If February had a theme at Jewish National Fund-USA, it would be unstoppable resilience and momentum. In the Negev and the Galilee, we’re building, innovating, and ensuring a brighter tomorrow through our Circle of Impact – where every initiative, project, and program is strategically selected for the ripple effect it creates in increasing population and economic growth.
In Arad, we’re transforming the city’s future with a
100-million-shekel investment in industrial development, drawing in more
than 30 companies and planning for thousands of new homes. Our goal? Increase
the population by nearly 50% in the next decade. And with priority housing
for military reservists, we’re ensuring those who defend Israel have a home
they deserve.
Down south, in the Arava, our agricultural school is
cultivating the next generation of global leaders in sustainable farming. From
traditional Bedouin agriculture to cutting-edge mechanization, students from
developing countries are gaining the tools to revolutionize their homelands.
Meanwhile, 9,000 visitors flocked to the “From Greenhouse to Plate”
Festival, experiencing the magic of desert agriculture firsthand.
The Eilot Region
continues to be a beacon of resilience, hosting returning reservists for
workshops, paving new accessible paths at Timna Park, and pushing the envelope
on agrivoltaics—blending renewable energy and farming.
Up north, our Global Culinary Institute is making
major strides. Dorms are nearly complete, housing lots are selling, and
we’ve launched partnerships with Tel Hai University and Migal
R&D—Israel’s powerhouse in food-tech innovation. Construction pushes
forward despite the security situation, because nothing can stop the dream of
making the Galilee a world-class culinary capital.
Security remains a top priority. Our Emergency Response
Centers are expanding, with eight new facilities in development,
each a critical hub for life-saving operations. Meanwhile, our Home
Fortification project is leading the charge in protecting residential
communities, with Kibbutz Gvulot as the first
pilot site.
As part of our Circle of Impact, healing and resilience are
also at the heart of our work. In Sha’ar HaNegev, we’ve provided nearly 7,200
therapy sessions, launched a youth leadership initiative, and even
hosted a Special Olympics-style competition in our newly renovated
hydrotherapy center.
And in Kiryat Shmona, our impact is tangible. We’ve
managed the evacuation and return of 25,000 residents, secured $10
million for housing, and completed the skeleton of a new medical center,
ensuring life-saving services reach those who need them most.
Meanwhile, 8 missions with 166 participants
volunteered in 3 communities in the north and south. In addition, the
volunteers made over 500 care packages for soldiers while also holding a
special tree planting for Tu BiShvat.
From heritage preservation to community-building
in Wadi Attir, from hosting missions and
volunteers, reimagining Zionist education with the World Zionist Village,
we are not just responding to today’s challenges—we are shaping Israel’s
future.
This is what it means to be #PoweredByJNF. This is
how we build a nation. And this is the story you are helping to write.
