We Did It…You Can, Too

When Randie Wolfe, a retired Licensed Clinical Social Worker from South Carolina signed up for her first JNF-USA mission, all that she knew about the organization was that they planted trees in Israel. That changed when she went on the JNF Sunshine tour last fall. Seeing special needs soldiers participating in the IDF through JNF-affiliate Special in Uniform impacted her the most. “I knew that most everyone served in the Israeli Defense Force, but never realized how hard it was for families with kids whose condition precluded service. It’s kind of like not getting into college in the States.” Special in Uniform helps create opportunities for young adults with disabilities to serve in the IDF and be accepted into society.

During her first JNF mission, JNF Future Alana Gerson-Levi from Ohio was moved by her visit to the Ayalon Institute (also known as The Bullet Factory). She says, “It demonstrates the ingenuity of those pioneers and epitomizes the determination of Israelis – yesterday and today.”  Alana designated 50% of her next annual gift to JNF Heritage Sites because “JNF is helping to preserve a remarkable chapter from Israel’s history.“ JNF supports more than 150 heritage sites around the country and more will be identified and developed in the years to  come.

An alumna of many JNF missions and just back from a trip this spring, Ann Zinman of Arizona and VP of the National Women for Israel Executive Board shares this perspective, “There are always new JNF projects you can visit that let you see your donations at work.” The Galilee Culinary Institute in the north and the World Zionist Village in the south are two new JNF-supported projects. 

Summing up her years of experience with JNF missions, Ann concludes, “JNF missions are a great way to see Israel.” Says Randie, “I’d love to go on another JNF Mission because I felt safe, taken care of and looked after. As a single person, I never felt left out or alone. I would like to go again to see the continuing work JNF is doing, especially in the North.”

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If you are interested in learning more about JNF missions to Israel, go to www.jnf.org/visit-Israel  

Written by Marty Betagole, WFI Cincinnati and Roni Wolk Assistant VP of the National Women for Israel Executive Board.