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Federation Star
ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD
February 2024
Dr. Norman Isaacs named co-president of Jewish National Fund-USA’s Naples board By Rachel Jaeger
J
ewish National Fund-USA is pleased to welcome Dr. Norman Isaacs as the new Co-President of its Naples Board, joining current President, David Braverman. Dr. Isaacs recently relocated to Naples from California, where he lived for nearly 50 years. He had an extensive career in education as well as a long history with Jewish National Fund-USA, having previously served as President of the organization’s Palm Springs Board. Braverman, who has been President of the Naples Board since 2007, says that he is delighted to have Dr. Isaacs as a partner. “I immediately saw Norm’s enthusiasm and his willingness to be at everything,” Braverman recalls. “He got very involved right away and said, ‘What can we do? How can we make this better?’” Dr. Isaacs first became involved with the organization when he moved to Palm Springs a decade ago. He and his wife, Cristina, a clinical neuropsychologist, were particularly interested in several ongoing initiatives that focus on education, including the Alexander Muss High School in Israel and the Arava International Center for Agricultural Training, an affiliate program that trains over 1,000 students annually from the developing world. “We were totally captivated by the work that the students from African and Asian countries were doing in the field of agriculture, biotechnology,
cancer research, and many additional areas,” he says. Prior to the devastating attacks on Oct. 7, Dr. Isaacs was already familiar with the communities of pioneering young Israeli families that were taking shape in the Arava; in the aftermath of the attacks, the area has become home to thousands of Israelis who have been displaced from their homes near Gaza. “For Cristina and me, it was a blessing to have experienced the Arava and to be able to assist those who are willing to make Israel a better place and a stronger country for all of its citizens.” Braverman, too, is passionate about supporting young Israeli families who are developing new communities in the country’s frontiers. On a mission to Israel with Jewish National Fund-USA last fall, Braverman’s family attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Braverman Family Childcare Center at Halutza, a community near the borders with Gaza and Egypt. He says that infrastructure like this is crucial to making these areas an attractive place for families to live. Like Isaacs, Braverman says that when he first visited Israel with the organization years ago, he was blown away by
Cristina and Norman Isaacs with Josh Mellits
David and Stacy Braverman in Israel
the countless scientific advances that their farmers and scientists had made, and how generous they were with sharing their knowledge. “I was very impressed with what they were able to do and grow and cultivate, literally in the middle of the desert,” he recalls. “And while we were visiting, they were educating people from France and Germany, as well as Jordan and other Arab countries, about how a desert can be a resource and not just a wasteland.” At the helm of the Board, both men hope to bring the Naples community together to learn more about how Americans can best support Israel — especially at such a critical time in Jewish history. “Jewish National Fund-USA is one of the world’s best-kept secrets,” says Dr. Isaacs.
Both men recall their earliest memories of it centering around tree planting campaigns and the famous “Blue Box” but feel compelled now to share what they have learned about how much more the organization does. Their current Israel Resilience Campaign is committed to meeting the ever-changing emergency needs of Israelis, including everything from temporary housing for displaced residents and psychological support to fire and rescue equipment. When asked why he feels so passionately about being involved, Isaacs counters with a question of his own: “How could someone not want to be part of something that has made such an impact on the land and people of Israel?”
Jewish 20
-40 year
olds!
The Jewish Young Professionals of Greater Naples invite you to come socialize! Please email or call Renee’ to be added to the roster. rbialek@jewishnaples.org 239-263-4205
Jewish Young Professionals
Activities include: • Happy Hour We wa • Game Night n y our su t to hear • Movie Night g and id gestions • Shabbat Services e upcom as for • Volunteering ing ev ents! • Holiday Parties • Zoom Meet & Greets • and more! OF GREATER NAPLES
