Jewish National Fund responds to latest events in Israel

NEW YORK—Jewish National Fund (JNF) has announced that while world news may ignore the latest events in Israel over the past month, JNF is responding by encouraging Americans and its donors to stand in support of Israel.

Since recent terror incidents began in and around Israel on September 13 (Erev Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year), JNF is leading the way in solidarity and has seen registration pick up in recent days on its missions and tours to Israel. Aliyah, the term used for those people who emigrate to Israel, has also picked up and continues to serve as the best way to defeat terror by proving that fear will not deter those looking to make a new life by returning to their eternal homeland.

President Jeffrey E. Levine stated, “Our prayers and thoughts go out to the families and to all who have been affected by these terrorist attacks. We call on supporters of Israel to raise their voices. Do not remain silent in the face of these threats. Israel needs us to stand by them now more than ever.”

JNF is also going ahead with sending hundreds of donors on numerous trips over the next month to show support and to stand in solidarity with Israelis.

Valerie and Jim Shapiro of Orlando, Fla. shared why they are going: “More than ever we feel the need to stand with Israel and support its people in these challenging times. We are both excited and looking forward to leading the Spirit of Israel Tour on November 1-8, where we will visit the north, the Negev, as well as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Most importantly, we will be sharing our love of Israel with a busload of people including seven from our home town, Orlando.”

Ben Guttman, a resident of Norwood, NJ, who will lead one of the most popular missions to Israel from November 4-12 remarked, “I am proud that I will be chairing JNF’s President’s Society Mission and escorting over 40 people around that amazing country. We will be literally shoulder to shoulder with Israelis at this difficult time. Remember if you want to ‘Stand with Israel,’ it is important to stand in Israel. Now is the time to show that you care, so join JNF by supporting Israel and especially by making it your business to set foot there.”

Deborah Riegel, an attorney in New York and co-chair of the Law & Justice Tour, which is comprised of American lawyers and law enforcement personnel said, “At a time when the world seems to again be turning a blind eye to terrorism and violence against Israeli civilians and children, it is more important than ever for us to let world leaders, the media and, most importantly, the Israelis suffering these heinous attacks know that we stand with them. It is for that reason that I am honored to be leading a group of 37 participants on a mission to Israel in November to show our solidarity and determination to support her and her citizens against the cowardly acts of terror that are being perpetrated against them.”

Other choices of travel abound. From culinary, wine, and music-based to photography- focused, JNF offers travelers of all ages and passions exciting trips. Young people take advantage of free excursions on Birthright, Alternative Break, and the JNFuture Volunteer Vacation is an incredible opportunity to volunteer in Southern Israel while connecting to the land and people of Israel in a meaningful way. To take part, young professionals between the ages of 25–39 raise $1,800 which is applied to projects they will work on in the Negev. Currently, 30 people have signed up and more are registering every day.

For more information on any of these tours or to register, visit http://www.jnf.org/travel or contact René Reinhard at rreinhard@jnf.org or at 212-879-9305 ext. 235.

Israel needs support to stand by them now more than ever. A few ways individuals can get involved:

• Make a commitment to visit Israel on a JNF trip

• Monitor and contact your local and media outlets and urge balanced coverage of the

events in Israel

• Write to local and state elected officials thanking them for their continued support of

Israel in the face of terrorism

• Be active on social media by changing your profile picture to increase support and

awareness of what is going on in Israel

• Donate to one of JNF’s many programs that help keep Israelis safe.