JNF Dublin

The JNF in Ireland goes back to the early 1930’s and has continued to raise funds for Israel since then. The early fundraising efforts centered on having a Blue Box in most Jewish homes and promoting the sale of trees. Since the 1940’s, like so many other JNF Commissions, Dublin introduced its annual
Blue and White Ball that continued into the 1970’s until the cost of running the Ball became prohibitive. The other main fund raising effort has been publishing an annual Rosh Hashanah magazine, called, Nachlath Dublin, which still thrives after 50 years. From the late 1940’s, and for a period of thirty years, Dublin also had a Younger Commission, from which in time most of the officers in the senior Commission would come.

Despite a diminishing Jewish community in Dublin, the JNF in recent years has found a new lease of life. In 1999 hosting the UK JNF’s annual Car Jaunt and promoting a major art exhibition. This was opened by the Irish President, Mary McAleese and involved 12 distinguished Irish artists and sculptors who
exhibited [and sold] works inspired by a JNF sponsored 12 day visit to Israel. The Dublin JNF Commission has recently become a registered charitable trust, now promotes one annual main fund raising effort, and continues to raise funds through tree certificates and Blue Boxes, as well as the annual publication of Nachlath Dublin. It also works closely with the Youth and Education Department in London and the Dublin Jewish Day School, Stratford College, to promote and encourage interest in Israel with its students.