Learning Through Crisis: Jewish National Fund-USA Luncheon Highlights Zionist Education Amid War

Philanthropists recently united at the Ronald S. Lauder JNF House on the Upper East Side for Jewish National Fund-USA’s annual Legacy Society Purim Luncheon, where they enjoyed holiday festivities while learning how the organization inspires lifelong Zionist identity through youth, travel, and cultural experiences.

One of the event’s speakers was Gavriel Porten, an Israel studies educator at Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss), Jewish National Fund-USA’s premier, college-prep, study abroad in Israel experience for American teens. Porten discussed how for over 50 years, Muss has linked learning, travel, and leadership so students stay connected to the land and people of Israel from generation to generation.

“We teach them Jewish history from the beginning all the way to the present,” he said. “We’re connecting the dots, turning history, which can often be seen as a lot of random facts, into the story of the Jewish people. And when you do, we see themes that are recurring – hope, resilience, and community in the face of calamities and tragedies.”

Porten noted that Muss’s unique Israel studies program, which he teaches, uses the land of Israel as a living classroom, creating an immersive learning experience that deepens participants’ connection to the land and people of Israel.

“Twice a week, they go on tiyulim (trips) as part of the curriculum,” he said. “For example, if we’re studying a biblical period, we’ll visit Canaanite remains from that time. It’s a great way to engage students while making their history and identity relevant.”

Attendees also heard from Jewish National Fund-USA Chief Executive Officer Russell F. Robinson, who has dedicated himself to realizing the Zionist organization's historic philanthropic vision for the land and people of Israel for nearly three decades. In response to the Iran War, Robinson has mobilized Jewish National Fund-USA’s nationwide strategic ecosystem of affiliates in Israel – from fortified schools, bomb shelters, civilian security teams, mental health resilience centers, medical facilities, Emergency Response Centers, and more – to support its home front (jnf.org/israelstrong).

“Jewish National Fund-USA is the story of people persevering,” he said. “Just like in the story of Purim, we act, we do, and we commit. It is not about projects; it’s about bringing the nation back to life after 2,000 years. It’s about making that nation better every day, which makes the world a better place. And it’s up to all of us to continue.”

Planned giving professionals also discussed how individuals can achieve their personal, financial, and estate-planning goals through charitable giving. Charitable Gift Annuities provide donors with generous, fixed, lifetime income with rates as high as 10.1%. Donor Advised Funds allow people to grow their charitable giving tax-free so they have even more to give. Planned giving strategies can be customized for each individual or family so they can maximize their tax and financial benefits while ensuring that their values and impact endure for generations to come.

For more information about Jewish National Fund’s Planned Giving opportunities, visit: jnflegacy.org. You can also contact a planned giving specialist at 800-562-7526 (plannedgiving@jnf.org).

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About Jewish National Fund-USA

Jewish National Fund-USA is building a strong and vibrant future for the land and people of Israel. Through its One Million Voices for Israel campaign, the organization unites supporters nationwide around its holistic approach to supporting individuals, families, communities, and regions in Israel's North and South, known as circles of impact. Leveraging its 125 years of impact, Jewish National Fund-USA is developing the most livable towns and cities in frontier communities to attract 800,000 new residents; creating a lifelong continuum of Zionist education through travel, learning, and leadership; and establishing the World Zionist Village in Be'er Sheva, a global hub for connection and peoplehood. With donor recognition and legacy giving at its core, supporters ensure their values and impact endure—yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Learn more at jnf.org.