JNF Calgary

Thank you to all the donors and attendees at JNF Calgary’s 2023 Negev Gala! Your support of the Or Yehuda Family Care Center is another meaningful way that you help us build the foundations of Israel’s future.

A special thanks to Gold Sponsor Jenny Belzberg and Bronze Sponsor Alvin and Mona Libin Foundation for your generous support.

Join us at this year's Negev to support this amazing project in Israel!

This year's JNF Calgary Negev is raising funds for the Or Yehuda Family Care Centre. Or Yehuda, like many small cities in Israel, has a large population of immigrants who face the difficult task of starting a new life, learning a new language & customs, finding good work, and settling their children. A large group of volunteers runs two types of community programs:

1. A club for at-risk youth who are referred by municipal welfare to get after-school support.
2. The ‘Chesed Yavneh’ project, which provides professional assistance for families who need emotional support, financial management, education, and training.

All of these services are provided in a spacious building donated by the municipality that needs full renovation to make it not only suitable but comfortable, dignified, and inspiring for the families who come through its doors seeking support.

👉 Donate & Get Tickets here: https://bit.ly/43U5FwV

Be sure to Like & Follow Jewish National Fund of Canada! This account will be winding down over the next few weeks so please head over to Jewish National Fund of Canada to stay up to date on all our latest news, events, activities and more!

Over the next few weeks, we will be spotlighting each one of our Executive Directors from across the country, starting with our amazing Executive Director of JNF Calgary, Elliott Steinberg! One of Elliott’s favourite JNF projects is Kav Lachayim’s new housing complex for adults with disabilities.

If he had to choose one food to eat for the rest of his life, Elliott would eat rice pudding! But that's not the only interesting thing about him... He's also a certified cross-country ski instructor and race official. In fact, he will be the Chief of Course for a World Cup race in 2024! We are lucky to have Elliott as a member of our team and we can't wait to see what he accomplishes next.

This year's JNF Calgary Negev Gala is raising funds in support of the Or Yehuda Family Care Centre in Israel where a large group of volunteers runs two types of community programs:
1) A club for at-risk youth who are referred by municipal welfare to get after-school support.
2) The 'Chesed Yavneh' project, which provides professional assistance for families who need emotional support, financial management, education, and training.

All of these services are provided in a building donated by the municipality that needs a full renovation to make it not only suitable but comfortable, dignified, and inspiring for families who come through its doors seeking support.

By attending this year's Negev, you'll be making a significant contribution to this very important project, and we hope we can count on you.

👉 Donate & Get Tickets at: https://jnf.ca/calgary/campaigns.asp?c=1&id=42

Shabbat Shalom Calgary friends!

As a reminder, this Page will be winding down as we move over to our main Jewish National Fund of Canada Page to better align with our brand and vision. Don't worry, we're not going anywhere - we're just moving over there! We'd love for you to continue following us on our main account to stay up to date with all the latest news, updates, and exciting content from JNF. Head over to Jewish National Fund of Canada and hit that Like & Follow button to stay connected.

Thanks for your support and we look forward to continuing this journey with you!

Shabbat Shalom from our ancestral homeland! 🇮🇱

📷: KKL-JNF photo archive

Climate Solutions Prize Winners Web Series Part 1 - Avner Rotchschild, Technion

"Most will know by now that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced a temporary delay in advancing a judicial reform bill. It is an understatement to call this bill highly contentious as there have never been protests of this size and scope over legislation in Israel’s 75 years. This is unprecedented. The Prime Minister shared that his decision was driven by 'a real opportunity for real dialogue.' He reminded us that: 'We are not standing before enemies. We are standing before brothers.' This delay will last until the beginning of the Knesset’s summer session starting on April 30th."

Read the full statement here: https://mailchi.mp/jnf/breaking-news-from-israel

Shabbat Shalom Calgary friends! We've got some news to share with you. In the coming months, this Page will be winding down as we move over to our main Jewish National Fund of Canada Page to better align with our brand and vision. Don't worry, we're not going anywhere - we're just moving over there! We'd love for you to continue following us on our main account to stay up to date with all the latest news, updates, and exciting content from JNF. Head over to Jewish National Fund of Canada and hit that Like & Follow button to stay connected. Thanks for your support and we look forward to continuing this journey with you!

