Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) in New England has achieved a record-high fundraising result, with the community donating $11.4 million to the organization’s equally record-breaking $120 million 2021 National Campaign in support of the land and people of Israel. The unprecedented fundraising result represents a four-fold increase over total donations received in New England in 2020.

“When people give to JNF-USA, they are not only giving to stand-alone projects, they are supporting a vision and raising their hand to say: ‘I want to play a role in my people’s history and future by supporting game-changing initiatives that support Israel’s pioneers in the Negev and Galilee,’” said JNF-USA Boston president Risa Aronson.

JNF-USA in New England has played a pivotal role in helping the organization close in on its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade Initiative, with $856 million raised to date.

“People support JNF-USA because their gift is used in a way that maximizes its philanthropic impact,” said JNF-USA New England and the capital district executive director Sara Hefez. “As an organization that has been around for 120 years, new donors are drawn to our historic accomplishments, yet they are equally inspired by our bold plans for the future.”

Hefez continued: “Our growth is part of JNF-USA’s overall success in helping our community have a voice in Israel and it is an honor and a pleasure to work with our partners (donors) and lead a wonderful team of professionals who are so inspirational.”

JNF-USA continues to develop Israel’s Negev Desert and Galilee with dozens of major projects underway, including:

  • $350 million JNF Israel Education and Technology Campus: A narrative-changing initiative that will revolutionize global Jewish education; place Israel at the center of Jewish learning; and inspire a new generation to engage with their Jewish and Zionist past, present and future connection to Israel and the Jewish people.
  • $20 million Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF: With the Rosenfield School of Culinary Arts on the Marvin Sukonik Campus, GCI by JNF will become the No. 1 culinary school in the world, leveraging Israel’s 80-plus unique cultures to create a truly world-class institution.
  • 1,700 housing development sites: Enabling thousands of families to pursue the Zionist dream in the Negev and Galilee by creating the infrastructure needed to enable new housing development.
  • Supporting Israel’s firefighters: Providing critical firefighting equipment to Israel’s volunteer firefighters, enabling them to protect lives and property more effectively than ever before.

Aronson added: “Despite global challenges, our movement continues to succeed because we are always asking, what’s next? What more can we do? How can we inspire the next generation to continue our historic mission and strategic vision in support of the land and people of Israel?”

Jewish National Fund-USA CEO, Russell F. Robinson, said: “I am beyond inspired by our many lay leaders in Boston who have stepped up to ensure we remain steadfast in our commitment to those we support in Israel, something that we have always done and will continue to do for generations to come. Thanks to our partners (donors), we are there for young people with disabilities; families looking to build new lives in the Negev and Galilee; American teens seeking to discover their connection to their ancestral soil; job seekers who find employment through the JNF Lauder Employment Center; and small businesses in the Negev and Galilee, just to name a few examples.”

JNF-USA’s fundraising momentum in New England is set to continue into the new year, with the organization’s National Conference scheduled to take place in Boston on Nov. 4-6, 2022.

To support JNF-USA’s important work in Israel, visit jnf.org/donate, call 800-JNF-0099 or contact Sara Hefez at shefez@jnf.org.

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