Ringing the changes at JNF

WHEN Ze’ev Bashan started working at the Jewish National Fund (JNF) in 1992, Sydneysiders had never heard of the Green Sunday telethon.

Now, 18 years later, after serving as president, executive director and in a host of other positions, Bashan has retired from JNF NSW, with a strong legacy –  a telethon that is now a staple on the community calendar.

“I think I’ve achieved quite a bit during my years with the JNF and I feel very good about leaving this great organisation because it has been here for 100 years and it will be here for another 100 years,” Bashan said.

Bashan was brought into the organisation to help then new telethon to bloom.

“I came right at the bottom when I was recruited by the shaliach (emissary) and created the telethon, which people now take for granted.

“Since then I’m very proud of a lot of things we have done, including bringing out international speakers for our November function to make it bigger and better.”
“We keep increasing out fundraising goals, and meeting them.”

The 59-year-old rose through the ranks to become president in 2004. It was a position he undertook for four years. He thought he had retired from the organisation when he handed over the reigns to Stuart Romm.

“I was asked to come back to be the director until a shaliach came and that short time became two years.”

“Now I’m happily passing the baton to the new shaliach, Ygal Shapir.”

Bashan paid tribute to all the staff and volunteers who have helped him on his JNF journey.

“I have to thank the entire board and executive because this was a team effort,
 he said. “We also have wonderful staff at JNF that are dedicated and give well above the normal to the cause.”

President Romm described Bashan as a jack of all trades.

“He has an amazing mixture of creative and leadership ability and we were lucky to have him as part of the team.”

The outgoing director said he would take some time to have a break before deciding on his next career move.

JOSHUA LEVI

Photo: Ze’ev Bashan. Courtesy: AJN file