Shabbat Shalom from one of the beautiful greenhouses in Israel's Negev that's helping the desert bloom! 🌱🌷

📷: Daniel Cohen, KKL-JNF photo archive

A Chicago native and former Lone Soldier in the IDF who now lives in Ra'anana, Israel, Joel Chasnoff has performed his unique brand of clean, Israel-positive comedy for more than 1,500 Jewish communities in ten countries.

We hope you'll join us at this year's Negev in support of an important project, the Or Yehuda Family Care Centre, that's a reflection of the evening’s program – the story of Israel and over a century of immigration to the Jewish Homeland - through the funny and quirky perspective of our host, comedian and author Joel Chasnoff. Joel will share his take on being an immigrant to Israel, with all the ups, downs, and twists that come with that. This 1 hour multimedia experience will be enhanced by the music of the Israeli Artists Project and followed by an elegant dessert reception, all in celebration of Israel's 75th birthday!Care Centre in Israel.

👉 Donate & Get Tickets at: https://bit.ly/Calgary-Negev-2023

Happy International Day of Forests! 🌳🌲 Today, we celebrate the vital role that forests play in sustaining life on our planet. This year's theme of Forests and Health reminds us of the many benefits that forests provide for our physical and mental well-being.

On this special day, we'd like to tell you the story of the Segev Forest in Israel. For over 70 years, the Segev Forest has provided the shade of trees, unique flowers and wildlife, walking and cycling trails, and incredible archaeological sites to the many communities of the Lower Galilee. But it’s old and damaged and in need of rehabilitation. It’s now time for us to provide care in return. The rejuvenation of this beloved forest will serve both people and wildlife now and for future generations.

Join us in celebrating the International Day of Forests by making a donation to our Annual Campaign: https://jnf.ca/annual-campaign

Together, we can make a difference for our planet and for our health. 🌿💚

We are excited to announce that tickets are now available for our upcoming Negev on Thursday, May 18, 2023 - a unique multimedia experience in celebration of Israel's 75th birthday! 🇮🇱

Our host, comedian and author Joel Chasnoff will tell you the story of Israel and Israelis as you've never heard before accompanied by music from the Israeli Artists Project. The one-hour show will be followed by an elegant dessert reception, all in support of an amazing project - the Or Yehuda Family Care Centre in Israel.

🔹 Donate & Get Tickets at: https://bit.ly/Calgary-Negev-2023

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to join a FREE webinar with another one of the 2022 Winners of the Climate Solutions Prize - Breakthrough Research Track, Professor Itzhak Mizrahi from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, where he will be sharing his groundbreaking research on reducing methane gas emissions through the rational design of ruminants' microbiomes.

As we know, methane gas emissions are a major contributor to global warming. Professor Mizrahi's research has shown that by manipulating the microbiome of ruminants, we can significantly reduce their methane emissions.

So be sure to tune in TOMORROW, March 15th at 12 pm ET and join us for an insightful and informative session with one of the leading experts in the field.

Register now to secure your spot, and get ready to learn how we can all work together to make our planet a healthier and more sustainable place >> https://climatesolutionsprize.com/news.asp?id=29

The Climate Solutions Prize is propelling Israel's brightest minds and their groundbreaking solutions to help save the planet.

Ben-Gurion University Canada

Chag Purim Sameach! Continue the celebrations tomorrow night with our Laugh Yourself Silly and The Great Debates 2023 event!

Happy Purim - Purim Sameach! 🎭 🎪 🎉 🥳

We hope your Purim is as sweet as Hamantaschen! 😋

Follow Jewish National Fund of Canada to see how JNF is making a difference in Israel!

Get your tickets before it's too late for Laugh Yourself Silly featuring Keith Barany on March 7, 2023 at 7 pm at West Gate Social at Mount Royal University!

General Admission ($54) includes parking, your first drink, Kosher snacks, and a $25 charitable tax receipt. Tickets will not be sold at the door so please secure your spot in advance. Additional food and drinks (not Kosher) will also be available for purchase. Please consider an additional donation to support the important work JNF Canada does in Israel.

