NEW YORK, December 18, 2025 — A group of volunteers ages 55 and older recently participated in Jewish National Fund-USA’s Sunshine Volunteer Mission to Israel, where they spent five days restoring Israeli communities destroyed in the Hamas terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, while finding inspiration in the resilience of the people they encountered.
Mission participants repaired and painted schools and playgrounds in Israel’s South, provided hands-on assistance to farmers, prepared food and care packages for Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, and offered help wherever possible. From first-timers to frequent flyers, the attendees of all experience levels found the mission to be incredibly meaningful.
“While the Israelis appreciate us so much for being with them, I must say it felt like I needed them more than they needed me,” said West Orange, N.J. resident Miriam Seiden, noting that this was her second volunteer mission to Israel with Jewish National Fund-USA. “Both experiences gave me much-needed connection to the people, the land, and my heritage. The amazing love for country and community and the will and resilience to survive and keep moving forward allowed me to return to the United States with uplifted spirits and the strength to be hopeful and proactive.”
Volunteers prepare food for soldiers
Beyond their volunteer work, participants bore witness to the tragic events of Oct. 7. They visited both Hostages Square and the site of the Nova Music Festival massacre, met with survivors, soldiers, and community leaders who shared their firsthand experiences, and paid tribute to fallen Jewish soldiers at Jewish National Fund-USA’s Wall of Honor at Ammunition Hill.
“Our presence was very much appreciated, and we were thanked most sincerely everywhere we went,” said Len Wizmur, a participant from Mount Laurel, N.J. “Our interaction with young people in Israel, in particular the security guard on our bus who had fought in Gaza and elsewhere, and the many IDF soldiers we encountered, made me realize how incredibly resilient and passionate about Israel these young people are.”
Attendees also visited Jewish National Fund-USA sites across the country, where they saw how the organization is securing Israel's future by creating the most livable towns and cities in the country's North and South to attract 800,000 new residents. They viewed the extraordinary progress being made at several of the organization’s initiatives in Israel’s North, including its Kiryat Shmona Medical Center and the Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF, which is set to make Israel’s North the next global food destination.
Participants at Jewish National Fund-USA's Wall of Honor at Ammunition Hill
“I was blown away by witnessing up close and personal the incredible impact Jewish National Fund-USA is having in Israel,” said Judy Wizmur, Len’s wife. “I was truly inspired by what we saw, and thrilled that we could participate and support the organization’s incredibly valuable work.”
Len and Judy Wizmur recently made a generous gift of appreciated assets to Jewish National Fund—an act that not only provides them with significant tax benefits but also ensures their values and impact will live on.
“We are both children of Holocaust survivors, and we have always understood the importance and the miracle of the state of Israel,” said Judy. “Through our legacy commitment to Jewish National Fund, we confirm our love of the state, and our continued intention to support it in every way we can.”
The next 10-day Sunshine Tour to Israel: For Active Adults 55+ will be held from April 26 to May 5, 2026. To learn more or to register, visit jnf.org/sunshinespring26. To learn more about the many ways you can leave your legacy with Jewish National Fund, contact our Planned Giving Specialists at plannedgiving@jnf.orgor 800.562.7526.
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About Jewish National Fund-USA
Jewish National Fund-USA is building a strong and vibrant future for the land and people of Israel. Through its One Million Voices for Israel campaign, the organization unites supporters nationwide around its holistic approach to supporting individuals, families, communities, and regions in Israel's North and South, known as circles of impact. Leveraging its 125 years of impact, Jewish National Fund-USA is developing the most livable towns and cities in frontier communities to attract 800,000 new residents; creating a lifelong continuum of Zionist education through travel, learning, and leadership; and establishing the World Zionist Village in Be'er Sheva, a global hub for connection and peoplehood. With donor recognition and legacy giving at its core, supporters ensure their values and impact endure—yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Learn more at jnf.org.
