SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — As Israel’s war with Hamas rages on, uniting as a community in support of Israel is more important than ever. Recently, over 80 San Diego young professionals joined together in solidarity for Israel at Jewish National Fund-USA’s JNFuture Fall Soirée at the Ultimate Skybox at DiamondView Tower to support the land and people of Israel during some of its darkest days.
The event featured popular filmmaker and documentarian, Uri Bar-on. His debut feature film, “10% My Child,” won the Israeli Academy Award for the best indie film and was nominated for Best Israeli Film of the Year. His documentary series, “Under the Iron Dome,” was nominated for three Israeli television academy awards, including Best Series and Best Director. This semester, Bar-on is also teaching film at San Diego State University through the Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative (MGSDII), which promotes and supports academic cooperation between Israel and San Diego.
Uri was introduced to attendees by Susan Lapidus, Director of MGSDII. He then showed several clips from “Under the Iron Dome,” which tells the story of why and how Israel engineered its revolutionary missile defense system. He also talked about how he has been personally affected by the ongoing war and answered questions from the audience.
In addition, attendees heard from local lay leaders, who discussed Jewish National Fund-USA’s crucial work in the Gaza Envelope region, both before and after Hamas’ terrorist attacks. “Amidst this unprecedented attack on the State of Israel, our Jewish homeland, and the Jewish people as a whole, it is more important than ever to stand together in solidarity, strength, and community,” said Event Co-chair and JNFuture San Diego Board member, Janese Cassel.
Since October 7, Jewish National Fund-USA launched its Israel Resilience Campaign (jnf.org/supportisrael), which is supporting Israelis impacted by the war in the short and long term. The organization has supported the evacuation and relocation of thousands of residents in Israel’s South; provided them with housing, food, clothing, and other supplies, as well as firefighting and protective equipment for civil defense in vulnerable regions; education, activities for children, and therapy for trauma.
“Jewish National Fund-USA has worked extensively with communities in the Gaza Envelope that were the direct target of the attacks,” said JNFuture San Diego President, Dafna Avraham. “They are amongst the bravest people I have ever met. Incredibly, I heard from many of our affiliates in those communities in the past few days, and they said we must have hope, that we must remain strong, resilient, and committed to rebuilding.’”
To learn more about or support Jewish National Fund-USA’s Israel Resilience Campaign or about JNFuture, Jewish National Fund-USA’s affinity group for young professionals ages 22-40, contact Kayla Globerson, Campaign Executive, JNFuture, San Diego at KGloberson@jnf.org or 858.824.9178 x857.
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Preceding provided by JNF-USA