DENVER, July 23, 2026 — Jewish National Fund-USA's Mountain States Region recently hosted “The Pulse of Israel” at Temple Emanuel, a community reception celebrating the unity of the Jewish people and the commitment to building a stronger future for the land and people of Israel. The evening featured remarks from keynote speaker, Rabbi Leor Sinai, thought leader, founder of Sinai Strategies, and former Co-CEO of Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss).
Sinai’s message focused on the resilience of the Jewish people, emphasizing how in the face of adversity, Jews have emerged stronger, transforming hardship into a source of growth while continuing to embody the spirit of ‘Am Yisrael Chai’ (The People of Israel Live). He also highlighted how Jewish National Fund-USA turns that spirit into action by continuing to build housing, infrastructure, and opportunities that enable families to build full, vibrant lives across Israel’s North and South.
"Jewish National Fund-USA is not waiting for the situation to be perfect before building," said Sinai. "Jewish National Fund-USA is building as a declaration that the situation will improve, that these families will come home, and that the future is very real. That is the specific practice, the boots on the ground version of 'Am Yisrael Chai.'"
From left to right: Andrew Newman, JNFuture Board members Marnina Goldberg and Esti Marcus
Following his speech, Sinai engaged attendees in a Q&A session, expanding on themes of resilience, Zionism, and how Jewish National Fund-USA is positively impacting Israel and the communities it supports.
At a time when connection and community matter more than ever, this event was the perfect way to unite Zionists for an evening of inspiration and dialogue, exploring what it means to build a strong Jewish future and Jewish National Fund-USA's role in doing so.
From left to right: Nancy Siegel, Jessica Pivar, Yaniv Arai, Andrew Newman, and Jason Altberger
"Many organizations respond to immediate needs in a time of crisis," said Yaron Marcus, President of Jewish National Fund-USA’s Mountain States Board of Directors. "And sure, Jewish National Fund-USA does that. But the organization has consistently been focused on something bigger: creating conditions that allow generation after generation to thrive. We build communities. We develop leaders. We strengthen connections. We invest in the people and places, but most importantly, the ideas and vision that help Israel flourish."
The event also featured remarks from Benjamin Einhorn, Jewish National Fund-USA Director, Mountain States and Marnina Goldberg, a member of the organization's JNFuture Board of Directors and alumna of Muss, a study abroad in Israel experience for American teens in which they become part of a dynamic, immersive campus community where academic excellence and real-world experience go hand in hand.
"The way the staff – and Alexander Muss as a whole – truly invests in their students is the reason I'm standing on this stage today," said Goldberg. "It was the stepping stone for my Jewish National Fund-USA journey and a defining piece of who I am today. I'll always be incredibly grateful for that experience and the lasting impact it has on my life."
From Left to Right: Lee Kay, Hannah Sperber, and Board of Trustees member Nora Schrutt
Jewish National Fund-USA also hosted similar events throughout the week in Colorado Springs and Boulder, where Sinai shared a similar message of resilience and hope for the Jewish future.
For more information about future events in the Mountain States, contact Benjamin Einhorn, Director, Mountain States at beinhorn@jnf.org or at 303.573.7095 x937.
###
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.
