Campaign All Star
Nancy Simches’ 90-year commitment to Israel is a living testament to her father’s legacy and her family’s impactful philanthropy. Her father, Thomas Black, was a visionary Zionist who passed on his love for Israel to his daughter, who in turn passed it on, alongside her husband Richard (z”l), to her children. For Nancy, Jewish National Fund-USA is the ultimate partner in making a difference, and through her philanthropic investments, she is saving lives, making the desert bloom, and building a brighter future for the land and people of Israel.
Particularly dedicated to the development of the Arava in the Negev Desert, Nancy has supported many initiatives that create a safer, more prosperous future for the region. In particular, the Richard and Nancy Simches Emergency Response Center in the Central Arava is a lifesaving establishment that is critical both for day-to-day emergency needs and for the region’s civil defense. Nancy recognizes the untapped potential that the desert holds, sharing, “As the population increases, with it comes opportunities for economic development, research, and agriculture. I admire the pioneering spirit of those in the Central Arava and applaud their innovation and dedication to the land. Along with my late husband, Richard, I have the utmost respect for those who risk everything to invest in their dream. If our small contributions can help realize these dreams, I am honored to be part of this journey.”
Nancy has also personally dedicated her philanthropy towards other critical initiatives for Israel’s Fire & Rescue services, stating that the safety of Israelis is her number one priority. In an arid land prone to outbreaks of natural fires, not to mention the regular blazes that ongoing rockets have caused, the availability of these services can mean the difference between life and death.
Of course, it all comes back to honoring those who came before, and Nancy is particularly moved when she can dedicate her philanthropy to that legacy. “When I see a photo of our fire truck bearing my father’s name,” she said, “I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude and love and appreciation. I get tears in my eyes knowing how proud my parents would be to witness our support of Israel as it continues to fight for its existence. They would expect nothing less.”
The past lives on through Nancy, but she never stops looking forward. In celebration of her upcoming 91st birthday, Nancy pledged an additional $250,000 to Jewish National Fund-USA to be used where it is needed most.
In her own words, “Israel is our heritage; the country, our legacy. Its future—its very survival—entrusted to each new generation. We have made a sacred promise to those upon whose shoulders we stand—those many who have sacrificed their lives and those who continue to risk their own today so that Israel lives on. We cherish this history, we honor these lives, and we pledge to protect and defend and support our beloved homeland. Am Yisrael Chai!”
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