JNF UK NEWSLETTER May 2008

JNF Celebrates Israel’s 60 Anniversary

JNF is celebrating Israel’s 60th Anniversary with a host of sponsored events and parties ranging from the Annual ZF Wembley Event on the day itself, to an Israeli Embassy Reception on May 12th and a UJS Israel at 60 festival at the fabulous Ministry of Sound for the younger set. Our special Israel at 60 adverts in the Jewish Press have started to appear with the publication of the Jewish Chronicle dedicated souvenir magazine, which also contains a feature on the JNF Negev projects. We are also appearing in a variety of other special Israel magazines. In house, the Wills and Legacies Department are celebrating the Anniversary with a lecture series by Israeli political and social analyst Abbie Ben Ari. His second lecture, to be held at JNF House on May 6th will be on the subject of Israel in the 21st century, posing questions facing Israel and the Jewish people as we look to the future.

At the recent annual JNF Conference, new JNF Chairman Samuel Hayek was able to introduce himself and outline his vision for the future of the organisation – particularly in terms of Diaspora Jews connection to the land and, the crucial role of education. ‘With the dispute behind us,’ he emphasised, ‘We can now look forward to the future, and to the JNF UK rejoining the KKL world family once again.’ He also congratulated JNF President Gail Seal and the staff of the JNF on their tremendous achievements for Israel to date, with JNF one of the most widely recognised and respected brands in the UK Jewish Community.

Moving forward Hayek explained that, ‘Israel has developed the strength and confidence to stand on its own feet and therefore the role of the Jewish Communities around the world has changed.’

‘With your help,’ he continued, ‘and with the help of the state of Israel, I want to develop a new concept. My hope is that one day every Jew in the world will own a piece of land which he or she can develop as they wish, granting them a strong bond with the land.’ The traditional work of the JNF would still continue, and this exciting new initiative would, ‘ensure that the land of the Jewish people will continue to flourish.’

Hayek is passionate about Education, believing that the JNF Family has a tremendous role to play in this area. ‘Jewish Education is the glue that holds together the Jewish people, its heritage and connection to its land.’ Praising JNF Education for its exceptional schools programmes he continued, ‘I believe that dedicated Educational projects can bring tremendous value to every Jewish home, as well as to the community at large.’ People are involved with the JNF from nursery through school and university and into their professional lives, ‘I believe that we can focus these efforts more sharply and embark on greater projects for the good of the people of Israel.’

JNF Education last week entertained 500 Jewish Students at the UJS Israel 60 Festival at London’s most happening venue, the Ministry of Sound. It was a tremendous night, with everyone waving flashing JNF glow-sticks as they danced till dawn, or enjoyed the JNF Negev chill-out zone complete with bucking camel, delicious Israeli food and a Bedouin tent with nargilla. Three live bands performed and the party culminated in a performance by the Israeli hip-hop artist ‘Subliminal’.

The JNF Israeli Forum have launched a new women’s committee, ‘Women 4 Sderot’ in response to the current crisis in Sderot. They aim to help via direct action such as buying and distributing special food for Passover to local people experiencing hardship as a result of the constant barrage of rocket attacks.

The first fundraising evening was held in Borehamwood, where 70 people attended a lecture by counsellor Noa Rockman on the subject of ‘Partnership’. Food and raffle prizes were donated. This successful event, raising £5000, was the first in a planned series of parlour evenings for Sderot.

During Pesach JNF Israeli Forum Chairman Leora Torn-Hibler, together with committee member Riki Joel visited Sderot to personally make sure that the local grocery shops had received the money and were distributing vouchers for people in need to buy food.

‘We are privileged to be able to lend our support in an immediate way to such a worthy cause,’ said JNF Israeli Forum Chairman Leora Torn-Hibler. ‘At this terrible time for Sderot Israeli women in London intend to make a huge difference for all those who are suffering.’

JNF UK Chief Executive Simon Winters added, ‘JNF UK have had much success raising funds for the rebuilding of Sderot, specifically with work on a local school to enable the children to get back into their classrooms. We are proud to lead this new initiative with the Israeli Forum.’

On a more cheerful note JNF Future are pleased to announce that a young couple who met on the recent JNF Eilat Trip have just announced their engagement.

Jonathan Brandman and Louise Rowell who met on the annual JNF winter Eilat Trip only a few months ago have just decided to marry. Jonathan, 27, proposed this week on a Pesauch trip to Israel. After dining at ‘Kyoto’ in Herzlya Pituach the couple had a romantic walk along the beach. ‘I offered Louise a solitaire diamond ring I had managed to smuggle out with me to Israel without her knowing, and she said ‘Yes’,’ said Jonathan.

‘We met at the first night cocktail party on the terrace by the pool and then were inseparable for the rest of the trip,’ explained Louise, 28. ‘But I actually first saw him in the check-in queue at Stanstead, and it was love at first sight on my part!’

The couple, Jonathan a Policeman from London and Louise a trainee nurse from Newcastle studying at Northumberland University, will wait until Louise graduates before marrying in 2010.

‘If it wasn’t for JNF we would never have met,’ enthused Jonathan, ‘I would highly recommend the JNF Future holiday to all young singles!’

‘We are so thrilled to hear of the engagement,’ said JNF Future’s Jodie Norman, ‘Making people so happy makes it all worth while, we are already taking bookings for this years trip and expect to take even more people to party in Eilat over the holiday period.’ The story will appear in this weeks Jewish press, helping to raise the profile of the organisation, and enlist more young supporters via JNF Future.

From the Manchester office JNF Future Northern coordinator Gemma Brown, who has helped raise many thousands of pounds for Aleh Negev with her tremendous drive and enthusiasm is off to pastures new and wishes us a fond farewell. ‘Working in the Manchester office as the JNF Future events fundraiser has been challenging and exciting and I have many fond memories to take with me. Lorraine has been an inspirational boss and Danielle a great workmate and I would like to thank them both for their support over the years.’