2017 YEAR IN REVIEW 1 2017 YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 YEAR IN REVIEW 2 3 YOU ENABLED ISRAEL TO YOU PLANTED These pages are filled with magnificent accomplishments, made possible thanks to contributors like you, people who have stepped up and emboldened us to take You on even more than one can imagine, inspired us to reach greater heights, and achieved RECYCLE partnered with us to innovate and achieve. 3 Never been done before? Call on Jewish National Fund. We dare to get things done. Scary and a lot different? We accept the challenge. MILLION That is Jewish National Fund-USA. this TREES This year, our campaign closed at over $470 million toward our year! 85% $1 billion campaign, the largest campaign in our history! With the OF ITS strength of those numbers, the commitment of our board, and the passion of our donors, we charted a roadmap for the future WATER unlike any other organization. Our One Billion Dollar Roadmap for You funded & SHARE ITS EXPERTISE the Next Decade campaign is an ambitious financial target and has WITH THE WORLD a comprehensive strategic vision to go with it. Israel All of us should be proud. engagement We are connecting more American Jews to the land and people of programs Israel as never before, and we have implemented unique projects You educated and programs to strengthen the next generation and the people of Israel over the decade ahead. for 14,000 OVER Jewish National Fund is an organization of social and philanthropic entrepreneurs utilizing cutting students in 260 MILLION edge best practices to operate like a 21st century business, yet we always stay focused on the target — TO DATE our ancestral homeland and our Zionist mission. 228 schools 1,10 0 Our 10-year investment plan is built upon the core values that have empowered us since 1901. across the STUDENTS We dared to imagine and take a look at what we have achieved: from third world countries · We have built 250 reservoirs U.S. · A tree has become 260 million trees in Israel · Thousands of parks built throughout the country · 7 new communities in the Negev this past decade · 15% added to Israel’s water resources · Israel independence sites renovated and restored · Firefighter units re-fitted and modernized · 700 housing sites to date in the Negev and the Galilee And, now an American high school in Israel, the Alexander Muss High School in Israel! Israel and the American Jewish community face serious challenges in the decade ahead, yet we know the future is beautiful. And I know that the spirit that has sustained Jewish National Fund will meet those YOU PROVIDED challenges. MEDICAL Our roadmap incorporates new ground breaking ventures that include connecting the next generation to Israel and Zionism, community building in the Negev and Galilee, promoting aliyah from North TREATMENT America, infrastructure for ecology and housing, our work with people with special needs, and more. FOR When Theodor Herzl wrote his landmark book, The Jewish State, he used fiction to inspire millions of Jews around the world to take action. Today, we are writing a new book and it isn't fiction. Our book is 22,000+ filled with our success. ISRAELIS Our dreams for the future transcend fiction. Our dreams have become reality! We will continue writing great new chapters. We hold in our hands the power to shape the future. Let’s do it, together. Let’s set our sights on a new chapter of our history, of Jewish National Fund and the Jewish people’s destiny! Keep doing more to impact the land and people of Israel. I hope you enjoy reading about how you emboldened us to take on even more than one can imagine, inspired us to reach even greater heights, and partnered with us to innovate and achieve. 2017 YEAR IN REVIEW YOU PROVIDED SERVICES FOR A LETTER FROM DR. SOL LIZERBRAM Thank you, You funded 700 housing lots to date 45,000 PEOPLE WITH in 11 communities in Dr. Sol Lizerbram 2017 YEAR IN REVIEW DISABILITIES the North & South President, Jewish National Fund 4 5 JNFUTURE PLANNED GIVING Where 22-40-year-olds connect, JNF’s award-winning Planned Giving Department helps energize, and make a difference. donors ensure their financial security while moving forward their philanthropic goals. PAVING THE WAY CREATING A LASTING LEGACY Since its founding a decade ago, Reunification of Jerusalem Mission, JNFuture, JNF’s community for young and the Young Professionals Tour. professionals ages 22-40, has continued We held our 2nd JNFuture Leadership to grow by leaps and bounds. With Institute Summit that brought 45 top more than 1,000 members in over 20 lay leaders together for three days of cities, we experienced unprecedented leadership development and capacity levels of engagement with 36 members building. Our original JNFuture chapter donating $5,000+ (and even a $1 million in New York City