Last night in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the JNFuture Philadelphia Chapter hosted Yedidya Harush, the Halutza Liaison for the Jewish National Fund-USA. Yedidya lives near the Gaza border and is heavily involved with JNF-USA's Gaza Envelope Project and the Halutza Community project.
During my visit to Israel in July of 2018, one of the most common things that I would hear from Israelis is that they weren't feeling the love and the support from their Jewish brothers and sisters here in America. During this visit is when I first met Yedidya. He gave us a tour of his Halutza Community. A community that was once nothing more than rocks and sand now has over 2,500 families living there with a medical center and growing agriculture facilities.
After the visit to the Halutza Medical Center and a lovely dinner with community members. I had a one on one conversation with Yedidya. I told Yedidya that con tray to what many Israelis might think, Jewish Americans and Christian Americans are very supportive of Israel. As the sun was setting, I made a promise to Yedidya. I promised that I would go home and that I would increase my advocacy for Israel and make our pro-Israel voices heard!
When I returned from Israel, my promise to Yedidya didn't fade and I have tripled down on my Israel advocacy through Jewish National Fund-USA.
During Yedidya's speech last night, he said something that really hit home with me and many in the room. He said "Because of everyone in this room tonight, I will go back home to Israel on Thursday and I will bring with me a message that we are not alone. I will tell them that young Jewish Americans are standing up for Israel."
Yedidya has been traveling the country over the last two weeks. He's visited with thousands of JNF-USA donors and groups that support the people and the land of Israel. Last night after all of the guests left, I pulled Yedidya aside and said to him, "Yedidya, thank you for telling our group that visits like this recharge your Zionism batteries – now go home and tell everyone that Jewish Americans stand with Israel."
At first, he didn't respond. He just stared into my eyes. And then he finally responded and said "You kept your promise" and gave me the biggest bear hug ever. I almost started crying but I kept my emotions together.
In closing, thank you, Yedidya Harush, and the millions of Israelis for everything that you do to protect and grow the Jewish homeland. Please know that you're never alone and that millions of Jewish Americans will always stand up to the critics. Through the Jewish National Fund-USA, we will stand shoulder to shoulder with the land and people of Israel. Am Yisrael Chai.
