Raising a new generation of leaders: The Jewish National Fund in New York gives talented children a chance at a prestigious education

On September 10, a large-scale press conference for Russian-language media in America was held at the headquarters of the Jewish National Fund in New York. It was dedicated to the Fund’s new educational initiatives aimed at strengthening the ties of Russian-speaking youth of the United States with Israel and raising a new generation of active, talented and diverse leaders of the global Jewish community.

The leaders of the Jewish National Fund (JNF-USA) with representatives of Russian-language media in the United States. Photo: Jewish National Fund

For more than two hours, journalists asked questions to the Foundation's CEO Russell Robinson and its executive director Marina Furman. Russell Robinson has led the Fund for more than twenty years, tirelessly bringing to life the most daring investment projects. He is, for example, responsible for the ambitious but vitally important for Israel initiative One Billion Dollar Road Map. To understand what this is, imagine if 70% of the population of the United States lived only in, for example, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Unimaginable? But this is the reality of Israel today: seven out of ten Israelis live in Tel Aviv, Haifa or Jerusalem and its suburbs. Accordingly, the tourist flow, government agencies, high-tech enterprises and universities are also located in this kind of “corridor”. In terms of area, the most densely populated and economically active areas of Israel occupy only 10% of its territory.

Photo: Jewish National Fund

The Jewish National Fund has set the task of making the Negev and Galilee areas large centers of agricultural culture, tourism and technological progress, thus attracting more residents there. The implementation of the Jewish National Fund's technological, housing, educational, and tourism projects has led to a reduction in unemployment, an increase in average wages, and an influx of more than half a million new residents into these previously hopeless areas.

Marina Furman, a refusenik and an experienced specialist in the return of Jews to their homeland, has served as the Foundation’s executive director for 17 years. In the USSR, as the wife of a conscientious objector and underground Hebrew teacher known throughout the Soviet Union, she fought for almost 10 years with the Soviet government for the right to leave for Israel. In Israel, she worked as an assistant to the mayor and traveled all over the world, raising funds for the placement of Russian-speaking Jews. In 1998, Marina was appointed Israel's envoy to the Philadelphia Jewish community and moved to America with her family.

Photo: Jewish National Fund

In his opening address to journalists, Russell Robinson admitted that educational projects have now become a priority for the Fund. Why? Everything is very simple: “We are dreamers. We want through 25 and 50 years to see at the head of Jewish communities around the world strong and competent leaders who defend the interests of Israel and all Jews in general. Unfortunately, no one thought about this in the 1940 year, and the Holocaust became a cruel reckoning for us. This will never happen again. And that is why we are investing money in our dreams and our future. ”

Marina Furman added that “the Russian-speaking Jewish community of America is a key link in the successful development and prosperity of the entire American Jewish community.”

Photo: Jewish National Fund

Already today, the Jewish National Fund is opening a unique program for all Russian-speaking high school students in the United States: the opportunity to study for a semester at one of the best schools in Israel, Alexander Muss High School (AMHSI), the only school institution in Israel that provides the opportunity for teaching foreign students.

The campus of this unique school is located in the cozy, green town of Hod Hasharon, which is only 20 minutes from Tel Aviv. This is the only city in the center of the country where extremely few high-rise buildings and preference is given to cottages. Almost half of the city square is occupied by buildings of the city government and culture, schools and gymnasiums, sports facilities, parks and squares.

From left to right: Executive Director of the Jewish National Fund (JNF-USA) Marina Furman,
General Director of the Jewish National Fund (JNF-USA) Russell F. Robinson, vice president of Firebird Group Marina Kovaleva. Photo: Jewish National Fund

In addition to the strongest general education program, students will immerse themselves in studying the 4000-summer history of Israel and Hebrew, and after classes they will find many excursions to the many attractions of the country.

At the same time, there is no need to worry about missing classes at an American school - the Foundation helps in the preparation of all necessary documentation. The teaching is conducted in English, all students after successful termination of the semester receive up to 6 credits, which are accepted by almost all American educational institutions.

Independent travel, life and study in another country is an invaluable opportunity not only to significantly improve your resume for college, but also to develop leadership and communication skills, to establish useful social connections. After all, this is precisely the age when the basic life goals and values ​​are formed. And the history of Israel in itself is an ideal example of how strength of mind, intellect and ability to work can make the impossible impossible.

Photo: Jewish National Fund

More than 5 of thousands of schoolchildren have already completed the program for teaching high school students, and there are many celebrities among graduates, for example, Facebook operations director Cheryl Sandberg, and now Russian-speaking Americans have a chance.

Registration and filing of applications begins in November; consideration of questionnaires takes about three weeks. When selecting participants, their performance and talents are taken into account - because the training program at AMHSI is very rich and designed for those who really have a love of knowledge.

And for its part, the Jewish National Fund will do everything in its power so that every child who goes to study in Israel can fulfill his dream with a scholarship and financial support.

All details of the program will be announced very soon - in November. If you have questions, you can send them to Marina Furman by e-mail: [email protected].

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