From devastation, we will help bring renewal
Our long-term commitment has always been to rebuild, renew, grow and heal, and together, we can do this
Supporting Israel has always mattered, but the events of the past few weeks have shown that it is not just important it is essential.
Over the past few weeks our JNF family continued to stand firm in support and solidarity with the people of Israel who have been faced with an ongoing barrage of rockets and heavy weapon ballistic missiles. These attacks have been severe and more damaging than any before.
During the recent JNF Unity Mission in May, our participants experienced several sirens and were fortunate enough to have access to a protected shelter.
This however was not the case for many Israelis living in constant fear. The recent war with Iran has laid bare a sobering truth, that over 20 per cent were without access to adequate protective spaces. The need to protect every Israeli is not a short-term challenge, but a long-term and ongoing responsibility. It’s a reality we as an organisation are committed to helping change.
Just as we mobilised immediately following the October 7 attacks – JNF Australia once again stands ready to respond.
This is why our current JNF Israel in Crisis Emergency Appeal will deliver on our promise to provide safety that the residents need now and in the future.
Over and above our ongoing support of impacted communities, bolstering on ground resilience and trauma therapy, we have made a specific and far-reaching funding commitment to provide multiple bomb shelters and additional protective spaces.
These shelters and protected spaces will be installed throughout Israel border communities. In the north, we are supporting new construction and fortification of existing shelters in Rosh Hanikra, Betzet, Manor Eylon, Kishurit and in the Jordan River Village. In the south, we are building shelters at Adam v’Adama School in the Eshkol Region and Moriah School in Beersheba. In some of these communities, the residents and students only have seconds to find a shelter, and there simply aren’t enough.
Amongst the widespread devastation, one of the most heartbreaking attacks during the war was the bombing of the Soroka Medical Centre, a long-term partner of JNF Australia.
Only a few weeks ago our mission visited Soroka, the largest medical provider in the Negev and a symbol of healthcare in Israel’s south. A special place where resilience, healing, healthcare and hope are woven into every corridor.
During our visit, which was led by director-general Professor Shlomi Codish, the group heard firsthand stories of extraordinary medical care delivered under unimaginable pressure and received an update of the Healing Gardens, tranquil spaces funded by JNF Australia.
The world watched in disbelief as Soroka was struck by an Iranian ballistic missile. By a miracle, there were no casualties; but the physical damage was extensive. Having stood in those corridors just weeks prior, it felt deeply personal, close to our hearts, and close to our donors.
Today, large parts of the hospital lie in ruins. The memory of our recent visit – the calm, the care – feels heartbreakingly distant. Yet in the face of this destruction, we at JNF Australia remain steadfast in our resolve: from devastation, we will help bring renewal.
At the heart of Codish’s address was the pivotal role that Soroka plays in leading medical innovation and research.
Soroka provides care to more than one million people including 400,000 children – in a region that accounts for 60 per cent of the country’s total land area – they are constantly developing, expanding and improving their medical services. But they can’t do this alone.
JNF is proud to be in the final stages of a funding agreement which will directly support the establishment of the Soroka Medical Innovation Centre. These funds are to be distributed from the estate of the late Alexander Tatar Gross.
Supporting the establishment of the Soroka Medical Innovation Centre – an onsite hub where researchers, medical students, graduates and external stakeholders will meet and exchange ideas, knowledge and insights, reinforces our commitment to supporting Israel today and tomorrow.
As an organisation committed to funding tangible projects that support the people of Israel, moments of tragedy like this only deepen our resolve. I have seen for years that strength lies in purposeful giving – driven by commitment, measurable outcomes and complete transparency. From donation to destination, I am committed to ensuring that every contribution makes a meaningful impact.
Our long-term commitment has always been to rebuild, renew, grow and heal, and together, we can do this.
It is my hope, that by the time we return on our next mission to Soroka and the border communities JNF supports, we will not only witness the unshakable resilience of our Israeli families – but stand in the very spaces built through the generosity of Australian supporters who answered the call.
Our community should know, that with their support we will meet the urgent need for protection and security today, while laying the foundation for a stronger, safer and more vibrant Israel, tomorrow.
Doron Lazarus is the CEO of JNF Australia.