Jewish National Fund-USA grows hope, partnerships, and possibilities.
Ofir Libstein Regional Athletic Complex Builds Hope
In Sha’ar HaNegev, in the western Negev, just a few miles from the Gaza border, the new Ofir Libstein Regional Athletic Complex is a small miracle come true for that community in the wake of October 7. It inspires hope and resilience.
Community leaders gathered in February to dedicate this facility that carries profound meaning. Named for Ofir Libstein, the former head of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council who was killed defending Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023, the Jewish National Fund-USA-supported complex brings his vision for a vibrant, thriving community to life. For JNF-USA CEO Russell F. Robinson, the dedication was deeply personal. Ofir was his friend. What began as a project envisioned during Ofir’s lifetime became, after October 7, a promise to his family and community: his dream would not be abandoned.
“This is Ofir’s dream come true,” former chair of the JNF-USA Gaza Envelope Task Force Betsy Fischer said at the dedication. Looking toward Ofir’s widow, Vered, Betsy added that seeing her smile was deeply moving—but heartbreaking because “Ofir isn’t here to see it.” Those words capture the grief and hope existing side by side.
The story of the Ofir Libstein Regional Athletic Complex resonates on a deeply human level. This is not simply a sports facility. It is a place where children can feel safe, families can reconnect, and a community can begin to imagine a future beyond October 7. The complex is located near schools and other educational facilities, so it is intended to serve children and families, as well as competitive athletes. It will provide physical education, youth leagues, recreational programs, and resilience-oriented activities. An Israeli report estimated the center could serve about 1,500 users each week, including children, teenagers, and adults.
With a competition-grade soccer field (only the third one in Israel), a professional running/athletics track, long- and high-jump facilities, spectator stands and stadium seating, bomb shelters/fortified spaces, gardens, and community gathering areas, every race, every goal, and every cheering crowd is a reminder that Sha’ar HaNegev is not defined by what it lost. It is defined by what it chooses to build.
Member of JNF-USA’s Board of Directors, Mitch Frumkin, helped champion the original project and once said the athletic center is “one giant resilience center serving the entire community.” Today, resilience is visible everywhere: on the track, across the soccer field, and in the stands.
Ofir dreamed of a thriving community. Now, his dream has a home—and a future.
– Lynette Feit Buzen, Vice Chair of this Newsletter, Member of the Jewish National Fund-USA Board of Directors, Long Island
Women for Israel Champions Muss High School Israel
We all want to strengthen our children’s Jewish identities and their ability to respond to antisemitism and anti-Israel forces on their college campuses. What can we do to increase our chances of reaching that goal? JNF-USA’s Women for Israel leadership is pledging to align itself with Muss High School Israel (Muss), a JNF-USA study abroad program.
Kim Kotzin, immediate Past President, National WFI Executive Board and now a member of the Muss board, says, “For generations, Jewish women have been the heart of the home—the guardians of tradition, the builders of identity, and the guiding force shaping the next generation. Today, that responsibility carries new urgency. With Muss High School Israel’s immersive study and lived experiences curriculum, Muss equips students with knowledge, resilience, and pride that will stay with them for life. But access to this transformative opportunity depends on us. As women who so often set the priorities for our families and communities, we have the power—and the responsibility—to ensure our children and grandchildren are given the foundation they need.”
Susan Sacks, President of the Muss Board and a VP on the JNF-USA National Board, gave the National WFI Board a persuasive argument regarding why the knowledge and experience Muss delivers is so important for our future generations. She relayed that Muss, powered by JNF-USA, is the premier Zionist leadership development pipeline, forging resilient young leaders with strong Jewish identities and lasting connections to Israel. Its accelerated programs and courses combine rigorous academics with immersive experiential learning. Participation transforms students into lifelong, inspired Jewish leaders, Israel advocates, and engaged community members. Thanks to a generous donor, families across the U.S. are now eligible for the David Rosenbaum Scholarship Fund. Scholarships are available for a semester, mini-mester, or summer program.
Women for Israel will be spreading the word about Muss by having Kim and Susan travel around the country to meet and Zoom with WFI Steering Committees and Regional Boards with the goal of increasing understanding of what Muss has to offer. Kim states, “By championing Muss, opening doors, and investing in this mission, we, Women for Israel, help secure a confident, connected, and inspired Jewish future for generations to come.” To learn more about the opportunities that Muss provides students, click here. To arrange a visit to your Steering Committee or Region contact Sara King.
- Sara Cannon, Member, Jewish National Fund-USA Board of Directors, Los Angeles and National Sapphire chair on the WFI Executive Board
Project Wadi Attir Grows Possibility in the Desert
Something remarkable is growing in the Negev desert. Project Wadi Attir is a Jewish/Bedouin-led initiative that brings ancient desert traditions together with modern science, sustainable agriculture, and cutting-edge green technology. Its herds of sheep and goats provide milk for traditional cheeses and other dairy products, while medicinal plants, native crops, and innovative water and waste systems create a model for how communities can thrive in an arid environment.
But Wadi Attir is about much more than its herds. It is about people, possibilities, and partnership. More than 70% of its staff are women, who proudly take on roles that drive the economy in their community. Supported by JNF-USA, Wadi Attir offers a glimpse of what can happen when heritage and innovation work side by side.
In our next issue, we’ll take you inside Wadi Attir—and introduce you to the people making the desert bloom in an entirely new way. – Jackie Goldstein, Member, National WFI Executive Board, Jewish National Fund-USA Board of Directors, Atlanta, Master Class, and Jewish National Fund-USA Arts & Entertainment Circle
