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Since Masa was established in 2004, 150,000 young people from 60 countries around the world have enjoyed a meaningful experience in Israel. The program brings together the three spheres of Keren Hayesod activity: enhancing the bond between young Jews and Israel, aliyah and strengthening the periphery. The program offers dozens of unique tracks, ranging from studies, through volunteering programs, to internships, all involving a stay of between four and twelve months in Israel. Some 12,000 young people experience life in Israel first-hand every year, getting to know the people, the places, the culture, the lively way of life and everyday living. The diversity of Masa programs means that the program can be tailored to the personal interest of each participant: studying (at universities or yeshivas), volunteering (teaching English in the periphery) or internships (in medicine and high-tech). All the programs include trips throughout Israel, enabling participants to get to know the country, its history and Jewish life. The results are impressive: a high percentage of program participants (mainly from Russia and France) make aliyah, and commitment to Jewish leadership and action on behalf of Israel in participants’ home communities increases many times over. Keren Hayesod also helps fund the Birthright program, which seeks to connect young Jews to Israel through a 10-day, hands-on, fully funded tour of Israel. Every year Birthright enables 28,000 young people from around the world to experience Israel first-hand – perhaps for the first time in their lives. Hundreds of thousands have already taken part in the program.

Photo: Participants in Masa, 2012

As you walk through the streets of Israel, please consider that wherever you are, there are no doubt buildings whose construction was financed by Keren Hayesod. It began in Keren Hayesod’s earliest days, when the organization was primarily involved in giving loans to build neighborhoods and to pave roads. In the mid-1920s, for example, Keren Hayesod lent £3,730 to the Beit Hakerem neighborhood committee in Jerusalem, which was used to plan the neighborhood and pave its roads. A large loan was also given to the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Kiryat Moshe and Rehavia. In Tel Aviv, £1,500 was invested in the new Tel Nordau neighborhood between 1924 and 1926, and additional funds were invested in neighborhoods in Ramat Gan, Givatayim, Haifa and elsewhere. Since the 1920s to date, thousands of projects supported by Keren Hayesod are initiated every year. What began with the building of neighborhoods evolved over the years into the construction of buildings that contribute greatly to the community. In the last 50 years alone, since 1970, Keren Hayesod has constructed thousands of buildings: kindergartens, educational institutions and classrooms, absorption centers, hospitals and clinics, youth villages, sheltered housing facilities, Project Renewal buildings and more. Behind each and every building lies a story, and people of vision who want to continue building this wonderful country. And the work continues.

Photo: Keren Hayesod poster, “And nevertheless – the builders build”, 1947

It began spontaneously and randomly. Thousands of women began coming to campaign offices around the world on their own, expressing a desire to contribute and do something for the State of Israel and its people. The ongoing activities and donor appeals had previously been carried out exclusively by men. Following in the footsteps of women who had donated their jewelry to Keren Hayesod when it was established, these women also wanted to contribute and to take part in the fundraising effort on behalf of Israel. They began to organize groups and, as their financial contributions began to grow, they starting demanding their place in Keren Hayesod. In 1974, the Keren Hayesod Head Office established a Women’s Division Department and in 1981, the International Women’s Division was established. Keren Hayesod recognized the importance of women’s activities and their ability to significantly increase the funds raised. A few years later, the first women also joined the Keren Hayesod Executive, in various key positions.

The International Women’s Division is an autonomous unit, with its own rules, but is part of the general campaign. The women choose activities, recruit new members, organize events and carry activities forward from year to year. An international gathering of women from around the world, called the Mifgash, meets every two years and Women’s Division awards are given. One of the symbols of the the strength of the Women’s Division is the “Lion of Judah” pin, awarded to women who have committed to an annual donation of $5,000. Thousands of women around the globe wear this pin with pride. Recognition for larger donations include the “Or LeAtid” and “Tiferet Lion of Judah” pins. The International Women’s Division has proved to women throughout the Jewish world that they have enormous power when they unite and that their place in the Zionist enterprise is essential.

