As a result of the T'ruah campaign, JNF-USA released a list of their projects, and has continued to include such a list in every 990 since (not legally required for $ leaving the country...which is a questionable policy but that's another issue). A win for transparency! (2/11)
In the last year for which tax filings are available, JNF-USA raised about $94 million & sent about $25m to Israel. Less than $900k goes to JNF-KKL (more on this in a moment). The rest goes to a range of orgs, mostly not in West Bank (though some cross over). (3/11)
These include a lot of projects in the Negev, which carry their own issues because of displacement of Bedouin communities there. Also a therapeutic horse farm, playground in Sderot, projects for disabled Israelis (all worthwhile causes). It's a big mix. (4/11)
The major project in the West Bank is the Gush Etzion visitor center, which is a pro-settlement propaganda machine. In the past, they also funded a new path between settlements (named after boys who were murdered by terrorist a few yrs ago), but that project is done. (5/11)
There's also some super questionable grants in the US as well, including to Central Fund of Israel (whose grantees incl extremist/terrorist groups in Israel), the anti-Muslim Gatestone Institute, much right wing media. Also, JNF runs its own advocacy programs. (6/11)
JNF holds some of its endowment in donor advised funds, which is why you also find grants to groups like a tennis program for kids in Delaware & a disaster search dog org in CA. Nothing wrong with this, but it makes for a confusing 990. (7/11)
A number of years ago, JNF-USA had a very public & ugly divorce from JNF-KKL. So it's true that the US group doesn't have control over the Israel group's operations. And JNF-KKL gets most of its $ from land holdings, not donations. (8/11)
That said, JNF-USA blurs this distinction in their fundraising. Their website talks about their founding in 1901 (the US branch was founded 2+ decades later) & their work in Israel since then. And, of course, most people giving to JNF-USA think they're planting a tree (9/11)
So JNF-USA has it both ways: they fundraise off of history of JNF-KKL/planting trees but have plausible deniability for what KKL does. That said, $867,498 to KKL is not bupkes. So withdrawing support does affect KKL, even if it's a drop in their multi-billion $ budget. (10/11)
Bottom line: if you want to give to create a better Israel (that's democratic, just for all of its people, and isn't carrying out an occupation), give to groups that specifically match these values, not to groups that include funding of orgs entrenching occupation. (11/11)
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A short thread about the word antisemitism. One of the reasons ppl are confused is because the word "Jew" isn't in word. That leads to some misguided rhetoric line "Arabs are semites so antisemitism is hatred of Arabs." (anti-Arab prejudice is real, but term is different) (1/4)
The term antisemite was invented by German antisemite in late 19th c. to respond to trends toward emancipation of Jews, incl in new German constitution. Term represented shift from Christianity-based anti-Judaism (as continued existence of Jews threatened supercessionism) (2/4)
Antisemites suggested that Jews are racially different, that assimilation/integration of Jews is dangerous as Jews become secret nefarious force undermining German society. Not different from white supremacist theory today, which also warns against Jewish infiltration. (3/4)
A few words about the drama that unfolded over the past week plus regarding @ADL
This will be a long thread—please read the whole thing before responding. And if you tweet part of it, remind your followers that it's a thread & they should also read the whole thing. (1/25)
The ADL was founded in 1913 in response to the lynching of a Jewish man, Leo Frank, the anniversary of whose murder was Monday. This lynching was a wake-up call to American Jews that antisemitism was alive and well. myjewishlearning.com/article/leo-fr… (2/25)
Worth noting that this was just a decade after the Kishinev pogrom, which shook American Jews and the world. Definitely worth reading Steve Zipperstein’s book on this. wwnorton.com/books/97816314…
Also worth noting that white nationalists on twitter are still attacking Frank. (3/25)
As we prepare to enter #TishaBav, the saddest day of the Jewish year, I'm thinking of the utter despair of people after the destruction of both Temples-- esp for those who lived through the slow march toward the sacking of the 2nd. Roman occupation, long siege, the end. (1/8)
The moment when what one has known no longer exists, of entering a new era in which basic survival-- and the survival of a people--is not guaranteed. We know that Judaism emerged transformed from this destruction, but one could not know in the moment. (2/8)
The book of Eicha (Lamentations), read tonight (& written about the first Temple), captures the desolation and loneliness of the moment-- the city of Jerusalem sitting solitary, bereft of its people. (3/8)
For the nth time, a thread on the difference between Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel) & Medinat Yisrael (State of Israel) for Gov De Santis and anyone else still confused. Content warning: Contains nuance and will not please those on either extreme. Please read whole thread. (1/10)
Eretz Yisrael is the homeland of the Jewish people. Full stop. Denying this is antisemitic. We have thousands of years of history, memory, collective narrative there & have spent 2000 yrs praying for return, fasting to commemorate destruction of Temple, etc. etc. (2/10)
(Side note: those who think it's clever to say "Arabs are semites, so Zionists are antisemitic": 1. Antisemitism, a term invented in 19th c Germany has never meant anything but hatred of Jews 2. The idea that modern Jews are not "real" Jews is an antisemitic canard.) (3/10)
Dear way too many people in my mentions: Denying the existence or the narrative of either Jews (Israeli or otherwise) or Palestinians is a) dehumanizing b) not even helping your cause. (1/7)
1. Let's start with: Jews today (& yesterday & tomorrow) are Jews. It's an antisemitic canard that we're all descended from Khazars/that some other people are the "real Jews." Stop spreading this lie & don't tolerate it from others, especially those in your political camp (2/7)
2. Palestinians also exist, regardless of whether the English word can directly be transliterated into Arabic & regardless of fact that Palestine has not been a sovereign state. National identity quite often comes before statehood (think Zionism & other nat'l movements). (3/7)
I'm glad to see @jfederations opposing this disastrous bill, but there are a lot of issues with this response. Starting with...1) We shouldn't be disappointed; we should be infuriated. (1/9) haaretz.com/amp/us-news/.p…
2) "They also believe very public debate over original segregated communities clause –which highlighted that key coalition parties endorsed blatant discrimination – damaged Israel’s image internationally." Problem isn't Israel's image or debate. Problem is discrimination. (2/9)
3) Ditto "Another clause...would downgrade Arabic from an official language to one having “special status”...Diaspora leaders believe [this] would create negative perceptions worldwide of state-sanctioned discrimination against nearly a quarter of country’s population." (3/9)