Asheville Community Unites in Solidarity with the People of Israel
ASHEVILLE, N.C., June 5, 2024 — Recently, 100 North Carolinians united at Congregation Beth HaTephila in Asheville for Jewish National Fund-USA’s “Building Together: The Resilience of Israel event.” In partnership with Congregation Beth HaTephila and Congregation Beth Israel Congregation, the event offered community members the opportunity to stand in solidarity with the people of Israel while learning how the organization is supporting the country’s resilience efforts in the wake of the October 7 terrorist attacks.
Cathy Klein, Maddy Eichen, Lynn Glaser, Paul Glaser, Seth Kellam, Jana Kellam, Buffy Skolnick
Co-chaired by local philanthropists Judi Edelman and Bob Deutsch and with help from Ellen and Alan Kellam, the event featured keynote speaker Rick Krosnick. Jewish National Fund-USA’s Chief Development Officer discussed how the organization’s Israel Resilience Campaign (jnf.org/supportisrael) has raised nearly $60 million since the “Black Shabbat” and has supported the evacuation and relocation of tens of thousands of residents in Israel’s South while providing thousands more with housing, food, clothing, and other supplies.
The campaign includes Jewish National Fund-USA’s Build Together plan, a bold, strategic initiative to rebuild the Israel Envelope communities – cleaning up the region, designing and constructing new homes, and helping small businesses reopen, all while supporting immediate and long-term security needs, as well as physical and mental health requirements so displaced families can return home.
Guest Speaker, Jewish National Fund-USA Chief Development Officer Rick Krosnick
“Nobody asked us to do this,” said Krosnick. “We jumped in because that’s what these communities need. Because we have a very nimble operation on the ground in Israel, we are able to go into spaces where there’s a gap in service, and we can fill that void by working with our affiliates.”
Local lay leaders also highlighted how community members can aid the land and people of Israel during this trying time by participating in Jewish National Fund-USA’s Volunteer in Israel Missions, including the upcoming Asheville Community Mission from September 1-5, where attendees get hands-on experience bringing relief efforts to Israeli soldiers, farms, and residents.
“I learned quickly that every cucumber picked, every layer of paint, and every nail driven is part of a larger narrative,” said Event Co-chair Judi Edelman, who recently participated in a Volunteer Mission. “It was about building community — literally and metaphorically. Each project became a symbol of resilience and renewal, reflecting the enduring spirit of the Israeli people, a spirit characterized by an unwavering commitment to forge ahead, innovate, and prosper.”
Judi Edelman shares her volunteering experience
Edelman continued: “Working alongside other volunteers from around the world, as well as local Israelis from diverse backgrounds, I was part of a vibrant tapestry of individuals all united by a common goal. We shared stories, tools, and tasks, but more importantly, we shared moments of joy, sorrow, and triumph. These interactions were not just enriching—they reshaped my understanding of what it means to be part of a global community.”
In addition, attendees were invited to attend Jewish National Fund-USA’s Global Conference for Israel in Dallas this fall, which will take place from Thursday, November 14, to Sunday, November 17 (jnf.org/gc).
For more information about Jewish National Fund-USA or to learn about upcoming events in North Carolina, visit jnf.org or contact Dov Gordon, Associate Director, Small Communities at dgordon@jnf.org or 212.879.9305 x248.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Milton
About Jewish National Fund-USA
Jewish National Fund-USA builds a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel through bold initiatives and Zionist education. As a leading philanthropic movement, the organization supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south as it develops new communities in the Negev and Galilee, connects the next generation to Israel, and creates infrastructure and programs that support ecology, people with disabilities, and heritage site preservation, all while running a fully accredited study abroad experience through its Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Learn more at jnf.org.