KKL-JNF first chairwoman is already making a difference. Here is how
The appointment of Ifat Ovadia-Luski as the first chairwoman of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund in December 2022 marked a historic moment for an organization thought to be one of the oldest environmental groups in the world.
Not six months after taking office, Ovadia-Luski is already making a difference, leading KKL-JNF to crucial benefits for the organization, Israel’s forests, and the whole country.
Recently, the chairwoman reached an agreement with its employees and a groundbreaking deal with the State of Israel and the Ministry of Finance to transfer NIS 6 billion to the country’s treasury. The funds will back national projects, including the development of new communities in the Negev and the Galilee, forests, immigrant absorption, agricultural development, the environment, and more.
“Since the early days of Zionism and up until today, KKL-JNF has been a full partner in building and developing the State of Israel,” said Ovadia-Luski last month. “I am happy that within the framework of this agreement, KKLJNF will continue to serve as a partner in this mission.”
“The entire budget will be used for national projects that are at the core of KKL-JNF’s activity and will continue to strengthen the state as we have done since the beginning of Zionism, as we
are doing now and as we will always continue to do,” she added.
Prior to her role as KKL-JNF’s Chairwoman, Ovadia-Luski headed the Department of Hebrew and Culture at the World Zionist Organization, served as a member of the Jewish Agency Board of Trustees and was CEO of the World Likud, in addition to holding several positions in the public sector.
Ovadia-Luski has an MA with honors in Administration and Education Policy from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Hebrew Literature and History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
She is proud of having been raised on the values of the Betar Movement and Ze’ev Jabotinsky and is a participant in the Jerusalem Post Annual Conference in New York Monday.