Jewish National Fund-USA’s annual Global Conference for Israel brought over 2,500 people to Dallas, Texas, including 14 Cincinnatians, for an inspiring weekend of unity, resilience, and hope under the theme of “We Choose Life.”
Cincinnati participants included Shelly Gerson, Scott Joseph, Rhonda Sheakley, Nina Paul, Jeff Zipkin, Barb Miller, Tracy Kerstein, Anne Lieb, Sandy Rubin, Ilan Goldman, Ted Fons, Rabbi Eric Slaton, Eric Goldstein, and Jennifer Bain.
The event focused on rebuilding and reimagining Israel’s north and south while strengthening the bond between Israel and the United States. Jewish National Fund-USA is one of the largest funders of Israel’s north and south, which of course has been badly hit since October 7. The conference focused on the land and people of Israel while transcending the political arena. “It was not about red or blue but about a shared common goal of securing a strong future for Israel and the Jewish people,” said National Board President Deborah Zaluda. “It is unusual to end up in a space where 2,500 people share the same values.”
Currently around 65,000 Israelis remain displaced from their homes experiencing an onslaught of missile attacks particularly in the northern part of Israel. “Building back our scarred landscape and assisting a traumatized people requires a vision and a true partnership with the people of Israel,” said Barb Miller, Ohio Valley Board President. “Jewish National Fund USA’s strategic vision is creating a bright future for the Arava, Central Negev, the Israel Envelope (formerly known as the Gaza Envelope) and Northern Israel.”
With the number of people in the Israel Envelope and the north who are in need of mental health support, participants learned how they live with ongoing traumatic stress and heard about the state-of-the-art services that Jewish National Fund-USA is expanding to help alleviate these issues. This included hearing from Eran Doron, Mayor of Ramat HaNegev, Michal Uziyahu, Mayor of the Eshkol Region and Ruvik Danilovich, Mayor of Be’er Sheva.
They also learned about the Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF (GCI by JNF), funded in part by local Cincinnati partners (donors), and how this Institute will play a critical role in reimagining Northern Israel through economic development, increased employment, tourism, agricultural cooperation and more. It is reinventing culinary education with an intensive and innovative hands-on culinary curriculum will enhance Israel’s reputation in the global culinary community attracting international students, culinary educators, and food leaders and experts to the region.
“GCI by JNF will transform Northern Israel into a tourist destination,” said Scott Joseph, Jewish National Fund-USA Ohio Valley Board Member and Conference Participant. “The breadth and depth of opportunities will attract students from around the world promoting diversity and inclusion. We are proud to support this project and anxiously await its opening in the near future.”
Every resident of Israel, especially in the frontier, is directly impacted by Jewish National Fund-USA’s Civil Security Initiative. For over a decade the organization has made strategic investments in civil defense, focusing on security, fire, rescue, and emergency medical services. “A swift and effective response, carried out by well-equipped and expertly trained volunteers, remains crucial to maintaining our homeland’s safety,” said Shelly Gerson, Ohio Valley Board Member and Conference Participants. “Lt. Yoel Zilberman, Founder and CEO of HaShomer Hachadash, spoke to us about this effort.”
In an amazing breakout session, led by Nina Paul, Jewish National Fund-USA’s Ambassador to KKL-JNF, people heard from the Vice President of KKL Mexico, Presidents of KKL Argentina and Sweden, JNF President of Canada and JNF CEO of Australia. Globally, the level of antisemitism has reached unprecedented levels not seen since the 1930’s and 1940’s and yet Jewish life flourishes. This panel from around the world shared the joys and challenges of life in their respective Jewish communities, how they connect with Israel and the projects and programs they support through their fundraising efforts on behalf of KKL-JNF.
“I am honored to be Jewish National Fund-USA’s Ambassador KKL-JNF and will be working with many of their affiliates around the world,” says Nina Paul, “There are 40 countries in total and I look forward to bringing them all together. Unity of Community is my favorite motto and it applies perfectly at this most crucial time where we need to come together to rebuild our homeland.”
Elizabeth Rand, founder of Mothers Against College Antisemitism and Shai Davidai, Assistant Professor of Management from Columbia University Business School, spoke about what is really happening on college campuses across the United States and what we can do about it now,
The Conference also highlighted stories from Alexander Muss High School in Israel students. Young leaders who spent a semester in Israel during their high school years expressed pride in their Jewish identity and felt confident in their advocacy for Israel. “Muss has strengthened students’ connections to the land and people of Israel during a time when college age students are being challenged by anti-Israel protests. Hasbara is more important than ever before,” said Jennifer Bain, a parent of a former Muss student.
“Conference participants had the opportunity to learn about our strategic partners and affiliates on the ground in Israel who work with us to determine needs and set priorities,” said Eric Goldstein, Jewish National Fund-USA Executive Director of Ohio Valley. This includes among other areas the development of mental health and resilience programs, support for Israel’s firefighters and rescuers, construction of housing development sites, and so much more in Israel’s North and South as we work to attract 800,000 new residents to these regions.”
Participants learned, strategized, and celebrated our successes together. And, for the Cincinnati delegation we had another opportunity to hear the Special in Uniform Band perform. Special in Uniform is an opportunity to experience the military as most young Israelis do while expanding social skills. The goal is to expose those with autism and other disabilities to an environment where individual differences are celebrated and where no one will be embarrassed. Serving and volunteering in the Israel Defense Forces generally, and participating in music, encourages our special needs youth to become secure and independent soldiers who integrate into society. The time spent in military service improves participants’ social skills, basic life skills, and instills in them a belief in their abilities and the opportunity to contribute to society to the best of their ability. They bring a sense of pride to the typical soldier as well.
“As an Israeli-American, I was deeply moved by the unwavering solidarity and profound support within the American Jewish communities, its allies and the large number of passionate young Jewish participants who flew in from all over the country,” said Ilan Goldman, Jewish National Fund-USA Ohio Valley Board member and Conference participant. “It was a powerful reminder of the special bond we share and that Israel and Israelis never stand alone.
“I am so proud to be part of this organization and to see and touch the impact Jewish National Fund-USA is having on the land and people of Israel, particularly during these most difficult times,” said Barb Miller, the organization’s Ohio Valley board president. “As American Jews we not only can donate our time but we can donate our wisdom, our passion and resources knowing that we are making a difference in securing the future of the land and people of Israel.”
Next year’s Global Conference for Israel will be held from October 23 to October 26, 2025 at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida (jnf.org/global).
To support Jewish National Fund-USA’s Israel Resilience Campaign, visit jnf.org/supportisrael. For more information, email Eric Goldstein at [email protected] or call 513.794.1300 x780
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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.
