New York, NY: October 1, 2020 – Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF-USA) leadership are pleased to announce the organization has surpassed its annual fundraising target, receiving a record $100 million in funds as the campaign prepares for an even bigger 2021.

JNF-USA continues to build playgrounds and parks for young families in the Negev and Galilee

“When people give to JNF-USA, they are not only giving to stand-alone projects, they are giving to a vision and raising their hand to say: ‘I want to be part of the greatest philanthropic movement in our People’s history,’” said JNF-USA President, Dr. Sol Lizerbram.

News of JNF-USA’s record fundraising year follows a previous announcement that it had surpassed the $704 million mark of its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade Initiative – a figure that now stands at $715 million.

“People give to JNF-USA because their gift is used in a way that maximizes its philanthropic impact,” said JNF-USA Vice President, Campaign, Benjamin Gutmann. As an organization that has been around for 120 years, new donors are drawn to our historic accomplishments, yet, they are equally inspired by our bold plans for the future.”

JNF-USA continues to develop Israel’s Negev Desert and Galilee with dozens of major projects underway including:

• $300 million JNF Israel Education and Technology Campus – A narrative-changing initiative that will revolutionize global Jewish education; place Israel at the center of Jewish learning; and inspire a new generation to engage with their Jewish and Zionist past, present, and future connection to Israel and the Jewish people
• $20 million Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF – With the Rosenfield School of Culinary Arts on the Marvin Sukonik Campus, GCI by JNF will become the number one culinary school in the world, leveraging Israel’s 80+ unique cultures to create a truly world class institution
• 1,700 housing development sites – Enabling thousands of families to pursue the Zionist dream in the Negev and Galilee by creating the infrastructure needed to enable new housing development
• Supporting Israel’s firefighters – Providing critical firefighting equipment and Rapid Action Fire Vehicles to Israel’s volunteer firefighters, enabling them to protect lives and property more effectively than ever before.

JNF-USA's Housing Development Fund is supporting 1,700 new housing development sites in Israel

Gutmann added: “Despite global challenges, our movement continues to succeed because we are always asking ‘what’s next?’, ‘what more can we do?’, and ‘how can we inspire the next generation to continue our historic mission and strategic vision in support of the land and people of Israel?’”

JNF-USA has supported the people of Israel throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic. Just days after the first cases were recorded in Israel, JNF-USA was already working with its affiliates to address their immediate needs. Examples of support included:

• Providing laptops to children with disabilities so they could continue to receive therapy online
• Food and medicine for elderly Israelis who were unable to travel to local supermarkets and pharmacies
• Supporting out-of-work Israeli tour guides through a virtual tours initiative
• Helping small businesses that relied on tourist traffic in the Negev and Galilee by establishing an Online Mitzvah Market Place, enabling American consumers to purchase Israeli products.
  

MAKOM volunteers pack care packages for the needy in Israel (Image courtesy: MAKOM)

“I am beyond inspired by the thousands of lay leaders who have stepped-up to ensure we remain steadfast in our commitment to those we support in Israel – something that we have always done and will continue to do for generations to come. Thanks to our partners (donors), we are there for young people with disabilities; families looking to build new lives in the Negev and Galilee; American teens seeking to discover their connection to their ancestral soil; job seekers who find employment through the JNF Lauder Employment Center; and small businesses in the Negev and Galilee – just to name a few examples,” said Gutmann.

To support JNF-USA’s important work in Israel in 2021, visit www.jnf.org/donate or call 800.JNF.0099.

ENDS

Contact:

Media enquiries: Stefan Oberman, JNF-USA Director of Communications. E: soberman@jnf.org. P: 212.879.9305 x222

About Jewish National Fund-USA

JNF-USA is the leading philanthropic organization for Israel that supports critical environmental and nation building activities in Israel’s north and south. Through its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade, JNF-USA is developing new communities in the Galilee and Negev, connecting the next generation to Israel, and creating infrastructure and programs that support ecology, individuals with special needs, and heritage site preservation.