On February 12th, we landed in Israel, and although many others have noted this over the last few weeks, we felt a significant sense of relief—mixed in with many other emotions—as we walked down the long but familiar ramp to passport control, where no more hostage posters stared back at us.

After October 7th, Suzanne and I participated in two JNF-USA (JNF) volunteer missions in February 2024 and February 2025.  We remain grateful that we did so.  They were both quite meaningful and inspiring.  This year, we elected to join a different type of JNF mission appropriately named after JNF’s Circles of Impact strategy.  It was designed as a working trip—visiting multiple sites where JNF works with various people and institutions that assist Israel/Israelis, and so we could see this vision in action.

The one word that came to mind throughout our ten-day trip was: reawakening.  Restaurants, hotels and markets are full and bustling with activity.  Although we saw some of this progression during our visits with JNF in 2024 and 2025, it is remarkably clear that Israel and Israelis have picked themselves up after October 7th and that the country is rebuilding on many levels.  Construction cranes are everywhere, building new buildings.  Israelis do not believe in standing by passively as victims.  It is heartening.

Over the course of a week, we visited numerous municipalities and various venues.  Our task force visit was focused almost entirely on the northern part of Israel, the Galilee and Golan regions—areas devastated by Hezbollah rockets attacks.  Other people from the mission visited the other parts of the country, such as the western Negev, where we had volunteered the past two years.  For those unfamiliar with Israel’s geography, the western Negev, adjacent to Gaza, is where Hamas invaded on October 7, 2023, and committed barbarous terrorist massacres and kidnappings—an attack that set in motion another war in which Israel was forced to fight for her survival.

There is no doubt that Israel faces security challenges, divisive politics at the national level and diplomatic issues related to the October 7th war and the outrageous, inflammatory and defamatory coverage by a biased media.  Israel fought an existential war on seven battle fronts, along with a war on her standing in the world. Israel is not a perfect country—no country is—but Israelis have many justifiable reasons to be concerned about these threats, as none of them have disappeared.  In addition, the incendiary anti-Israel rhetoric of politicians, the media and certain celebrities (who possess no real expertise), are frustrating and infuriating.  At the same time, from both the right and the left, exponential increases in antisemitism and antizionism—both forms of Jew Hatred—are terrifying and maddening for Jews wherever we live.  All of these problems remain quite serious and cannot be minimized or discounted.  They are challenging and complicated, but I am confident that Israel (and the Jewish people) will overcome them—just as Jews have overcome their enemies throughout our history.  These issues, however, are not the true subject of this post

That important distinction noted, we can return to discussing JNF’s meaningful work.  A term from housing and urban renewal that I am well aware of from my hometown of St. Louis and my career in affordable housing relates to what are sometimes known as anchor institutions. Hospitals and universities are examples of anchor institutions.  They are essential components of a place, are integrated into the fabric of their communities—and unlike businesses, they almost never move.

What our visit highlighted is that the work JNF is engaged in the north (and all over the country) is extraordinary! To name just a few, JNF is building or working with the following anchor-type institutions that will encourage economic and population growth throughout the Galilee and Golan regions:

Building a new medical center in Kiryat Shemonah to service its residents and those of the surrounding area,

Building the Galilee Culinary Institute (GCI), a new culinary school that highlights Israeli cuisine and the unique, bountiful agriculture of the region,

Continuing partnerships in food tech and agri-tech with Migal and the Margalit Center—and the relationships between these institutions and GCI will foster economic growth and tourism, and

Strengthening a bond with the newly designated University of Kiryat Shemona—Tel Chai that will create numerous opportunities to strengthen the region.

JNF’s long term partnerships with these communities and affiliated anchor institutions builds and strengthens the Galilee and Golan regions and enhances the quality of life for the residents of these places.  It is quite uplifting and exciting!

In many ways, this trip also highlights the dual nature of the reality Israel and Israelis face—and also illustrates what is so inspiring about JNF.  At the national level, there are areas of dispute/division (some of them quite intense) regarding various issues such as judicial reform or the draft/national service.  I will not innumerate them here but will note that these are not the areas of JNF’s focus.

On the other hand, at the municipal and regional levels and inside certain national institutions there is an amazing level of compassion and creativity.   It is at this level that JNF’s meaningful and inspirational work can be found and the results of JNF’s Circles of Impact strategy can be seen.  In many instances, through its lay leaders as well as professional staff (of both Americans and Israelis), JNF is a convener.  It brings groups together to create synergies across the region—and, as a result, one can see that among these organizations and municipalities, there is a very significant degree of collaboration, without the rancor often seen at the national level.   Instead, there appears to be a recognition that a rising tide lifts all boats.  Examples from among the varied and inspirational projects these beneficial organizations are involved in with JNF include:

Aiding those who with disabilities and those have been injured during wartime (both physically and mentally)—Lotem, Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites (SPIHS) and Nefesh B’Nefesh,

Building fire and rescue stations and providing fire trucks to protect Israel and Israelis,

Assisting new Olim (immigrants) as well as those who have been living in Israel for some time—Nefesh B’Nefesh,

Educating a new generation of farmers—Adam V’Adamah, and

Partnering with organizations like Hubayta and Hubazelet to create economic hubs in the region.

Work at this other level of society—very often in partnership with JNF—provides one with an incredible sense of optimism regarding our homeland’s future, despite the many challenges she faces.  And, unlike the contentious issues at the national level referenced above, where diaspora feedback is not always appropriate and may cause friction, here, assistance/partnership at the communal and institutional level is enthusiastically welcomed (from both JNF’s lay and professional teams).  The mayors and deputy mayors of the communities we met with (and their staffs) routinely work together for the betterment of their region.

It is truly a privilege—in the most positive sense of that word— to assist JNF in its innovative and collaborative work with our people, and these places and institutions, positioning them for a bright future.

At a time of so many challenges for Jews around the world, it was truly heartening to be with so many like-minded people from Israel, across the US and even the UK.  It was apparent from numerous discussions among the participants that the Jewish value of Ahavat Yisrael (love of Israel) had been instilled within them—whatever their background, political views or level of observance.  Simply, out of this Jewish value, we all embrace and assist one another—one large extended family.  And, what is also clear, is that even after 125 years, JNF’s mission to assist Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael continues, imbued with that same spirit.  JNF was there yesterday, it is here today and it will be there tomorrow.

During the week, a member of our group wanted to say Kaddish for a relative on that person’s Yarzheit.  Ten of us, Americans and Israelis, of various backgrounds, paused our journey, created a minyan and gathered three times over the course of that particular day to enable his recitation of this prayer.  Late one afternoon, looking over the picturesque, lush, green Hula Valley, we stood together as one ancient people, and joined together for the Mincha prayers that have been recited by many generations of Jews.  Standing there, one could not help but feel emotional, in the hope that Hashem will protect and shelter Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael, while also realizing how fortunate we are to be, once again בארץ—in Israel, our homeland.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)