With antisemitism surging on college campuses, a group of philanthropic “wonder women” gathered at The Marmalade Lily in Loveland for Jewish National Fund-USA’s Women for Israel “Chai Tea.” The event united Cincinnati community members in their commitment to educating and empowering the next generation to stand up against antisemitism and anti-Zionism while learning how Jewish National Fund-USA is spearheading rebuilding initiatives in Israel’s North and South.
Co-chaired by Barbara Greenberg and Dawn Rothchild, the event’s keynote speaker was Rona Kaufman. An associate professor of law at Duquesne University, a scholar, and a leading voice against antisemitism, Kaufman rose to prominence after the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks, when she started an educational video series explaining the Israel-Hamas war and what people get wrong about the conflict. She recounted her battles against misinformation and antisemitism and expressed her desire to equip people with an accurate description of what’s happening in Israel.
“I have no interest in spreading propaganda,” Kaufman said. “I am interested in sharing the factual story of the Jewish people and our history, the story of Israel, and what Israel is doing during the war. The goal is to reach people who are curious, want to understand more, and seek a non-propaganda explanation of these issues.”
A major focus of the event was reaching and engaging the next generation. Local lay leaders also highlighted several Jewish National Fund-USA initiatives focused on education and Zionist engagement. Programs discussed include Alexander Muss High School in Israel, the organization’s college prep, study abroad in Israel experience, and Caravan for Democracy, a fully subsidized 10-day educational trip to Israel for college students beyond the Jewish faith, explore its history, democracy, and contributions to the world and facilitating meaningful dialogue about the country.
“As Jewish National Fund-USA continues to rebuild Israel’s North and South—including the creation of 20 emergency response and resilience centers for the Gaza Envelope and northern communities — I remain deeply grateful for the organization’s unwavering commitment to our youth,” said Barb Miller, President of the organization’s Ohio Valley Board. “These future leaders and proud Zionists are being empowered to walk onto college campuses with confidence, armed with the facts, ready to stand tall against antisemitism and anti-Zionism and lead with strength and purpose.”
Additionally, local lay leaders discussed how Jewish National Fund-USA is supporting Israel’s rebuilding efforts post-October 7. Through the organization’s bold and visionary Build Together plan for Israel’s south and Reimagine plan for the north, Jewish National Fund-USA is partnering with Israelis in the region to repair, rehabilitate, and renovate damaged communities, creating secure, beautiful havens for residents to return home to. From bomb shelters and resilience centers to quality-of-life projects and critical infrastructure development, Jewish National Fund-USA is addressing the physical and psychological needs of Israelis living on Israel’s northern and southern frontiers.
“A part of Jewish National Fund-USA’s success is built on the concept of ‘Circles of Impact,’ the positive, wide-ranging effects that just one initiative is capable of bringing forth,” said Event Co-chair Barbara Greenberg. “We’ve put that core idea into action by creating high quality-of-life opportunities in Israel’s underserved northern and southern regions and leading the rebuilding efforts in border communities devastated by the October 7 attacks, all to attract 800,000 new residents. We were there yesterday, we are there today, and we will be there tomorrow.”
For more information about Jewish National Fund-USA or to learn about upcoming events in Cincinnati, visit jnf.org or contact Jennifer Bain, at jbain@jnf.org or 513.794.1300 x781.
