Robinson Report—March 2025

In Israel’s north, I witnessed the soon-to-be-completed $20 million, 40,000 square foot Robert and Gale C. Kares Medical Center located adjacent to a planned Emergency Response Center made possible by prominent American Pastor Jentezen Franklin and his Free Chapel congregation. The medical center is fortified against missile attacks and will serve over 100,000 people, including residents of the Upper Eastern Galilee, Northern Golan Heights, tourists, and soldiers. We expect many more people to use the facility in the future as families relocate to the region because of the philanthropic investments you’re making today.

Seeing the passion and immediacy with which you responded to our campaign to rebuild Israel’s north has been nothing short of profound - including one partner’s (donor’s) instantaneous and generous gift of half a million dollars (wow!) to support rebuilding efforts.

I visited the northern Kibbutz of Manara, a place scarred by Hezbollah’s terror. However, amongst the broken glass and shattered dreams, I saw a miracle - a tiny Chanukah menorah on a windowsill glistening in the midday sun. My eyes welled up with emotion, and I recalled the quote by Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion, who said, “In Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles.” I think this is what he was talking about.

Meanwhile, at our soon-to-be-completed Global Culinary Institute (GCI by JNF) located in the greater Kiryat Shmona region, our vision took tangible form through a powerful new partnership with Tel Hai University and MIGAL Research Institute. I believe, with all my experience and heart, that Israel's northern region will soon become a global epicenter of culinary excellence, food innovation, and sustainable agriculture. With MIGAL’s 39 PhDs leading groundbreaking research—from olive orchards and almond groves to imaginative ideas like the promising pink pear—and Tel Hai’s reputation and reach, this partnership perfectly exemplifies our Circle of Impact. How? Because more students will come to study and live in the north, that leads to more patronage of local businesses, which in turn leads to greater economic growth and opportunities, which ultimately achieves our strategic goal of attracting 300,000 new residents to Israel’s north. Everything we do is strategic and deliberate.

As GCI by JNF opens its doors, I invite you to join us for its soft opening in the very near future as part of a Jewish National Fund-USA Mission. Explore your next visit to Israel at .

Meeting with former MK Shirley Pinto, a trailblazing advocate for people with disabilities and the first-ever deaf member of Israel’s Knesset (Israel’s parliament), deeply moved me, just as she too was moved and inspired by our support for tens of thousands of Israelis with disabilities. Her strength, courage, and unwavering dedication to empowering others reinforced the importance of our initiatives for inclusivity and opportunity – the bedrock of our Circle of Impact, which leads to job creation, economic growth, and the attraction of new residents to Israel’s north and south.

The dynamic energy of young mayors and regional leaders throughout the Galilee and Negev renewed my faith in Israel’s vibrant future. Their conversations no longer focus solely on challenges but resonate with the optimism of growth, opportunity, and possibility. Together, we're reshaping the very fabric of Israeli society, crafting thriving communities that future generations will proudly call home.

Let us continue, together, to build this remarkable future for our land and people of Israel, and for Jewish people everywhere.

We are winning! Not just on the battlefield but in our schools, our synagogues, and in our philanthropic impact for our land and people of Israel. If the last few months had a theme at Jewish National Fund-USA, it would be unstoppable resilience and momentum.

In the Negev and the Galilee, we’re building, innovating, and reimagining a brighter tomorrow through our circle of impact – where every initiative, project, and program is strategically selected for the ripple effect it creates in increasing population and economic growth.

Further south, in the Arava, our agricultural school is cultivating the next generation of global leaders in sustainable farming. From sustainable farming practices to cutting-edge mechanization, students from developing countries are gaining the tools to revolutionize their homelands. Meanwhile, 9,000 visitors flocked to the “From Greenhouse to Plate” Festival, experiencing the magic of desert agriculture firsthand.

Even further south, the Eilot Region continues to be a beacon of resilience, hosting returning reservists for workshops, pushing the envelope on agrivoltaics—blending renewable energy and farming, and paving new accessible paths at Timna Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where our people’s ancient connection to the land continues to be seen – most recently in the discovery of biblical-era purple dyed cloth thought to have been worn by King Solomon himself!

