JNF London

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Shabbat Shalom everyone 🙂

"Seymour z”l and I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Jack and Michelle 14 years ago when our children started dating. It was clear from the very beginning when they embraced our family with their warmth and generosity that our friendship would be treasured.

In the words of Fred Rogers, 'It’s not so much what we have in this life that matters, it’s what we do with what we have'. Jack and Michelle exude these words. With Judaic principles as their life compass, Jack and Michelle have been intricately involved in shul life, community life and family life, and have demonstrated the values of tzedakah, tikkun olam and ethos for caring.

What a wonderful and well-deserved honour to be this year’s JNF London Negev Dinner honourees."

- Joy Mender

👉 Join us in honouring Michelle & Jack Bottner at the JNF London Negev Gala Dinner on June 11th: https://bit.ly/3UUmund

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Meet Orna Richter, Executive Director of JNF Regional Ontario which includes Hamilton, London, and Windsor!

On her family's first trip to Israel together, they spent their first Shabbat in Jerusalem. During their exploration of the Old City, they visited a JNF project site that holds a special place in her heart. The "Restorers of Jerusalem" project, located at the foot of the Old City walls between the Jaffa and Zion Gates, revitalized an existing park, developed an archaeological garden, and restored walls that had fallen into disrepair. Thanks to the renewal of the promenade, there are now improved access roads for foot traffic, seating areas, and interpretation stations.

As she sat and admired the impressive walls and the bustling crowds passing through the corridor, Orna reflected on the centuries of history and cultures that have converged in this special place. The project site is particularly meaningful to her because it was the project her Zaida, Dr. Bernie Adler, chose when he was honoured as the JNF Edmonton Negev Dinner honouree in 2010. When she saw his plaque, she was moved to tears. Her children were equally amazed to see their Great Zaida's name displayed there! It was a powerful moment for them to realize that their family has a legacy here and their Zaida made a difference in this magical place.

Orna's most-used emoji is 😘 and one thing most people don't know about her is that during her undergrad, she had to dissect a fully grown dogfish shark!

Thanks to her passion and all of her hard work, we feel so fortunate to have Orna leading the Regional Ontario team!

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!

"What a pleasure it is to write a tribute to Michelle and Jack Bottner. We were introduced to Michelle and Jack when our daughter Avra and their wonderful son Aaron got engaged. We were sure that Aaron’s parents would be wonderful, too, and they were. We have shared in the joy of many simchas, including our children’s wedding, and the birth of our grandchildren, Maya and Henry. We have also delighted in getting to know Daniel, Leah and Jared. From the beginning, we have been inspired by Michelle and Jack’s thoughtfulness and generosity, and the example that they set for their children and for all of us. Mazal Tov to Michelle and Jack on this deserved honour!"

- Beth Coviensky and Michael Morein

👉 Join us in honouring Michelle & Jack Bottner at the JNF London Negev Gala Dinner on June 11th: https://bit.ly/3UUmund

This year's JNF London Negev is honouring Michelle & Jack Bottner!

Since residing in London in the early 1980s, Michelle and Jack Bottner have contributed significantly and steadfastly to the London Jewish community and Israel. With their characteristic modesty, they remain “uncomfortable” with their status as honorees, but emphasize its “greater good” in raising funds for JNF projects and encouraging volunteerism. “Actually, when it comes to volunteer work,” asserts Michelle, “we find it difficult to say ‘no’.” This willingness has defined the couple for over 40 years, ever since the start of their high-school courtship in a doughnut shop.

Throughout the years, as busy professionals, parents, and grandparents, the Bottners have maintained their unwavering devotion to Judaism and Israel by dedicating themselves to countless organizations. Consistent with this commitment and the family’s professional focus on dentistry (like Jack, all three of their children are dentists), Jack and Michelle are thrilled to support The Ohel Asher Foundation’s Peh Barie (Healthy Mouths) program.

✨ Learn more and get tickets to JNF London's Negev here: https://bit.ly/3KIcys6

We are excited to announce that tickets are now available for JNF London's 2023 Negev Gala Dinner on Sunday, June 11th honouring Michelle and Jack Bottner!

