JNF Works with Families in Gaza Border Towns

Contact: Jodi Bodner • JNF Director of Communications • 212-879-9305 ext. 221 • jbodner@jnf.org

December 31, 2008 -- New York, NY -- Since the start of Israel’s operation in Gaza on Saturday, Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael has been at the ready on all fronts to do what it does best: caring for the land and people of Israel.

• JNF-KKL’s southern command has been on full alert ready to fight fires and protect all open spaces, forests, and sites within rocket range in coordination with the Home Front Command and the Israel Defense Forces.
• JNF-KKL’s Nes Harim Forest and Field Center near Jerusalem is preparing to host families from the south for a few days of peace and quiet beyond rocket range as it has done repeatedly in the past. JNF-KKL employees are also hosting families from Sderot and surrounding communities, in their homes.
• JNF-KKL’s projects in the south are continuing to make a difference in the lives of area residents. Three security roads -- in Netiv Hassara,Tzeelim and Kerem Shalom -- provide access for local farmers so they can take care of the immediate needs of their crops, even under fire. The roads are also used during emergencies by all residents within range of the missiles, and by the army. The water reservoirs in Nachal Oz, Kefar Aza, Besor, and Nir Am, are in full use, and the parks in Ofakim, Netivot, Ashdod, Park Eshkol, Kiryat Malachi, Nir Am, Yad Mordechai, and Ibim provide respite from the harsh realities of life in the region.
• JNF’s work continues on the 20,000-square-foot secure indoor recreation center being built for the children and families of Sderot. Conceived of in May, the $5 million project is set to open in time for Purim 2009, and will give the children in that besieged town something they need most: the chance to be children again.
• 120 college students and young professionals are in Israel now on JNF’s Alternative Winter Break (AWB) in partnership with the National Ramah Commission, Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC) -- representing Jewish members of the Greek fraternity and sorority system -- and Chabad on Campus, working in development towns, on farms, and in forests, to bring a better life to residents of the Negev. To participate, each student was responsible for raising a minimum of $950 for the JNF playground in Sderot, for a total of $120,000.

"We're here doing all sorts of service projects to help people in need," said Nadav Havivi, one of the AWB participants. "I don't feel unsafe. Even more, I feel like we should be here telling other people that it's okay to come to Israel."

"Jewish National Fund is united with the people of Israel," said JNF President Stanley M. Chesley in a letter to donors. "We support them and will continue to do what we always do. We act, and of this I am very proud."

Captions:

Top photo: One of the security roads on the border with Gaza.
Bottom photo: AWB participants paint a building in Arad.

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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. JNF gives all generations of Jews a unique voice in building a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people.

JNF embodies both heart and action; our work is varied in scope but singular in benefit. We strive 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.

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