By Jacob Kamaras
DENVER — Dr. Sol Lizerbram, the San Diego-based National President of Jewish National Fund-USA, kicked off the organization’s Global Conference for Israel in Denver on Thursday night by affirming that Israel’s South will be rebuilt following the October 7 Hamas massacre.
Lizerbram reflected that such conferences usually begin with lively remarks and comments about JNF-USA’s work. But this year, he said, “Things have changed…it feels as though we are in a fight for our very survival.”
At the same time, he declared, “We say to the world that we are one and we are an insurmountable force.”
Powered by JNF-USA, the communities of the Negev transformed the desert into an oasis and held off the Egyptian army’s onslaught during Israel’s fight for independence. On October 7, the same communities bore the brunt of the Hamas attacks.
“What a thought — then, as they are now, they are the heroes of our people,” said Lizerbram.
In Sderot, JNF-USA built an indoor playground, “changing the narrative for children in the area” who previously had only 15 seconds to seek safety from rockets, he said. While JNF-USA’s investment in infrastructure helped double the population of Sderot to 42,000, today those residents have been evacuated. Yet JNF-USA will build up the area again, Lizerbram vowed.
“This is our 1901 moment. This is our 1948 moment,” he said, referring to the years of the founding of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund and the State of Israel, respectively. “In the shadow of tragedy and uncertainty, we will rebuild.”
Lizerbram acknowledged the presence of Vered and Doron Libstein — wife and brother of Ofir Libstein, the late mayor of San Diego’s longtime partner region of Sha’ar HaNegev, who was killed while defending his kibbutz on October 7.
“He will remain in our hearts,” said Lizerbram.