“You can’t be a Zionist and a pessimist”
JNF NSW guest speaker Prof Gil Troy, award-winning American presidential historian and leading Zionist activist, has inspired audiences in VIC and NSW.
New JNF NSW president Jason Eisner and Gil Abrams
Troy quoted Golda Meir at the JNF NSW AGM, stating that you “can’t be a Zionist and a pessimist.” When asked if he could go back to any point in time and when would that be, he chose tomorrow as we have “Hatikva” – hope, which is always the most exciting prospect. Troy believes that the conflict in Israel is creating an opportunity for exciting dialogue that can bring about great change for the better. Both Herzl and Ben-Gurion held visions for the future of a Jewish state, and it is the unity of Am Israel and its continuous support through JNF projects that maintain and continue to grow those dreams into the future.
The AGM also saw a change of guard in the presidency, with Pam Krail stepping down at the end of her second term and Jason Eisner stepping in as NSW President. Jason began his journey on the JNF board ten years ago, supporting their brand change as the Principal of BrandQuest, a strategy and branding consultancy, and has been a dedicated board member ever since. In receiving the baton, Jason congratulated and thanked Pam for her outstanding contribution to JNF, acknowledging that she is the embodiment of a passionate cultivator, the two words that, as a strategist, captured the neshama of JNF. Pam has ensured the continued success of the organisation, reflected in the tangible projects in Israel that can be seen when you join a JNF tour.
Gil Abras, Director of Business Advisory at William Buck was acknowledged for his seven-year tenure as JNF NSW Treasurer and has now taken on the position of National Treasurer. Peter Smaller, Immediate Past National President, presented the Sylvia Smaller-Winnikow Award in memory of his late mother to Shayna Slotar for her tireless contribution to the B’nai Brith & JNF Jewish Changemaker Awards Committee. Blue Box Chairperson Paul Lowinger presented the National and NSW Blue Box Worker of the Year Award to Jack and Maxine Klarnet, who have been volunteering their time to collect Blue Boxes for over 30 years in the eastern suburbs.
Jason closed his speech by saying, “as we look forward to the next 75 years, we have to be even smarter in protecting and growing the land and our environment, whether in Israel, Australia or the rest of the world. May we all be Passionate Cultivators as Israel – our world needs us to succeed. And may we all look back on what we have achieved and be proud!”
