In the JNF Kitchen: Simple and favorful fresh beet salad

In the Judaean hills, a JNF Campus Fellow revels in nature and history

JNF's Campus Fellows program immerses carefully selected college students across the country in JNF's work. The fellows then help create a JNF presence on their campuses.


By Keren Radbil, JNF Campus Fellow from UMass Amherst

As a student of natural-resource conservation, sustainability, and farming, I was fortunate to spend the past few weeks interning with the JNF's restored historical Sataf park on the outskirts of Jerusalem. The work I've done was unique and an amazing opportunity to not only be immersed in nature but explore a landscape with significant cultural and historical meaning.

In the JNF Kitchen: Adelina's ceviche with avocado garnish

Dad's heartfelt words to his daughter, an IDF solider with special needs

Israel Air Force member Nofar.

JNF-supported program Special in Uniform integrates young people with disabilities into the Israel Defense Forces so they can contribute to society like all others. Avi Choresh, the father of a Special in Uniform soldier, wrote a letter to his daughter when she completed her IDF service recently. Here it is, translated. 

Nofar, our dear and charming daughter,

Today is a very special and meaningful day for you. And, of course, a special day for us as your family members. We love, cherish, and appreciate you very much for your work and contribution to society and the community.

Today you conclude an important and significant chapter in your life. You are embarking on a new and independent journey, as you return to civilian life, after five years during which you volunteered and contributed as much as you could to the state of Israel.

At a high school like no other, Israel is the classroom for six weeks

Summer session students at AMHSI-JNF listen to instructor Danny Stein on a Tel Avi beach. 

By Mara Fahl

Their bus pulls up next to the park that hugs the Tel Aviv shoreline and the high-schoolers stream off and run straight for the playground. But rather than climb the structures and play on the swings, they scramble through their backpacks for their notebooks. The energy and excitement at being outside seems normal for a group of teens, but these students are part of an experience that is anything but typical.

They have had the worldly experience of traveling to an archeological dig at Tel Gezer, where they explored ancient Canaanite society; to Masada, where they learned of the Israelites' triumphs and downfalls; to the Galilee, where they encountered crusader sites alongside Israel’s natural beauty; and to too many more places to name. These students have elected to spend their summer at Jewish National Fund's Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI-JNF) and they're studying history intensively while earning high school and even college credit.