BECAUSE OF YOU…
Jewish National Fund-USA can continue practicing, Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), in the aftermath of October 7. One of JNF-USA’s seven initiatives, Research & Development, is integral to this objective.
As the population of the planet grows, the world is watching Israel and what it is doing in the desert to assist its own country as well as developing nations with arid climates. Jewish National Fund-USA is helping Israel lead the way in research and developing leading-edge technology for trees, solar power, saltwater irrigation, and more. JNF-USA has sponsored research initiatives, beginning with expeditions to study plant life and soil quality in Israel as part of efforts to cultivate the land. Today, JNF-USA’s support has helped Israel become a world leader with Research & Development for technological, agricultural, environmental and biological innovations. JNF-USA sponsors joint research initiatives, agricultural training programs that host students from developing countries, a network of regional agricultural R&D stations across the country where leading scientists and technicians work closely with local farmers, research institutes, and universities to increase agricultural sustainability, profitability, and stability.
Five years ago, JNF-USA, the University of Arizona, and the Arava regional councils in Israel formed the Kasser Joint Institute for Food, Water and Energy Security. The Kasser Joint Institute’s mission is unwavering and is based on the Jewish principle of “Tikkun Olam,” repairing the world. The Kasser Joint Institute develops tools and designs methods to adapt technologies and has initiated programs to aid communities in arid and hyper-arid environments with a focus on Israel and countries beyond its own borders. The Kasser Joint Institute promotes applied research and student training programs and has established multi-disciplinary programs in Africa to provide technology transfer, applied research, knowledge, training, on-going guidance, and education.
Recently, even with Israel at war, members of the Kasser Joint Institute traveled to Kenya to share agricultural knowledge with farming communities there. According to Kasser Joint Institute Director, Tania Pons Allon, “We’re not just keeping our knowledge to ourselves. We collaborate with the University of Arizona to take the research we’ve developed in the Arava and share it with communities in developing countries (including some in remote, off the grid-areas suffering from a lack of food, water and energy security).” Pons Allon says the trip taught her that “We can still help the world, while we’re healing ourselves.” The group brought stickers with pictures of fallen soldiers to share with a community in Kenya, most of whom had never met a Caucasian person or even knew about Israel’s suffering. The members of the community in Makueni, Kenya learned that despite Israel’s adversity they are there for them.
The Arava International Center for Agricultural Training (AICAT) is another JNF-USA-sponsored initiative that imparts professional agricultural knowledge and skills to students from developing countries, while establishing itself as the national and international leading authority in sophisticated arid lands agricultural studies and training. This provides an invaluable contribution to developing countries and their students who participate in the training. It also provides additional high-quality employment for the Israeli residents because AICAT students work on local farms as part of their studies. Students take part in regional agricultural activities and visit tourist sites throughout Israel. Pons Allon emphasizes the impact of this experience: “It’s not just about learning how to farm. They see how to take the impossible (e.g., growing produce, such as dates, mangoes, tomatoes and peppers in the Arava, which only gets two inches of rainfall a year) and make it possible – it’s the Israeli dream.”
AICAT has continued to help the world despite what is happening in the Middle East, as it works to enhance communities and generate employment opportunities in the Negev. After October 7, the Thai government required all their citizens to leave Israel. But more students from Kenya arrived in December 2023 to participate, learn and help the farmers in the Arava. In 2024, while less students than usual came to Israel, there were still over 700 enrolled in the program with a majority from Indonesia, all of whom are Muslim & Christian. Despite cultural and religious differences, the program works and thrives! The farmers in the Arava greatly appreciate the work of the students. The students learn a tremendous amount from the farmers who set an example of how to be professional, manage time, maintain order, and generate greater profits. The school offers a 10-month diploma program for undergraduates.
JNF-USA’s affiliate, the Central Arava R&D Center is a leading scientific research and development center established in 1986 which continues to broaden its impact and scope. Its original goal was to develop and advance new materials, raise the quality of the produce, help new crops thrive, and open new markets. In recent years, alongside research in agriculture, a strong scientific research division has developed focusing on the fields of molecular biology, drug discovery, biotechnology, ecology, geology, and more. Biologists are focused on finding cures for cancers, Alzheimer’s, and ALS. Their work has also been ongoing throughout the war!
Because of You, JNF-USA practices Tikkun Olam on a regular basis, repairing the world one step at a time. Working with distinguished academic and scientific institutions, JNF-USA has helped support never-before-seen innovative solutions in the areas of solar power, water sustainability, agricultural development in cooperation with local farmers, and electric power. Because of you, JNF-USA affiliates have been able to train people from developing countries, share their cutting-edge practices and work alongside them. And, because of you, JNF-USA can continue growing and strengthening the Negev.
To help support JNF-USA’s agricultural and scientific initiatives in the Arava and across the country, please click here.
Written by Lynette Feit Buzen, Chairperson of the Long Island Regional Board and Vice Chair of the WFI Newsletter