FORESTRY & ECOLOGY • WATE R • COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT • SE C URITY ANNUALREPORT www.jnf.org Jewish National Fund Headquarters 42 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10021 888.JNF.0099 or www.jnf.org Printed on recycled paper E D U C AT I O N • RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT • TOURISM & RECREATION A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT NF has numerous accomplishments for which it can be proud since it was created in 1901. While our mission states we are the caretakers of the land of Israel - it is JNF, thanks to the vision of Jews Jscattered across the globe for over 2,000 years, that was responsible for the very existence of our JEWISHNATIONALFUND Homeland. The first dollars were donated to JNF in the United States from thousands of volunteers who collected money in JNF’s signature Blue Box in subway stations, door to door and in congregations. These funds allowed JNF to purchase land in what eventually became the State of Israel. is the caretaker of the land of Israel From the dollars raised here, hundreds of thousands of acres of land in Israel were reclaimed, millions of trees were planted, and housing was provided for new immigrants. Kibbutzim were opened. Over 1,000 new communities were created. Over 1,000 parks, playgrounds and recreation areas were built, many of on behalf of its owners them designed specifically to be accessible for the disabled. And in the last two decades, JNF has cleaned rivers and developed dams and reservoirs, increasing Israel’s water supply by over eight percent. — All of these accomplishments make me proud to be JNF’s President. This is an organization whose Jewish people everywhere. achievements touch the lives of every Jew, not only in Israel, but around the globe. No matter where the Jewish people live, the Jewish homeland is theirs. As Israel’s needs change, our vision and work continues. That is the JNF story. That is the story of the Jewish people. We have reshaped a century-young organization into a world-class fundraising mechanism. Our fiscal integrity is proven by consistently receiving excellent audits and by meeting the standards set by the Better Business Bureau. Elliot Spitzer, Attorney General for New York, has complimented us for our fiscal responsibility. Guidestar, a leading non-profit watchdog, recognizes us with three stars. Thanks to support from our dedicated lay leadership, JNF stands in the forefront of successful nonprofit organizations today. It has been quite a year here at JNF. Earlier, I stood in front of you and I threw out the challenge of Blueprint Negev, our vision for the South of Israel. At the end of this campaign, we will finish with the largest campaign ever in the history of Jewish National Fund. Now, we need to do more than we ever thought possible. The Israeli Government, together with the people of Israel, recently challenged me to raise $500 million in the next ten years to fulfill Blueprint Negev. This may sound ambitious, but I am certain that together, we can realize this dream. Together, we have reinforced our vital role of connecting American Jews to the land and people of Israel. Together, through the generosity and dedication of our supporters, we are the 21st century pioneers of Israel. I am so honored to lead this organization and so proud of all we’ve accomplished together. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to JNF and to Israel. Ronald S. Lauder JEWISHNATIONALFUND 1 CELEBRATINGOVERONEHUNDREDYEARS as Caretaker of the Land of Israel t was the fourth day of the Fifth Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland in 1901. The delegates had spent the day debating a proposal for the establishment of a national fund to purchase land in Palestine. At the time, the proposal Ihad been received enthusiastically, though three congresses had passed without any practical decision being taken. At times it seemed that the dream of a Jewish state was destined to remain just that—only a dream. But Theodor Herzl was unwavering—it was time to take action, and he was determined that before the Congress came to an end, A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO a national fund would be established. The congress resolved that “the fund shall be the property of the Jewish people For over 2000 years, Jews wandered the world in exile, until JNF was able to help make the vision of as a whole,” and announced its first undertaking: the collection of £200,000. And with this, the dream of a Jewish a Jewish Homeland a reality. Fortunately we no longer have to fight for our existence, but we now state—a return to the homeland—became a reality. have an even greater responsibility -- to take care of our land and preserve it for its current and future citizens. In 1948, JNF brought 900,000 Jewish refugees to Israel. Since that time, JNF has helped bring millions of Jews from Africa and the former Soviet Union to Israel, where they can pursue a better life. Today, our challenge is to remain a true partner to Israel, to meet all of its needs as a growing modern nation. ecently, Jewish National Fund has taken on another major challenge: Building the Negev. We established the ambitious goal of building 25 new communities over the next few years. It is our RBlueprint Negevstrategic plan that will transform them into attractive and desirable places for people to call home. The Negev represents 60% of Israel’s land, yet only 8% of the population resides Over the next 50 years, Jewish National Fund, which became known as the central address for the land of Israel, there. Blueprint Negevputs forth a total community architecture that will not only build new towns purchased land that would one day become the State of Israel. Jews from around the world collected spare change in but also transform development towns that have been neglected for decades. tiny “Blue Boxes” so that one day a return to the homeland would be possible. The Blue Box itself came to be seen Thanks to the dedication of our supporters, I am proud to share with you what we have been able as a symbol of Zionism; the very act of collecting funds in a Blue Box was an expression of the irrevocable ties to accomplish to date. Already, seven new communities in the Negev have been established out of our between Diaspora Jewry and Eretz Yisrael. Alone, Jews could not attain their dream of a return to the homeland, goal of 25. Blueprint Negevhas dealt with job opportunities so that the families who live in these but together, through Jewish National Fund, they could build a national Fund. By the time Israel became a state in communities can thrive. JNF, together with OR, has established the Central Information Center, which 1948, JNF owned 13 percent of all the land of Israel (on which 80 percent of Israel’s population now lives). With gathers up-to-date data on communities, job opportunities, housing, and education. This information this ownership came the responsibility of transforming the land into a beautiful and fertile area that would be a center is helping to create new jobs, new perceptions, and a better image of the Negev. Already, we suitable home for the new state. have identified 960 new employment opportunities in the Negev. I am reminded of the story about a new immigrant from Europe who arrived in Israel was sent to the Negev. He started complaining to Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, “Mr. Prime Minister, how can this be the Promised Land? How can anybody say that this is the land that God gave us? In Europe, we had beautiful trees, lakes and rivers. But here, we have nothing but barren land and sand.” David Ben-Gurion looked at this individual and proudly stated: “Here in Israel, in the Negev, my son, God is allowing you to participate in His creation.” Today, we have the opportunity to be 21st century pioneers, and to be part of a nation under creation. We need to set our sights at raising $500 million for our campaign in the years ahead. This money is As the country grew, JNF evolved to address Israel’s most pressing needs, which have ranged from forestry & needed to keep our Negev Information and Employment Center functioning and growing, to bring new life to ecology, water, education, research & development, community development and tourism & recreation. Since these communities. 1901, Jewish National Fund has planted over 240 million trees, built over 180 dams and reservoirs, developed over When I meet with the mayors of these Negev towns, I tell them, “We are your partners.” 250,000 acres of land, provided infrastructure for more than 1,000 communities, created more than 1,000 parks It is not a mirage, it is our vision. And we have only just begun. and playgrounds and educated students around the world about Israel and the environment. Today, this is our challenge. Thank you for being a part of it. What does this mean for the average person? In Israel, it means that every Israeli benefits from the work of JNF. In the United States, it means that every one of JNF’s contributors has been given the gift of a direct link to the land of Israel. 2 JEWISHNATIONALFUND ANNUALREPORT 3 Russell F. Robinson FORESTRY & ECOLOGY RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT JNF has planted more than 240 million trees since 1901 to JNF funded-researchers find solutions to the challenges presented protect the land, green the landscape and preserve vital by the Middle East’s arid environment. As a founding member of ecosystems.