Jewish National Fund-USA's Lauder Employment Centers Connect Nearly 15,000 Israelis to Career Opportunities

Galilee, Israel, July 8, 2026 — Jewish National Fund-USA's Lauder Employment Centers (LECs) in Israel’s North and South continued to strengthen the country’s workforce and regional economies during the second quarter of 2026, serving nearly 15,000 job seekers while expanding partnerships with employers, academic institutions, and small businesses across the country's underpopulated frontier regions. 

The LECs create “circles of impact” that enable Jewish National Fund-USA to attract more people to Israel’s Negev and Galilee, helping the organization advance its vision of attracting 800,000 new residents to these underpopulated regions. 

Through job placement services, employer partnerships, and workforce readiness programs, the LECs empower individuals to build stable careers close to home instead of commuting to Israel’s strong but overcrowded center—strengthening local economies, encouraging families to remain in frontier regions, and ensuring communities have the resources they need to grow and thrive. 

"This quarter required us to remain flexible while never losing sight of our mission,” said Michal Shiloah Galnoor, operator of the LECs in the Galilee and Negev. “Even as security realities shifted, we continued strengthening employer relationships, expanding regional collaborations, and creating meaningful opportunities for job seekers, students, academics, and small businesses, all to build a stronger future for these communities.”  

From April to June, the centers served 14,794 job seekers, partnered with 104 employers, and supported 172 small businesses. Programming included career development workshops, interview days, employer networking events, AI and technology training, and partnerships with leading Israeli companies such as NVIDIA, SodaStream, Osem-Nestlé, and ICL. 

The initiatives have seen great success. One participant in the South, a computer science graduate from Sapir Academic College, secured a Fullstack Developer position after attending a center-hosted interview day. Meanwhile, in the North, programs such as NorterraTech helped participants prepare for careers in technology, with approximately 30% of the first cohort already securing employment. 

Recognizing the rapidly evolving workforce, the centers also invested heavily in AI education, launching executive seminars, HR leadership forums, and specialized training programs that help employers and employees adapt to changing workplace demands. These efforts ensure businesses in Israel's North and South remain competitive while creating new pathways to quality employment. 

“Looking ahead to the next quarter, we aim to expand collaborations with employers and regional partners, strengthen professional communities, develop programs in the fields of innovation and technology, and continue creating quality employment opportunities in the Negev and the Galilee,” said Shiloah Galnoor. 

As Israel continues moving forward after years of uncertainty, investing in people is just as important as rebuilding places. Through the Lauder Employment Centers, Jewish National Fund-USA is helping ensure the country's North and South remain places where people can build careers, launch businesses, and create more prosperous communities for generations to come. 

Learn more about the Lauder Employment Centers here. 

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About Jewish National Fund-USA 

For 125 years, Jewish National Fund-USA has helped strengthen the land and people of Israel by investing in the communities, infrastructure, and leadership that shape the country’s future. Our work is focused on making Israel’s North and South places where families can build full, vibrant lives with access to medical care, emergency response, water solutions, parks, playgrounds, jobs, and economic opportunity. Working with our donors and partners, we support underpopulated communities, help attract new residents, improve quality of life, and create the conditions for long-term growth. Our work reaches beyond projects on the ground. Through education, travel, and leadership opportunities, we connect Americans of all ages to Israel in meaningful and lasting ways. That vision continues with the World Zionist Village in Be’er Sheva, a global center that will bring people together to live, learn, lead, and strengthen the next generation of Zionist leadership. From urgent relief to long-term transformation, Jewish National Fund-USA is helping build a stronger future for Israel and creating lasting legacies for generations to come. Learn more at jnf.org.