The first 100 days of any leader’s term usually lays the groundwork of what’s to come. As you are aware of our vision through our One Billion Road Map for the Next Decade, I would like to use this opportunity to share with you, our donor, what we have recently accomplished.
For inspiration, I looked back at the first 100 days of David Ben Gurion. Who of us could fathom the great responsibility that rested on his shoulders?
It was in the early moments of his leadership, at 4:00 pm, on a Friday afternoon, just prior to Shabbat, that he gathered among him at the Tel Aviv Art Museum representatives of the nation-to- be who for 2,000 years, had been denied the land as part of their physical existence. Ben Gurion stood up, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel, read the Declaration of Independence, recited the Shehecheyanu, and declared Israel’s official existence for the Jewish people everywhere.
Of course, we know that declaration brought about the War of Independence, but the cause had purpose. For decades, Jews the world over had been purchasing land in Israel through Jewish National Fund, and because of those millions of coins collected in JNF Blue Boxes, we possessed the original bill of sale that gave birth to our Jewish nation.
This April, we will commemorate 70 years since that Friday afternoon. As President of Jewish National Fund, I know that each of us today are just as committed to holding dear, fighting for, and building the land of Israel for the Jewish people everywhere, as we were then.
My only regret is that there are so many who came before us who did not have the opportunity to share in these defining moments. While Jewish National Fund celebrates 117 years as an organization, Israel is only 70. Can you imagine if Israel was also celebrating its 117th birthday? How strong and unified we would be if that was the case. Perhaps one million, two million, or even six million more Jews and their descendants would be among us.
As modern builders in our homeland, we now have the awesome responsibility to do more than just talk or rest on our past laurels. As caretakers of the land for the Jewish people everywhere, we have an obligation to engage, educate, involve, and to do. That is what Jewish National Fund is all about. We are doers!
In the next paragraphs, I am going to offer recaps of the unbelievable work that has been done across the United States by people who have stood up and said, “Count on me.” If you have not already done so, please make sure to attend an event, meet a visiting partner from Israel, or make a gift.
On Giving Tuesday, we witnessed some of the highest engagement held by this or any organization, not only in the dollars raised, but in the amount of people who decided to donate to Jewish National Fund. In a single day we raised $1.3 million via our website, e-mails, social media, events and one- on-one solicitations! We had around 1,400 donations and 142 new donors (who had never before given to us).
In Boston, MA, in a room that only held 500 people maximum, a sold-out crowd at a Breakfast for Israel made way for SRO attendees. Boston has and continues to be one of the strong backbones of our Jewish
National Fund-USA campaign. From Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs, Seattle, Phoenix, Chicago, Florida, New Jersey, New York, everywhere, we are seeing our people coming out, standing up, and saying, “Count on me.”
Among those raising their hands and making donations are the young members of our fastest growing campaign segment, JNFuture. Now counting more than 1,100 between the ages of 22-40, I can emphatically say that no other organization has seen such resounding growth among this key demographic.
Many thousands of happy travelers have experienced Israel with us on our trips and hundreds are signing up right now: for our unique Sunshine Tour: For Active Adults 55+; the JNFuture Volunteer Vacation; informative Israel H20 Water Tour, and the upcoming Israel@70 Tours that have several distinct tracks.
Taglit-Birthright Israel has increased its eligibility to the age of 32, and our trips through Shorashim increase in size each year. In 2017, we sent 65 buses and are aiming now for 100. Our $100 million Boruchin Center concentrates on Israel engagement and continues to fund and perform exceptional educational programming with renowned partners, making a real impact on college campuses. Our Faculty Fellowship Program in Israel and Caravan for Democracy Student Leadership Mission to Israel have become the recognized models for taking non-Jewish college professors and students to Israel so they can see for themselves what we know as Positively Israel. In 2017, 38 college and university campuses hosted 94 JNF Positively Israel events and speakers. Last year 134 students experienced life-changing Alternative Break programs in Israel and the trips continue to sell out.
Alexander Muss High School in Israel is filled to capacity. While we once struggled to maintain our numbers, today we are planning the building of our second campus in Be’er Sheva, the Negev’s capital city. This multi-million dollar state-of-the-art facility will serve as a first class institution and operate in tandem with our current and historic Hod HaSharon campus. Our goal is for 5,000 high school students to annually visit Israel with us, with each returning home a more engaged and active member of the Jewish community. During their lifetimes, we can agree that will realize a good return on investment.
As I move forward to my second 100 days, I keep in sight those defining moments before me and those who have helped bring me to this place: those brave Zionists who played a part in the War of Independence; our friends and neighbors who some 30 years ago marched in Washington and demanded freedom for Jews in the former Soviet Union; the Jewish National Fund donors who raised money during the 1967 and 1973 wars; and the many thousands who have made aliyah and today call Israel home.
Ours is not a story about a people in exile, or how we survived war and struggle, nor the many attempts to eliminate the State of Israel. I am convinced the future looks good for the Jewish people. As a community, and, as a people, we are stronger than ever before. As it has in every generation before us, our story continues to evolve and go on. Our work as the caretakers of the land of Israel is now focused on building upon the strength and unity of the Jewish people, and making our homeland better for all who call it their home—our home.
On this incredible journey has been my partner in life, Lauren, who is with me every step of the way. No good work is done without the concerted efforts of a great team. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful lay leaders and our professional staff who work every day on the front lines with our partners in Israel, on the phones across the U.S. talking to our donors, and behind the scenes to make everything run so smoothly—you make it happen!
