Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF-USA) annual Breakfast for Israel will enter the virtual world this year with thousands of supporters from coast to coast expected to join the complimentary event in support of the land and people of Israel and Jewish people everywhere.

In honor of Giving Tuesday, the breakfast will feature a day-long dollar-for-dollar match up to $1 million made possible through the generosity and leadership of The Braverman Family Foundation (FL), Harvey and Marnie Dietrich (AZ), and Ken and Nancie Segel (NY/FL).

This year’s JNF-USA Breakfast for Israel will feature keynote speaker Phil Rosenthal, best known as the creator of the hit CBS sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond” and documentaries “Exporting Raymond” and Netflix’s “Somebody Feed Phil.”

One of Rosenthal’s most memorable episodes from “Somebody Feed Phil” saw the comedy creator travel to Israel’s Galilee region—an area supported by JNF-USA’s philanthropic investments—where he experienced the sights, sounds, and culinary delights of Israel’s north.

“As someone who is deeply involved with JNF-USA’s philanthropic work in Israel, I know firsthand that there has never been a more important time to support our critical nation-building activities in the Negev and Galilee, as we continue to attract 800,000 new residents to these regions,” said Breakfast for Israel national co-chair Alyse Golden Berkley, Esq. “Despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, we understand our mission cannot be placed on ‘pause,’ and we continue to broaden and deepen our impact in Israel’s north and south. We are committed to build schools, medical facilities, parks, and playgrounds, all in support of a better future for Israel’s modern-day pioneers.”

Breakfast for Israel national co-chair Jim Riola added: “Although this is our first-ever virtual Breakfast for Israel, what’s clear is that our partners (donors) continue to support our mission and vision for the land and people of Israel, as seen by the thousands of people who’ve already registered for our breakfast.”

JNF-USA executive director for New England and the Capital District Sara Hefez said: “I feel honored to be a part of an organization where supporters like our incredible event chairs Eric and Margie Berg and Maria Ponsillo and Arthur Rabinowitz, as well as our table captains, rally behind us during these unique times to ensure the success of our annual event. I know we all look forward to seeing familiar faces and new ones at this year’s virtual breakfast. Because this year’s breakfast will take place in the virtual world, supporters outside the Boston area are able to join, and we are especially excited to welcome our supporters from Southern New England and throughout the region.”

JNF-USA is the leading philanthropic organization for Israel that supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south. Through its “One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade,” JNF-USA is developing new communities in the Galilee and Negev, connecting the next generation to Israel, and creating infrastructure and programs that support ecology, individuals with special needs, and heritage site preservation.

For more information and to register for this year’s Breakfast for Israel, click here or contact Rina Wagman at rwagman@jnf.org or 617-423-0999 ext. 812. Donations can be made in advance at jnf.org/donate or by calling 800-JNF-0099.

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