Robinson Report—July 2025

Welcome to The Robinson Report, our exclusive monthly newsletter from me to you. Each edition is dedicated to sharing the pivotal updates and breaking news that define our work — a mission driven by your unwavering commitment to our land and people of Israel and Zionist engagement.

Dear Friends,

I have just returned from my latest visit to Israel, where I met with many of our stakeholders. It's impossible to fully convey the size, scope, and reach of our work in this short update, but if there's one thing you should take away, it's this: Being a "legacy" or "foundational" organization like Jewish National Fund-USA means we don't need to scramble when crises in Israel arise because we are already there, just as we have been for over 124 years. Our sizeable resources enable us to have an immediate impact, yet we are structured in a way that allows us to be nimble and agile. It's this winning formula that's seen us become the most trusted name in philanthropy. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

There Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Over the last two years, we’ve experienced a whirlwind of emotions — heartbreak and healing, uncertainty and unity. But through it all, one constant remains in the lives of the people of Israel: Jewish National Fund-USA. We’re not scrambling when disaster strikes — we’re already there.

From Sderot to Kiryat Shmona, Be’er Sheva to Akko, and from the Arava to Metula, we acted fast because we never left.

• Our fire trucks are always fueled.

• Our resilience and therapy centers work around the clock.

• Our rehabilitation village and hospital continue to serve.

• And our Jewish National Fund-USA Ecosystem of Affiliates — our boots on the ground — activate immediately, with the resources and resolve that only 125 years of experience can deliver.

We’re large enough to matter yet agile enough to move. We are business-structured, Zionist-driven, and philanthropically trusted — a winning formula for the land and people of Israel and the Jewish people everywhere.

Voices from the Field

This month, during my time in Israel, I saw — and felt — the depth of our impact.

With Mayor Ruvik Danilovich of Be’er Sheva, we walked through the destruction left by Iranian missiles. “We believe in life,” he said. “They believe in destruction. That’s why we will win.” Then, with gratitude in his voice, he said: “Thank you, Jewish National Fund-USA, for being our partners yesterday, today, and tomorrow — especially through the World Zionist Village.” 

At our Alexander Muss High School South campus, classrooms were transformed into donation hubs: diapers in one, clothes in another, toothbrushes in the next. Our affiliates sprang into action — helping families with special needs, organizing youth programming, and serving meals lovingly prepared by the Israeli Ethiopian community — once refugees themselves. 

In Ramat HaNegev, Mayor Eran Doron challenged us to “take [the town of] Be’er Milka to new heights.” And I told him we will — with new homes, tourism infrastructure, and jobs that power the Negev dream.

And in numerous letters from soldiers and families, we heard again and again: “Thank you, Jewish National Fund-USA.”

Real Lives. Real Connections. Real Impact.

When 17-year-old Melissa E. traveled to Israel this summer with her Camp Stein community, she didn’t expect her “Big Trip” to end early. But what she did experience left a mark:

“While it did not go as planned, we all still feel like we got a lot out of the trip,” Melissa said. “Also, thank you to Jewish National Fund-USA as a whole for helping to get us home quickly and safely.

”Melissa is now part of the Muss and Jewish National Fund-USA family, and she, like thousands of others, was invited to our Global Conference for Israel, which will take place this October 23-26 in Hollywood, Florida. We’re not just offering her a seat — we’re offering her a future in Zionist leadership. 

We’re also offering free admission to any high school-aged student who brings a paying adult. Register now at jnf.org/global.

We Don’t Wait for Change — We Make It Happen

There’s no shortage of think tanks and summits about how to engage young Jews with Israel. However, we must also turn our words into action

• Through our Educators Mission, we bring Jewish leaders from around the world to Israel. They don’t just tour — they walk the land, stand at the Nova memorial, explore Ammunition Hill, and are transformed in the streets of Jerusalem.

• Through our Muss High School in Israel, we’re sending 1,700 teens this year — with a goal of 5,000 annually — over half from non-Jewish day schools.

Dream Israel: Investing in Our Future

Twenty-five years ago, 19,300 students embarked on long-term study abroad programs in Israel annually. Today, the number is slightly over 3,000. This is a big issue. These types of Israel experiences serve as the best possible way to connect our next generation to our homeland. That’s why we launched Dream Israel.

This $25 million program seeded from our endowment to make long-term study abroad in Israel experiences accessible offers grants up to $7,500 per student — because this isn't just about making programs the best. We want to make them available to all who feel the call.

And for the best and brightest? We’re launching Special Impact Fellowships — to elevate the voices of young Jewish leaders across the country. Stay tuned. You’ll be receiving more information soon. And parents — start planning: your child could be next!

From the Negev to the North — We Keep Building

The “Tachles” Forum: Action in the North

We Build Because We Believe

Am Yisrael Chai,

Russell F. Robinson

Chief Executive Officer

Jewish National Fund-USA