I thank you for the privilege to serve as president of this great organization and for making my first 100 days so memorable. I look ahead with much optimism as we continue to go forward together.
Thank you,
For inspiration, I looked back at the first 100 days of David Ben Gurion. Who of us could fathom the great responsibility that rested on his shoulders?
It was in the early moments of his leadership, at 4:00 pm, on a Friday afternoon, just prior to Shabbat, that he gathered among him at the Tel Aviv Art Museum representatives of the nation-to- be who for 2,000 years, had been denied the land as part of their physical existence. Ben Gurion stood up, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel, read the Declaration of Independence, recited the Shehecheyanu, and declared Israel’s official existence for the Jewish people everywhere.
Of course, we know that declaration brought about the War of Independence, but the cause had purpose. For decades, Jews the world over had been purchasing land in Israel through Jewish National Fund, and because of those millions of coins collected in JNF Blue Boxes, we possessed the original bill of sale that gave birth to our Jewish nation.
This April, we will commemorate 70 years since that Friday afternoon. As President of Jewish National Fund, I know that each of us today are just as committed to holding dear, fighting for, and building the land of Israel for the Jewish people everywhere, as we were then.
My only regret is that there are so many who came before us who did not have the opportunity to share in these defining moments. While Jewish National Fund celebrates 117 years as an organization, Israel is only 70. Can you imagine if Israel was also celebrating its 117th birthday? How strong and unified we would be if that was the case. Perhaps one million, two million, or even six million more Jews and their descendants would be among us.
As modern builders in our homeland, we now have the awesome responsibility to do more than just talk or rest on our past laurels. As caretakers of the land for the Jewish people everywhere, we have an obligation to engage, educate, involve, and to do. That is what Jewish National Fund is all about. We are doers!
In the next paragraphs, I am going to offer recaps of the unbelievable work that has been done across the United States by people who have stood up and said, “Count on me.” If you have not already done so, please make sure to attend an event, meet a visiting partner from Israel, or make a gift.
On Giving Tuesday, we witnessed some of the highest engagement held by this or any organization, not only in the dollars raised, but in the amount of people who decided to donate to Jewish National Fund. In a single day we raised $1.3 million via our website, e-mails, social media, events and one- on-one solicitations! We had around 1,400 donations and 142 new donors (who had never before given to us).
In Boston, MA, in a room that only held 500 people maximum, a sold-out crowd at a Breakfast for Israel made way for SRO attendees. Boston has and continues to be one of the strong backbones of our Jewish
National Fund-USA campaign. From Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs, Seattle, Phoenix, Chicago, Florida, New Jersey, New York, everywhere, we are seeing our people coming out, standing up, and saying, “Count on me.”
Among those raising their hands and making donations are the young members of our fastest growing campaign segment, JNFuture. Now counting more than 1,100 between the ages of 22-40, I can emphatically say that no other organization has seen such resounding growth among this key demographic.
Many thousands of happy travelers have experienced Israel with us on our trips and hundreds are signing up right now: for our unique Sunshine Tour: For Active Adults 55+; the JNFuture Volunteer Vacation; informative Israel H20 Water Tour, and the upcoming Israel@70 Tours that have several distinct tracks.
Taglit-Birthright Israel has increased its eligibility to the age of 32, and our trips through Shorashim increase in size each year. In 2017, we sent 65 buses and are aiming now for 100. Our $100 million Boruchin Center concentrates on Israel engagement and continues to fund and perform exceptional educational programming with renowned partners, making a real impact on college campuses. Our Faculty Fellowship Program in Israel and Caravan for Democracy Student Leadership Mission to Israel have become the recognized models for taking non-Jewish college professors and students to Israel so they can see for themselves what we know as Positively Israel. In 2017, 38 college and university campuses hosted 94 JNF Positively Israel events and speakers. Last year 134 students experienced life-changing Alternative Break programs in Israel and the trips continue to sell out.
Alexander Muss High School in Israel is filled to capacity. While we once struggled to maintain our numbers, today we are planning the building of our second campus in Be’er Sheva, the Negev’s capital city. This multi-million dollar state-of-the-art facility will serve as a first class institution and operate in tandem with our current and historic Hod HaSharon campus. Our goal is for 5,000 high school students to annually visit Israel with us, with each returning home a more engaged and active member of the Jewish community. During their lifetimes, we can agree that will realize a good return on investment.
As I move forward to my second 100 days, I keep in sight those defining moments before me and those who have helped bring me to this place: those brave Zionists who played a part in the War of Independence; our friends and neighbors who some 30 years ago marched in Washington and demanded freedom for Jews in the former Soviet Union; the Jewish National Fund donors who raised money during the 1967 and 1973 wars; and the many thousands who have made aliyah and today call Israel home.
Ours is not a story about a people in exile, or how we survived war and struggle, nor the many attempts to eliminate the State of Israel. I am convinced the future looks good for the Jewish people. As a community, and, as a people, we are stronger than ever before. As it has in every generation before us, our story continues to evolve and go on. Our work as the caretakers of the land of Israel is now focused on building upon the strength and unity of the Jewish people, and making our homeland better for all who call it their home—our home.
On this incredible journey has been my partner in life, Lauren, who is with me every step of the way. No good work is done without the concerted efforts of a great team. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful lay leaders and our professional staff who work every day on the front lines with our partners in Israel, on the phones across the U.S. talking to our donors, and behind the scenes to make everything run so smoothly—you make it happen!
I thank you for the privilege to serve as president of this great organization and for making my first 100 days so memorable. I look ahead with much optimism as we continue to go forward together.
Thank you,
Dr. Sol Lizerbram