Jewish National Fund-USA Celebrates Multiple Generations of Zionists at Global Conference for Israel Opening Session

Hal Linden and Lior Raz joined philanthropists and changemakers for a mainstage program connecting 125 years of JNF-USA history with a bold vision for tomorrow

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES, November 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- From a grandmother’s gift of a tree in Israel to a grandson building his life in the Galilee, the opening mainstage event of Jewish National Fund-USA’s Global Conference for Israel brought generations of Zionist commitment to life. Featuring actor Hal Linden, Fauda co-creator and star Lior Raz, and personal stories from across the Zionist world, the program celebrated 125 years of the organization turning dreams into action while challenging participants to help write the next chapter for the land and people of Israel.

The gathering in San Diego, California, united philanthropists, high school and college students, young professionals, and Israeli community leaders around a shared purpose: building a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel.

Jewish National Fund-USA Chairman and Conference Co-Chair Dr. Sol Lizerbram welcomed participants to his home city and reflected on the organization’s work transforming Israel’s South through investments in housing, employment, healthcare, and community spaces.

At the heart of the program was a conversation between Linden, of sitcom Barney Miller fame, portraying a grandfather, and a recent graduate from Muss High School Israel. Together, they guided the audience through the Jewish people’s journey from the dream of a homeland to the ongoing work of building communities throughout Israel. Their exchanges connected the familiar Jewish National Fund Blue Box and tree-planting certificates with its modern-day philanthropic investments in housing, employment, agriculture, education, and community life.

“The Jewish people do not wait for history to happen - we make history happen,” proclaimed Jewish National Fund-USA Chief Executive Officer Russell F. Robinson. “[It's] our turn to build. Our turn to dream. Our turn to lead. Our turn to write the next chapter.”

Interwoven with that narrative were personal accounts demonstrating how the Jewish people's connection to the land of Israel passes between generations—and grows into something new.

Philanthropist Steve Braverman honored his late father, Neil, sharing how his family’s commitment evolved from trees donated for his bar mitzvah to therapeutic horseback riding in Israel's South and the new Braverman Innovation Hub in Mitzpe Ramon.

“Throughout the entire process, we were partners, not just donors,” Braverman said.

Jordan Goldberg recalled how his grandmother, Sheila Wexler, gave her grandchildren tree certificates each Chanukah, nurturing a connection to Israel that ultimately helped inspire his decision to make Aliyah. Today, he lives with his fiancée in Kibbutz Gonen and serves as farm manager for the Galilee Culinary Institute.

“When you plant a tree, you plant a dream,” Goldberg said.

Donor Society members Natalie and Elysa Goldman described working together through Jewish National Fund-USA’s Housing Development Fund, which provides interest-free loans for housing site development, enabling communities in the country's North and South to welcome new families. Their account illustrated how professional expertise and family values can combine to create lasting opportunities for others.

Jewish National Fund-USA National President Deb Lust Zaluda connected those individual stories to the organization’s broader strategy, describing its “Circles of Impact”: interconnected initiatives that strengthen one another and help entire regions thrive.

“Every project I visited was linked to the next,” said Zaluda. “Each initiative led into another, one partner strengthened its neighbor, and together we were bringing about real change through our strategic vision.”

Young people also took center stage. Muss High School Israel students Lucy and Evan described how studying and living in Israel strengthened their Jewish identities, confidence, and sense of responsibility. Noa Zer from Israel's Arava region also highlighted how Jewish National Fund-USA is supporting the next generation of Israeli agricultural innovators through its philanthropic investments in agricultural high schools in the country's North and South.

Lior Raz brought humor to the stage as he welcomed CEO Russell F. Robinson, joking that he had discovered the organization’s CEO was the room’s real celebrity. Their exchange reinforced the program’s central message of continued commitment to Israel.

Robinson closed with a call to visit Israel, invest in immersive Israel education for teenagers, and take personal responsibility for Jewish leadership. He emphasized the ambition to bring 10,000 teenagers annually to Muss High School Israel and the enduring commitment to communities rebuilding after October 7.

“We were there with you yesterday, we are standing here with you today, and we will be with you tomorrow and forever,” Robinson said.

For more information about Jewish National Fund-USA’s Global Conference for Israel and its work for the land and people of Israel, visit jnf.org/global.

Jennifer Milton
Jewish National Fund-USA
+1 561-447-9733 ext. 875
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Global Conference for Israel Opening Session