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So how does the CEO see the<br />

future?<br />

“I think in the next 70 years plus,<br />

we must have a Diaspora/Israel relationship<br />

that is based on much more<br />

than ‘big brother/little brother,’ and<br />

we in the Diaspora have to get into<br />

that mind-set,” he said.<br />

“We are partners in building a<br />

nation for the Jewish people everywhere,”<br />

Robinson asserted.<br />

He dismissed the notion of a growing<br />

rift between the Diaspora and<br />

Israel, claiming much of that occurs<br />

on the elite leadership level. However,<br />

he stressed that both sides must<br />

mobilize a grassroots effort to reach<br />

out to one another. As an organization<br />

that establishes deep connections<br />

between donors in the Diaspora<br />

and Israelis on the ground, Jewish<br />

National Fund’s involvement is key<br />

in building bridges between the two<br />

groups.<br />

“We have to foster stronger relationships<br />

between the Diaspora and<br />

Israel more like one-on-one partnerships<br />

as we build together,” he said.<br />

Lauder agreed, saying, “Since its<br />

inception, Jewish National Fund has<br />

had tremendous success building<br />

bridges between Israel and the Diaspora<br />

communities, and we will only<br />

continue to build on our success.<br />

“I also know that Jewish National<br />

Fund is uniquely positioned to mend<br />

any ties that may be frayed. One of<br />

<strong>JNF</strong>’s key strengths has always been<br />

its ability to communicate with the<br />

Diaspora in the United States and<br />

explain the importance of the State<br />

of Israel. For as long as I have been<br />

involved, <strong>JNF</strong> has been instrumental<br />

in explaining and promoting Israel<br />

by working with the people of Israel,<br />

and I think all of our combined<br />

efforts will keep us together as a<br />

people,” Lauder said.<br />

One clear way to keep the Jewish<br />

people together is by focusing on<br />

Zionist education. In the short term,<br />

Jewish National Fund is working on<br />

this in earnest by putting in motion<br />

plans to expand the Alexander Muss<br />

High School in Israel – which it<br />

acquired in 2013 – so its enrollment<br />

can increase from 1,100 to 5,000 students<br />

per year in a comprehensive<br />

semester-abroad experience.<br />

In the long term? On Robinson’s<br />

wish-list is establishing a camp for<br />

Israeli and American children in<br />

Israel.<br />

“In the next 20 years, I believe<br />

Israel should have a five-star camp in<br />

Israel for Israelis and Diaspora Jews.<br />

To have our kids to go to a camp in<br />

Israel that is the finest in the world<br />

is one of our dreams, “ he said.<br />

“This will build our relationship<br />

with the people of Israel and the<br />

Diaspora for the next 100-plus<br />

years.”<br />

While looking to the future is<br />

essential for any thriving organization,<br />

Robinson is grateful for<br />

the organization’s past. Specifically,<br />

its legacy and how its history<br />

is intertwined with the creation<br />

of a Jewish State.<br />

“We repurchased the Land of Israel<br />

and worked all those years before the<br />

establishment of the state so Jews the<br />

world over had a place to call home.<br />

We didn’t use legal arguments or biblical<br />

arguments, we literally repurchased<br />

acre by acre, thus bringing<br />

the reality of the Land of Israel to the<br />

Jewish people everywhere,” Robinson<br />

marveled.<br />

“Over the past 70 years, we have<br />

had and still have the opportunity,<br />

responsibility and right to be a<br />

partner with this nation that is still<br />

under creation,” Robinson said.<br />

Russell F. Robinson<br />

*<br />

1904<br />

The Blue Box pushke is born<br />

1908<br />

<strong>JNF</strong> establishes first forest<br />

*<br />

1926<br />

<strong>JNF</strong>-USA incorporated in America<br />

1948<br />

Israel gains its independence<br />

APRIL 2018 5

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