LONG ISLAND, N.Y., July 22, 2022 — Two longtime Jewish National Fund-USA partners (donors) from Long Island, Michael Kessler and Larry Ingber, were lauded by community members for their philanthropic leadership and impact on the land and people of Israel at Jewish National Fund-USA’s 6th Annual Long Island Summer Barbeque in Woodbury on Thursday, July 14, 2022. Nearly 150 attended the celebration.
Kessler, the Executive Vice President of Financial Operations for Douglaston Development, and Ingber, a Partner at Marcum LLP and at Lassar & Cowhey LLP, were presented with plaques by Jewish National Fund-USA’s Long Island and Tri-State professionals at the summer soiree that stated, “Michael and Larry ‘have been inscribed in The Golden Book’ in honor of their devotion, leadership, support, and love of Israel.”
Michael Kessler, Lyn Buzen, Larry Ingber
“These extraordinary philanthropists are true changemakers who have spent 20+ years devoting their time, passionate leadership expertise, and resources to improve the quality of life for Israelis while advancing Jewish National Fund-USA’s vision of securing a bright, prosperous future for the land and people of Israel,” said Howard Ingram, JNF-USA Assoc. Executive Director, Long Island. “They are well-known and respected businessmen who have led a range of communal and charitable initiatives inside and outside of the Jewish world. We are extremely grateful for their continued support and look forward to seeing how our organization continues to thrive under their leadership.”
Kessler, Jewish National Fund-USA’s Immediate Past Tri-State President and Immediate Past President of the Long Island Board of Directors, currently serves as National Vice President, Zionist Educational Continuum, and is a member of the organization’s National and Alexander Muss High School in Israel Boards.
“During the more than two decades that I have been involved with Jewish National Fund-USA, I’ve gotten to participate in the amazing growth in Israel and had opportunities to educate both Israelis and people from all over about the positive contributions Israel has made to our world,” said Kessler. “Our organization encourages lay leadership participation in helping change the lives and landscape of Israelis in a positive way. My family’s philanthropy will leave a legacy for all to enjoy for many years to come.”
Ingber is a current member of Jewish National Fund-USA’s Long Island Board of Directors and previously served as Board President from October 2018 to September 2021. He is also JNF-USA’s former Long Island Chair of Planned Giving.
“I became involved in JNF-USA when I joined the Young Leadership Board (now JNFuture) around 1987,” said Ingber. “I am passionate about my work with the organization because it allows me to fulfill my desire to promote Jewish values and philanthropy, and to help Israel remain strong for generations to come. My parents were Holocaust survivors. Although my parents were not well off financially, they always gave tzedakah (charity) and taught us to give tzedakah and to be proud Jews and Zionists. In doing so, I honor my parents; my wife Elyse and I are passing these values onto our children David, Ross, Melissa, and Alyssa, and to our grandson, Max. I know that my parents would be so proud of my involvement with JNF-USA.”
For more information about Jewish National Fund-USA or to learn about future events in Long Island, contact Howard Ingram, JNF-USA Assoc. Executive Director, Long Island at 516-678-6805 x110 or hingram@jnf.org.
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About Jewish National Fund-USA
JNF-USA is 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 developing new communities in the Galilee and Negev, connecting the next generation to Israel, and creating infrastructure and programs that support ecology, individuals with special needs, and heritage site preservation.