"A Family Affair" for Three Generations of Horwitz and Zusman Women Standing Up for Israel, Together

Involvement with Jewish National Fund-USA spans three generations for the women of the Horwitz/Zusman family: there’s the matriarch, Merle Horwitz; her daughter, Ula Zusman; and Zusman’s daughter, Noa—all committed to, and active in, the organization.

“It’s a family affair,” said Ula, speaking with B’Yachad shortly after her Atlanta- and Miami-based family gave a significant contribution to Jewish National Fund-USA’s Build Together campaign, a strategic initiative to rebuild communities on the border with Gaza who were impacted by the horrific violence on October 7. Jewish National Fund-USA has enabled three generations of Horwitz and Zusman women to express their love for Israel in tangible ways.

The multi-generational family was “powerfully moved to do so” Zusman said, “because of the tragic resonance of all the precious lives and stories cut short. We felt an urgent need to invest in the land that’s going to keep Jews around the world safe and secure.”

Ula and her husband, Michael (M.Z.) relocated to Florida from Atlanta with their three children— Ziv, Lev, and Noa in 2022. Ula was the first of the Horwitz/Zusman women to become involved with Jewish National Fund-USA, and the three generations gave a major gift to assist in establishing a food-tech hub in Kiryat Shmona, a northern Israeli city near the Lebanese border.

“Our support of this project had historical roots. My husband’s family left the north of Israel in the 1800s due to lack of economic opportunities. We realized that bringing high-paying jobs to the region would entice people to move to northern Israel, strengthening both the local economy and communities in the surrounding areas,” Zusman explained.

The family’s support for the organization didn’t stop with the northern-based hub, though. Zusman is active with its Women for Israel Sapphire Society, the major donor division for women.

Zusman’s mother, Merle, followed in her daughter’s footsteps with Jewish National Fund-USA and got involved with Women for Israel as well. Together, they also chaired Atlanta’s Women for Israel luncheon. With a strong family connection to Jewish National Fund in South Africa, Merle’s motto has always been “Give until it hurts. Only by positively impacting everyone and everything around us, can we hope to create a lasting legacy and a better world for future generations.”

“I’m so impressed with the women’s leadership,” Zusman said, describing both lay leaders and professional staff. “Jewish National Fund-USA engages passionate, committed, brilliant women that know how to get the job done, know how to collaborate, know how to connect with people, and don’t shy away from leading from the heart.”

A passion for supporting the land and people of Israel has also run through the family on M.Z’s side: his grandmother, Lore Zusman, led Blue Box campaigns in Perth, Australia for over 40 years.

Last summer, the Zusmans’ daughter, Noa, continued the family legacy and participated in Jewish National Fund-USA’s Alexander Muss High School in Israel program. The experience didn’t disappoint the then-rising 11th grader.

“Alexander Muss helped cement my love for Israel,” the 17-year-old said. “My experience gave me a sense of connection to the land, through hiking, through learning about the different historical sites, and through my ties to my teacher, Reuven. And on October 7, I felt the need to reach out to all my madrichim to make sure they were okay. Thankfully, they were.”

“Israel and Jewish National Fund-USA beat in our blood,” Zusman said. “It’s a visceral bond to Israel, a chance to express our profound appreciation for our heritage, our Israeli brothers and sisters, and a chance to make a lasting investment in our Jewish future. It’s a connection we treasure beyond measure.”