Top Leaders in the Jewish Community Help JNF Reach Fundraising Goals for 2002

Jewish National Fund
Tuesday, 6 November 2001

JNF and National Leadership Work Together in "Keeping the Promise to Israel"

October marked the kick-off of Jewish National Fund's (JNF) "Keeping the Promise to Israel" annual fundraising campaign for 2002. JNF is looking to its lay leadership to help the organization meet its $50 million campaign and $100 million endowment goal in its 100th year as caretaker of the land of Israel. Throughout October and November, JNF lay leaders will be making their contributions to JNF and urging others in their community to do the same as part of the Leadership Leads initiative. To date, Leadership Leads has raised over $2.5 million, ahead of last year's pace that led to an unprecedented $5.5 million raised towards alleviating the water shortage in Israel. This year's campaign is particularly significant due to the hardships Israel continues to face on a daily basis including terrorism, political uncertainty and the ongoing water shortage.

"In the last month the world has changed dramatically, but JNF remains on target and has not strayed from its mission. The organization continues to evolve to meet Israel's most critical needs as we have over the past century," says Ronald S. Lauder, JNF president. "From addressing the water shortage with reservoirs, dams and water recycling, to building parks that IDF soldiers and their families can visit as a respite, JNF is constantly working to improve the quality of life for our Israeli partners, who live their lives with the kind of heightened anxiety we in America have now experienced firsthand," adds Lauder.

"As we begin JNF's next 100 years, we once again turn to our leadership to show the way," says Robert B. Levine, JNF vice president, campaign. "JNF relies heavily on its top leaders in the Jewish community in keeping our promise to support Israel - especially in hard times. These individuals not only make a monetary donation to JNF, but also a donation of their time and expertise in speaking with members of their communities to raise funds for JNF. Our lay leaders' active support of JNF sends a message to their communities about the fundamental role of JNF in Israel, and the importance of standing by our Israeli brothers and sisters," adds Levine.

"The well-being of Israel depends on the generosity of our donors, which is why I am committed to raising funds for JNF," says Rita Salfeld, President, Greater New York Zone. "We need to stand by Israel now more than ever and JNF is our direct link to the Jewish homeland." Locally, JNF in New York has over 20 leaders committed to the Leadership Leads initiative and to raising funds for the "Keeping the Promise to Israel" campaign.

As part of the "Keep the Promise" annual campaign, JNF is focused on solving Israel's severe water shortage, and is committed to a $250 million water initiative to extend the life of Israel's existing water resources. The organization is proud of its century of accomplishment in the areas of afforestation; building infrastructure for Israel's growing population; building access roads for security; providing employment for waves of new immigrants; educating children in the U.S. and Israel about Zionism and the environment; and improving the quality of life for all Israelis through the building of parks and recreation areas.

JNF is committed to keeping its promise to the people and land of Israel by meeting its fundraising goals. For more information about JNF or to contribute to the 2002 campaign, please contact Howard Ingram at 212-879-9305 ext. 503.

Founded in 1901, Jewish National Fund is a non-profit organization. JNF is celebrating its 100th Anniversary as caretaker of the land of Israel, on behalf of its owners - Jewish people everywhere. After its establishment at the Fifth Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, JNF set out to achieve its goal of purchasing the land that would become the State of Israel. Following the successful establishment of the state in 1948, the organization has continued to evolve to address Israel's most pressing needs, including the current water crisis. Over the past century, the organization has planted over 220 million trees, built over 120 dams and reservoirs, developed over 250,000 acres of land, created more than 400 parks throughout Israel and educated students around the world about Israel and the environment.

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