Every two years, KKL-JNF leaders from all over the world meet for a conference that includes professional discussions, project site visits and brainstorming together about the organization’s policy and direction. This year, the KKL-JNF World Leadership Conference is taking place in Jerusalem, with the participation of about 150 representatives from 25 countries, who have arrived for three days of discussions, lectures, panels and tours.
The conference was opened by KKL-JNF World Chairman
Danny Atar, who said that “strengthening Jewish identity and the connection to the Land of Israel are our two main goals. Each one of you is active all year long in your respective countries, and we all work together as part of the amazing organization named KKL-JNF.”
He went on to present the conference’s goals: “The past two years have seen significant change in the organization, particularly because of the change in its legal status and KKL-JNF having become a public-benefit corporation. Our finest experts will address this matter during the conference and will answer your questions.”
Another central topic at the conference, according to Atar, is adapting the KKL-JNF vision to modern times: “When KKL-JNF was established
117 years ago, it had one goal: redemption of land for Jewish
settlement. Since then, endless activities have been added. We want to make it possible for every Jew, wherever they may be, to influence KKL-JNF’s vision. This is why we need you as partners in this discussion, especially after you return home. We will open the door to KKL-JNF’s 14 million stakeholders so that they can all share what they think we should be doing. Everyone who participates in this process will take part of determining KKL-JNF’s goals.”
An important question that Mr. Atar brought up is whether KKL-JNF should intensify its activities abroad, and not only focus on its work in Israel. “We are all partners to the decision-making process and to signposting the way,” he concluded. “The goal is that we should leave here with a clearer idea of what we intend to do over the coming years.”
“Building a Strong Israel”
“We all have a common task, so it’s important that we meet and hear about what’s being accomplished in other countries,” said Bruce Gould, President-Elect of
JNF USA. “Our central mission is to build a strong and vibrant Israel on behalf of our entire people.”
When asked what central projects are being promoted by JNF USA, he detailed: “We are supporting a housing project in the
Negev and
Galilee. Another central goal is intensifying Zionist
education for Jewish American youth.”
“I am very excited to meet my partners from all over the world,” said
Ronit Fraid, the President of
JNF Victoria, Australia. “There can be no doubt that sharing ideas will be useful for everyone.”
KKL Finland recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. “As someone who follows Israel from abroad, it’s very important for us to receive firsthand information about what’s happening in Israel and about KKL-JNF’s future,” said KKL Finland President
Ethel Salutzkij. “We will continue to promote projects for Israel’s welfare, together with the other Nordic countries,” the President emphasized.
“The world is changing, and Israel too, is not the same as it was when we were children who collected coins for the Blue Box,” said
KKL Mexico President
Patricia Katz de Saltiel. “We are at a juncture where we have to think about our goals and tasks for our future path. People in Israel and abroad are not always familiar with KKL-JNF’s important and diverse activities for the development of the state of Israel. The opportunity that we’ve been given to be partner to this important task strengthens our connection to Israel.”
KKL Italy President
Sergio Castelbolognesi noted that in his country, KKL-JNF’s main mission is to enlist support to continue transforming Israel into a green country. “We are fortunate to receive a lot of support for promoting this goal from both Jews and non-Jews,” he noted. “It is very important for KKL-JNF leaders from different countries to get to know each other and to think about how to
work together for the benefit of the state of Israel and the benefit of KKL-JNF.”
The first professional discussion at the KKL-JNF World Leadership Conference, which took place on Sunday, April 15, addressed a complicated and controversial issue: the new legislation regarding taxes that the Israeli government passed regarding KKL-JNF. This is an issue that has recently been occupying KKL-JNF and the general Israeli public. What is clear is that the change in tax status will not affect donations from KKL-JNF offices overseas. The discussions surrounding this topic were lively and involved, and KKL-JNF in Israel committed to keeping its counterparts around the world updated on this matter.