EVERY year, Jewish National Fund (JNF) holds its National Conference in a different city. This year, and for the first time ever, Denver will play host to the 500 attendees, speakers, teens and college students at the Grand Hyatt Denver.
Participants come from all over the country and even from abroad for this annual event.
Were thrilled to be coming to Denver this year, said Yael Septee Kane, JNFs chief leadership development officer and the professional in charge of the conference.
As a national organization we appreciate the support from all of our donors, so every year we take this conference to a different city to say thank you and also to expand and deepen our donor base.
The Denver community has been terrific to Israel and to JNF and we are excited to involve them even more during and following our conference.
Jewish National Funds National Conference brings together hundreds of Jewish leaders from across the country to learn about the key issues that affect Jews in the US and in Israel, as well as JNFs vital work for the land and people of Israel.
High-profile officials will address the crowd and include Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, former Secretary of the US Department of the Interior Ken Salazar and Israels Minister of the Environment Amir Peretz.
Also: Local and international experts on forestry, sustainability, the Bedouin, land issues in Israel, womens empowerment and leadership.
The gala on Sunday evening Oct. 27, 2013 will feature the hauntingly beautiful music of Israeli Idol winner Hagit Yaso.
I FEEL proud that we are bringing the JNF conversation here to Denver, said Carla Kutnick, a mom of three and co-chair of the Denver arm of JNFuture, the gateway to the next generation of leaders in the organization.
Ive been involved for about eight years and traveled to Israel on the JNFuture leadership institute mission for young leaders.
So I know how inspirational it is to hear and see what JNF is doing that is transforming Israel.
Im excited that we are going to share that with people here.
Im excited that this will put Denver on the map for this organization.
Im looking forward for my peers to be inspired.
With the support of Denvers Jewish community, JNF has strengthened its connection between Israel and the people of Colorado.
Over the last four years, the Mountain States region raised over $1 million toward building the dormitory at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies.
This is a JNF partner and the Middle Easts premier center for environmental education and research.
Founded on the principles of international cooperation, partnership and coexistence, the school attracts Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, American and European students.
The school encourages regional collaboration to deal with environmental challenges that know no borders.
RESIDENTS of all ages of the Mountain States are getting involved in other ways, traveling on JNF missions, participating in Alternative Spring Break. More than 100 high school students will be in attendance at the conference eager to learn more about JNF and Israel and about different ways to get more engaged and involved.
Every Jew cares about Israel, but everyones connection is different, says Boaz Meir, JNF Mountain States director.
Some travel every year to Israel, some support it financially, some lobby on the countrys behalf. JNF is the one organization that does it all.
Having the conference here will give us the rare opportunity to hear and learn first-hand from the people who make Israel a better place and turn the JNF vision into a reality.
We will learn how we can connect with Israel in ways we didnt even know are available to us.
The conference will be held at the Grand Hyatt Denver at 1750 Welton Street. Local community members are encouraged to attend.
Participants can register at jnf.org/nc or call 303-573-7095 ext. 977.