Or LeAtid

The Tiferet Lion of Judah

Over the course of its history, Keren Hayesod has produced hundreds of wonderful publications, posters and postcards that have been distributed around the world, and over time have become trademarks of the organization. The posters that were disseminated among world Jewry reflected the needs of the time and the agenda of the Jewish world and the Yishuv in Eretz Israel, and were a call to action. Through these posters, Keren Hayesod gave Diaspora Jewry a kind of status report. The posters reflect the values of Keren Hayesod and the Zionist movement: building the land, the ingathering of exiles, immigrant absorption, care for the weak and the longing for peace and unity. In 2010, Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport hosted an exhibition of these inspiring posters, which tell the amazing story of how the country was built. The same year, a collection of the posters was published in an album called Keren Hayesod Sows – the Hebrew People Reaps: Keren Hayesod Posters 1920 – 2010. To mark the Keren Hayesod centennial and to renew this visual tradition, a Keren Hayesod poster competition was launched among students of design. The winner was Sharon Steinberg, a new immigrant from Mexico who made aliyah in 2017. Sharon was familiar with Keren Hayesod from home, and her connection to the organization had deep roots. As a child in Mexico, she learned a lot about Keren Hayesod’s contribution to Israel, so when she heard about the competition she knew exactly what she was going to design. Sharon’s poster depicts two hands, the space between them defining the map of Israel. The two hands symbolize the citizens of Israel and Diaspora Jews, who are linked together in an eternal partnership with joint responsibility for the State of Israel.

Photo: “Faith”, a poster designed by Sharon Steinberg, winner of the KH centennial poster design competition, 2020

In 1984, some 7,500 immigrants from Ethiopia arrived in Israel with the help of Keren Hayesod, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Mossad and El Al. Only in January 1985 was permission given to publish the details of this secret and complex mission, which was named Operation Moses. It was one of the lengthiest, most difficult and most dangerous aliyah journeys up to that point. After waiting days or even months in Ethiopia, the courageous and determined Ethiopian Jews set out on foot on a long and perilous trek from Ethiopia to Sudan. Many did not survive. They walked at night in order to avoid the burning sun, highway robbers along the way and the Ethiopian authorities who intercepted them and forbade them to leave. The route was difficult; they had to avoid populous places. Water sources were few. After spending several weeks or months in a camp in Sudan, the immigrants were taken by plane to Europe, and from there to Israel. The success of Operation Moses lay in its absolute secrecy, and in the courage of the immigrants and those who helped them. At the same time, thousands were left behind, waiting for the next opportunity to come to Israel. This opportunity came in May 1991, in Operation Solomon, also a highly complex aliyah operation, which took place against the backdrop of a sensitive political and security situation in Ethiopia. In two days, some 14,000 Ethiopian Jews were flown to Israel in an air convoy of El Al and other planes. The seats were removed on some of the flights to allow more room for passengers. One flight broke a record and more than 1,000 people boarded. Keren Hayesod has continued to help aliyah operations from Ethiopia and to support the integration of Ethiopian immigrants into Israeli society.

Photo: Olim from Ethiopia arriving in Israel, Operation Solomon, 1991

From its inception, Keren Hayesod excelled at information activities. Just one year after its establishment, the organization published a book in the style of “Everything you wanted to know about Keren Hayesod, but were afraid to ask”. The book was part of the massive information effort led by Ze’ev Jabotinsky, who also wrote the introduction to the book, which was based on the first KH Manifesto. It was a guidebook for donors, investors and active Zionists. Isaac Asher Naiditch, the founder of Keren Hayesod, defined it as Keren Hayesod’s Book of Genesis. The book’s 23 short chapters dealt with Keren Hayesod’s principles, the development of Eretz Israel and its potential, and economic, political and social issues. One chapter was entitled “What might be accomplished with £5,000,000?” Another chapter dealt with the Jewish tradition of tithing; there were chapters on the political situation in the Land of Israel, immigration, agricultural settlements, opportunities for industry, water power in the Land of Israel, banks, education and more. Over the course of its history, Keren Hayesod has published many booklets in a similar format, i.e., questions are asked and comprehensive answers are given that teach about KH activities.

Photo: Title page of the Keren Hayesod Book, 1921

In 1977, as part of a huge project intended to rehabilitate disadvantaged neighborhoods in Israel, dozens of community buildings underwent complete change: apartments were enlarged and buildings were renovated with the help of Jewish communities around the world. The fundraising initiative was the product of an exceptional vision by Prime Minister Menachem Begin – “Twin Cities”. Sderot received a warm embrace from its twin city of Milan. The Morasha neighborhood of Ramat Hasharon suddenly took on a Dutch flavor. Britain adopted Ashkelon and Dimona, South Africa was twinned with Ofakim and so on. The idea developed from the hardships of the residents of poor neighborhoods in Israel that no one had been able to solve. The combination of a creative and inspiring idea and the support of Keren Hayesod and the Jewish Agency for Israel turned the dream into a reality. Over the course of 30 years, 160 disadvantaged areas in Israel were rehabilitated and are currently home to over one million Israelis.

