Jewish National Fund's Annual 30-Days in May Campaign Raises Over 1.5 Million Dollars for Water Resource Projects in Israel

Jewish National Fund
Tuesday, 26 June 2001

JNF Celebrates Most Successful 30-Day Campaign in the Organization's History

June 26, 2001 – New York, NY– President Ronald S. Lauder of Jewish National Fund (JNF) recently announced that the organization secured a total of 954 donations with a value of over $1.5 million through the annual 30-Days in May campaign. This year's 30-Days in May campaign was the most successful in the organization's history thanks to 113 lay leaders and dozens of dedicated JNF professionals who volunteered their time to JNF. The dollars raised through this national volunteer solicitation campaign will fund JNF's vital water resource development projects in Israel. The 30-Days in May campaign is just one aspect of JNF's large-scale commitment to resolving the severe water crisis Israel is currently facing. JNF is committed to a $250 million initiative to extend the life of Israel's existing water resources over the next several years.

30-Days in May Chairman Robert M. Wigoda of Chicago, IL and Vice President of Campaign Robert B. Levine of Teaneck, NJ led the national volunteer campaign. Mr. Levine declared, "Success of this campaign is based on the community's response to the water situation. Whenever there has been a crisis in Israel, Diaspora Jewry has come together to support our homeland, as we are now with the current violence as well. The water situation in Israel is very much a crisis, and we need to show our partnership with our extended family in Israel."

Mr. Wigoda adds, "I am very impressed by the dedication of our lay leadership and the generosity of our donors. 30-Days in May is an opportunity to further involve our dedicated volunteers and educate the American Jewish community about water in Israel, and most importantly secure their financial support."

To keep the program exciting for JNF staff and lay leaders, Mr. Wigoda provided incentives for those who raised the most funds. Internally the program was referred to as "30-Days in May Major League Fundraising". On a local level, lay leaders served as "team leaders" and spearheaded the fundraising efforts in their communities. In keeping with this baseball theme, awards were given to "players" for Most RBI (Runs Batted In), Most Home Runs, and Most Runs Scored. And the winners are:

Most RBI (total number of solicitations)
Winner: Burt Kruglick (Phoenix, AZ) with 40 gifts closed

Most Home Runs (total number of major gifts of $5,000+)
Winner: Jeremy Halpern (Woodbridge, NJ) with 5 major gifts closed

Most Runs Scored (total dollars raised by an individual player)
Winner: Jeremy Halpern (Woodbridge, NJ) with $43,100

To get involved as a JNF lay leader or to make a donation, JNF has a national hotline -- 888-JNF-0099 -- so that people may call their local office directly.

Founded in 1901, the Jewish National Fund is a national non-profit organization. JNF is the caretaker of the land of Israel, on behalf of its owners – Jewish people everywhere. The organization has planted over 210 million trees, built over 100 dams and reservoirs, developed over 250,000 acres of land, and created 400 parks throughout Israel.

For more information, or to contact Jewish National Fund, see their website at: www.jnf.org