Israeli Air Force Vet Addresses Charlotte Community

October 2024

On September 17, 2024, local community members united for Jewish National Fund-USA’s “Build Together: Stand with Israel” event in Charlotte, where attendees stood in solidarity with the people of Israel and learned how the organization is supporting resilience and rebuilding efforts in the country’s north and south.

The event featured keynote speaker Major Res. Oren Hefetz, Business Development Director for Jewish National Fund-USA's Impact Investment Fund, where he manages the organization’s projects in Israel’s south. Hefetz previously served in the Israeli Air Force for 24 years as an Air Crew Member, Squadron Commander, Headquarters Commander, and Deputy Base Commander. Most recently, he served 109 days in the Israel Defense Forces following Hamas’ unprecedented terrorist attacks on October 7.

Armed with a remarkable combination of military and community-building experience, Hefetz discussed his service both pre- and post-October 7, as well as the unique needs of the land and people of Israel. He also described how Jewish National Fund-USA is supporting those needs through the organization’s Israel Resilience Campaign (jnf. org/supportisrael). The campaign has raised over $60 million since the “Black Shabbat” and has supported the evacuation and relocation of tens of thousands of residents in Israel’s south while providing thousands more with housing, food, clothing, education, trauma therapy, as well as firefighting and protective equipment for civil defense.

The campaign also includes a bold and visionary plan called “Livnot B'Yachad - Build Together,” which is working to bring residents back to communities impacted on October 7 by repairing, rehabilitating, and renovating damaged towns.

“Ben-Gurion once said that the Jewish Nation will be tested in the Negev, and the challenges are pretty clear,” said Hefetz. “Our goal is to not only rebuild the south but also to give families the opportunity to move and have a high quality of life in southern Israel by talking to local mayors and finding out what we can do to help them, whether it’s a business center for young professionals or a search and rescue facility.”

In addition, Charlotte resident Rachel Welber talked about her experience on Jewish National Fund-USA’s Volunteer in Israel Mission, where like-minded individuals from around the country get hands-on experience bringing relief efforts to Israeli soldiers, farms, and citizens while seeing firsthand the depth of the organization’s vision for the country.

“You can’t go anywhere in the Negev without seeing the impact of Jewish National Fund-USA’s work,” said Welber. “Getting to experience and be on the ground in Israel to see the work the organization does was eye-opening. From its bomb shelter beautification projects to its state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility, it was clear how embedded and committed Jewish National Fund-USA is to the Israeli community.”

Attendees were also invited to attend Jewish National FundUSA’s Global Conference for Israel in Dallas this fall, taking place from Thursday, November 14 to Sunday, November 17 (jnf. org/gc).

For more information about Jewish National Fund-USA or to learn about upcoming events in Charlotte, visit jnf.org contact Kim Kaplan at KKaplan@jnf.org or 615.469.4707 x855.