As Israel’s northern communities continue to grapple with the aftermath of displacement and uncertainty amid nearly two years of war, Jewish National Fund-USA recently united community leaders, philanthropists and innovators for its “Reimagine: Resilience in the North” event, dedicated to charting a path forward for the Galilee.
Held at the JNF House in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the event spotlighted Jewish National Fund-USA’s “Go North” initiative—a multi-decade plan to increase population and economic growth in Israel’s northern region through targeted investments in infrastructure, health care, employment, housing and tourism. The initiative, which intensified after the Oct. 7 attacks, continues to anchor Jewish National Fund-USA’s long-term commitment to regional revitalization.
Attendees heard from Erel Margalit, founder and executive chairman of Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP) and the Margalit Startup City, responsible for bringing innovation and entrepreneurial leadership to Israel. A former Knesset member, he is a chief architect of Israel’s status as the Start-Up Nation, bringing both innovation and entrepreneurial leadership to the country’s most pressing economic and social challenges.
“The new frontier today in Israel is the Galilee,” said Margalit. “It’s the ability to rebuild our country after we’ve had such a difficult and traumatic experience. Jewish National Fund-USA continues to work, not only when times are good, but also when times are challenging. During times of crisis, Israelis are especially good at being pioneers. That’s the spirit of our mothers and fathers in our country, and that’s the spirit that we want to lead.”
Lay leaders highlighted how the organization’s “Go North” initiative has already improved quality of life across the Western Galilee—from building a new tourist information center in Akko to supporting small businesses. Meanwhile, the Upper Eastern Galilee, known as Israel’s “food basket,” is benefiting from investments in agriculture, hospitality, R&D and technology. These initiatives create Circles of Impact—ripple effects that reverberate throughout the country.
“We are building a brighter future for the people living, moving and coming back home to Israel’s north,” said Alex Szikla, affinity groups chair for Jewish National Fund-USA’s New York JNFuture Board.
“Now more than ever, it is important to show up and support the land and people of Israel,” he said.
They also discussed several transformative projects in the north, from the Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF, which is primed to revolutionize culinary arts in the Middle East, a state-of-the-art medical center in Kiryat Shmona and supporting quality, yet affordable, housing. Since Oct. 7, Jewish National Fund-USA has only deepened its commitment, aiding rebuilding efforts through its Reimagine campaign and bringing volunteers from the United States on missions to the region.
“It’s not just supporting the many partners we have; it’s people who want to volunteer,” said Jewish National Fund-USA New York Major
Gifts chair Amy Berko Iles. “There are so many ways to give.”
For more information about Jewish National Fund-USA or to learn about upcoming events in New York, visit: jnf.org or contact Sarah
Azizi at: sazizi@jnf.org or 212-879-9305, Ext. 505.
