Robinson Report—February 2024
Welcome to The Robinson Report, an exclusive monthly newsletter from me to you, our valued partner, delivering important updates and breaking news on our work for the land and people of Israel.
Moving Forward Since October 7
It’s now been four months since the atrocities of October 7. Every time I go to Israel and meet with the people of the Israel Envelope and the family members of the hostages, their pain is heartbreaking to see but their resilience is like none other I’ve ever seen before. Their courage and determination to work for, and see a better tomorrow, propels me forward and it’s what I want to share with you today.
“We trust you,” is what they say to me, “because you have been working with us for 15 years, helping us build a beautiful life, so we know you will help us build it again.” It’s that trust that is enabling us to move forward with our strategic Build Together plan, already underway and making a difference for the communities so that they can return home to safety and security. Take a look at what Michal Uziyahu, Director of Development for the Eshkol Region and someone I’ve known for years, has to say: https://youtu.be/hGhL-OKCaAE.
And of course, with Israel still at war and tens of thousands of people still evacuated, our Resilience Campaign work still very much dictates our days. Our team meets daily with each kibbutz and moshav, and with regional and city leadership to listen to their needs, address their issues, and hear about their dreams. We do a full inventory of the challenges --safety, education, mental health, comfort, jobs and services -- set priorities and allocate funding and manpower. And the impact is immeasurable. As Mayor Eran Doron of Ramat Hanegev said to me: “"Without JNF's work since October 7 Israel would die. No other organization has come even close to the life altering work on the ground."
Livnot B’Yachad Build Together
Build Together is a comprehensive and bold strategic initiative to rebuild Israeli communities in the Israel Envelope (formerly known as the Gaza Envelope). It will include, in the near future, our Reimagine plan for Northern Israel.
When disaster strikes two things are needed: trust and bringing people back home. Jewish National Fund-USA has been on the ground working with the people for the past 20 years. We are true partners. We have their trust.
Now we need to work to bring them back home, and together with the area residents at the helm and with the help of thousands of volunteers who are going on our missions and joined by Israelis, we will create a secure, beautiful haven for all the residents to return home to. We will bring our family back home and we will increase the population in this critical region of Israel. We will show the world our unity and our drive for life. The sounds of tomorrow will be of children playing in our parks and the construction of new homes.
Next week when I am back in Israel, I will be meeting with resilience therapists from all across the Israel Envelope to discuss the therapy plans for area residents. It’s looking like we will need about $100 million to address all the needs. I will keep you posted.
For an at-a-glance look at our Build Together work go to jnf.org/supportisrael.
Volunteer Missions
Since launching our first volunteer mission in December, nearly 800 participants have contributed their time and energy to making a difference on the ground in Israel. Over the course of just 4 days, each volunteer has given such comfort to Israelis who feel alone in the world. In fact, even with all they are dealing with, the Israelis tell us “Thank you!” Imagine that.
Yes, I myself picked some produce! but our volunteers are picking about 14 tons a day, serving as a lifeline to the farmers, and playing with evacuated children, visiting wounded soldiers in hospitals, and packing care packages. They’re also bringing to life our Build Together campaign and have already cleared, cleaned, planted, and painted in Kibbutz Erez and Kibbutz Gvulot, rebuilt parks and gardens so evacuees will want to return home and contributed towards getting the homefront pop up school in the Eshkol region ready by working on massive landscaping to create inviting and soothing outdoor facilities, outdoor classrooms and gathering areas to hold classes outside. We refurbished structures to be used as educational facilities and built therapeutic gardening areas for the different classes. School opened last week for the lower grades and this week for the upper grades. Where there’s education, there’s life and it means families can move back home. This vital work will continue with every trip.
But don’t just take my word for it. You have to see it, to feel it! Take a look: https://youtu.be/QacAHEEBh7M.
With more than 1,000 people already signed up for future missions, which have been extended through August, it’s not too late to join and make your mark. Missions are selling out fast! See a sample itinerary and sign up today at www.jnf.org/volunteeril.
Our Everyday Vision Continues
In other areas, our work continues.
At Jewish National Fund-USA, we’re all about making deserts bloom, and not just in Israel. Last week, the community of Makueni County in Kenya celebrated the opening of our Kasser Joint Institute’s Agrivoltaic project which is bringing clean water for agriculture and hygiene to the area. In true sustainable fashion, the project is operated by local Kenyan alumni of JNF-USA’s agricultural school in the Arava desert, which trains farmers from the developing world in cutting-edge techniques and research.
This is history in the making as we witness not just sustainable agriculture but also the joy of kids enjoying clean water, fostering a healthier community.
And in southern Israel at Project Wadi Attir, a collaboration between Jewish National Fund-USA and the Bedouin community there where we work together to build sustainable, heritage-based, economic opportunities for the Bedouin community, we gathered together with nearly 300 people, both Bedouins and Jews, at Wadi Attir to plant fruit trees in memory of the Bedouin victims of the October 7 massacres. These trees will stand as a symbol of shared grief, and shared growth.
Jewish National Fund-USA in the News
Our media coverage is always strong but has been especially stellar these last few months. Here are just a few of the recent stories published about our work:
The only way to rebuild is together
Bedouin culture combined with modern tech blooms the desert
Planting trees at Israel’s ground zero
Foreign volunteers replace workers who fled Israeli farms under fire
Zionist Education
39 students arrived safe and sound in Israel to our Alexander Muss High School in Israel Campus on January 23, and they are already having an incredible time! With special Tiyulim (field trips) added to the itinerary, volunteering at local farms and visiting the Hostages Square, this is proving to be an incredibly meaningful and impactful semester.
Meanwhile, in the United States, our annual Tu Bishvat in the Schools campaign raised more than $70,000 and counting – a more than 40% increase over last year and a stirring sign of the Jewish community’s commitment to planting seeds for the future.
I want to close with this. These are the toughest times Israel and the global Jewish community have faced in my lifetime. And yes, people’s lives have been horrifically erased and people are shattered. That is the sad truth. But I am also witnessing a feeling of unity, of togetherness I have not seen before. And that is what keeps me going and what will keep the Jewish People going. We are in this together and we will emerge stronger together. Because to quote my friend Michal Uziyahu, “we choose life.”
I invite you to join our conference of unity—the Global Conference for Israel – November 14 -17 in Dallas Texas. Sign up by March 1 to take advantage of Early Bird rates at .
Thank you for all you do for the land and people of Israel. Please reach out to me with comments, ideas, and suggestions at ceo@jnf.org.
Am Yisrael Chai – The People of Israel Live!
Russell F. Robinson