Consistent with their commitment to Judaism and Israel and the family’s professional focus on dentistry (like Jack, all three of their children are dentists), Jack and Michelle are thrilled to support the inauguration of a state-of-the-art dental clinic in Beit Shemesh that will specialize in providing dental services and care for people with disabilities.

👉 Learn More & Get Tickets at: https://jnf.ca/ontario/events.asp?id=183&c=7

Shabbat Shalom London 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 London 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

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. 🌿💚

All those who returned their tzedakah boxes with over $100 or volunteered for our Blue Box Drive in 2022 were entered into a draw for a chance to win a free 2023 Negev Dinner ticket. Congratulations to the winner Mandy Greenfeld whose name was drawn from the raffle box by JNF London President Jack Malkin!

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

JNF London board member, Rachelle Frydman, and her husband William, opened their home last weekend for a lovely evening of wine and cheese for young adults in London.

This inaugural event for JNF Future in London, was both a social and educational experience, as we explored contemporary challenges for the emerging Jewish generation when talking about Israel. Scott Goldstein of CIJA spoke to a full crowd, and addressed many questions and concerns that were brought up. We look forward to many more JNF Future events, and help to develop greater confidence and understanding of the contemporary discrimination against the Jewish people and the Jewish state of Israel.

To learn about JNF Future, please visit our website: https://jnf.ca/future/

Happy Purim - Purim Sameach! 🎭 🎪 🎉 🥳

We hope your Purim is as sweet as Hamantaschen! 😋

There's still time to register (for free) and join us for a presentation and discussion with Scott Goldstein from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) on Saturday, March 4th. This educational and social experience will help the next generation of Jewish adults develop greater confidence and understanding of the contemporary discrimination against the Jewish people and the Jewish state of Israel. Wine and cheese will be provided!

🔹 Register online at >> https://bit.ly/howdowetalkaboutisrael

Registration Raffle: Each unique registration name will be entered into a raffle to win a free Negev Dinner ticket for June 11, 2023 (valued at $220)! We will draw TWO winners at the event.

Young Jewish adults are experiencing the conversation about Israel on social media, in the news, and in their personal networks. This inevitably includes antisemitism and rhetoric that can be difficult to navigate. How do we respond to this? What do we advocate for? How do we understand our own growing relationship to Israel?

Join us for a presentation and discussion with Scott Goldstein from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). This educational and social experience will help the next generation of Jewish adults develop greater confidence and understanding of the contemporary discrimination against the Jewish people and the Jewish state of Israel. Wine and cheese will be provided!

🔹 Register for this free event online at >> https://bit.ly/howdowetalkaboutisrael

Registration Raffle: Each unique registration name will be entered into a raffle to win a free Negev Dinner ticket for June 11, 2023 (valued at $220)! We will draw TWO winners at the event.

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

The children at the London Community Hebrew Day School celebrated Tu Bi’Shevat in style with JNF! Anastasia Belenkov led the kids in tree-themed games, songs, and a special Tu B’Shvat “seder”. The kids eagerly participated in the interactive discussion and were pleased to receive a special gift bag with treats from JNF. Special thanks to Nechamie Silberberg for the warm welcome.

🌳 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

We have some exciting news to share... Mark your calendar and save the date - JNF London is pleased to announce our 2023 Negev Gala honouring Michelle and Jack Bottner will take place on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn.

“The highlight (of my trip to Israel) was certainly being at Retorno and seeing the project that our family helped to create. The building is amazing, but not as amazing as Retorno itself. We met with the Rabbi who started Retorno. We heard from graduates of the program and staff. We had a tour, and we saw the new building. The unveiling of the plaque was very emotional for me. It honoured my parents, sister, husband, but most of all, it's an important memorial for my late brother Mitchell. If only we had known about Retorno back then.” – Sari Shatil

Sari and Alon Shatil of London recently visited their project from the 2019 London Negev Dinner that was held in honour of the Stone and Shatil families. The project was the construction of a lecture hall and multipurpose building at the Retorno addiction prevention and treatment centre in the Jerusalem Hills. The building has already been put to wonderful use, and in addition to its being utilized to aid in the prevention of addiction through education, it also serves as a clubhouse on some days, and a synagogue at other times. Sari and Alon had the opportunity to attend the dedication and unveiling of the plaque, and also to meet with some of the staff and residents who benefit from the incredible work done at Retorno.