Members of the Jewish National Fund-USA Special in Uniform Band performing at the 2023 Global Conference for Israel in December 2023 in Denver.
By Deb Silverthorn
Dallas’ Jewish community, named by Jewish National Fund-USA as one of its fastest growing campaigns in the country, will host the organization’s 2024 Global Conference for Israel from 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, through 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Hilton Anatole. Registration is open until Friday, Nov. 1, with day passes and full event tickets open to the public.
“This is the biggest Zionist conference in the United States, three days of like-minded people in the most positive and invigorating space,” said Ellie Adelman, director of Jewish National Fund-USA’s major gifts in Dallas. “We have top speakers from across the world. While the news every day is so difficult, these will be uplifting days for everyone to come together.”
Adelman said that guests can sign up for the full program or for whatever sessions interest them. She emphasized that security is of primary importance.
More than 36 guest speakers will join JNF-USA CEO and former Dallas resident Russell Robinson during the conference, including Be’er Sheva Mayor Ruvik Danilovich, Mayor of Ramat HaNegev Regional Council Eran Doron, Consul General of Israel Southwest U.S. Livia Link-Raviv, Mothers Against College Antisemitism founder Elizabeth Rand, actor and comedian Michael Rappaport, Jewish National Syndicate editor-in-chief Jeffrey Tobin and David Wolpe, Sinai Temple Max Webb rabbi emeritus.
There will be an Israeli expo, meetings, entertainment and meals catered by Simcha Kosher Catering, including a Shabbat barbecue and Saturday evening gala as well as parties that evening for teens and college students. Friday night and Saturday morning services, traditional and egalitarian, will also be available for anyone wanting to attend.
The 2024 Conference in Dallas is co-chaired by Dallas locals Deborah Hersh and Doug Stayman, for whom JNF-USA is a multigenerational tie, and National Chairs Michael Miller and Deb Zaluda.
Ellie Adelman, director of Jewish National Fund-USA’s major gifts in Dallas, center, with, left, Shira Prigat Weiss, JNF-USA Lauder Employment Center Galilee director and, far right, 2024 Global Conference for Israel Co-chair Deborah Hersh at the December 2023 event in Denver, Colorado.
Russell Robinson, a former Dallas resident and the JNF-USA CEO, at the organization’s 2022 Global Conference for Israel in Boston.
“I haven’t been to Israel since 2018. Attending my first JNF Global Conference for Israel last year in Denver made me aware of how much I miss being there,” said Hersh, a Waco native.
Hersh’s parents, Florence and the late Stanley, were dedicated JNF-USA supporters for many years; her children and extended family have been linked professionally or as volunteers. Her father served on the national board of directors; her son, David Levy in Houston, is now on the national board and is chair of the Boruchin Initiatives Committee.
“JNF-USA researches and discovers unmet needs, finds expert local nonprofits working to address those issues and then partners with those experts efficiently,” Hersh added.
Stayman’s father Myron, of Aventura, Florida, has been involved in the organization for decades.
“I had been to Israel to visit many JNF-USA projects through the years because my father is so passionate about the organization,” said the proud son. “We celebrated my son Asher’s bar mitzvah in Israel and marked the occasion with the donation of a bomb shelter. In 2018, when Ellie came to Dallas, we connected and I hosted her first event here.
“From $100,000 raised here that first year to more than $2 million this year, we are the fastest growing market in the country. We are proud of that and of the founding of our JNF Young Professionals Board,” Stayman added. “Hosting the Global Conference is like our Super Bowl — an opportunity to share that pride and our community to people from all over. In addition, it is a chance for us to share JNF-USA to the people of North Texas. Supporting Israel directly benefits us here as well.”
During the conference, a High School Summit will give those in grades 10 through 12 an opportunity to bond, engage and grow their love for Israel. Speakers, activities and time to socialize and create friendships will celebrate Zionism and Judaism. The College Summit, which is expected to host more than 400 students, will include networking opportunities and programming to support students’ need to serve as advocates on their campuses. Limited space is still available for local high school and college students.
2024 JNF-USA Global Conference for Israel Co-chair Deborah Hersh’s father, Dr. Stanley Hersh, in July 2004 with an IDF pilot at Tel Nof Air Force Base.
2024 JNF-USA Global Conference for Israel Co-chair Doug Stayman, left, with his father Myron and son Asher in June 2022 in Jerusalem for Asher’s bar mitzvah.
The weekend will also host a reunion of participants and educators from years past in the Alexander Muss High School in Israel program as well as a Rabbinic Summit of faith leaders and rabbinical students.
“This truly is the closest you can get to Israel without actually being there,” said Adelman, “and it’s an honor to welcome everyone and host the event in our own backyard.”
For more event details and registration (which, as mentioned, closes Friday, Nov. 1), visit jnf.org/global.