celebrated the 10th donor, Sam Goldberg) and 20 stepping anniversary of its signature event, up and serving on one of JNF’s Shabbat in the Park, which over 5,000 Task Forces. people have attended over the years. This year, 150 JNFuture members As we look to our 11th year, we are went on JNF trips to Israel including: expanding our national leadership JNFuture Volunteer Vacation, the 7th structure with the creation of a Board Annual JNFuture Leadership Institute of Trustees to foster greater continuity Mission, the Young Leadership between JNFuture and Jewish National Track for the 50th Anniversary of the Fund at large. WOMEN FOR ISRAEL From more donations to greater leadership positions to high-powered speaking engagements, women are assuming bigger and more important roles. THE WOMEN OF JEWISH NATIONAL FUND ARE UNSTOPPABLE A gift from your will is one of the easiest ways Under the leadership of Nina Paul and St. Louis, Detroit, and Orlando, with Myra Chack Fleischer, Jewish National many regions running parlor meeting you can leave a lasting impact on JNF and the land and Fund’s Women for Israel (WFI) raised series to educate women about the $22 million from 52,000 donors—our work JNF does. Thousands of women people of Israel. highest number to date—in 2017 with attended gatherings, ranging from an increase in new donors and dollars hearing from high-powered speakers to An integral part of Jewish National Fund’s can help increase their income, save Gould. The Planned Giving Department raised in each giving category. A record- interactive events around the country. campaign, Planned Giving income on taxes, and in some cases provide for helps donors with Charitable Remainder breaking 720 women are now members In 2017, we ran Women’s Month for from bequests and gift annuities for the heirs, while also providing significant Trusts, Charitable Gift Annuities, Donor of the Sapphire Society ($5,000 + the 2nd successful year, which included fiscal year (ending September 30, 2017) support for the land and people of Israel Advised Funds, Endowment Funds, 2017 YEAR IN REVIEW annually), JNF's Major Donor Society for a competitive and multifaceted social totaled $28.6 million. JNF offers donors through the Jewish National Fund Gould Bequests, and Gift Planning with IRAs, women, and there was also an increase media, television, and fundraising numerous options and techniques that Legacy Society established by Bruce and other retirement plans. in the Chai Society ($1,800 annually), campaign. In addition, the Executive which now has almost 420 members. Circle, the Women’s Professional To speak with one of our award-winning Planned Giving specialists call JNF’s Women’s Campaign launched Division, is also beginning to gain 2017 YEAR IN REVIEW in several new communities, including traction in New York and Phoenix. 800.562.7526 or visit jnflegacy.org 6 7 AFFINITY GROUPS At JNF offers like-minded professionals the opportunity to work together, tackle challenges, and achieve positive results for Israel. Jewish THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU AT JEWISH National NATIONAL FUND Fund you’re not just a donor, MAJOR DONORS it Where deep commitment and critical resources unite for a stronger, healthier, more secure Israel. becomes LEADING THE WAY 2017’s Major Donor Campaign saw are just a few of the events we held part of its greatest growth ever with 220 throughout the year to show our more major donors than 2016. appreciation to our top donors. One This increase was led by JNF’s King hundred twenty three Major Donors you Solomon Society, with $23 million participated in the Cuba Experience from donors giving $100,000 or more and two President's Society Missions this year. “Thank You” receptions, to Israel, and our 110-member World Winter Connection programming Chairman’s Council continues to Jewish National Fund’s professional pioneering medical work, much of it in South Florida, and the Annual recognize lifetime giving totals of Whether you affinity groups thrived in 2017, with supported by JNF. Appreciation Weekend in Phoenix $1 million or more. are a medical or membership in Doctors for Israel (DFI) Local LFI offerings included a wide now at over 800 people in 35 states, range of high-impact speakers who “The strength of our major donors- legal professional and Lawyers for Israel (LFI) growing to engaged new audiences with our LFI nearly 1,000 members in 22 states. network, including a live national who they are and their passion and 2017 YEAR IN REVIEW or a rabbi in your In 2017, DFI offered a number of video call with Israel’s Ambassador 2017 YEAR IN REVIEW community, exciting events, including speakers to the United Nations Danny Danon. commitment to Jewish National who forged connections between the In November 2017, our 3rd successful join those who U.S.