Courtesy of JNF.
Nina Paul, Ambassador to KKL-JNF
Submitted by JNF
They say it takes a village to raise a child. But what happens when that village is damaged or destroyed? The October 7 terrorist attacks decimated Israeli towns and villages located along the border with Gaza. Now, during this generation-defining moment for our land and people of Israel, Zionist organizations everywhere must unite efforts and combine our resources to rebuild, rehabilitate and repair these shattered communities.
The villages attacked on October 7 were communities that Jewish National Fund-USA has worked with for decades. On that infamous day, I found myself waiting pensively for news about the well-being of our colleagues and friends based in the region. In the weeks after, I knew that it would take an unprecedented philanthropic effort to bring back displaced residents, let alone attract new ones.
As Jewish National Fund-USA’s inaugural Ambassador to Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-JNF (KKL-JNF), I am working to bring the people of Israel and our Jewish Diaspora together to rebuild communities in Israel’s north and south. Although we are independent organizations, I believe we are setting an example of what Jewish unity looks like as we emerge from one of our darkest hours.
Displaced Israelis will not return to communities rebuilt to their condition on October 6. We must create places to live that are the envy of the nation. They require world-class amenities, job opportunities, access to excellent healthcare and schools and much more.
That’s why our two organizations are aiming to disperse a combined total of $50 million to support rebuilding efforts.
Together, we will rebuild and reimagine Israel’s north and south. However, we need you to be a part of it. This isn’t a time for “organizational ego,” it is a moment for all of us and the organizations we represent to combine our philanthropic resources for our land and people of Israel.
When future generations ask how our Jewish world responded, let the record show that we stood shoulder to shoulder with our ancient homeland, ensuring that our torch of hope and well of determination were never extinguished nor depleted. B’Yachad — together, we will win.
Nina Paul is Jewish National Fund-USA’s Ambassador to KKL-JNF.
