the country,” Wendy shared. “We’ve seen firsthand the impact of Jewish National Fund-USA’s work.”
“In this time of conflict, we want to do whatever we can to help, even from 6,000 miles away. Dedicating a bomb shelter is our way of showing support and helping to protect our brothers and sisters in Israel. Since October 7, we’ve never felt more strongly that we are truly one family. And we would do anything for family.” For more information about supporting bomb shelters in Israel, visit jnf.org/bombshelters.
