JNF-USA to Host Community Brunch Supporting Israel

Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF-USA) Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss) is celebrating a major milestone this year. For the last 50 years, the one-of-a-kind study abroad program has transformed the lives of 35,000 high school students who have blossomed into leaders and powerful advocates for the land and people of Israel and Jewish communities everywhere. On Sunday, March 27, 2022, at 10:00 am, JNF-USA in Greater Washington will be commemorating Muss’ 50th anniversary at a Showcase Brunch at Congregation Har Shalom in Potomac.

93% of the program’s alumni, many of whom have attended top universities including Georgetown, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, and Columbia, have rated Muss — the only fully accredited study abroad program whose curriculum spans 4,000+ years of Jewish and Israeli history — among the three most influential Jewish educational experiences of their lives. Today, 70% of former participants donate to Jewish charities, 65% are engaged with Jewish/Zionist organizations, and 63% are members of a synagogue.

“There is no other program like this in the world,” said JNF-USA President, Greater Washington, Adrienne Rulnick.

In addition to highlighting why JNF-USA continues to grow and invest in this transformational program that is developing the next generation of Jewish leaders, the Showcase Brunch will honor local resident, Leonard Bebchick, the former National Vice-Chair of Muss and long-time committed advocate of Jewish causes in the local community and beyond.

Bebchick supports JNF-USA, the Israel Quest and Onward Israel programs of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, is a past president of Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County and has served on the boards of the Jewish Federation, Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes and American Jewish Committee, among others.

“I am extremely flattered and honored to receive this recognition,” said Bebchick. “However, what truly matters is making the greater Washington community aware both of the life-changing and life-long impact that Muss can have in fostering a teen’s identity to Judaism and Israel.”

The community brunch will also celebrate JNF-USA’s partnership with the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (CESJDS), in which Muss serves as the exclusive educational provider for the school’s Irene and Daniel Simpkins Senior Capstone Israel Trip.

“CESJDS and Muss have been partners in educating our high school graduates for over 20 years,” said Head of CESJDS, Rabbi Mitchel Malkus. “We share a commitment to fostering a love of Israel in our students while educating them to have a rich knowledge of the history, culture, and people of Israel from ancient times to the present day.”

In a joint statement, event co-chairs Cary Feldman and Judy Slotnik said, “We have so much to celebrate – Muss turning 50, our fantastic partnership with CESJDS, and honoring our own Leonard Bebchick. We look forward to seeing friends old and new, in-person, for this incredible event highlighting the importance of educating our young Jewish leaders of tomorrow. If you have young children or children of high school age, you won’t want to miss hearing about the adventures and educational opportunities that await them through Muss.”

To register for the Showcase Brunch, visit jnf.org/dcshowcase or contact Adam Tennen, Co-Executive Director, Mid Atlantic at atennen@jnf.org or 301.589.8565 x842.

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About Jewish National Fund-USA

JNF-USA is the leading philanthropic organization for Israel that supports critical environmental and nation building activities in Israel’s north and south. Through its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade, JNF-USA is developing new communities in the Galilee and Negev, connecting the next generation to Israel, and creating infrastructure and programs that support ecology, individuals with special needs, and heritage site preservation.