Monheit takes charge at JNF Victoria

JNF Victoria has appointed Dan Monheit as its new president, the organisation told The AJN.

Bringing to the role 20 years of experience in marketing and advertising as well as firsthand knowledge of the organisation after spending the last eight years on the JNF Victoria board, Monheit is excited for what this next stage will bring.

A “repeat offender”, involvement in Melbourne Jewish community life was always a priority for Monheit. Taking part in youth movements, AUJS Israel programs and Maccabi basketball, Monheit has been continuously inspired by his parents’ lifelong involvement in the Jewish community.

With JNF in particular, Monheit’s journey began as a child.

“Some of my earliest childhood memories are as an assistant blue box collector with my dad when I would have been, who knows, seven or eight years old out around the outer southeastern suburbs of Melbourne,” he said.

In recent years, Monheit’s involvement with JNF has taken on a more personal significance.

“My family in Israel are part of the founding community of Kibbutz Nir Oz. I had direct family members taken hostage as part of the October 7 tragedy, and so the JNF is already working to help rejuvenate Kibbutz Nir Oz, but getting to play a more direct role in that just feels hugely meaningful for me and for my family.”

Almost 40 years after collecting blue boxes, Monheit is excited for what will come next in what he’s calling “a season for pride”.

“There’s an incredible next chapter for us to start writing, and starting to help build the level of pride that people feel being Jewish and being a Zionist and being a part of this incredible community … I think history shows that other people respect those who respect themselves.”