More than 80 Israeli members attended a special in-person program Sunday in Tel Aviv marking JFN Israel's bar mitzvah (though given that the staff is all-female, bat mitzvah might be the more appropriate term) and saying farewell to Founding Executive Director Maya Natan, who is now CEO of Keshet-DAF, Israel's first-ever vehicle for donor-advised funds, and welcoming new Executive Director Sigal Yaniv Feller.

“The energy in the room was a testimony to the motivation of the members and the staff to the incredible work that they do,” said Irina Nevzlin, a past JFN board member.

Israelis make up 25 percent of JFN's total membership, and 25 percent of JFN Israel members joined in the past two years. Eighty Israeli members traveled to Florida in March to participate in this year's JFN International Conference.  At the event, founding members and JFN Israel staff shared some of the highlights from JFN Israel's 13 years:

• More than $30 million has been allocated through matching grants.
• Funders have launched 15 collaborations.
• JFN Israel and its members helped launch other key institutions in Israel's growing philanthropic ecosystem, including Qudra-Arab Philanthropists Network (learn more about Qudra in this podcast episode), Keshet-DAF, the Forum of Foundations in Israel, Committed to Give, and the Institute for Law and Philanthropy at Tel Aviv University.

Alan Feld, a founding board member of JFN Israel, described JFN Israel as one of JFN's "biggest assets," attracting members from North America and elsewhere who want to get to know Israeli philanthropists. 

“I wouldn't have been where I am today, philanthropically, if it wasn't for the tools I acquired and the friendships I made in JFN Israel,” said Dafna Meitar-Nechmad, a JFN board member who is the first woman to serve as chair of the Tel Aviv University Board of Governors.

"What a beautiful and meaningful evening," said Marla Stein, co-chair of JFN's Green Funders Forum. "It was interesting for me, as a relative newcomer, to hear the beginnings and the stories from the people who were there in the beginning. Maya Natan has a lot to be proud of!” 

“Thanks for a wonderful evening celebrating the impressive achievements of JFN Israel, a real tribute to Maya Natan," said Ruth Cummings, a JFN board member.

Learn more about JFN Israel here.