(Courtesy of JNF) On Jan. 25, over 100 young professionals from the tri-state area celebrated the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the original Earth Day, by supporting the land and people of Israel at Jewish National Fund-USA’s annual JNFuture Tu B’Shevat cocktail party in New York City.

In addition to uniting in solidarity with the people of Israel and networking with like-minded philanthropists ages 22-40, attendees also learned about Jewish National Fund-USA’s Israel Resilience Campaign (jnf.org/supportisrael), which has raised over $50 million since Oct. 7 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 and other supplies.

The campaign also includes the Livnot B’Yachad-Build Together plan, a bold, strategic initiative to rebuild communities in the Israel Envelope (formerly known as the Gaza Envelope) and the lives of broken people.

“It has never been more important to stand with the people of Israel,” said event co-chair Lauren Weinstein. “[After Oct. 7] I wanted to do all I could to help, and I’m sure many felt the same way. Jewish National Fund-USA was the first organization I turned to knowing they would immediately mobilize support for those directly affected. What’s even more special is that the organization works with Israeli communities and its partners to develop and implement projects based on their specific needs.”

In the spirit of Tu B’Shevat, guests were also encouraged to purchase Jewish National Fund-USA “tree certificates,” which commemorates the planting of trees in Israel for any occasion, whether in memory of a loved one or a pet or to celebrate a lifecycle event. For the first time ever, the organization recently launched its e-certificate program, which will now enable customers to instantly send digital tree certificates to their recipients.

“Supporting Israel has become a large part of my adult life, and I have the fortune of working with some of the most amazing and resilient individuals I have ever met,” said event co-chair Seth Mahl. “Jewish National Fund-USA has given me and the friends that I have made through it a way to connect with Israel and make a difference despite being so far away.”

For more information about JNFuture, Jewish National Fund-USA’s community of young professionals ages 22-40, or to learn about upcoming events in New York, visit jnf.org/jnfuture or contact Sophie Rubin at [email protected] or (212) 879-9305, ext. 504.