Veteran Israeli Diplomat Headlines Jewish National Fund-USA Luncheon

On September 18, 2025, nearly 100 philanthropists united at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown for Jewish National Fund-USA’s Stand with Israel Legacy Luncheon, where community members learned how their support is helping rebuild Israel’s South and reimagine the North, as well as the many ways they can leave behind a lasting legacy of philanthropy.

The event’s keynote speaker was Ambassador Ido Aharoni Aronoff. As Israel's longest-serving Consul General in New York and the tri-state area, Aharoni oversaw Israel’s largest diplomatic mission from 2010-2016 and is one of the world’s foremost experts in public diplomacy and nation branding. With pinpoint precision, Aharoni discussed his optimism for the future of Israel, what needs to change in how we speak about the country, and how Jewish National Fund-USA is leading the charge.

“We need to broaden the scope through which Israel is perceived, because no product can thrive by discussing its problems alone,” Aharoni said. “You have to talk about what you bring to the table, your competitive edge, and relative advantages. And that’s exactly what Jewish National Fund-USA is doing. It is strengthening Israel’s national security, because reputation is an important part of our safety today.”

Attendees also heard from the organization’s JNFuture Philadelphia Board Member Mitch Benedon, who described how attending Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss), Jewish National Fund-USA’s college-prep, study abroad in Israel experience for American teens, helped shape his path towards advocacy and activism.

“Much of who I am today as a Jew, a Zionist, and as a person, was forged during the lessons and experiences Muss offered,” said Benedon. “History came to life as we visited historical landmarks, ancient ruins, hiked up mountains, down into valleys, through riverbeds, stopping along the way to reflect on the significance of where we were. Everything we did helped us understand how important it is to love and support our homeland, and I want as many young Jewish kids as possible to have the same experience that I had.”

In addition, Jewish National Fund’s Northeast Director of Planned Giving, Allison Nagelberg, Esq. discussed how individuals can meet their personal, financial, and estate planning goals through charitable giving. From Donor Advised Funds to Charitable Gift Annuities, gifts of real estate, gold, stocks and other assets, Nagelberg walked the crowd through different ways they can support the land and people of Israel while maximizing their tax benefits.

“Planned gifts are wonderful tools to solve financial and estate planning problems,” said Nagelberg. “They can save taxes, provide you with a steady stream of generous lifetime income, and maximize the benefits of your IRA. You can leave enduring legacies that create a lasting impact on Israeli lives while leaving the most tax-advantaged assets for your family.”

For more information about Jewish National Fund’s Planned Giving opportunities, visit jnflegacy.org or contact a planned giving specialist at 800.562.7526 or plannedgiving@jnf.org.