(Courtesy of JNF) To honor the memory of Bruce Bukiet’s late parents — Holocaust survivors Al and Belle Bukiet — Bruce, a mathematics professor, and his wife Gail, of West Orange, have made a transformative gift to a pioneering agricultural high school in Israel supported by Jewish National Fund-USA. Their donation has funded the creation of a new Jewish education center featuring a vibrant space where students can gather to learn, connect and grow.

This is no ordinary school. Its students divide their time between academic studies and volunteering on local farms, building character and leadership through hands-on experiences. The Bukiets’ support reflects a deep belief in the power of education and community to shape future leaders.

Raised with a profound appreciation for education, Israel and community values, Bruce creditED his parents for instilling these guiding principles. “My dad used to say the Nazis could take everything from you — but not your education,” he recalled. This belief continues to fuel Bruce and Gail’s support for institutions that empower young people.

Bruce’s mother fled Poland just before the war; his father endured the horrors of the concentration camps, surviving with one brother. After the war, they rebuilt their lives in America, committed to remembrance, learning and support for the Jewish people. Israel was not just a destination for them — it was part of their identity.

“The students at this agricultural school are tomorrow’s leaders,” Bruce shared. “They’re learning to love and care for the land, and they’re building the kind of society our parents would be proud of.” Gail added, “This gift is our way of saying thank you — to our parents, to Israel, to the community that shaped us.”

Their message is clear: giving to Israel isn’t just a donation, it’s a deeply personal act of legacy and impact. “Anyone who cares about Israel can find something that resonates. This spoke to us. And everyone can find something that speaks to them.”