THESE Women Did It…You Can, Too

WFI Cincinnati “Kicks It Off”! If you know anything about Jewish National Fund-USA, you know that revealing the depth and breadth of what the organization does for the land and the people of Israel beyond blue boxes and trees is a constant challenge. If you’re new to JNF-USA, you’re in for a shocking abundance of information.

So how do we move people beyond blue boxes and trees? Cincinnati, the hub of the Ohio Valley JNF-USA region, does it for the Women of Israel with an annual special “kick-off” event that covers the basics–a JNF-USA 101 if you will.

Every fall since 2019, they’ve been mixing it up while enlightening the crowd with information about some of the programs and/or the seven key strategic areas of JNF-USA. Can you name them? Community Building, Forestry & Green Innovations, Water Solutions, Disabilities & Special Needs, Research & Development, Education & Advocacy, and Heritage Site Preservation. There’s something for everyone, and because JNF-USA’s work never stops, there are always wonderful and inspiring updates.

The WFI Cincinnati region has experimented with a range of formats, from an expansive expo-style setup with subject matter experts manning booths with PowerPoint presentations and videos for each area, to a fun trivia game format where audience members are invited to select from a list of answers, to a virtual bus tour of JNF-USA sites produced during Covid starring JNF-USA’s on-location partners in Israel. And FYI, some of their logistics remain constant: events bring in from 50–80 attendees and run about 90 minutes, they always include snacks or desserts, and they occur in the evening or on Sundays (after you drop off the kids). Of course, you can use this as inspiration to shape the event to fit your community's specific needs.

“The purpose is still JNF-USA 101, and “It’s become something that our women look forward to each year,” says Nina Paul, JNF-USA Ambassador to KKL (Keren Kayemet L’Israel), WFI National Past President, and Southern Ohio Regional Past President. “We learned that women want to come together now more than ever, to learn, not just be social. We’re trying to attract women who care about Israel and enjoy the camaraderie.”

KEYS TO SUCCESS: TIPS FOR THROWING THIS EVENT

Says Nina Perlove, WFI member and former JNF-USA Ohio Valley Campaign Executive, “My advice, if you’re planning to do this event, is to invite people personally, make sure there is social time, try to get sponsors to offset the costs, and most importantly, follow up with those who attended with a survey and personal phone calls. We ask that each person on the committee immediately engage afterward with 10 people. That means making calls, thank you notes, sending a picture from the event, meeting for coffee.” And even though Cincinnati does this in the fall, it’s always the right time to give women more information about what JNF-USA does.

THE END RESULT IS WORTH THE EFFORT

This event has been successful in introducing and continuing to educate the community and the WFI steering committee about what JNF-USA does, empowering WFI Committee members to take on leadership roles, helping understand the actual interests of the community when scheduling events, and providing a platform for asking women to re-join WFI and step up to other giving levels. Cincinnati WFI has also used this event to recognize WFI donors and present women with their Chai and Sapphire pins. Chai Society members contribute a minimum annual donation of $1,800. Sapphire Society members contribute a minimum annual donation of $5,000.

To learn more about Women for Israel, contact Sara King, National Director, Women's Campaign sking@jnf.org

Written by Jackie Goldstein, Proud Sapphire Society Member, Member of JNF-USA Board of Directors Atlanta, WFI Steering Committee, Arts and Entertainment Task Force