By Jeffrey E. Levine
NEW YORK — I want to take a moment and introduce myself to all of you as I take on the role as President of Jewish National Fund.
Evidently, it was my destiny to become President of Jewish National Fund one day, given that I was born on a street called “Herzl.” New York has always been my home; I was born and raised in Brooklyn and now live in Manhattan with my wife Randi as do our three children, all of whom are very active in JNFuture.
Taking on the presidency of JNF is a labor of love which dovetails with my day job: Chairman of Douglaston Development, Levine Builders & Clinton Management which has directed the new construction or rehabilitation of thousands of residential units — both affordable and luxury housing, student housing, hotels, senior living, health care facilities and millions of square feet of commercial retail, office and institutional space over the past several decades.
Every leader, every president, brings with them a particular set of skills, a different perspective, a distinct outlook. As you can see, mine is development; one that goes hand in hand with what JNF is all about.
My love for building isn’t the reason why I took on this role — it is my passion for Israel. What JNF has done and I will help it continue to do is build the strongest connection and partnership between Jews the world over and our Jewish homeland — we don’t just give money to Israel, we are partners with the people of Israel. More importantly, the passion that is shared by our staff and lay leaders is second to none, and is a driving force that will compel me to work as hard as I can as well.
I have been active in the organized Jewish world and Jewish National Fund for quite some time, first as a member of the NY Board, then as NY President, and as a member of JNF’s National Board of Directors, so I can say with all honesty and experience that there is no organization like JNF. When you’re sitting in a room with Ronald Lauder, Russell Robinson, Henry Kissinger, the Tisch Brothers, and the late UN Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, and are told by Ronald and Russell that “JNF needs you,” well how can you not get involved? And now here I am.
The coming years will see a marked advancement in the work we’ve already begun: the JNF Parsons Water Fund, Go North, and our Blueprint Negev campaign — which has spawned the new Housing Development Fund. This fund which will revolutionize the housing industry and was created because we learned of a need for housing in the Negev and Galilee and are determined to fill it. Our work is deliberate, thought out, vetted, argued over, and re-examined. As visionary as we are, that’s how fiscally conservative we are — a concept I employ daily in my line of work and one that is vital to the success of any entity.
It is a privilege to lead this venerable and entrepreneurial organization and I invite you to join me in these endeavors.
I may be reached at jlevine@jnf.org. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Preceding provided by Jewish National Fund