Events and Activities Ideas:
Jewish National Fund Founded - December 29, 1901
In 1901, the fifth Zionist Congress met in Basel, Switzerland to further explore the Jewish issue. On the fifth day of the Congress, there was heavy debate about the establishment of a national fund to purchase land in Palestine.
Background: Founding of the Jewish National Fund
With much debate and little consensus, Theodore Herzl was committed to the formation of a fund. In a final appeal, he implored the Congress to take action, pleading, “after striving for so many years to set up a fund, we do not want to disperse again without having done anything.” His appeal was highly effective and as a result of the fifth Zionist Congress, the Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemet L'Yisrael) was born.
Over the next 50 years, the JNF would begin to acquire land in what would become the future homeland of the Jewish people. In the spring of 1903, the JNF acquired its first piece of land in Hadera. This purchase was for 800 acres.
Jews from around the world would contribute to the effort by giving their spare change to the JNF. The tin “blue boxes” of the Jewish National Fund became a common bond for Jews the world over.
As part of the organizations original activities, the JNF focused on the “greening” of the land through the planting of trees. In 1908, in memory of Theodor Herzl, the first JNF trees (olive) were planted in Hulda.
By the time Israel declared independence in 1948, the JNF owned 12.5% of all the land of Israel. 80% of the Israel's current population lives on JNF acquired land.
There is no question that the Jewish National Fund was instrumental in reclamation of land for the Jewish State. With its first fifty years devoted to acquiring the land, it would spend the next fifty committed to the challenges of preservation and development of the land. JNF activities today focus on the following issues: water, ecology and afforestation, tourism and recreation, community development, research and development and education.
If not for the foresight of the early leaders of the Zionist Congress a century ago and the Jewish National Fund's efforts to secure land for the Jewish homeland, it is quite possible we would still be a people without a land. However, this is not the case! But it is up to each and every one of us to assure that this land is conserved and ecologically protected for another 100 years to further the Zionist Dream.
Event Ideas:
1) The Seeds of Heroes – When you hear Jewish National Fund, two things should come to mind: planting trees in Israel and the blue tin charity boxes. JNF tree planting is an all-year activity. You can plant trees for someone's birthday, to commemorate someone, to honor someone, to recognize someone or to tell someone that you love them.During certain times of the year, JNF planting activities should be more organized and take the form of activist campaigns. The Seeds of Heroes program is intended to honor and commemorate the “Great Ones”. The concept is rather simple - although these individuals have passed away, we honor them by bringing new life into the world in the form of JNF trees. Consider incorporating tree planting on the birthdates and yahrzeits of Rabin, Sadat, MLK, Ben-Gurion, Herzl, Golda Meir, etc.
2) Israel Earth Day...ANYDAY– More recently, JNF has expanded its efforts into new areas including environmental protection, education and awareness. Additionally, issues regarding water resources in the Middle East have also moved up on the JNF agenda.
There are a wide range of programs that you can conduct regarding water and environmental issues in Israel. What is great about environmental programming is that it many individuals and organizations are concerned about these topics. While you might have firm opinions on Israeli and Middle Eastern politics, it's hard to be against the environment.
Seek out active environmental awareness groups on your campus or within your community. Depending on the topic, you might also be able to attract the interest of natural science groups on campus (biology, ecology and environmental studies). Also, don't overlook other pro-Israel groups.
Alternative Dates:
Earth DayResources:
Jewish National Fund
This article also belongs to the following subjects:
Jewish History
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
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