Sheryl Buchholtz grew up in Brooklyn, NY, where it was easy to be a part of the Jewish community. Her grandfather was a kosher butcher in Coney Island and Sheryl has strong memories of the Jewish National Fund-USA Blue Box always sitting next to the cash register. The Blue Box was a constant presence in her life during her Hebrew School years and those of her daughters and this instilled in her a sense of responsibility and connection to Israel from a young age.
Initially, Sheryl’s involvement with JNF-USA amounted to intermittent donations to JNF-USA and she did not consider herself an active participant. That changed in 2008, when she travelled with JNF-USA on a President’s Mission to Israel with her sister. She joined the mission with few expectations. However, the experience turned out to be a deeply personal turning point for her. It aligned Jewish values—particularly the concept of tikkun olam (repairing the world)—with direct participation in the growth and future of Israel.
One of the most impactful moments of the trip was a visit to Adi Negev-Nahalat Eran, a 25-acre state-of-the-art rehabilitation village in the Negev Desert that offers unparalleled care for children and adults with severe disabilities and provides thousands of jobs to area residents. As someone with a healthcare background – Sheryl worked for many years as a gerontological nurse consultant in the post-acute care field - she was struck by the incredible work being done at Adi Negev-Nahalat Eran. The staff, including the nurses and caregivers, left a lasting impression, as did the words of founder Doron Almog, who spoke about “leaving no one behind.” The emotional impact of that visit has stayed with her.
At the end of the trip, Sheryl pledged to become a President’s Society member (minimum annual donation of $10,000), joined the NYC Board of Directors, and joined the NYC Women for Israel (WFI) committee, as well as JNF-USA’s Healthcare Professionals for Israel. Sheryl is also proud to be a Circle of Sapphire Plus member of Woman for Israel.
During Operation Protective Edge in 2014, Sheryl went to Israel twice (with JNF-USA), hoping to help support Israel’s economy in some small way. As a morale booster, she brought hundreds of lipsticks to give to women in the IDF, as they wore their green fatigues.
In 2018, for Israel’s 70th anniversary, she co-led a JNF-USA mission that focused on the North of Israel. Her daughters and their husbands came along, and the family shared in the joyous celebrations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Sheryl recalls, “We experienced the remarkable projects funded by JNF-USA donors, including the Bullet Factory (Ayalon Institute). The story of these men and women at the Bullet Factory who fought for Israel’s independence really resonated with me. In honor of these unsung heroes, we later installed a plaque as a tribute to those who contributed to building Israel.”
Sheryl has traveled with JNF-USA on over 25 missions—during times of both great joy and great sadness. Since October 7, she has participated in four volunteer missions and has additional trips planned.
She continues to divide her annual donation to support a variety of JNF-USA initiatives, including The Karess Medical Center in Kiryat Shmona, Adi Negev, Green Horizons, Gaza Envelope and Caravan for Democracy. Additionally, she has donated funds for painting two bomb shelters, one in the North and one in South.
“My volunteer projects and time for JNF-USA reflect my deep commitment to Israel. I’ve had the honor of serving as Chair of the (Go North) Task Force for six years—through COVID, through war, through a population that was forced to abandon their communities for well over a year. And yet, we are still building. The upcoming Galilee Culinary Institute (GCI) is a financial engine that will bring opportunity and growth through education, jobs, tourism, and agriculture. Complimented with a new medical center and affordable housing units, we’re hoping to eventually bring 300,000 people to the North moving forward with hope and purpose,” said Sheryl. As of this writing, the vision and programming for GCI is now being reimagined to accommodate individuals post-IDF service, including those with PTSD.
Sheryl was also instrumental in the development of JNF-USA’s “Master Class” - where approximately 20 JNF-USA ambassadors (lay leaders) and professionals are coming together to build their skills in speaking and fundraising, and ultimately strengthen the voice and reach of JNF-USA. Sheryl stated, “I’m very proud of the work we’re doing with the help of the Boruchin Fund grant. We’re halfway through our second year and are now planning a third cohort for 2025–26. It’s a program that not only trains leaders but complements JNF’s ongoing work to expand our base of donors and advocates for Israel.” The mission and purpose of the Boruchin Initiatives Fund is to fund creative initiatives that grow JNF-USA’s brand awareness as well as its reach, impact and campaign.
In 2024, Sheryl’s family participated in the Multi-Gen Weekend “Our Jewish Roots, Our Jewish Future. “It meant a great deal to bring my entire family—babies and all! - to San Diego for the JNF-USA Next Gen Weekend. It gave us a shared experience of philanthropy, Jewish values, and a deeper Israel connection. It helped to focus our conversations on our Jewish faith, Zionism and mutual love of Israel.” So that her daughters can continue her legacy of giving, Sheryl has established a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) with JNF-USA.
Sheryl Buchholtz loves being a part of the JNF-USA community. She has internalized the Zionistic concept that “There is no future for the Jewish people without Israel. It is our anchor.” She applies that principal in myriad ways to help the land and people of Israel as a dedicated Woman for Israel. To learn more about the work that Sheryl cherishes or to donate, click here JNF-USA Projects | Our Work Within Israel | Jewish National Fund-USA
Written by Elyse Ingber, Chair - Long Island Women for Israel Steering Committee