👉 Get tickets at >> https://bit.ly/LaughYourselfSilly

Less than TWO WEEKS away! Coming up on March 7, 2023 at 7 pm you won't want to miss JNF Calgary's Laugh Yourself Silly featuring Keith Barany at West Gate Social at Mount Royal University!

General Admission ($54) includes parking, your first drink, Kosher snacks, and a $25 charitable tax receipt. Tickets will not be sold at the door so please secure your spot in advance. Additional food and drinks (not Kosher) will also be available for purchase. Please consider an additional donation to support the important work JNF Canada does in Israel.

Can you brave The Great Debates? Stand up and give us your best funny arguments in the style of CBC Radio's "The Debaters" with host Steve Eichler. Limited spots available. Sign up by contacting Elliott at 403-255-0297 or [email protected].

👉 Get your tickets now at >> https://bit.ly/LaughYourselfSilly

Brick by brick we build a home... There's still time to make your contribution to this year’s annual Tu Bi’Shevat Campaign in support of Kav Lachayim’s new housing for adults with disabilities. For adults who have physical disabilities but normative cognitive and social abilities, it is difficult to find their place in the world. One of these young adults, Yona, has expressed a desire to live with individuals his age and to enjoy a full life of employment, culture, and social activities. At Kibbutz Hagoshrim, they can receive the support services they need while also gaining employment and daily social interactions with their neighbours.

This year we are also raising funds in support of the rehabilitation of the Segev Forest in the Lower Galilee of Israel.

🔹 Make Your Contribution Today: https://jnf.ca/annual-campaign

Register today for this incredible 3-part web series and learn how the Climate Solutions Prize powered by JNF Canada is propelling Israel's brightest minds and their groundbreaking solutions to help save the planet!

JNF Canada in partnership with Technion Canada, Canadian Friends of Bar-Ilan University, and Ben-Gurion University Canada, is proud to invite you to join us from the comfort of your home and hear from the inaugural winners of the 2022 Climate Solutions Prize - Breakthrough Research Track!

Register for FREE online here: https://climatesolutionsprize.com/news.asp?id=29

Yasher Koach to all the students who participated in this year's Tu BiShevat Virtual Hackathon!

This year's Tu Bi'Shevat Virtual Hackathon was another great success with 110 students from seven different schools participating across the country! The theme "Accessibility is Part of Our Nature" tasked students with the challenge of finding creative solutions for people living with disabilities to better enjoy and experience the natural world around us.

The top 3 Winners had some incredible ideas:

1) Mapabilities, an App that can direct people with different disabilities to suitable locations and parks in nature (Team: Abby P., Hannah P., Evan S., Sophie L. and Charley L., Gr. 8 at Robbins Hebrew Academy, Ontario)
2) Safety Shoes, a pair of hiking shoes with sensors for people living with limb loss that indicates where the person can safely walk. (Team: Coby S., Jordan S., Rebekah S., Ellie M., Samantha H., Gr. 7 at Associated Hebrew Schools (Danilack), Ontario)
3) The Future On Wheels, a wheelchair that runs on hydroelectricity and can adapt to all bodies of water to allow users to enter pools, lakes, and other bodies of water safely for a "swim" experience (Team: Sarah-Amanda D., Noah M., Joel T. Mia A., Yossi R. Maor W., OJCS 5 at Ottawa Jewish Community School, Ontario)

A big thank you to all the special guests, mentors, and teachers who helped make this event a huge success!

Join us on March 7, 2023 at 7 pm for JNF Calgary's Laugh Yourself Silly featuring Keith Barany at West Gate Social at Mount Royal University!

General Admission ($54) includes parking, your first drink, Kosher snacks, and a $25 charitable tax receipt. Tickets will not be sold at the door so please secure your spot in advance. Additional food and drinks (not Kosher) will also be available for purchase. Please consider an additional donation to support the important work JNF Canada does in Israel.

👉 Get your tickets now at >> https://jnf.ca/calgary/events/laugh-yourself-silly/

Tu Bi’Shevat was a busy time for JNF Canada at both Calgary Jewish Academy and Halpern Akiva Academy. Between programs by our education shlicha Yifat Bear-Miller, seed planting, assemblies, and a wild time traveling Israel virtually while exercising, the day was a great success! Students are fundraising this week, hoping to win great raffle prizes in the process.

