In a record-breaking show of support, nearly 500 people gathered early on the morning of Dec. 3 at the Newton Marriott for Jewish National Fund’s Breakfast for Israel. The event was co-chaired by Risa and Steven Aronson and Rebecca and Russ Stein, who were thrilled with the overwhelming turnout. “It was such an amazing breakfast with like-minded people who understand the importance of what JNF does for the State of Israel. It’s incredible to see such support for Israel and all the work of JNF. We are so proud of our community,” said the co-chairs in a joint statement.
Guests were treated to a keynote address by Ambassador Ron Prosor, who, from tremendous personal experience and knowledge, spoke about Israel and the United Nations and his former role as Israel’s ambassador to the U.N. He also discussed the current geopolitics facing Israel and the Middle East. Ambassador Prosor is a distinguished diplomat whose career has included serving in many of the most important postings in Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including minister counselor for political affairs at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, Israel’s ambassador to the UK and the U.N., director general of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, and currently the Abba Eban Chair of International Diplomacy at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya.
Jewish National Fund’s Executive Director Sara Hefez took to the stage to give a powerful overview of the incredible work JNF has accomplished since the last Breakfast for Israel. When Israel’s Gaza border communities were terrorized by incendiary kites and balloons, JNF stepped in and provided new firefighting equipment and days of fun for the youth of the region. JNF also sponsored a two-week, 11-city tour with three Israelis who live in the Gaza Envelope to travel and tell their story of life under fire.
Hefez went on to discuss the work being done by JNF in Israel’s south: “We are building up the Negev and Galilee and our housing fund has supported 1,000 lots in 19 communities just this year alone. The first rehabilitation hospital will be constructed outside of the center of the country, right in the center of the Negev.” The exciting projects JNF is doing in the north of Israel are revolutionary: “We are transforming the Eastern Galilee, home of the seven species of the Bible, into the culinary capital of the Middle East. We are opening a food accelerator, which will create 10,000 jobs in Kiryat Shmona! This is just a glimpse of what we have accomplished in the last 365 days. I look forward to seeing you all through the year and updating you on the milestones we are surpassing thanks to support of people like you!”
For information about Jewish National Fund and how you can get involved, contact JNF Executive Director Sara Hefez at shefez@jnf.org or 617-423-0999 ext. 811.
This post has been contributed by a third party. The opinions, facts and any media content are presented solely by the author, and JewishBoston assumes no responsibility for them. Want to add your voice to the conversation? Publish your own post here. MORE