Security remains a top priority. Our Emergency Response Centers are expanding, with eight new facilities in development, each a critical hub for life-saving operations. Meanwhile, our Home Fortification project is responsible for protecting residential communities, with Kibbutz Gvulot as the first pilot site.

Healing and resilience are also at the heart of our work. In the Israel Envelope we’ve provided nearly 7,200 therapy sessions, launched a youth leadership initiative, and even hosted a Special Olympics-style competition in our newly renovated hydrotherapy center.

Meanwhile, in the last month alone, eight missions with 166 participants from all across the US went to Israel and volunteered in 3 communities in the north and south. In addition, the volunteers made over 500 care packages for soldiers and held a special tree planting for Tu BiShvat.

From heritage preservation to community-building, from hosting missions and volunteers to reimagining Zionist education with the World Zionist Village, we are not just responding to today’s challenges—we are shaping Israel’s future.

This is what it means to be #PoweredByJNF. This is how we build a nation. And this is the story you are helping to write.

This week, our World Zionist Village team and I met with one of Israel’s most prominent architects, Erez Ella, of HQ Architects to review our Master Plan. After an extensive global search, Ezra’s firm was chosen to design our World Zionist Village and bring to life this visionary concept. Over several days at JNF House, we dreamed, imagined, and challenged conventions on what a global hub for Zionists everywhere should look and feel like. As the leading organization for Zionist Engagement, I’m excited to spark the greatest conversation ever had about what our Zionist future can look like. This monumental task will embrace Zionist organizations, individuals, and supporters worldwide who are committed to reclaiming our Zionist movement’s narrative and celebrating its positive future.

Herzl had a dream, David Ben-Gurion led its creation, and today, you and Jewish National Fund-USA are defining the next chapter in our millennia-old tradition. Take a moment to think about that. You – yes, YOU are playing a leading role in standing up for our land and the people of Israel.

Generations of future Zionists will remember us as the doers and changemakers who changed the course of history for our people. Yet, we also created the foundation – through our World Zionist Village – where they, too, can be the architects of our People’s future. Check out our latest video here.

I want to share a heartwarming message from the families of children who were displaced by the war. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli children have been forced to flee their homes, schools, and communities, facing disruption, anxiety, and trauma. To support these children, we worked with Israeli creators to publish a children’s book called "Cami Is Missing Home"—a heartfelt story that addresses the feelings of loss and adaptation faced by young evacuees. Suitable for children ages 5-8.

The book’s story takes place in a peaceful forest, where three friends—a rabbit, a bird, and a frog—meet a family of camels recently displaced by an earthquake. The story follows Cami, a young camel, as he adjusts to his new environment, struggles with homesickness, and learns to find comfort and friendship in unfamiliar surroundings.

Can you help more Israeli children receive this beautiful book? Click here to bring this story to evacuated children, offering comfort and a sense of connection during this challenging time.

Our commitment to supporting Israel's arts and entertainment sectors and sharing the truth about our homeland is exemplified through impactful projects like the documentary October 8, made possible with our philanthropic support. This film, directed by Wendy Sachs (a proud alum of our Alexander Muss High School in Israel) and executive produced by Emmy and SAG award-winning actress, Debra Messing, delves into the surge of antisemitism on college campuses, social media, and our streets following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.

October 8 has garnered significant attention, including coverage in Hollywood Reporter. The film features interviews with notable personalities such as Michael Rapaport, Noa Tishby, U.S. Representative (and Jewish National Fund-USA and The Jerusalem Post Top 25 Young Zionist ViZionary) Ritchie Torres, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Alexander Muss High School in Israel alumna Sheryl Sandberg, Dan Senor, Scott Galloway, and Mosab Yousef.

The documentary was featured at our 2024 Global Conference for Israel and has been showcased at numerous film festivals, including the JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival and the Houston Jewish Film Festival, further amplifying its reach and impact. Cities and theater screening information can be found on the film's website: october8film.com.

In addition, through initiatives like our Israel Entertainment Fund, we are playing a pivotal role in bringing such important narratives to the forefront. We ensure Israel’s story—which is so often obfuscated in the media—is told truthfully and sincerely. In addition, our fund prioritizes projects in Israel’s north and south, creating jobs and growth and contributing to our Circle of Impact.

