Deloitte Collaborates with Jewish National Fund-USA to Commemorate Milestone
New York, NY: February 9, 2020 - On September 15, 2019, Deloitte US CEO, Joe Ucuzoglu, proudly presented a donation to the Jewish National Fund – USA (JNF-USA) for a grove of 128 trees to be planted and cared for throughout the land of Israel in honor of all the people of Deloitte Israel, its 128 partners and directors and CEO, Ilan Birnfeld. This donation commemorates the strategic relationship entered into between Deloitte US and Deloitte Israel, a momentous occasion in the histories of both organizations.
“I am grateful to my Deloitte US colleagues for this donation and the chance to share our celebration with JNF-USA,” said Ilan Birnfeld, Deloitte Israel CEO and Chairman. "JNF-USA, Deloitte Israel and Deloitte US are committed to our local communities and the wider society by promoting environmental sustainability. I am thrilled we are able to leave a legacy of positive impact while commemorating the strategic relationship between our two organizations.”
For 119-years, JNF-USA has been the leading philanthropic organization for Israel that supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south. Through its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade, JNF-USA is building housing sites in Israel’s Galilee and Negev Desert, providing fire trucks and stations, planting trees, creating employment opportunities, developing water infrastructure, boosting tourism and delivering ongoing therapeutic, emotional and psychological assistance.
“Because of JNF-USA and its affiliates, Israel was the only country to enter the 21st century with a net gain in trees,” said JNF-CEO, Russell F. Robinson. “As we approach the festival of Tu BiShvat, it's important to recognize that we live in an age of environmental consciousness where companies strive to be the best global citizens they can be. Today, the public and private sectors aim to meet their ESG goals through a number of initiatives, and when a single tree can absorb as much as 50 pounds of CO2 per year, planting trees with JNF-USA is an effective way for companies to achieve their goals.”
“At Deloitte, we understand the important role we play in environmental stewardship and are intent on helping our people and our clients adopt and share sustainability-focused approaches in their professional lives and through engagement where they live and work,” said Mark Steiger, Partner, Deloitte Tax LLP, and Leader of US-Israel strategic relationship. “I am delighted JNF-USA could play a role in fostering closer ties between Deloitte US and Deloitte Israel.”
Companies or individuals seeking to mitigate their carbon footprint by planting trees can make a tax-deductible gift to JNF-USA at jnf.org/trees.
About Deloitte
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 5,000 private and middle-market companies. Our people work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today’s marketplace — delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthy society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Now celebrating 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s more than 312,000 people worldwide make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com.
About Jewish National Fund-USA
Unparalleled in the Jewish philanthropic world, Jewish National Fund-USA’s strategic vision has been, and always will be, to ensure a strong, secure, and prosperous future for the land and people of Israel. Everything we do -- every project, initiative, and campaign we take on – is integral to our vision of building and connecting to our land. We plant trees, build houses and parks, source water solutions, buy fire trucks, and improve the lives of people with special needs. We boost tourism, support Aliyah, promote Zionist education and engagement, build medical centers and trauma centers, fund agricultural and culinary research, and run an American semester abroad high school in Israel. We do all these things because each project, each program, each partnership, is consistent with our strategic vision – population growth in the north and south, connecting the next generation to Israel, infrastructure development, ecology, forestation, heritage preservation, and more -- all for the land and people of Israel.
Jewish National Fund: We are unique, we are strategic, we are visionary, and we have been that way since 1901. Join us.
Media Inquiries:
Deloitte US Contact: Rachel Triller, Public Relations, E: rtriller@deloitte.com P: +1.212.492.3978
Deloitte Israel Contact: Lidor Bar David, Public Relations, E: lbardavid@deloitte.co.il P: +972 3 6085408
JNF-USA Contact: Stefan Oberman, Jewish National Fund-USA Director of Communications. E: soberman@jnf.org. P: +1.212.879.9305 x222
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