Philadelphia to Host JNF National Conference

More than 500 donors expected to attend

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

June 30, 2009 -- Philadelphia, PA -- It is only fitting that the seat of this nation’s independence will play host to the organization that has most developed and cared for its strongest ally in the Middle East.

Jewish National Fund (JNF), caretaker of the land of Israel, will hold its annual national conference October 25-26, 2009 at the Marriot Downtown in Philadelphia.

More than 500 people are expected to attend the two-day conference to learn about JNF’s most recent innovations and developments in Israel and hear from experts about the latest issues Israel faces. Topics include: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict in the Shadow of Hezbollah and Iran; Water and the Future of the Middle East; Engaging the Next Generation on College Campuses and Beyond; and Providing Security for the People of Israel.

Participants will hear from such notables as PA Governor Ed Rendell; Sderot Mayor David Buskila; Professor Uri Shani, director of the Israel Water Authority, Jay Bielski, son of Zus Bielski of the movie “Defiance”, and Jewish Rock Artist Rick Recht.

The annual Sunday night gala will be held at the historic National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

“This is the first time that Philadelphia is hosting this conference,” said Alan Dabrow, JNF First Vice President, chair of the conference, and a Philadelphia-area resident. “We are very excited about it -- in fact our slogan is 'it's gonna be a bell ringer' -- and we will be doing some very interesting things.

“For the first time we are holding a Friday night dinner at the oldest continually operating synagogue in the U.S. -- Congregation Mikveh Israel. Our Sunday night gala will be held at the Constitution Center, and we even have Ben Franklin coming. But more than that this is an opportunity for people to really learn what JNF is doing to combat very serious issues like the water shortage. JNF’s work with water will not and does not affect just Israel but the entire Middle East. It’s just a two-day conference but it’s a jam-packed, riveting, thought-provoking two days and we encourage everyone who cares about Israel to come.”

To register for JNF’s annual conference, go to www.jnf.org.

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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.

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 888-JNF-0099 or visit www.jnf.org.