Wow! We’re now expecting 712 (and counting) homes and congregations from across the country to either host or attend a Shabbat for Israel Friday night dinner on May 2, 2025, coinciding with Yom Ha’atzmaut—Israel’s Independence Day. This is an incredible opportunity to bring the beauty of Israel and Shabbat into your home in a way that’s meaningful for you.

This is an incredible opportunity to bring the beauty of Israel and Shabbat into your home in a way that’s meaningful for you.

Israel is the great uniter of our Jewish people. We have been there for it, and it has been there for us – in our people’s darkest hours and in our moments of jubilation. Whether you have Shabbat dinner every week or haven’t since your Bar/Bat Mitzvah, register today at jnf.org/shabbatforisrael and host a Shabbat dinner for your family and friends in your home in celebration of our homeland.

Sign up at jnf.org/shabbatforisrael before March 21 to receive a bespoke “Shabbat Box” featuring Shabbat-related products from small businesses in Israel.

Can you believe that our Global Conference for Israel, taking place in Hollywood, Florida, October 23-26, is expected to sell out months in advance? With 1,597 proud Zionists registered, I want you to be a part of this extraordinary gathering of solidarity, purpose, and impact for our land and people of Israel.

You’ll laugh, cry, and leave inspired, ready to make our light shine brighter than ever for our land and people of Israel.

A confirmed speaker is the unstoppable Shirley Pinto, Israel’s groundbreaking first deaf Member of Knesset (Israel’s parliament). Shirley embodies Zionism’s pioneering spirit, having blazed trails from grassroots activism to the corridors of Israeli power. As co-founder of The Israeli Center for Deaf Studies, her journey is not just inspiring—it’s transformative. Her courageous service as a Foreign Ministry ambassador during the Iron Swords War further highlights her unwavering dedication to Israel and its people.

Our Alexander Muss High School in Israel is bursting at the seams, with hundreds of high school teenagers from across the US now on our wonderful amenity-rich campus (featuring dormitories, recreation facilities, a dining hall, synagogue, classrooms, a podcast studio, and more). While they may come for the opportunity to make friends, have fun, and taste a little “independence,” you, as parents, know they are entering a world of academic excellence. For example, a student can take AP Calculus in the morning, a science class in the afternoon, and finish the day learning about Israeli innovation. A semester abroad at Muss provides students with a truly global experience – something top colleges look for.

Through our Dream Israel initiative, students can earn up to $7,500 towards tuition at Muss (or any other approved program) while learning about the importance of philanthropy.

For more information, visit jnf.org/dreamisrael

It is a testament to our impact that we receive countless thank-you letters every week from the beneficiaries of our work. I was especially moved to receive the letter below from firefighters in northern Israel, who, through our philanthropic support, were able to acquire specialized equipment designed for combating forest and open-area fires.

In addition to the devastating toll taken on the civilian population of Israel’s north following decades of Hezbollah terror, the region’s forests and fields have also been afflicted.

As the official fundraising organization in the US for Israel’s firefighters, our philanthropic investments are providing firehouses, trucks, and equipment critical to helping firefighters respond to emergencies faster and with the correct apparatus.

We do all of this not just because it’s right but because it’s central to our circle of impact and the macro ripple effect created. Our first responders create safe communities that attract new residents. New residents power economic growth. All of this feeds our ultimate goal of attracting 800,000 new residents to Israel’s north and south.

I also want to acknowledge the delegation of Israeli firefighters who visited Los Angeles during the recent horrific fires. The group was made up of experts in fire prevention, environmental management, and related fields, and who shared their vital knowledge and expertise with local fire fighters. This is just another example of the shared values and friendship that the people of Israel and America share and how when times get tough, we are there for each other.

Thank you for all you do for the land and people of Israel. Please do reach out with comments, ideas, and suggestions. Email me at ceo@jnf.org.

Am Yisrael Chai – The People of Israel Live!

With gratitude,

Russell F. Robinson

Chief Executive Officer, Jewish National Fund-USA