Long Islanders Stand in Solidarity with Israel

As Israel’s war with Hamas continues, it is more important than ever for the Jewish community to stand together in solidarity with Israel. Recently, over 200 community members came together at the Woodbury Jewish Center for Jewish National Fund-USA’s “Our Negev Vision: Updates from Israel,” event featuring keynote speaker Alon Ben-Gurion, the grandson of Israel’s first prime minister David Ben-Gurion.

Ben-Gurion spoke about his grandfather’s vision for the State of Israel – Am Segula, a nation with virtue. He then discussed the Yom Kippur War and compared it to Israel’s current war against Hamas. Ben-Gurion also fielded questions from the audience on everything from Israel’s founding to current events.

In addition, local leaders discussed Jewish National Fund-USA’s Israel Resilience Campaign (jnf.org/supportisrael), which is supporting Israelis impacted by the war in the short and long term. The organization evacuated and relocated tens of thousands of residents in Israel’s South; provided them with housing, food, clothing, and other supplies, as well as firefighting and protective equipment for civil defense in vulnerable regions; education, activities for children, and therapy for trauma.

“Our family is hurting; we are painfully aware of the many lives lost, people who remain in captivity, livelihoods and homes abandoned, and the stress of coping with the worst terrorist attack in Israel’s history,” said Jewish National Fund-USA Long Island President, Rosemarie Klipper. “The close relationships forged between Jewish National Fund-USA and the regional councils and mayors in the Gaza Envelope, Northern Israel, and Southern Negev have enabled us to respond to their needs quickly.”

For more information, visit jnf.org or contact Ashley Emrani, Tri-State Director, Long Island, at aemrani@jnf.org or 212.879.9305 x501.

###

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.