🌳 This Tu Bi'Shevat, we'd like to introduce you to a very special place in Israel... For over 70 years, the Segev Forest has provided the shade of trees, unique flowers and wildlife, walking and cycling trails, and incredible archaeological sites to the many communities of the lower Galilee. The Segev has provided clean air for its community for decades – now it’s time for us to provide for it in return.

🌲 After ecological surveys and evaluations, it was discovered that the Segev has damaged areas from grazing, ancient orchards, and terraces that need nurturing, and is ready for the next round of planting. The rejuvenation of this beloved forest will serve both people and wildlife now and for future generations. By planting trees and expanding forests, JNF is strengthening Israel’s resilience to climate and environmental changes.

🌱 Help rejuvenate this beloved forest by planting a tree in the Segev Forest for Tu Bi'Shevat today: https://jnf.ca/annual-campaign

JNF’s Tu Bi’Shevat Telethon is coming on Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm! 🇮🇱

When you’re called, please consider supporting JNF Canada’s important work in Israel. If you know you can’t answer the phone at that time, you can make a donation online at jnfcalgary.ca or by contacting our office at 403-255-0295 or [email protected].

As part of our mission to help build the foundations for Israel's future, JNF strives to improve the quality of life for all Israelis, ensuring that nobody is left behind. February is Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance, & Inclusion Month (JDAAIM), founded by the Jewish Special Education International Consortium to raise awareness and encourage inclusion for people with disabilities and special needs.

For over 30 years, Kav Lachayim has served children aged 6-21 who suffer from severe disabilities. However, for older adults who have physical disabilities but normative cognitive and social abilities, it is difficult to find their place in the world. For years, one of these young adults, Yona, has expressed a desire to live with individuals his age and to enjoy a full life of employment, culture, and social activities.

For this year’s annual Tu Bi’Shevat Campaign, JNF Canada will be fundraising to support Kav Lachayim’s new housing for adults with disability, where they can receive the support services they need while also gaining employment and daily social interactions with their neighbours around Kibbutz Hagoshrim.

🔹 Make Your Contribution Today: https://jnf.ca/annual-campaign

JNF Canada’s CEO, Lance Davis, was recently interviewed by the Jewish Independent, where he shared JNF’s position with respect to the new Israeli government and other salient matters:

“I just want to state unequivocally that JNF Canada is nonpolitical and nonpartisan and, as such, we are going to continue to do our work regardless of who is in government,” he said. “We are mission-driven and that means simply building the foundations for Israel’s future. We will continue to help the land and the people of Israel as we have done for decades with left, right and centrist governments. Nothing has changed. Our resolve to enhance the lives of Israel’s citizens is not impacted by the current regime and this is the time for Diaspora Jewry to communicate with our extended family in Israel that we are indeed a family and as such we will always be there for them.”

You can read the full article here: https://www.jewishindependent.ca/negev-dinner-returns/

Today marks 78 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, and is the day the world commemorates the victims of the Holocaust and spreads awareness and education about it globally. JNF Canada works with our partners across Israel to ensure the Shoah is never forgotten.

One of these partners, Beit Haedut, is a museum and educational centre established to commemorate the Holocaust that serves as a powerful symbol of resilience - it was built by Holocaust survivors 30 years ago. Every year, the museum hosts 10,000s of students, soldiers, officers, and others who come to learn about the atrocities in this dark period of Jewish history, connect more deeply with the subject, and meet survivors.

The following exhibits were supported thanks to generous JNF Canada donors:
• A Testimonial Room where survivors' stories have been filmed and their testimonies used to create holograms, funded by the generous supporters of JNF Pacific Region's 2022 Negev Campaign as well as Peter & Stella Ekstein from Toronto, ON.
• A train car that allows visitors to enter an actual train car that was used in the transportation of Jewish victims to the extermination camps. This was funded through the Builders Circle by Jon & Marina Geist from Toronto, ON.
• Replica model wooden barracks from the Birkenau concentration camp, funded by the Silver family of Winnipeg, MB: Michael & Ellie Silver, Myra Fireman, Norman & Heather Silver, Shane & Mara Silver, Jason Bonneted & Somsamay Thavisone.