Jewish National Fund (JNF)
From its inception, the Jewish National
Fund (JNF) - called Keren
Kayemet L'Israel in Hebrew - was charged with the task of fundraising
in Jewish communities for the purpose of purchasing land
in Eretz Yisrael to create a homeland for the Jewish people.
JNF's signature Blue Boxes, which were used to collect the
necessary funds, are now known worldwide as a symbol of Zionism.
JNF's work is evident in every facet of life in Israel, from
beautiful forests to vital reservoirs to the innovative farming
techniques being used on kibbutzim throughout the nation. While JNF has been instrumental in
realizing the Zionist dream, the challenge of developing
and protecting the land grows everyday. Today, the organization
has made security a priority, announcing in 2001 a $10 million
initiative to build security bypass roads along Israel's
northern border with Lebanon.
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JNF's work can be divided into three phases.
During its first 50 years, JNF was charged with the task
of purchasing the land. Over the next 50 years, JNF directed
its efforts to developing the land, planting over 220 million
trees, building infrastructure for housing, parks and recreation
areas, and helping to settle immigrants from across the globe.
In the upcoming years, JNF will continue to develop the land
but focus its attention on preserving the environment,
conserving scarce natural resources, and continuing to find
ways to alleviate Israel's chronic water shortage.
In the Beginning…
It was the fourth day of the Fifth
Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland in 1901. The delegates
had spent the day debating a proposal for the establishment
of a national fund to purchase land in Palestine, as had
been suggested at the first
Congress four years earlier by mathematics professor
Zvi Hermann Schapira. At the time, the proposal had been
received enthusiastically, though its implementation had
been deferred.
Although Schapira had died in the summer
of 1898, the idea of a fund had won a large following, and
members of the new Zionist movement spoke passionately of
it at every Zionist gathering. Yet three congresses had passed
without any practical decision being taken.
At times it seemed that the dream of a
Jewish state was destined to remain just that-only a dream.
But Theodor Herzl was unwavering-it was time to take action, and he was determined
that before the Congress came to an end, a national fund
would be established. And the dream of a Jewish state —
a return to the Homeland — would be one step closer
to becoming a reality.
 The
delegates continued to debate the merit of a national fund,
eventually voting to table the motion. Theodor Herzl, who
had not been present at the vote, hurried to the congress
hall, and delivered a passionate plea for the fund's immediate
establishment, declaring, "After striving for so many
years to set up the fund, we do not want to disperse again
without having done anything." His speech turned the
delegates around, and when Herzl called for a revote, the
delegates were firmly on his side. The congress resolved
that "the fund shall be the property of the Jewish people
as a whole," and announced its first undertaking: the
collection of £200,000. One of the delegates immediately
pledged the first donation: £10 in memory of the man
who had conceived and fought so hard for the fund but had
not lived to see his dream realized, Professor Zvi Hermann
Schapira. Herzl made the second donation and his aide, the
third. And with this, the dream of a national fund became
a reality.
Over the next 50 years, Jewish National
Fund, as it came to be known, would purchase land throughout
Palestine, land that would one day become the State of Israel.
Jews from around the world collected spare change in tin
"Blue Boxes" so that one day a return to the Homeland
would be possible. The Blue Box itself came to be seen as
a symbol of Zionism, and it was distributed in Jewish communities
everywhere.
The
very act of collecting funds in a Blue Box strengthened the
bond that the Jewish community felt with their homeland and
its people. It was an expression of the irrevocable ties
between Diaspora Jewry and Eretz Yisrael, as well as a way
to tie disparate communities together as one people. Alone,
Jews could not attain their dream of a return to the Homeland,
but together, through Jewish National Fund, they could build
a nation.
The Dream is Realized
In
the spring of 1903, JNF acquired its first parcel of land:
800 acres in Hadera. From the start, the organization focused
on greening the land through the planting of trees. JNF got
involved in tree planting for many reasons, including as
a way to fulfill the Biblical commandment. In order to solidify
ownership of land purchased by JNF on behalf of the Jewish
community, and in accordance with prevailing laws of the
day, trees were planted whenever a new piece of land was
purchased. In 1908, the first JNF trees were planted at Hulda:
olive trees in memory of Theodor Herzl, the founding father
of Zionism.
By the time Israel became a state in 1948, JNF owned 12.5
percent of all the land of Israel (on which 80 percent of
Israel's population now lives). With this ownership came
the responsibility of transforming the land into a beautiful
and fertile area that would be a suitable home for the new
state.
As the country grew and new issues arose, JNF evolved to
address Israel's most pressing needs. Over the years, the
range of issues included afforestation and providing Israel
with healthy green space; building infrastructure for essential
new communities for Israel's growing population; building
access roads to help disperse the population; providing employment
for waves of new immigrants; and improving the quality of
life for Israelis across the country.
Today
Today, JNF is putting its century of experience
to work with Blueprint Negev, supporting
Israel’s newest generation of pioneers
in developing, inhabiting and preserving
the Negev Desert – Israel’s
last frontier.
Blueprint Negev will lead to a 70% growth
in the Negev’s population, close the
economic and educational gaps that exist,
reduce the unemployment rate, create quality
of life for all residents, and build a stronger
Israel. The plan, which includes a government
investment of over $4 billion, non-profit
investment of $600 million, and private investment
of $2.5 billion, includes doubling the size
of the city of Be’er Sheva; infrastructure;
housing loans and incentives; education;
employment opportunities; tourism; partnerships;
bolstering existing towns; the military;
building new communities; the Bedouin; the
environment; and water.
The Negev Desert is 60% of Israel’s
landmass but home to only 8% of its population.
Its development is vital for Israel’s
future and will drive dramatic change to
the region, making a real difference to Israel
and her residents.
Source: JNF |