Chicagoans unite at Breakfast for Israel

On Dec. 12, 2023, over 350 Chicagoans came together at the Skokie Banquet & Conference Center for Jewish National Fund-USA’s annual Breakfast for Israel. The complementary event saw the community stand in solidarity with the land and people of Israel as the organization beings to plan for better and brighter days ahead.

Supporters heard from keynote speaker, Ryan Lavarnway, a former major league catcher and current announcer who also proudly represented Jewish National Fund-USA’s Team Israel internationally in both the World Baseball Classic and the Olympics and was recently appointed as the first ever Captain of Team Israel for the 2023 European Championships.

In addition, local lay leaders discussed Jewish National Fund-USA’s Israel Resilience Campaign (https://www.jnf.org/ways-to-help/support-israel), which is supporting Israelis impacted by the war in the short and long term. The organization evacuated and relocated tens of thousands of residents in Israel’s South; provided them with housing, food, clothing, and other supplies, as well as firefighting and protective equipment for civil defense in vulnerable regions; education, activities for children, and therapy for trauma.

“From its inception, Jewish National Fund-USA has been committed to building a brighter future for all of Israel’s residents,” said event co-chair and Chicago board member Jacob Hartz. “Today is no different. We were there before Oct. 7, we are there now, and we will be there tomorrow. Our plans are in place.”

The Breakfast for Israel also featured a special rendition of the American and Israeli National Anthems, as well as an emotional Chanukah Menorah lighting, from Congregation Or Shalom Cantor Laurie Akers.

For information about Jewish National Fund-USA or to learn about upcoming events in Chicago, go to https://www.jnf.org/ or contact Ellen Spira Hattenbach, National Campaign director, Midwest, at EHattenbach@jnf.org or (847) 656-8880 ext. 760.