Purim-Solidarity Mission to Sderot Announced by JNF

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

February 12, 2009 -- New York, NY-- What better way to celebrate the Purim holiday than with the children of Sderot and attend the grand opening of the 20,000-square-foot secure indoor recreation center built for the Sderot community by Jewish National Fund (JNF).

For just $550 (land only), you can be part of this momentous occasion.

What a wonderful opportunity to travel to Israel, show solidarity and celebrate Purim at this important time in her history. Mission starts from Ben Gurion airport at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2009 and ends at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. 2009.

“No one deserves this more than the children and families of Sderot,” said JNF President Stanley Chesley. “What they have endured over the past eight years is unfathomable. Join me as we unveil our gift and celebrate the holiday’s timeless triumph over evil.”

Mission highlights:

• VIP opening of Sderot Indoor Playground. This is a JNF signature project. It is the largest indoor Community Recreation Center in Israel, presented to the people of Sderot as a place to laugh and smile again.
• Purim celebrations
• Planting trees at Neot Kedumim
• Lunch with soldiers at an IDF base
• Panel on Blueprint Negev, JNF’s initiative to sustainably develop the Negev Desert for tomorrow’s generations of Israel’s residents
• A visit to Be’er Sheva's River Walk and Old City
• Briefing by Israel’s Water Commissioner on Israel’s water situation
• Visit Ashkelon’s Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant
• Meetings with: mayor of Be’er Sheva, Ruvik Danilovich; mayor of Sderot, David Buskila; Israeli ministers and government officials

Space is limited.  Register by February 26, 2009 at www.support.jnf.org/sderotmission or call JNF Travel & Tours at 877-JNF-TOUR.

Land only price: $550 (Double Occupancy) $650 (Single Occupancy). This is a land only mission.  Airfare is not included. Mission includes luxury air-conditioned bus, designated arrival and departure transfers, hotel accommodation at Crowne Plaza Ashkelon, most meals. 

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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.