Photo: Prime Minister Menachem Begin with the President’s Mission at “Komkommer”, a KH Belgium-supported social project, 1981

Keren Hayesod has always enjoyed support and warm words from the world’s greatest leaders. Already in 1922, US President Warren Harding conveyed his greetings to the organization. President Franklin Roosevelt sent a warm letter on the occasion of Keren Hayesod’s 15th anniversary, and presidents and heads of state from throughout the world have continued to publicly express their admiration for Keren Hayesod. In 2002, former American president Bill Clinton spoke at the opening conference of the Geneva Campaign, at which over $1 million was raised. Among other things, President Clinton said: “As part of Keren Hayesod, each one of you can be proud of your share in the development of Israel. Keren Hayesod helps the Jewish people in Israel and around the world to build on its splendid past and to build a shining future together”.

Photo: President Bill Clinton and Sofia Loren, Geneva, 2002

Thousands of new immigrants streamed to the Land of Israel every month and 1935 promised to be the most successful year of the aliyah enterprise. Tens of thousands of olim arrived that year alone and were absorbed with the help of Keren Hayesod. In the previous three years, 42 new settlements had been established. Tel Aviv crossed the threshold of 100,000 residents, becoming the largest Jewish city in the land. Keren Hayesod celebrated 15 years, and letters of encouragement, support and congratulation flowed in from all the Zionist leaders, from presidents and heads of state around the world, from artists and writers. They were published in a special issue put out in honor of the festivities and included in Jewish newspapers around the world.

Among the congratulations is a message from S.Y. Agnon, published in the weekly newspaper Netiva: “For 15 years God has displayed kindness and mercy toward you and enabled you to build desolate cities and [turn] wasteland into sources of life, and to increase salvation in our glorious land forever. 15 is an auspicious sign for Israel, inasmuch as on the 15th of Shvat we plant and the 15th of Av is the day that God resumed speaking to Moses directly, with love. Therefore, we hope that the Holy One, blessed be He, will assuredly see the good things that you have done with His land, and your faith with Israel His people, and will bestow favor on favor, and with His great kindness, will restore His love for us, for eternity”. US President Franklin D. Roosevelt congratulated Keren Hayesod, saying: “Greetings on the 15th anniversary of Keren Hayesod, created by the Jews of the entire world to help establish a national home in the Land of Israel for the people of Israel”.

Albert Einstein, who had supported Keren Hayesod since its inception and even joined its inaugural fundraising campaign in the United States, wrote: “Keren Hayesod, which made Jewish settlement possible on the lands of Eretz Israel, has proved itself to be an institution of priceless value for the necessary rehabilitation of the people. May it overcome all obstacles, so that the enterprise, upon which the future of the Jewish people depends so much, may develop and grow”. Keren Hayesod’s director, Leib Yaffe, noted already then that Keren Hayesod was becoming a bridge and a unifying force between the Jewish people all over the world and Eretz Israel. And yet, they all understood that there was still a long way to go and that they must carry on resolutely, with determination and courage.

Photo: Message of congratulations on Keren Hayesod’s 15th anniversary from renowned writer S.Y. Agnon (recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1966), published in the weekly newspaper Netiva, November 22, 1935

What are the core values of Keren Hayesod that have accompanied it for the past 100 years and are more relevant than ever today? What kind of organization is Keren Hayesod and what is the basis of the intensive, meaningful and deep connection between hundreds of thousands of Jews and the organization?
These are the shared values that guide our activities:
Israel – Zionist – Jewish: The commitment to the citizens of Israel and the Jewish people lies at the heart of Keren Hayesod’s activities. Keren Hayesod was founded to help realize the Zionist vision of establishing a home for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel, and its work is based on the principle of mutual responsibility among Jews throughout the world.
Reliable – transparent – professional: Keren Hayesod enables effective and influential philanthropy on behalf of Israel, based on professional knowledge, experience, transparency and the duty of trust towards the donor.
Historic – experienced – established: Keren Hayesod was founded 100 years ago and played a central role in the fulfilment of the Zionist vision even before the establishment of the state. Since 1948 and until today, it has been at the forefront of Zionist activity. Keren Hayesod is deeply rooted in the story of the Jewish people in modern times.
International – global – family: Keren Hayesod represents a strong international network of mutual assistance that connects Jews and Friends of Israel throughout the world. Keren Hayesod donors, leadership, staff and beneficiaries are all part of the Keren Hayesod family, who support and help each other, and work together to promote shared goals.
Inspiration – vision: Keren Hayesod enables its supporters to take part in realizing an inspiring vision for Israel, its residents and the Jewish people and encourages them to play a meaningful role in the continued fulfilment of this vision, for the sake of a better future.
Effective – strategic: Keren Hayesod’s activities are designed to create a real and meaningful impact that leads to effective, long-term change through the donations it receives from its supporters. It achieves this by carefully choosing its strategic partners and the projects that it funds. These projects are also meticulously executed. Keren Hayesod is always at the forefront of relevant activity in the fields in which it is involved and directs its actions to the most important and urgent needs of the Jewish people.