On the Ground In Israel

Attracting people to settle in the North of Israel was a challenge before October 7, one that Jewish National Fund-USA was making huge strides in. After years of strategic investment and planning, the Galilee region was reinventing itself as a technology and business hub, a tourist destination with a diverse population and unparalleled opportunity. A place to live, grow a family, start a business while enjoying a way of life away from the hubbub of Israel’s central larger cities. 

The last few years have put a strain on Northern Israel’s economy. In 2020, the global Covid pandemic hit the North of Israel, and other places that rely on tourism, especially hard. Initiatives like JNF-USA’s online Mitzvah Marketplace were designed to enable Israeli artists and vendors the opportunity to sell their goods globally. With JNF-USA’s help, a visitor center was established in Akko to bring both job opportunities and tourists to the area. In 2021, Akko’s JNF-USA Visitor Center was ransacked during the riots. JNF-USA stepped in again and helped them rebuild the visitor center. They were bouncing back.

And just when they thought that they had survived the worst, on October 7, 2023 “our lives were disrupted completely,” said Michal Shiloah Galnoor, CEO of Western Galilee Now (A JNF-USA affiliate organization which supports small businesses around the Galilee). “We live in a war zone. Villages are closed. And the world isn’t with us. We live in a lot of fear.” 

The region experienced the evacuation (by government mandate or individual choice) of roughly 140,000 residents and the loss of many businesses. Many of them will never return. 

Because of Jewish National Fund-USA’s long-standing relationships with Western Galilee Now and local businesses in the North, they are poised to assist in emergencies – focusing on immediate needs while planning to build back stronger. “JNF-USA is playing a very significant role in saying, 'Come back. Come back,' declared Sheryl Buchholtz, Chair of JNF-USA’s Go North Task Force and VP on JNF-USA’s National Board. 

The North continues to be in the line of fire. The challenges are great. But as Galnoor assures us, “JNF-USA has my back.”  Here are a few key ways in which JNF-USA continues to support and grow the North: 

The Mitzvah Marketplace 
Since the War began, the Mitzvah Marketplace has enabled more Israeli small businesses to sell their products, so far selling over $1,000,000 worth of locally produced products and services. JNF-USA supporters have also purchased over 5,000 Israel Support Packages which are delivered to soldiers and evacuees. The boxes include products like coffee and a special foot cream that is excellent for soldiers, socks, and chocolates, and things from the Negev in the south, like jojoba oil and soap. The boxes for evacuee families include things like arts & crafts materials, cookies, crackers, tea and wine. These boxes not only bring joy and much-needed goods to soldiers and evacuees, but they also help sustain this small business association. Making it even more meaningful, JNF-USA (mission) volunteers are often helping to pack the boxes.

Activity Fund 
Some businesses can’t fit into a box. For those, JNF-USA has put together its Activity Fund which supports businesses like theatre and dance with events and workshops for evacuees. The effect has been therapeutic for the evacuees who pay nothing to participate while providing small businesses an opportunity to work. 

The Lauder Employment Center’s program for soldiers
Employment has always been a challenge in the north. Now more than ever, as soldiers return home, there is a growing need to help them find jobs, help employers find them, rebuild their confidence, and strengthen their resilience.

While the Lauder Employment Center has always helped people looking for work to write resumes, identify and build skills, and make connections for employers and employees new to the Galilee they have now added something to their own resume. Currently, they are focused on helping students, some of whom are now evacuees living in other places in Israel, stay connected, feel supported, and find a job after university. In this time of uncertainty, downsizing, and closing businesses, this work is more needed than ever.

The beautiful story of Noor (“light” in Arabic)
What do you do with a Druze restaurant after October 7? Basma Hino, the Druze chef-owner of Noor decided to convert her restaurant to feed Israeli soldiers. Basma’s husband had served in the IDF, so she started with his unit. Her first order was for 400 soldiers. She now makes thousands of meals each month. Once a month, JNF-USA volunteer mission participants help with the cooking. Did we mention that Basma had to make her facility completely Kosher to provide these meals?

Jewish National Fund-USA responded immediately to the crisis of October 7 with its Israel Resilience Campaign. Now, they have added the “Livnot B’Yachad”, Build Together plan as an opportunity for organizations and individuals everywhere to join forces in creating a bright new future for the Israeli towns devastated by terror. To learn more about how JNF-USA is helping to meet the current critical needs brought on by the war, and plan for the future, visit our website for our B'Yachad Build Together article.

Am Yisrael Chai.

Written by Jackie Goldstein, Chair of Women for Israel, Atlanta, JNF-USA Board of Directors, Atlanta